Any Scott Player or Fred Capshaw news ?

[BERTRAND #92]

I was at practice today in Flag and it was quite boring to be honest with you. A few things did stand out that interested me , more in a humorous way, but still interesting.

One thing was that Rackers was attempting 65 yarders. He wiffed on the ones I seen but it was kind of cool to see him going for it though.

Second thing I saw was Novack lineing up to kick one on the sidelines and Fitz pretended like he wasn't watching and right before Novack made his move Fitz snuck in and booted it before Novack could move. LOL , good to see they are loose.

BODY LANGUAGE :
As the team dispursed and went to the locker room Scott Player approached the coach.
The third thing I noticed that stood out to me was, after practice was over Player pulled coach Green aside and had a lengthy conversation (probably about 5 minutes) in the north endzone while no one else was around, it seemed animated. They were both throwing their arms up in the air and then they would say a few more words , then the arms would go up in the air as if they were frustrated with each other. After the conversation they shook hands but it wasn't a handshake of "hi, glad to meet you" , it was a handshake of "good luck, thanks for coming" .

I could be wrong but I have a feeling Player is on his way out.

Not trying to start a rumor , just stateing what I saw.

This leads to the question is their news coming about Player and Capshaw ?

[82CardsGrad]

If Player was smart, he would head to Cardinal Stadium ASAP, get himself a box of Sonoran Dogs, and get them to Denny as quickly as possible! :wink:

[cardinallaw]

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=76579

Capshaw has been making a name for himself.

[BERTRAND #92]

My son and I also noticed that Player was standing on the sidelines by himself almost the whole practice today. Capshaw was taking all the snaps for the kicks for both Novack and Rackers, and Player only got in for one hold, that was it.

When he was on the sidelines NO ONE was talking to him , almost as if he had the plague.

[House~of~Cards]

:idea: Trade a punter for a Right Offensive Tackle...hmmmm?

[Wayne's Cards]

It may well be the end of the Player era. He might be seeing that the handwriting is on the wall. If he is gone, he gave us 8 great years. He was a 28 year old rookie, so that puts him around 36. He has 2 more years on his contract.
Signed a contract extension on 1/4/05 that will keep him in Arizona through 2007.
There is always teams out there looking for punters, so I would not be surprised if he is gone he would land with someone.

[BullheadCardFan]

Capshaw really boomed one in the game .. if he is adept at handling the ball for Rackers then he definitely has a chance to unseat Player ... it would be weird to cut an all pro punter .. but if Capshaw is better then it is what it is ..

[anytimeuwnt]

Just an FYI...... Rackers loves Player...

In a practice last week player was holding FG attempts and Rackers was drilling them. They brought in Capshaw and Rackers started missing a few. It was speculated that Rackers was looking out for his guy.

Don't remember where I read it, but it was speculated.

[Hideous_Cardinal_Fan]

Player has been banished to the end of the sideline as if he were a leper. Capshaw has improved in his cheetah chasing times, but regrettfully had his first known loss in rhino wrestling today. Hopefully he can get his skills back on track a.s.a.p.

[CardsFanJoe]

Some people may say this is only a punter, but I think it's huge. Our ST's need great improvement and you can't overstate field position. Player is very adept at inside the 20 punts. Capshaw can boom it, I saw it, I was there, but can he do the other things that matter like ball placement and holding for the best kick er the NFL?? We'll see...

[azbmxican]

Some people may say this is only a punter, but I think it's huge. Our ST's need great improvement and you can't overstate field position. Player is very adept at inside the 20 punts. Capshaw can boom it, I saw it, I was there, but can he do the other things that matter like ball placement and holding for the best kick er the NFL?? We'll see...


Last thing I wanna see is the place kicker messing up and the kicker getting a shitty angled ball.

[the wild cards]

1) Well from this Player is upset Capshaw was getting all the holds.
I.E. he sees possible the writing on the wall.

2) Player iirc was the 6th best punter in the NFL last year so it's not like he sucks or anything.

3) It's a tough call. I guarantee you if we release Player or Capshaw 1 of them will find work. But it's still tough to cut a guy when he's 6th best in the NFL for a rookie who has never done it in the NFL.

[cardsbestinthewest]

why cant we keep both?

[BodybuildingCardsFan]

why cant we keep both?

That's an extra roster spot that could go to another OT, a DE, LB, or S. All positions that could use depth.

