Mike Scifres (SIGH-fres) is among the top punters in the NFL today. His high punts with pinpoint accuracy are rarely returned by the opposition. Scifres possesses incredible leg strength and flexibility that he credits to both weightlifting and Pilates throughout the year.

It was almost a fluke that Scifres ended up with the Chargers. It happened to be on a recommendation from Kyle Smith, the son of Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith. Kyle, then a freshman punt returner at Youngstown State had returned punts against Scifres, who then played for Missouri Valley Conference foe, Western Illinois. Less than a year after fielding the call from Kyle and despite having a Pro Bowl punter on the roster in Darren Bennett, Smith drafted Scifres in the fifth round in 2003.

Position: P College: Western Illinois Experience: 8th NFL Season Height: 6-2 Weight: 236 Age: 26

Drafting Scifres proved to be a savvy move for Smith. Scifres has been a first-alternate for the last three Pro Bowls and if it weren't for Raiders punter Shane Lechler, Scifres would be a three-time Pro Bowler.

The franchise's all-time leader in punting average (44.1), Scifres was again one of the best punters in the NFL in 2009. He kept his net punting average near his best ever (40.9). Scifres had only two touchbacks in 52 punts, an outstanding stat, and placed 23 punts inside the 20.

Because San Diego's offense was so good in 2009, Scifres was only called upon to punt 52 times.