# Sam Paulescu > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Paulescu > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sam_Paulescu.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Paulescu > Source revision: 1291303667 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American football player (born 1984)}} {{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Sam Paulescu | image = | image_size = | caption = | number = 2, 4, 1 | position = [Punter](/source/Punter_(football)) | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|04|18}} | birth_place = [Fullerton, California](/source/Fullerton%2C_California), U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 200 | college = [Oregon State](/source/Oregon_State_Beavers_football) | undraftedyear = 2006 | pastteams = * [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers) ({{CFL Year|2006}}) * [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys) ({{NFL Year|2007}})* * [Denver Broncos](/source/Denver_Broncos) ({{NFL Year|2007}}) * Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2008}}) * [Washington Redskins](/source/Washington_Redskins) ({{NFL Year|2009}}) * [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) ({{NFL Year|2009}}) * [Washington Redskins](/source/Washington_Redskins) ({{NFL Year|2010}}) * [San Francisco 49ers](/source/San_Francisco_49ers) ({{NFL Year|2011}})* | highlights = * First-team [All-Pac-10](/source/List_of_All-Pac-12_Conference_football_teams) ([2005](/source/2005_All-Pacific-10_Conference_football_team)) | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 20 | statlabel2 = Punts | statvalue2 = 102 | statlabel3 = Punt yards | statvalue3 = 4,306 | statlabel4 = Punting yard average | statvalue4 = 42.7 | pfr = PaulSa20 }} '''Samuel Paulescu''' ({{langx|ro|Păulescu}}; born April 18, 1984) is an American former professional [football](/source/gridiron_football) player who was a [punter](/source/Quarterback_(American_football)) in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL) for the [Denver Broncos](/source/Denver_Broncos), [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys), [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) and [Washington Redskins](/source/Washington_Redskins). He played [college football](/source/college_football) for the [Oregon State Beavers](/source/Oregon_State_Beavers_football). Paulescu also played professionally for the [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League) (CFL). ==Early life== Born in [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles%2C_California), to Romanian immigrant parents Nick and Persida Paulescu, he was fluent in Romanian before he could speak English. Paulescu played basketball, soccer, track and football at [Whittier Christian High School](/source/Whittier_Christian_High_School) in [La Habra, California](/source/La_Habra%2C_California). He earned four letters in football and soccer, and two in track and field. In addition to kicking, Paulescu also played wide receiver, running back and defensive back. As a junior, he scored three touchdowns, intercepted two passes and kicked a prep career-best 43-yard field goal in one game. He also scored 17 goals for the soccer team. As a senior, he was named team defensive MVP and first-team All-Olympic League as a kicker. Paulescu played in the 605 All-Star game in the summer of 2002. ==College career== Paulescu accepted a football scholarship from [Fullerton College](/source/Fullerton_College) under head coach [Gene Murphy](/source/Gene_Murphy_(American_football%2C_born_1939)) in 2003. As a freshman in 2002, he averaged 36.7 yards on 53 punts. His [special teams](/source/special_teams) coach was Jim Wren, who was [USC](/source/USC_Trojans_football)'s punter in 1996 when [Mike Riley](/source/Mike_Riley_(American_football)) was the offensive coordinator. As a sophomore, Paulescu was the fifth-leading scorer among California Junior College players as a kicker. He scored 73 points in 10 games (37-37 PAT, 12-17 FGs) booted a 57-yard field goal against [Santa Monica College](/source/Santa_Monica_College), and was perfect on all three attempts over 41 yards. He made a 25-yarder in overtime to give Fullerton a 24-21 win over [Riverside City College](/source/Riverside_City_College) on November 15. He averaged 45.6 yards on 46 attempts during the regular season, with a long of 84 yards, raising his average to 46.5 yards after three playoff games as a punter. He also bettered his all-time long punt with an 86-yarder against [Santa Monica College](/source/Santa_Monica_College) in the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl on November 22. He was selected first team All-American by J.C. Grid-Wire and by J.C. Athletic Bureau, earned first-team All-Mission Conference; first-team All-California J.C. Region IV, and first-team All-California as selected by the California Community College Football Coaches Association. Paulescu transferred to [Oregon State University](/source/Oregon_State_University), where as a junior he received honorable-mention [All-Pac-10](/source/Pac-10) and OSU Special Teams Co-MVP honors. He began his senior year on the [Ray Guy Award](/source/Ray_Guy_Award) watch list and averaged 43 yards per punt, ending his OSU career with 48 punts downed inside the 20-yard line – 24 each season. He was the [Pac-10](/source/Pac-10) Special Teams Player of the Week in 2005, after having six punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including two at the 1-yard line, in a win at No. 18 California. He made 21 punts of 50-plus yards during his career, including a career-best of 69 yards against [Washington State University](/source/Washington_State_University) in 2004. As a senior, he posted 56 punts for a 43-yard average and was named to the [Pac-10](/source/Pac-10) All-Conference first-team, marking the first punter in OSU history to earn such a distinction. He finished his college career as arguably the top punter in the program's history. ==Professional career== ===Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)=== On June 21, 2006, he signed a contract with the [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](/source/Winnipeg_Blue_Bombers) of the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League), to join the team's developmental squad.