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Kapinos ready to take over as punter
[url]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/1977511-85/kapinos-steelers-blue-shoulder-batch-jersey-job-legursky-minicamp-practice[/url]
By Ralph N. Paulk
Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 9:38 p.m.
Updated 1 hour ago
Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos lost a split decision last preseason to Daniel Sepulveda, who earned the punting job after a close battle.
This time, however, with Sepulveda a free agent, Kapinos began minicamp as the favorite to win the starting job.
“I got a lot of last year’s competition with Dan,” said Kapinos, who returned to the Steelers late last season after Sepulveda went down with a knee injury in November. “Every practice you had to bring it against Dan. I hope he felt the same way about me. I had to bring my A-game every day, and it pushed me to new heights. We both bettered ourselves last year.”
Kapinos couldn’t land a job despite a solid preseason. General manager Kevin Colbert vouched for him with Cleveland and Detroit, but those teams pulled back.
“I worked out for Detroit, then the Lions signed a punter a week later,” Kapinos said. “You never know in this business.
“It seems when the Steelers get out of work, nobody wants to pick them up. I think they do such a good job of talent evaluation here that teams figure if you’re not good enough for the Steelers, then you can’t make it there.”
Batch out of the blue
Running back Baron Batch spent the past three weeks of organized team activities wearing a blue jersey to remind teammates that he is still off-limits when it comes to hitting because of ACL surgery last year. Batch finally was allowed to remove the blue jersey yesterday for the start of minicamp.
“Having the blue jersey on didn’t matter too much,” Batch said. “Guys will bump you up, but it was no different, really, from when I had it on and when I didn’t. The blue jersey was kind of a reminder to some guys to take it easy. Nobody really minded it too much.”
Legursky on the mend
Guard Doug Legursky had his left shoulder wrapped in ice after afternoon practice.
“It got bumped around a little bit in practice,” said Legursky, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. “It’s about coming back from the injury, but it’s good. It’s important for me to get the reps. I’ve got to work my shoulder back into shape.”
Legursky, who first injured his shoulder against the Colts in Week 3, expects to be at full strength when training camp opens next month.
Clay confident
John Clay was a considered a long shot to make last year’s roster. The second-year running back from Wisconsin is feeling good about his chances this season.
“The good thing is everyone’s starting at the same point with this new offense,” he said. “I still have that chip on my shoulder. I’m going to keep grinding. I don’t have any guarantees, so I have to keep improving.”
Ralph N. Paulk is staff writer for
Trib Total Media. He can be reached at
[email]rpaulk@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-320-7923
[url]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/1977511-85/kapinos-steelers-blue-shoulder-batch-jersey-job-legursky-minicamp-practice[/url]
By Ralph N. Paulk
Published: Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 9:38 p.m.
Updated 1 hour ago
Steelers punter Jeremy Kapinos lost a split decision last preseason to Daniel Sepulveda, who earned the punting job after a close battle.
This time, however, with Sepulveda a free agent, Kapinos began minicamp as the favorite to win the starting job.
“I got a lot of last year’s competition with Dan,” said Kapinos, who returned to the Steelers late last season after Sepulveda went down with a knee injury in November. “Every practice you had to bring it against Dan. I hope he felt the same way about me. I had to bring my A-game every day, and it pushed me to new heights. We both bettered ourselves last year.”
Kapinos couldn’t land a job despite a solid preseason. General manager Kevin Colbert vouched for him with Cleveland and Detroit, but those teams pulled back.
“I worked out for Detroit, then the Lions signed a punter a week later,” Kapinos said. “You never know in this business.
“It seems when the Steelers get out of work, nobody wants to pick them up. I think they do such a good job of talent evaluation here that teams figure if you’re not good enough for the Steelers, then you can’t make it there.”
Batch out of the blue
Running back Baron Batch spent the past three weeks of organized team activities wearing a blue jersey to remind teammates that he is still off-limits when it comes to hitting because of ACL surgery last year. Batch finally was allowed to remove the blue jersey yesterday for the start of minicamp.
“Having the blue jersey on didn’t matter too much,” Batch said. “Guys will bump you up, but it was no different, really, from when I had it on and when I didn’t. The blue jersey was kind of a reminder to some guys to take it easy. Nobody really minded it too much.”
Legursky on the mend
Guard Doug Legursky had his left shoulder wrapped in ice after afternoon practice.
“It got bumped around a little bit in practice,” said Legursky, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. “It’s about coming back from the injury, but it’s good. It’s important for me to get the reps. I’ve got to work my shoulder back into shape.”
Legursky, who first injured his shoulder against the Colts in Week 3, expects to be at full strength when training camp opens next month.
Clay confident
John Clay was a considered a long shot to make last year’s roster. The second-year running back from Wisconsin is feeling good about his chances this season.
“The good thing is everyone’s starting at the same point with this new offense,” he said. “I still have that chip on my shoulder. I’m going to keep grinding. I don’t have any guarantees, so I have to keep improving.”
Ralph N. Paulk is staff writer for
Trib Total Media. He can be reached at
[email]rpaulk@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-320-7923
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