| Nicole Haase. 6th December, 2008 - 3:10 pm
 The Packers looked to solve one of their gaping holes this week when they cut punter Derrick Frost and picked up 24-year-old Jeremy Kapinos. Kapinos graduated from Penn State and spent part of the 2007 season with the New York Jets.
Green Bay was so desperate for punting that they held a round of tryouts to find someone to take over for Frost, who apparently kicked well in practice, but couldn’t execute well in games. Former Wisconsin Badger punter Ken DeBauche was not invited to try out. Considering he’s used to playing in Wisconsin winters, that comes as a bit of a surprise.
"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….I'm not trying to be funny."
That’s been easier said than done for Green Bay this season and likely won’t get any easier for Kapinos on Sunday. A game time temperature predicted to be around 12 degrees with snow and “blustery” 30 MPH winds aren’t going to be welcoming for the newest Packer.
This is only the second ever meeting between the Texans and Packers. The first meeting, in 2004, went to the Packers 16-13 on a last second field goal.
Where the Packers are coming off another upsetting and embarrassing loss, the Texans, although on a short week’s rest, have to be riding high after their decisive win over division foe Jacksonville on Monday night.
Both teams are 5-7 and should be disappointed with how their seasons have gone.
Houston, at just 1-4 in conference, is looking to salvage their season and build for next year.
Green Bay, though, still has an outside chance at their division title. Two games back from Minnesota with four left to play, the Packers are in must-win territory even though that alone won’t be enough. No longer in control of their destiny, Green Bay has to win and see the Vikings and Bears slip. With the Vikings playing Detroit this week, it’s unlikely the Packers will gain ground, but they have to try and hold steady.
While local TV media have focused on how the Packers will cover Houston’s dynamic WR Andre Johnson, it’s likely the deadliest weapon the Texans have is RB Steve Slaton.
A rookie, Slaton’s turned into a diamond in the rough for the Texans. A threat both running and catching, he’s amassed just over 900 yards already this season. Earlier in the year he was splitting time with former Packer Ahman Green. Green is likely out for the rest of the season with a sprained knee, and that has left the door wide open for Slaton.
With last week’s victory already in hand, the Texans were running the ball on every play, attempting to run the clock out. Slaton, however, couldn’t be contained and scored two touchdowns in the final 4:39 of the game – one on a 40-yard run.
The Packers' porous run defense, which has been torched by backs like Atlanta’s Michael Turner and Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, will have their hands full once again attempting to contain Slaton. The Packers continue to have trouble stopping the run, ranking 27th in run defense with 141.8 yards allowed per game. |
