Since being released by the New York Jets this past summer, Jeremy Kapinos has spent his Sunday afternoons in front of his television with a notepad, a stopwatch or two, and his phone by his side.
He could never know for sure, but by following what was going on with punters around the league, he'd at least give himself an idea where his next opportunity might come from.
After his first practice with the Packers on Thursday, Kapinos didn't directly comment on whether he knew what was happening in Green Bay with Derrick Frost and his punting struggles. But considering his Sunday routine, it's safe to say Kapinos wasn't surprised when he heard from the Packers on Monday that they wanted him in for a workout.
"I was just always ready," Kapinos said. "That's pretty much what you have to be. 'Have cleats, will travel' I guess is my motto."
Kapinos flew to Green Bay on Monday night and then worked out for the Packers on Tuesday, punting some in the Hutson Center and some outside in the chilly though tolerable weather. He was signed on Wednesday and then got his first chance to kick in front of his teammates in a somewhat unplanned practice segment on Thursday.
The special teams period of practice was scheduled to focus solely on kickoff coverage and kickoff return, but the period was extended from 15 to 23 minutes to allow Kapinos to take some swings.
When the left-footed Penn State alum drilled his first one, a high spiral that turned over and carried about 50 yards to roughly the 10-yard line, several whoops and hollers from his new teammates filled the Hutson Center.
"I don't think he thought he was going to get something like that, but with what we've been going through with the punting situation, that first one was much needed," receiver Greg Jennings said. "On the other hand, had he shanked the first one, I don't know what the response would have been. But no, he looked good today."
That he did, hitting all but a couple of punts well and with decent hang time. Not bad for an impromptu first session.
"This was a big day for him," special teams coordinator Mike Stock said. "He didn't really get a chance to warm up, and maybe that was a good thing, so he didn't have to wait 10 or 15 minutes thinking, 'OK now, I'm going to be on the clock.'
"He did a sensational job here when he worked out for us on Tuesday. We took him outside and kicked in inclement weather. Caught the ball well, hit the ball well consistently.
"This guy is only in his second year, but he's got a big upside in terms of strength, fundamentals and techniques, and we'll see what happens on Sunday."
Kapinos preparation for this chance went well beyond watching NFL games on Sunday. Back home in Springfield, Va., he's been working out five days a week at his old high school, spending roughly three hours a day lifting weights, running, stretching and punting.
"My parents have been bugging me to get a job," Kapinos said. "I told them I had one, it just wasn't paying very much."
But now he will get paid, kicking in a game on Sunday for the first time since the Jets' regular-season finale last December. That's his only game of NFL experience after four seasons at Penn State, and Kapinos is more aware than anyone that these last four games of 2008 could very well determine his future in professional football.
But for now he's not going to be consumed by the big picture, just what presents itself day to day. With three of these final four games destined to be in cold, if not worse, conditions (the Packers have two home games plus a prime-time game in Chicago on Dec. 22), his abilities truly will be tested.
With snow being cleared from Lambeau Field on Thursday, Kapinos hasn't been able to get any outdoor punts yet. But the plan is for him, snapper Brett Goode, kicker Mason Crosby and holder Matt Flynn to get some work inside Lambeau on Friday in preparation for Sunday's game.
"I'm just focused on each practice, each punt, each meeting we have," Kapinos said. "That's my primary focus right now. Just take one step at a time. Everyone's been great to me, real nice, just helping me along. But obviously I have to do some work here."
Back to basics
The kickoff coverage unit that has struggled the past couple of games went back to focusing on some fundamentals during Thursday's practice, working on some drills they haven't done since training camp, such as getting off blocks and beating double-teams.
Last Sunday, the unit allowed three Carolina kickoff returns to or near midfield, and the week prior, a 62-yard return by New Orleans. All four returns led to scores for the opponents.
"It was important for us to go back and start all over again," Stock said. "We went to July training today for some of these things."
Chillar limited
Linebacker Brandon Chillar was added to the injury report on Thursday with a groin strain sustained during Wednesday's practice. Chillar was limited in Thursday's workout and will be tested on Friday before practice.
{sportsad300}"He felt a lot better this morning than he did yesterday when he left here," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "Hopefully he'll still be able to go (on Sunday)."
Chillar has been the starting weak-side linebacker the past three games, ever since A.J. Hawk moved to the middle to take injured Nick Barnett's place.
If Chillar is unable to play, McCarthy said the next linebacker in would be second-year pro Desmond Bishop, who could take Chillar's place on the weak side or play the middle and shift Hawk back to his customary position.
Injury/participation update
Offensive lineman Allen Barbre also was added to the injury report on Thursday with a back problem, though he participated fully in the full-pads practice.
Meanwhile running backs Brandon Jackson (quad) and DeShawn Wynn (calf) and defensive end Aaron Kampman (illness) were upgraded from limited to full participation.
The rest of the injury report remained the same as Wednesday, with tackle Chad Clifton (knees), running back Ryan Grant (thumb), fullback John Kuhn (knee) and safety Aaron Rouse (ankle) listed as full participants.
Defensive end Jeremy Thompson (ankle), cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) and center Scott Wells (concussion) remained limited. McCarthy said he's anticipating Wells being cleared by the team's medical staff to return to full duty for practice on Friday.
Safety Atari Bigby (shoulder) and cornerback Pat Lee (knee) are out for Sunday's game.
Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, who has missed the Texans' last four games with a knee injury, was a full participant in practice for the second straight day. Safety Eugene Wilson (ankle) was upgraded to limited participation for Houston.
