Packers sign Kapinos

[KYPack]

Just so you can defend yourself around the water cooler,

It's pronounced KAP-eh-nos.

Assume "Jeremy" won't give anyone any trouble pronouncing, right?

[Tarlam!]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

[KYPack]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

Pretty close.

In one of the statements released, MM said he wanted a punter who could "kick the ball in the right direction." Sounds like a good idea.

I'd be shocked if Stock is on that staff next season.

[pbmax]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

Pretty close.

In one of the statements released, MM said he wanted a punter who could "kick the ball in the right direction." Sounds like a good idea.

I'd be shocked if Stock is on that staff next season.

You are probably right. After the John Bonamego* regime at ST coach and the Sherman struggles with the bottom of his roster, I became convinced that the ST coach was really at the mercy of the GM and coach, both for year by year talent and for game day actives.

But your story about the ST coaches seminar reminds me that even well meaning people do dumb things, even things at cross purposes with the stated intentions sometimes. I hope the next guy both has M3's ear AND doesn't fear kicking consultants.

* In case this doesn't ring a bell, Bonamego was brought in to coach up the STs after they struggled for a couple of years under Frank Novak. He had a great rep and had a top 5 unit in Jacksonville according to the Dallas' paper's ST statistical ranking that McGinn loves so much. Once here, Bonamego stopped the bleeding, but it never got above average for the guy.

[KYPack]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

Pretty close.

In one of the statements released, MM said he wanted a punter who could "kick the ball in the right direction." Sounds like a good idea.

I'd be shocked if Stock is on that staff next season.

You are probably right. After the John Bonamego* regime at ST coach and the Sherman struggles with the bottom of his roster, I became convinced that the ST coach was really at the mercy of the GM and coach, both for year by year talent and for game day actives.

But your story about the ST coaches seminar reminds me that even well meaning people do dumb things, even things at cross purposes with the stated intentions sometimes. I hope the next guy both has M3's ear AND doesn't fear kicking consultants.

* In case this doesn't ring a bell, Bonamego was brought in to coach up the STs after they struggled for a couple of years under Frank Novak. He had a great rep and had a top 5 unit in Jacksonville according to the Dallas' paper's ST statistical ranking that McGinn loves so much. Once here, Bonamego stopped the bleeding, but it never got above average for the guy.

Yer right.

ST coaches are at the bottom of the food chain for determining roster cuts, active/inactive status, etc. But the ST coach pretty much owns the kickers. Stock was pissed at Ryan, didn't think he was developing properly.

As I posted before, Ryan would revert to 3 step kicking and hit shanks and liners. Stock was triple pissed that Ryan went to a punting tutor. This means he didn't think anybody on staff was helping him kick. which is pretty universally true. Most NFL staffs don't have a kicking tutor on them. ST coaches are usually crazy egomaniac types, Stock included. Stock shot his mouth off, got Ryan cut and his guy in place.

Unfortunately, his guy choked like crazy. So, they have to hold a kicking carnival in December and add a new guy. I'm sure MM is doing a slow burn over that shit. That takes prep time and resources for something that shouldn't even be a problem Now Stock looks like a fool.

In addition to creating a problem that shouldn't be, Stock is a shitty ST coach. On many kick-offs and punt rush plays, our guys are out of position or blow their lane integrity. That ain't hacking the program and Stock's the coach in the barrel.

I think MM will get that fixed and find him a new coach.

They gotta try something, 3 punters didn't work.

[MJZiggy]

Not only did 3 punters not work, but didn't two of them settle in with other teams. I know Ryan's with Seattle, who's whatshisface with?

[Brando19]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

Hahaha...probably dead on!

[Fritz]

So, what will M3's briefing be like? I know.

"Hey, just kick da goddamn ball high and far"

Pretty close.

In one of the statements released, MM said he wanted a punter who could "kick the ball in the right direction." Sounds like a good idea.

I'd be shocked if Stock is on that staff next season.

You are probably right. After the John Bonamego* regime at ST coach and the Sherman struggles with the bottom of his roster, I became convinced that the ST coach was really at the mercy of the GM and coach, both for year by year talent and for game day actives.

But your story about the ST coaches seminar reminds me that even well meaning people do dumb things, even things at cross purposes with the stated intentions sometimes. I hope the next guy both has M3's ear AND doesn't fear kicking consultants.

