NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Brett Kern has called Nissan Stadium home since 2009, making him the senior member of the Titans by five years over Taylor Lewan.
Saturday night while the team beat Arizona 26-23 in the preseason finale, Kern didn’t play.
He watched rookie Ryan Stonehouse belt seven punts 346 yards for an average of 49.4 and a net average of 41.6, pinning three inside the 20 with a long of 64.
Kern said he knew early on that Stonehouse was going to be a real threat.
“I knew it was different when I first saw him punt a ball,” Kern said. “I knew that it was going to be a grind. I told him, I’ve been in the league a long time and I’ve seen about three or four people in my entire life hit a ball like he does.
"I knew it was going to be hard, I knew what he was really good at I’m probably not and what I’m really good at he just needs some work on it. So it was just kind of back and forth a lot and gave it all I had. We’ll just see what happens.”
What Stonehouse is especially good at is bombing long punts and what Kern is especially good at is getting balls to check up close to the goal line. Stonehouse, 23, can get better at his shortcoming while the 36-year old Kern is unlikely to start adding distance.
Kern’s son, Bryce, worked as an assistant at training camp. Dad mentioned how much he enjoyed having his seventh-grader close by and what a special experience that was for them both.
The roster choice is a matter of what the Titans prioritize and how much they factor in the future. Cost may be an element too.
Kern is in the final year of his contract. Even after a spring pay cut of $1 million, he’s due $2.2 million this season. Stonehouse would make $705,000.
“It's been awesome,” Stonehouse said of his camp and preseason experience. “Competition is my favorite honestly ever since I was in high school, and this experience has been fantastic, honestly. Getting to learn from the vet and I couldn't ask for a better place to land.”
Kern admitted he allowed himself to be sentimental.
“If I am here then I probably overreacted and if I’m not, then I definitely probably underreacted,” he said with a grin. “I’m thankful for whatever happens. If I’m here, I’m ready to go I’m ready to roll. If I’m not I am beyond blessed with the years that I have been here, the friendships that I’ve made, the brothers that I have for the rest of my life. I’m sure thankful for that.”
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