Packers Sign Punter, Mike McCarthy Expects Him To Kick Ball in Right Direction

Yesterday, Ciskie pointed out that the Packers were still without a punter. (Even though nobody pays them any attention, they are sort of important.) On Monday, they released incumbent Derrick Frost, who was signed just prior to the season opener to replace the inconsistent Jon Ryan.

Well, got some good news, Bruce: Green Bay inked former Nittany Lion Jeremy Kapinos, which means, barring an asteroid strike, the team will have a punter for this weekend's game against the Texans. And while I'll gladly admit that punters are seldom newsworthy, it was hard to overlook head coach Mike McCarthy's comments following the Kapinos signing:

"I want him to punt the ball in the right direction," McCarthy said. "I'm expected to win games. He's expected to punt the ball in the right direction." Then, McCarthy added, "I'm not trying to be funny."

Whoa, there, Mike. Let's try to keep expectations realistic here. You want this guy to not only kick the ball, but kick it in the right direction.

This certainly doesn't reflect well on Frost -- who also answers to "Aaron Brooks" -- but reinforces just how disappointing 2008 has been for the Packers. After all, this was a team that won 13 times last season, thanks solely to the magnificence that is Brett Lorenzo Favre.

Good news: I'm pretty sure things can't get any worse, at least on special teams. According to Football Outsiders, Green Bay's punt coverage team ranks below Pittsburgh's. Since losing starter Daniel Sepulveda in training camp, the Steelers have employed Mitch Berger (a guy with two bad hamstrings), replaced him with Paul Ernster (who managed 31.6 yards per attempt), only to go back to Berger.

So maybe McCarthy really isn't trying to be funny. Whatever, this would've never happened on Favre's watch.