The Packer Pundit

Finding some puzzle pieces
Cundiff, Taylor agree to terms
By BOB McGINN
Posted: March 24, 2006

Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers didn't spend much cash Friday but might have fortified two of their weakest positions with the acquisitions of outside linebacker Ben Taylor and kicker Billy Cundiff.

Taylor, 6 feet 1½ inches and 245 pounds, agreed Friday night to a one-year contract that probably was worth less than $1 million. After several days of debate he picked the Packers over a comparable offer to remain with the Cleveland Browns.

Cundiff, 6-1 and 218, was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, perfect timing for the Packers after they were stung by Adam Vinatieri's decision to sign with Indianapolis the same day. He was the Dallas Cowboys' kicker for most of the last four seasons.

The decision by Taylor came down more to the possibility of significant playing time and maybe a starting job in Green Bay. "Ben's from Ohio and he has nothing but respect and appreciation for the Browns, but I think it was the opportunity in Green Bay," agent Bob Lattinville said. "I'll put it this way. Ben appreciates the opportunity and the Packers got a heck of a value." Taylor, 27, started 16 games at weak inside linebacker in the Browns' 3-4 defense last season. He played 72% of the snaps, finishing second on the team with 139 tackles. He also played 41% of the special-teams snaps.

Coach Mike McCarthy projected Taylor as a strong-side linebacker and said he would have a chance to start. Other than middle linebacker Nick Barnett, the Packers don't have a linebacker whom they can count on. "He's a football guy," general manager Ted Thompson said. "He played a lot of football in Cleveland. Coming from Virginia Tech, it's a pretty good background."

Cundiff, 25, made 60 of 82 field-goal attempts for the Cowboys, or 73.2%.

"He's not (Ryan) Longwell, he's not Vinatieri," one special-teams coach said. "He's not a great field-goal kicker. But he's OK. And I think he's in the top third of the league as a kickoff guy."

"I think he's got a really smooth stroke," the special-teams coach said. "Of course, he's had a good place to kick. My only worry about him going to Green Bay is he never seemed to kick as well in bad weather as he did in good weather. But he's from Iowa and has kicked in bad weather."

Cundiff becomes the first kicker on the Packers' roster. More than likely, there will be others.