* In case this doesn't ring a bell, Bonamego was brought in to coach up the STs after they struggled for a couple of years under Frank Novak. He had a great rep and had a top 5 unit in Jacksonville according to the Dallas' paper's ST statistical ranking that McGinn loves so much. Once here, Bonamego stopped the bleeding, but it never got above average for the guy.

Yer right.

ST coaches are at the bottom of the food chain for determining roster cuts, active/inactive status, etc. But the ST coach pretty much owns the kickers. Stock was pissed at Ryan, didn't think he was developing properly.

As I posted before, Ryan would revert to 3 step kicking and hit shanks and liners. Stock was triple pissed that Ryan went to a punting tutor. This means he didn't think anybody on staff was helping him kick. which is pretty universally true. Most NFL staffs don't have a kicking tutor on them. ST coaches are usually crazy egomaniac types, Stock included. Stock shot his mouth off, got Ryan cut and his guy in place.

Unfortunately, his guy choked like crazy. So, they have to hold a kicking carnival in December and add a new guy. I'm sure MM is doing a slow burn over that shit. That takes prep time and resources for something that shouldn't even be a problem Now Stock looks like a fool.

In addition to creating a problem that shouldn't be, Stock is a shitty ST coach. On many kick-offs and punt rush plays, our guys are out of position or blow their lane integrity. That ain't hacking the program and Stock's the coach in the barrel.

I think MM will get that fixed and find him a new coach.

They gotta try something, 3 punters didn't work.

KY, weren't you the one at the ST clinic?...IF so, does this mean you're one of those crazy egotistical guys? And furthermore, if this is all true can you please apply for the ST coach's job in the offseason so we can get someone in there who believes in the coffin corner kick?

Finally, I think you should wear your KY colonel's outfit when you are on the sideline. Especially effective for when you have the guys gathered around you and you are pumping them up to go knock some heads around on the next kickoff.

[sheepshead]

Sounds good!



It probably said far more about Derrick Frost’s struggles over the past three months than about Jeremy Kapinos’ practice debut.


But as his first punt Thursday morning spiraled toward the rafters inside The Don Hutson Center, Kapinos heard the chorus of “oohs,” followed quickly by applause and encouraging shouts from his new Green Bay Packers teammates.

“I don’t think I really deserve it,” Kapinos said, “but I’ll take it.”

After 12 games with the insufferably inconsistent Frost, who was released Monday, players were unusually vocal as they watched Kapinos punt about 10 balls — mostly well — during an extended special-teams period. It was the first work the left-footer out of Penn State had gotten in front of teammates since signing with the Packers on Wednesday.

“With what we’ve been going through with the punting situation,” receiver Greg Jennings said, pausing to chuckle, “that first one was much-needed.”

“Jeremy did a nice job (Thursday),” coach Mike McCarthy said. “I thought he handled the snaps clean. He definitely has some power in his leg, did a good job with the directional kicking.”

Out of football since the New York Jets waived him in June, Kapinos worked out for the Baltimore Ravens and thought he was close to landing with the Washington Redskins after Durant Brooks — the rookie who beat out Frost and was one of four punters the Packers worked out this week — lost the job in October. But the majority of Kapinos’ work the past five months has been in 2½-hour workouts five days a week, far removed from the structure of an NFL practice.

Special-teams coordinator Mike Stock said it was important for the team to see Kapinos perform.

“This guy’s only in his second year, but he’s got a big upside in terms of strength, fundamentals and techniques,” Stock said. “We’ll see what happens on Sunday” against the Houston Texans.

[KYPack]

KY, weren't you the one at the ST clinic?...IF so, does this mean you're one of those crazy egotistical guys? And furthermore, if this is all true can you please apply for the ST coach's job in the offseason so we can get someone in there who believes in the coffin corner kick?

Finally, I think you should wear your KY colonel's outfit when you are on the sideline. Especially effective for when you have the guys gathered around you and you are pumping them up to go knock some heads around on the next kickoff.

[/i]

I went to the coaches clinic to get some fake punt and field goal plays. I eventually found what I needed at a happy hour after the clinic was done.

