Matt Dodge


Matthew "Matt" Dean Dodge is a former American football punter. He was a Second Team All-American while a Senior at East Carolina University as he ranked second in the NCAA in yards per punt He was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was out of the league one year later.
Dodge was born in Morehead City, North Carolina, where he played at West Carteret High School before attending Appalachian State University. As a freshman, Dodge was the punter for the 2005 NCAA Division I-AA National Champion Appalachian State football team . He later transferred to East Carolina University and become their punter for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Dodge was projected to be drafted in the seventh round or signed as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2010 NFL Draft.

New York Giants

Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team. Dodge was signed to a four-year contract on June 23.
Dodge's first professional punt was blocked in a Monday night preseason game against the New York Jets. During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 19, 2010, Dodge had a 36-yard punt that was returned by DeSean Jackson for a touchdown as time expired, giving the Eagles a 38−31 win in a game later called the "Miracle at the New Meadowlands". Shortly after the winning touchdown, Dodge was publicly criticized by his head coach, Tom Coughlin, for failing to punt the ball out-of-bounds.
On September 3, 2011, Dodge was released from the Giants in favor of former New York Jet punter Steve Weatherford.