Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 Free Agents Analysis: Jeremy Kapinos

[mesaSteeler]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 Free Agents Analysis: Jeremy Kapinos
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...jeremy-kapinos
by Michael Bean on Feb 13, 2011 11:59 PM EST

PITTSBURGH PA - JANUARY 23: Jamaal Westerman #55 of the New York Jets attempts to block a punt by Jeremy Kapinos #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and is called for roughing the kicker in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23 2011 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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22 days ago: PITTSBURGH PA - JANUARY 23: Jamaal Westerman #55 of the New York Jets attempts to block a punt by Jeremy Kapinos #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and is called for roughing the kicker in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23 2011 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Onward with our tour of the 15 Pittsburgh Steelers players whose contracts expired after the team's 31-25 to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. In our first two posts, we've looked at two guys that have an interesting set of circumstances and factors to consider when thinking about their potential future in Pittsburgh. Let's turn our attention briefly to a player whose future is a little bit easier to figure: punter Jeremy Kapinos.

The back story: Kapinos, the league's worst punter in '09 while with the Packers, did just fine for the Steelers in relief of the injured Daniel Sepulveda. Kapinos joined the Steelers in Week 14 for the team's second tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Penn State product was average at best in his first two games (his performance against the Jets in Week 15 contributed to the Steelers' late-season loss). But in Pittsburgh's final two contests, Kapinos averaged 45.3 and 56 yards per punt respectively. He was equally good in the playoffs, averaging over 48 yards per punt in his eight postseason kicks.

The BTSC Consensus: Most of you all believe that the Steelers should sign Kapinos to a meager one-year deal while waiting to see the injury status of Sepulveda. Wise, as this is major knee injury No. 2 that Robo-Punter has suffered since being drafted by the Steelers.

What I'd do: Nobody's going to bid for Kapinos' services, so offer Kapinos a bare-bones contract to compete with Sepulveda in Latrobe next year. How about we go with 1 year, $410,000, 30k signing bonus (as small thanks to a job well-done in '10 when the Steelers were in a bind)

[stb_steeler]

Sepulveda with his 2 knee injuries maybe career ending...not many would come back from that. 2 seasons in a row now. Not good, guess we'll see how he is in training camp.

[austinfrench76]

Man, our kicking game is in a shambles again. Who would have thought that just a year ago we looked to be in great shape here. One of the best clutch kickers in Reed and a very good punter. Now we're back to square one. Ok, Suisham was decent but not the answer and Kapinos is very, very average.