Bills release P Moorman, re-sign Powell

Orchard Park, NY – The Buffalo Bills released punter Brian Moorman and signed punter Shawn Powell on Tuesday.

Moorman was the longest-tenured player on Buffalo's roster after winning the punting job in 2001 following a successful stint in NFL Europe.

He holds the highest gross punting average (43.9) and net punting average (37.6) in team history. The 36-year-old Moorman played in his 179th career game this past Sunday at Cleveland, good for sixth most in franchise history.

Moorman, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 and 2006, has punted the ball 862 times for 37,859 yards in his career.

"It goes back to trying to upgrade at the position and looking down the road. That is basically it," Bills general manager Buddy Nix said. "I would not get into specifics, but with us we evaluate everything every day, especially every week after a game. We do that and we look at things and say 'Well, we can get better here.' That is what we try to do."

Powell was released by the Bills prior to the regular season. The Florida State product signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent following April's NFL Draft.

He ended his collegiate career as the Seminoles' all-time leader with a 44.2 punting average.