[Hideous_Cardinal_Fan]

If this kid is really kicking as well as everything we have been hearing from camp plus what we saw in the pre-season game then this is going to be a very tough decision for the organization to make. This is becoming the most heated battle in training camp at this point.

[Projekt]

I think that part of Rackers success is more than just Player's holding, but it is also Nathan Hodel. He never seems to make a bad snap. That could help make Capshaw look good at holding.

[EuroCard]

I think that part of Rackers success is more than just Player's holding, but it is also Nathan Hodel. He never seems to make a bad snap. That could help make Capshaw look good at holding.

So right, Hodel's influence on the kicking game must not be underrated, he is an out and out star in his role.

[BullheadCardFan]

Colts Looking for a punter

August 17
Indianapolis Star (scroll down): "The Colts haven't resorted to checking the 'Help Wanted' ads to address their kicking concerns, but that might be the next viable option."


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Colts have any OTs worth trading for ... ???

I'm sure Edge would know who is good and who isn't ..

[EuroCard]

Colts Looking for a punter

August 17
Indianapolis Star (scroll down): "The Colts haven't resorted to checking the 'Help Wanted' ads to address their kicking concerns, but that might be the next viable option."


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Colts have any OTs worth trading for ... ???

I'm sure Edge would know who is good and who isn't ..

Player would be good trade bait as he is proven. But we probably have to give up something else as well for a reasonable OT.

Can't see this one happening, but you never know.

I would like to know what Capshaw is like on those high punts intended to drop inside the 10 yd line. If his hang time is as reported, and he can make those kind of kicks repeatedly, then he is our new punter. Pinning the ops that far back is a deadly weapon, but relies on there being men under the ball as it comes down, and on the ball not going as far as the end zone. Without doubt the most difficult punt to make, but the one that punters should be measured by. With the spiral that Capshaw puts on the ball it is wicked if it is left to hit the deck, it is as likely to bounce straight back up in the air, or back towards the kicking team as it is to go forward, and that in itself is awkward for the receiving team.

We are in a good situation, lets see how it resolves itself!

[arizona_cards_11]

Maybe Player would be willing to hold, and play kickoff coverage in order to keep his roster spot......LOL

[BulldogsCards]

:idea: Trade a punter for a Right Offensive Tackle...hmmmm?

This could be the trade we're looking at.

[CardsFanJoe]

Are the Cards on the cusp of becoming a steady playoff team? I think they are. Do we want to go throught the growing pains of a rookie punter (he won't boom every punt like he boomed the one on Saturday) or do we take advantage of a guy like Player and his skill and experience..

[the wild cards]

Its a tough call. Rookies sometimes do have growing pains.

IF we could trade Player that would actually be a solid move in that we could lower our pick, say instead of sending a 3rd round pick to a team for an OT we send Player and a 4th round pick.

He would be the perfect sweetener but a team needs to need a punter of course.

And we need to be **** sure about Capshaw.

[82CardsGrad]

Are the Cards on the cusp of becoming a steady playoff team? I think they are. Do we want to go throught the growing pains of a rookie punter (he won't boom every punt like he boomed the one on Saturday) or do we take advantage of a guy like Player and his skill and experience..


Joe, there are a few other REALLY important issues with this team, other than the potential of a rookie punter, that will keep us from the post season. Running the ball, Stopping the run and penalties are a few to start with...
If we can improve in those areas, I think Capshaw would be just fine. I really like PLayer and would hate to see him gone, but if it meant doing so would improve our 0-line - I would do it in a heartbeat!

[Saturn5]

Fred Capshaw is not really a rookie, in the truest sense of the word. He's been around a few years:

The Cardinals have added two free agents: LB Mark Brown (http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/STATS/NFL_LiveScores.htm?link=player&id=6744) and P Fred Capshaw. Both players signed one-year deals. Brown, who has played three seasons for the Jets and had 17 starts in 28 games, adds badly needed depth at linebacker. Capshaw, a University of Miami (Fla.) product, was cut by the Niners in training camp of 2003.


http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Features/Free+Agency/2006/news050406.htm

[CardsFanJoe]

Joe, there are a few other REALLY important issues with this team, other than the potential of a rookie punter, that will keep us from the post season. Running the ball, Stopping the run and penalties are a few to start with...
If we can improve in those areas, I think Capshaw would be just fine. I really like PLayer and would hate to see him gone, but if it meant doing so would improve our 0-line - I would do it in a heartbeat!

