IronMan
  • IronMan
  • Veteran Member Topic Starter
16 years ago
Link 



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.

bozz_2006
16 years ago
i thought it was Aaron Rodgers fault... ?
UserPostedImage
shield4life
16 years ago
Use our first rounder !!!
Glad To Be A Packers Fan.
Rockmolder
16 years ago

Use our first rounder !!!

"krazygangsta" wrote:



It has been done before, by none other than the wacky Al Davis.

The Draft seems to be our only option atm though, or there should be more teams that don't lock their good punter up. I never get why you would release a good punter with the small amount of money they usually earn.

The Vikings did a good job on that one. They got a solid punter and tied him up till 2013.
Pack93z
16 years ago
A bird in the bush, apparently is better than two in the fist.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
bozz_2006
16 years ago

Use our first rounder !!!

"Rockmolder" wrote:



It has been done before, by none other than the wacky Al Davis.

"krazygangsta" wrote:



I hate to quibble... who the hell am I kidding? I love to quibble. Davis drafted Sebastian (Kick his ass, Sea Bass!) Janikowski in round 1. place kicker, not a punter.
UserPostedImage
Packnic
16 years ago
i definetly think the Frost case was one of the Packers outthinking themselves. Mike Stock decided to get cute... and it bit him.
blank
Rockmolder
16 years ago

Use our first rounder !!!

"bozz_2006" wrote:



It has been done before, by none other than the wacky Al Davis.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



I hate to quibble... who the hell am I kidding? I love to quibble. Davis drafted Sebastian (Kick his ass, Sea Bass!) Janikowski in round 1. place kicker, not a punter.

"krazygangsta" wrote:



I meant Ray Guy actually ^^. (Have been 5 first round Kickers if I'm correct, he's the only punter)

And ye, he drafted both a punter and a kicker in the first round. Gotta love that man. I see what he sees in those guys, but seriously, do you have to give up a first rounder for a strong leg?

On topic though, I wouldn't mind it if Ted Thompson used a somewhat high draft pick (3/4) on a punter, if he's worth it.
bozz_2006
16 years ago
Boom!
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
16 years ago


On topic though, I wouldn't mind it if Ted Thompson used a somewhat high draft pick (3/4) on a punter, if he's worth it.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



And if you deem him worth it on his talent, don't draft him and then try to change his mechanics.. that there is the hidden part of BJ Sanders flaming out..
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (1h) : Jaire played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season
Zero2Cool (1h) : reported, but not expected to practice
Zero2Cool (1h) : Jenkins has REPORTED for mandatory camp
Zero2Cool (1h) : I really thought he'd play for Packers.
buckeyepackfan (1h) : Packers releasing Jaire Alexander.
Mucky Tundra (18h) : (Context: he wants his defense to create turnovers)
Mucky Tundra (18h) : Giants DC Shane Bowen tells players to “be a damn pirate."
dfosterf (6-Jun) : Semper fi !
Cheesey (6-Jun) : This is why I have so much respect for those that have gone through battles
Cheesey (6-Jun) : I can't even imagine what that would have been like
wpr (6-Jun) : "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"
wpr (6-Jun) : Facing a line of machine guns 2 time medal of Honor recipient, First Sergeant Dan Daly told his men,
wpr (6-Jun) : Another detachment went into the Belleau Wood.
wpr (6-Jun) : On the 6th the Marines took Hill 142 but suffered terrible losses.
wpr (6-Jun) : It’s time to remember dfoster’s Marine brothers in Belleau Wood. The battle went on from June 1-26. Nearly 10,000 casualties.
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : Nick Collins and Morgan Burnett have signed with the PACK
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : he won't be wearing #12, maybe he will wear number two
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : He will fail this season, should have retired
Mucky Tundra (5-Jun) : Thus the cycle of Hall of Fame Packer QBs going to the Jets and then the Vikings is broken
bboystyle (5-Jun) : Rodgers to steelers on 1 year contract
Zero2Cool (5-Jun) : It's the cycle of civilizations. Get lazier, lazier, softer, softer and vanish.
Martha Careful (5-Jun) : great point. every aspect of society, including art, culture and sports has degraded.
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Green Bay sweep meant something to society about stopping pure excellence. We have the tush push now
dfosterf (4-Jun) : We old Martha.
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : *front four
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : Re frout four, I wish we had some Green "People Eaters" or a fearsome foursome
dfosterf (4-Jun) : *directions*
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Just don't ask him for driving direct
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Jim Marshall was an all-time great DE for the Purple People Eaters. Didn't like him. That's a compliment. RIP
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : ooppppss
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : “Kenny Clark played all of last season hurt by the way and got surgery to fix it in January”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood How much did the injury affect him last fall? “A lot.”
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : @ByRyanWood Kenny Clark said he had foot surgery in January. Injured his foot in opener against Eagles and played through it all year.
Zero2Cool (3-Jun) : Golden is wearing guardian cap again. I bet he plays with it on too.
Mucky Tundra (3-Jun) : All the stuff I'm reading from Lions fans are pointing at his toe; he more or less has permanent turf toe in one of his big toes
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Kenny played through it, and a shame he gets little credit for that, imo
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Big men. I hope it's not the undoing of Kenny Clark
dfosterf (3-Jun) : Probably his toe. Pretty much a great center. Toe injuries are brutal to bigen
Mucky Tundra (2-Jun) : Lions All-Pro C Frank Ragnow retires
wpr (30-May) : It's all good.
beast (30-May) : Yeah, and I enjoyed your comments and just attempted to add to it. Sorry if I did it incorrectly.
wpr (30-May) : Beast I never said Henderson was the salt of the earth. Nor even that he was correct. Just quoting the guy.
Zero2Cool (29-May) : What did you do??
Zero2Cool (29-May) : Whoa
beast (29-May) : OMG the website is now all white, even some white on white text
beast (29-May) : Henderson, who admits to taking cocaine during the Super Bowl against the Steelers, might dislike Bradshaw as he lost two Superbowls to him
wpr (28-May) : Hollywood Henderson said Bradshaw “is so dumb, he couldn't spell 'cat' if you spotted him the C and an A.”
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Cooper stock=BUY BUY BUY
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : Also notes he’s playing with more confidence.
Mucky Tundra (28-May) : @AndyHermanNFL MLF says there was a time last year where Cooper was at 220 pounds. Now he’s at 240 and still flying around.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
32m / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

2h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

7-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

6-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

5-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

5-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

1-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

27-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

27-May / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

23-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / greengold

23-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / earthquake

22-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-May / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.