I also learned that I didn't fit the "ST coach" profile. I was probably wacky enough & I've got as much ego as you need. I'm just not enough of a control freak. These guys want to bring order to a crazy situation. On any kicking play, you've got 21 crazy guys running around trying to kill one another and a kicker. It's mayhem and your job is to organize everybody and bring order to a disorderly situation

My gig was to get our 11 guys lined up right and have each one of 'em have at least of vague idea of what we were trying to get accomplished. Most of the time, we got that done, except for those rare times that everything goes horseshit on you.

My coaching attire? Football gear, baseball cap, and a clipboard, with my helmet between my feet. At semi-pro games, there's always people lurking around trying to steal the equipment. I was still playin'.

[KYPack]

Special-teams coordinator Mike Stock said it was important for the team to see Kapinos perform.

“This guy’s only in his second year, but he’s got a big upside in terms of strength, fundamentals and techniques,” Stock said. “We’ll see what happens on Sunday” against the Houston Texans.

Sounds good, coach. Hey next year, let's have 16 punters. Yeah, a new one every week.

That'll confuse everybody, including us.

Just like this season.

[Fritz]

KY, weren't you the one at the ST clinic?...IF so, does this mean you're one of those crazy egotistical guys? And furthermore, if this is all true can you please apply for the ST coach's job in the offseason so we can get someone in there who believes in the coffin corner kick?

Finally, I think you should wear your KY colonel's outfit when you are on the sideline. Especially effective for when you have the guys gathered around you and you are pumping them up to go knock some heads around on the next kickoff.

[/i]

I went to the coaches clinic to get some fake punt and field goal plays. I eventually found what I needed at a happy hour after the clinic was done.

I also learned that I didn't fit the "ST coach" profile. I was probably wacky enough & I've got as much ego as you need. I'm just not enough of a control freak. These guys want to bring order to a crazy situation. On any kicking play, you've got 21 crazy guys running around trying to kill one another and a kicker. It's mayhem and your job is to organize everybody and bring order to a disorderly situation

My gig was to get our 11 guys lined up right and have each one of 'em have at least of vague idea of what we were trying to get accomplished. Most of the time, we got that done, except for those rare times that everything goes horseshit on you.

My coaching attire? Football gear, baseball cap, and a clipboard, with my helmet between my feet. At semi-pro games, there's always people lurking around trying to steal the equipment. I was still playin'.

I like your approach: "Okay, gentlemen, here's the plan: go tackle the guy with the ball."

I think MM is coming around to your coaching approach - said he wants the new guy to just kick the ball in the right direction.

I do think the colonel outfit with the glasses and goatee would be an effective motivator, however. Go KY!

[CaliforniaCheez]

Every time the punt is away I will raise my glass and shout "Kapino!!"

[denverYooper]

Every time the punt is away I will raise my glass and shout "Kapino!!"

It seems like something you'd say before a shot of Ouzo.

[Fritz]

I've been complaining about the Jon-Ryan-Was-A-Great-Punter-And-The-Pack-Gave-Him-Away article a few days back by Bob McGinn.

He must be wearing some pretty tight undies these days, or else he's running out of leads. Here's his newest lead for a story on Matt Turk:

"Green Bay - Jon Ryan isn't the only good punter the Green Bay Packers let get way."

Jon Ryan was a good punter?

Look, I wanted Jon Ryan to be a good punter. I liked the guy, and I liked his big leg. But he was a shankaholic, and at best the guy is, at this point in his career, an average punter. In fact, that's where he's ranked in the league statistically. But McGinn has elevated Jon Ryan into the ranks of "good" punters in the NFL.

Look it was probably a mistake to cut Ryan. But TT was trying to improve the team at a position he thought he could improve the team. But the moves don't always pan out. If they don't pan out often enough, you lose your job. (Even Matt Millen, eventually.) If the moves do pan out often enough, you get to keep your job.

How about this, instead: "When the Packers cut Matt Turk in 1993, little did they know he would go on to have a pro-bowl career, and stay in the league for many years."

Or how about this: "When GM Ron Wolf cut Matt Turk in 1993, it was an ominous sign for the future of the Green Bay Packers. Turk went on to become a pro bowl punter, while Wolf's choice, Bryan Wagner, was merely pedestrian. Clearly, the Packers had given the GM reins to a man who could not judge talent."

Come on, McGinn. Quit the sniping. It's been a disappointing season, to be sure. TT screwed up the punting situation, to be sure. But quit the sniping, please.