I hear ya Joe, I don't have a problem with making a trade including Player even though I like him also. Put yourself in another teams shoes and talk about a punter plus a pick or whatever for an O-Lineman that can step in and make a difference. First WHO needs a punter with good compensation like Player, AND do they have an OL to part with?? OL is like CB's, you can't have too many good ones. I think we have to rattle someones cage with more than Player and a pick like earlier suggested to get an OL that's any good..

[TrueHeroTillman]

when's the last time you saw a punter traded for an offensive tackle? that trade's not going to happen. teams know that we are highly unlikely to keep 2 punters so they'll wait for waivers. as for capshaw, i was impressed when i went to tc and he had a good opener vs. pittsburgh, let's see if he can repeat his performance.

[the wild cards]

when's the last time you saw a punter traded for an offensive tackle? that trade's not going to happen. teams know that we are highly unlikely to keep 2 punters so they'll wait for waivers. as for capshaw, i was impressed when i went to tc and he had a good opener vs. pittsburgh, let's see if he can repeat his performance.
like i said he'd be a sweetener in any deal to lower our pick it wouldn't be a 1 for 1 trade

if we just cut him then teams compete for him if we trade him then the team that gets him has him locked in with them

dude was the #6 punter in the nfl that is worth something
even if it's just dropping down a round in the draft pick we send

[TnTCardFans]

when's the last time you saw a punter traded for an offensive tackle? that trade's not going to happen. teams know that we are highly unlikely to keep 2 punters so they'll wait for waivers. as for capshaw, i was impressed when i went to tc and he had a good opener vs. pittsburgh, let's see if he can repeat his performance.

I was actually thinking when was the last time you saw a punter traded for anything?

I can't think of one but I guess it's possible. I agree however that the other teams are just going to wait for waivers. It's not like you have to get them into camp early.

[82CardsGrad]

I hear ya Joe, I don't have a problem with making a trade including Player even though I like him also. Put yourself in another teams shoes and talk about a punter plus a pick or whatever for an O-Lineman that can step in and make a difference. First WHO needs a punter with good compensation like Player, AND do they have an OL to part with?? OL is like CB's, you can't have too many good ones. I think we have to rattle someones cage with more than Player and a pick like earlier suggested to get an OL that's any good..


I agree with this... The reality is that the instances of a top quality o-linemen being moved around just aren't that high... Any lineman worth a darn is typical not traded or otherwise allowed to escape (Hutch being a rare exception). Heck - if we knew that next year, some highly rated college o-linemen were coming out, I'd even be ok with trading Player for a draft pick. But even then, we would need to offer more than just Player to gain a mid to early round drafting position. In the end, there is no silver bullet out there that can provide a quick fix for our o-line. They have to find a way to block, period. Might take devine intervention however...

[Projekt]

^ But what if we throw in a draft pick like WC said? That could sweeten the deal. And I'm not expecting this person we pick up to be a pro-bowler or anything, I just want a solid lineman. One who can go in there and rest our starters for a few downs/a series and not give up sacks the whole time. I think that for this Oline to be good they need to remain fresh and healthy. To do that we need someone we feel comfortable putting in there for a series to rest our guys...


I think that we need there to be 1 more team to say "We need a punter" and then we can trade. Right now, if we cut one of the punters, they will just get picked up by the Colts. But if there was another team, they would trade for him to guarentee that they get him...

[BERTRAND #92]

I was actually thinking when was the last time you saw a punter traded for anything?

I can't think of one but I guess it's possible. I agree however that the other teams are just going to wait for waivers. It's not like you have to get them into camp early.

How about a punter and a WR prospect ? Someone like a Holiday, Watkins, or Lee ?

If a team has needs bad enough they will be more apt to move on something.

[the wild cards]

Why not get some value instead of just cutting a guy?

Seattle was faced with a similar situation last year with a vet punter and a young kid punter who was booming them in Kluwe they played MIN in a pre-season game they later cut Kluwe and he played fantastic in MIN until he got injured. Why just cut a guy?

[crisper57]

Looking for a punter

The Colts haven't resorted to checking the "Help Wanted" ads to address their kicking concerns, but that might be the next viable option.
Monday, place-kicker Adam Vinatieri sprained his left ankle during conditioning drills. Tuesday, punter Hunter Smith strained his groin.
Wednesday? No. 3 quarterback Shaun King was doing a poor Vinatieri impersonation, scattering extra-point attempts at the end of the morning practice. The team likely will re-sign Shane Andrus later this week, and he'll probably handle place-kicking duties Sunday night in the RCA Dome against Seattle.
Just who delivers punts remains to be seen. The early favorite: tight end Ben Utecht. He showed off his foot Wednesday afternoon.
"It's something I did in high school and I actually was a backup punter in college," Utecht said.
Utecht handled the punting in his first game as a senior at the University of Minnesota, averaging 38 yards on three punts against Tulsa, before suffering a sports hernia.
Asked if he's looking forward to punting against Seattle, Utecht replied: "I look forward to helping the team out, let's just put it that way. It's been four years, so I'm sure it wouldn't be the most comfortable situation at first. But whatever I've got to do to help the team."

