It was as if they felt so confident in their depth that a third-round pick could be expended in an area that wasn't even a weakness. And then, when Conway went into the tank and overkicked himself onto the injured reserve list, special teams coach Nolan Cromwell didn't have the sense to stop him from hurting himself. As usual, Wolf was working while the rest of the league slumbered, enabling him to claim Longwell off waivers from the 49ers in early July. The chances are about 50-50 that Longwell won't face another gut check in 1997. But if he does, and fails again, the Packers would be poring over the emergency list of journeymen Scott Sisson, Chip Lohmiller, Bjorn Nittmo and, in a few weeks, Johnson.
Teams change kickers all the time, usually for good reason.
The Packers had no good reason to dump Chris Jacke, only pettiness, and have already paid for their blunder. All rights reserved.