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.