{{cite web|url=https://osubeavers.com/sports/2006/6/22/207817657.aspx|title=Sam Paulescu Signs Professional Contract|work=Oregon State University|access-date=June 12, 2020}} He was released on July 23.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/475171747/|title=Canadian Football League|date=July 24, 2006 |publisher=Edmonton Journal|access-date=June 12, 2020}} ===Dallas Cowboys (first stint)=== On May 1, 2007, he was signed as a [free agent](/source/free_agent) by the [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys).{{cite web|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-adding-rookie-free-agents-including-qb-301656|title=Cowboys Adding Rookie Free Agents, Including QB|work=DallasCowboys.com|access-date=June 12, 2020}} He was released on August 3. He was re-signed on August 14.{{cite web|url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mid-day-report-heat-rising-with-broncos-in-town-302951|title=Mid-Day Report: Heat Rising With Broncos In Town|work=DallasCowboys.com|access-date=June 12, 2020}} He was waived before the start of the season, after not beating out [Mat McBriar](/source/Mat_McBriar) for the [starting](/source/Starting_lineup) punting job. ===Denver Broncos=== On December 28, 2007 the [Denver Broncos](/source/Denver_Broncos) signed him after releasing [Paul Ernster](/source/Paul_Ernster).{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story?id=3171547&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22 |title=Paulescu wins punt-off to be Broncos punter against Vikings |date=December 28, 2007 |work=ESPN |access-date=June 12, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2007/12/28/perils-of-punter-paulescu/|title=Perils of punter Paulescu |work=Denver Post|date=December 28, 2007 |access-date=June 12, 2020}} Paulescu made his debut in week 17 against the [Minnesota Vikings](/source/Minnesota_Vikings), making five [punts](/source/Punt_(gridiron_football)) for a total of 221 yards. He was released on August 30, 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/408/broncos-cut-list |title=Broncos cut list |date=August 30, 2008 |work=ESPN |access-date=June 12, 2020}} ===Dallas Cowboys (second stint)=== On October 14, 2008, he was signed by the [Dallas Cowboys](/source/Dallas_Cowboys) as a replacement for McBriar, who suffered a broken foot against the [Arizona Cardinals](/source/Arizona_Cardinals) and was placed on the [injured reserve list](/source/injured_reserve_list).{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3643996 |title=McBriar placed on injured reserve, will miss rest of season |date=October 14, 2008 |work=ESPN |access-date=June 12, 2020}} During a home game against the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers), he delivered a hard tackle on returner, [Clifton Smith](/source/Clifton_Smith_(running_back)), at midfield.{{cite web|title=Quick Take: Dallas snaps two-game losing skid|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/quick-take-dallas-snaps-two-game-losing-skid-09000d5d80bf35fa|work=NFL.com|access-date=June 2, 2020}} He was not re-signed after the season. ===Washington Redskins (first stint)=== Paulescu signed with the [Washington Redskins](/source/Washington_Redskins) on November 6, 2009. After punting in one game on November 8 against the [Atlanta Falcons](/source/Atlanta_Falcons) (3 punts, averaging 50 yards per punt). He was waived on November 14. ===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== On December 1, 2009, he was signed by the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers) due to the injury of [Dirk Johnson](/source/Dirk_Johnson). He was waived on April 26, 2010.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5136695 |title=Tampa Bay releases DT Hovan |date=April 26, 2010 |work=ESPN | access-date=June 12, 2020}} ===Washington Redskins (second stint)=== On December 14, 2010, he was signed by the [Washington Redskins](/source/Washington_Redskins) to replace [Hunter Smith](/source/Hunter_Smith), who was cut after letting the snap on a critical extra point attempt go through his hands in a 16-17 loss against the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](/source/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers).{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5920281 |title=Punter/holder Hunter Smith cut |date=December 14, 2010 |work=ESPN |access-date=June 12, 2020}} He was released on July 28, 2011.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/6814188/nfl-cuts-roundup |title=NFL cuts roundup |date=July 28, 2011 |work=ESPN | access-date=June 12, 2020}} ===San Francisco 49ers=== On August 22, 2011, Paulescu signed with the [San Francisco 49ers](/source/San_Francisco_49ers). He was waived on August 30.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/44048/quick-look-at-49ers-80-man-roster |title=Quick look at 49ers' 80-man roster |date=August 30, 2011 |work=ESPN | access-date=June 12, 2020}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Paulescu, Sam}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Fullerton, California Category:Canadian football punters Category:Players of Canadian football from California Category:American football punters Category:Fullerton Hornets football players Category:Oregon State Beavers football players Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players Category:Dallas Cowboys players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Washington Redskins players Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:American people of Romanian descent Category:Romanian players of American football --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sam Paulescu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Paulescu) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Paulescu?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.