What is it about Green Bay Packers general managers and their boneheaded decisions regarding punters?
Ron Wolf allowed Craig Hentrich, one of the best punters in the NFL, to get away in free agency in 1998.
Mike Sherman wasted third- and fifth-round draft choices on B.J. Sander in 2004.
Ted Thompson booted Jon Ryan from the roster on Sept. 1 and replaced him with Derrick Frost.
These were ill-advised moves that haunt the team to this day.
Wolf didnt want to pay Hentrich what he was worth, so the punter signed with Tennessee, proceeded to perform at a Pro Bowl level and is playing a decade later. To his credit, Wolf later admitted the Hentrich decision was a big mistake.
Had Wolf valued the punting position a little more, Hentrich might still be in Green Bay and future blunders by Sherman and Thompson could have been avoided.
Its bad enough Sherman squandered a third-round draft choice to select Sander, who wasnt rated nearly that high. But Sherman inexplicably traded up to get him, meaning he flushed a fifth-round draft choice down the drain in the process.
Sander was a bust, spending one season languishing on the inactive list before suffering through a forgettable 14-game career (39.2 gross average, 33.9 net) in 2005.
Thompson seemingly rescued the Packers from their punting woes when he signed Ryan as a free agent out of the Canadian Football League in March 2006.
Ryan came to Green Bay with a big leg and became a top-10 punter in the NFL with gross averages of 44.5 yards in 2006 and 44.4 in 2007. His net average last year of 37.6 was the best by a Packers punter in 38 years.
How was Ryan rewarded for his two solid years of service? The Packers kicked him to the curb because they thought they could do better. They believed Frost, a Washington Redskins castoff, was more consistent and better at directional punting and delivery times.
It sounded good in theory, but it was a classic case of the Packers out-thinking themselves. Common sense went out the window as the Packers chose not to value Ryans stronger leg, greater potential and better overall averages. Here was a guy capable of booming the ball all over the yard, yet the Packers didnt appreciate what they had.
Jon was a true pro, a very talented punter. Had a positive experience with him here, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday when he announced the release of Frost.
So, what was McCarthy thinking when the Packers gave Ryan the ax?
What about special teams coach Mike Stock, who was so enamored of Frost that he lost sight of a quality punter right in front of his nose?
Ryan signed with the Seahawks and has outperformed Frost. Ryan ranks ninth in the NFL in gross average (46.4); Frost is 26th (42.1). Ryans net average is 2.4 yards better than Frosts. Ryan has recorded punts of 59 yards or longer in eight of his last nine games. Frost had a single kick that carried 59 yards in his last nine games, and he struggled in the punter-friendly Metrodome and Superdome.
Frost played a role in the Packers field-position problems, which have contributed to the teams disappointing 5-7 record. Good things rarely happen when your opponent is handed the ball near midfield following punts.
Frost was so unproductive that the Packers preferred to take their chances with a punter off the street rather than endure the likely prospect of four more games of bad field position.
When asked Tuesday whether he regretted cutting Ryan, Thompson said: I said all along, we love Jon Ryan, (hes) one of the best people weve ever been around.
We were looking for more consistency and we thought we would get it from Derrick and we just didnt get that.
Thompsons attempt to improve his team blew up in his face. If its any consolation, hes not the only Packers general manager to screw up on a punter
Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.