Kicked To The Curb » Brats & Beer

Posted on August 22, 2006

It has been a rough week for special teamers in Green Bay and for Nostradamus-like prognosticators. The same day the Press Gazette posited that one of the Packers place kickers would need to be cut, Billy Cundiff was released from the squad, but just days later the paper had Jon Ryan packing his bags after a mishandled punt in Saturday’s game when punter BJ Sander was told to clear out his locker. Can you think of many other NFL markets where so much drama revolves around special teams? Of course, not too many teams manage to lose a Josh Bidwell and a Ryan Longwell within a couple seasons.

Both these moves were met in these parts with the same reaction: Surprise, relief, and concern. The fact that Ted Thompson chose youth over experience was a bit of a surprise, especially in the case of Billy Ray Bulldog, who was a big free agent signing back in March. It’s also a bold move since game-tested veterans often get the benefit of the doubt and a wrong move can bring fan and media criticism to a laser-like focus. (Just ask Mike Sherman about spending that third-round pick for Sander in 2004.)

There was a sense of relief, though, that the team recognized the failings of both Cundiff and Sander before the regular season got underway. Sander we have all known about, having been subjected to his miscues and deficient leg power for the past season. Cundiff I knew would be inadequate as the Green Bay place kicker, especially when the winds of November come calling at Lambeau Field, and I’m glad that he won’t be costing us a game or two (which he surely would).

Still, we’re not exactly in special teams heaven just yet. Dave Rayner, who is now handling kickoffs and place kicks, is a second year player with limited experience kicking field goals. He showed more leg strength but was still about as inconsistent as Cundiff, so this could still be a real pain point in those close matches where three points make a difference. The same can be said of Ryan, the former CFL standout who survives as punter for the Green & Gold. He’s got the power to send the ball flying, but his kicks tend to be line drives rather than gravity-defying arcs, so Mike Stock and his staff have their work cut out for them as they try to correct the Canadian’s technique. I seriously doubt, though, that the hallowed ground at Lambeau Field will ring with chants to bring back Sander no matter how many low-trajectory missiles Ryan fires downfield.

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