[BERTRAND #92]

Looking for a punter

The Colts haven't resorted to checking the "Help Wanted" ads to address their kicking concerns, but that might be the next viable option.
Monday, place-kicker Adam Vinatieri sprained his left ankle during conditioning drills. Tuesday, punter Hunter Smith strained his groin.
Wednesday? No. 3 quarterback Shaun King was doing a poor Vinatieri impersonation, scattering extra-point attempts at the end of the morning practice. The team likely will re-sign Shane Andrus later this week, and he'll probably handle place-kicking duties Sunday night in the RCA Dome against Seattle.
Just who delivers punts remains to be seen. The early favorite: tight end Ben Utecht. He showed off his foot Wednesday afternoon.
"It's something I did in high school and I actually was a backup punter in college," Utecht said.
Utecht handled the punting in his first game as a senior at the University of Minnesota, averaging 38 yards on three punts against Tulsa, before suffering a sports hernia.
Asked if he's looking forward to punting against Seattle, Utecht replied: "I look forward to helping the team out, let's just put it that way. It's been four years, so I'm sure it wouldn't be the most comfortable situation at first. But whatever I've got to do to help the team."


Link ?

[crisper57]

Link ?
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060817/SPORTS03/608170523

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/nfl/nflrumors.html

[Big Red]

Well, I prefer the blockbuster trade.

Why bring in an average OT? We have some of those. If we're going to trade, bite the bullet and give up value in order to get value in return. Nobody will make a lopsided trade.

Who's rebuilding and would like one or two draft choices? If we have to surrender a punter, a linebacker, a wide receiver, a defensive tackle, whatever. Why make a piddling trade? Go for it. Player, Darling, Johnson, Clancey, Ross. One or more high draft choices.

Put a deal together. We need an ROT who has a chance to play in the Pro Bowl. This year.

Aren't I enthusiastic? And willing to expend our resources. And daydream believing.

[the wild cards]

Sounds like Player got most of the playing time this morning.

[BERTRAND #92]

Colts | H. Smith misses practice Thursday
Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:27:18 -0700
John Oehser, of Colts.com, reports Indianapolis Colts P Hunter Smith (http://www.kffl.com/player/854/nfl) (groin) missed practice Thursday, Aug. 17. Head coach Tony Dungy (http://www.kffl.com/player/1968/nfl) said the team would likely sign a punter before the preseason game Sunday, Aug. 20.


Sounds like they are looking around.

[Madame X]

I don't want to downplay the significance of the holder, but keep in mind... if things go well this season, Rackers won't have to play such a significant role in our offense.

I mean, I don't want Rackers to miss a field goal in a critical situation because of a bad hold--but when we saw that punt last Saturday, everyone in our group went, "Wow."

I haven't seen Scott kick a purdy spiral like that for a loooooong time.

[the wild cards]

I don't want to downplay the significance of the holder, but keep in mind... if things go well this season, Rackers won't have to play such a significant role in our offense.

I mean, I don't want Rackers to miss a field goal in a critical situation because of a bad hold--but when we saw that punt last Saturday, everyone in our group went, "Wow."

I haven't seen Scott kick a purdy spiral like that for a loooooong time.
The snapper is more crucial then the holder imo. The holder really only becomes important if it's a bad snap and he has to get it down for the kick.

[crisper57]

The snapper is more crucial then the holder imo. The holder really only becomes important if it's a bad snap and he has to get it down for the kick.

Obviously you've never seen Ace Ventura. "Laces OUT, Dan!"

[whiteshark17]

This becomes and interesting debate. Honestly, I'm not seeing how a rookie punter is going to choke that much under pressure. In fact, I thnk the punter has the fewest things to worry about unless he is pinned deep in his own endzone. I doubt we could get a good RT for Player. We could use a LT also but that would be even more rare. We don't need any more OG or C on this team, but I'm all for carrying two punters on the roster.

[DUSK884]

uh oh... newest board member is Scott Player's Mustache.... incoming!