ucky Bounce
Former U-M star Hayden Epstein
is learning the ropes in the NFL.
He connected on all 13 of his extra point tries and
five of nine field goal attempts in Jacksonville, but
missed all four attempts over 39 yards and lost the
confidence of coach Tom Coughlin, who released
Epstein on Oct. 21. "He has plenty of leg. It's
always been accuracy," Coughlin said.
Now A Viking
MIKE ROSENBAUM
Special to the Jewish News
L
ike parents who are more appreciated after
their kids move out, there's little doubt
that Hayden Epstein's past efforts are more
appreciated by University of Michigan
football fans who've watched their placekickers
struggle with every kick this season.
Epstein, who handled punts, kickoffs and field
goals for U-M most of the past three seasons, is still
kicking, despite being booted from his first National
Football League team. The strong-legged
Californian currently handles kickoff duties for the
Minnesota Vikings.
After graduating from Michigan with a degree in
sports management and communications last winter,
Epstein was the Jacksonville Jaguars' seventh-round
draft choice in April. He signed a three-year con-
tract (reportedly a rookie-minimum pact paying
$225,000 this year, $300,000 next year and
$380,000 in 2004), with a $25,000 signing b o - nus.
Chris Hollis, the only placekicker in the Jaguars'
eight-year history, left as a free agent after last sea-
son, so Epstein believed he'd "have a great opportu-
nity" in Jacksonville.
Epstein beat out two kickers to win the Jags'
placekicking duties during the pre-season. He won
by not focusing on the competition. "I knew I was
competing (for the job), but I just went out there
and tried to do the best I could every day. I try to
compete against myself."
Epstein boomed four kickoffs into the end zone in
his first regular season contest. He added three more
in his next two games, but had none in his final
three with the- Jaguars.
12/20
2002
84
Within 24 hours, however, the Vikings grabbed
Epstein off the waiver list. Epstein, for now, is •a
kickoff specialist. Veteran Gary Anderson is the
Vikings' field goal kicker. "
When he was released by Jacksonville, Epstein felt
"a little disappointment. But I think it ended up
being the best thing for me, to be behind Gary
Anderson and learn from him."
Since Anderson, who holds the NFL record for
most career points, is 43 years old, the team may
groom the 22-year-old Epstein as Anderson's eventu-
al replacement.
After watching Epstein's first workout, Vikings'
head coach Mike Tice liked Epstein's style. "He
looked really good — really high kicks and great
hang time."
Epstein said the transition from college to profes-
sional football wasn't difficult. The NFL, Epstein
said, is "just a different environment, different
atmosphere. The game is faster. But as far as for me,
I've still got to do the same thing I did in college:
There's still a snap, a hold and I've just got to kick
the ball. I go out there with the same mindset and
attitude that I've always gone out there with."
A four-year letterman at U-M, Epstein handled
kickoffs as a freshman in 1998 and throughout his
college career. An off-season injury prevented him
from taking the placekicking and punting duties at
the start of his sophomore year, but he won both
jobs by the end of the season. He then handled all
the kicking in his junior and senior years, earning
second team All-Big 10 honors as a placekicker last
season and honorable mention for his punting the
last two years.
Epstein was also a candidate for both the Lou
Groza and Ray Guy awards as the nation's top place-
kicker and punter.
Epstein connected on 26 of 42 field goal tries at
U-M, including a school-record 57-yarder against
Michigan State in 2001. He hit 85 of 88 extra point
tries, recorded 112 touchbacks on kickoffs and
punted for a 40-yard average.
His top highlight came in last year's Wisconsin
game. Epstein helped set up U-M's first touchdown
with a 48-yard punt that pinned the Badgers at their
own one-yard line. In the final minute, with the
score 17-17, his 40-yard punt deep into Wisconsin
territory was fumbled and Michigan recovered,
allowing Epstein to boot a game-winning 31-yard
field goal with 10 seconds remaining.
Asked how he approaches potential game-winning
kicks, Epstein said, "You try not to think about it.
You try to think of it as any other kick and just hit
the ball like you know how to do and you've been
doing for a long time."
Loyal Alum
Epstein follows Michigan football and is aware of
his former kicking mates' problems. But he
remains supportive and points to Michigan's victo-
ry over Washington, when kicker Phil Brabbs
missed two field goals but hit the game-winner as
time expired. "The other kicks were important
kicks but the one that came down [with the game]
on the line, he went out there and made it and
that's the biggest thing and the main thing that
counts."
Epstein will return to southeast Michigan on
Dec. 29, when the Vikings close their season
against the Lions.
While in Jacksonville, Epstein made some con-
tacts with the local. Jewish community, doing auto-
graph signings and speaking at the Jewish
Community Center. He's hasn't had a chance to
make similar contacts in Minnesota.
Epstein hasn't thought much about post-NFL
life, but he may return to Ann Arbor. "I'd probably
like to go back to school. But right now I'm just
putting all my energy and focus into football." ❑
Jews In The NFL
Hayden Epstein is one of six Jews in the NFL so
far this season.
The most prominent are Miami quarterbacks, •
Jay Fiedler and Sage Rosenfels. Other Jews
include two starting offensive lineman, Mike
Rosenthal of the Giants and the Broncos' Lennie
Friedman, plus Pittsburgh punter Josh Miller.