By Mark Gaughan
New Buffalo Bills punter Shawn Powell said after practice today his predecessor, Brian Moorman, helped him make the adjustment to the NFL during training camp and preseason.
"I am grateful for the opportunity that I have and I am going to make the most of it I can," said Powell, the rookie from Florida State who was signed Tuesday after the team released Moorman. "If I can have half the career that Moorman had, it will be successful. A two-time Pro Bowler and all of that stuff. He was a role model to me when I was here and helped me to get better. I am grateful for him."
Asked his assessment of his play this summer, Powell said: "I feel like I did well for a rookie, an undrafted rookie. I could tell as the preseason went on, I got better. I am not trying to blow Moorman up or anything, but honestly he helped me out. He would see things on film or see me out here doing this and he would say: 'One thing I noticed is I have to place the ball before I go to move.' That is one thing I really learned. Also, I watched him on film and watched the other punters on film as well because that is one thing that he did. As time went on I got better. I felt like if Buffalo did not work out, I felt like I did enough to get shots as well."
Powell said he had workouts with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being released by the Bills at the end of preseason.
