Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago

Green Bay Packers punters Chris Bryan, Tim Masthay separate friendship from competition 
BY MIKE VANDERMAUSE MVANDERMAUSE@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM AUGUST 22, 2010

Chris Bryan and Tim Masthay arrived in Green Bay on the same day this past spring.

In the Packers locker room they sit side by side. In the offseason their hotel rooms were located next to each other. At practice they have never been far apart during special teams drills.

For five months Masthay and Bryan have been virtually inseparable on the job.

But that will soon change because the two punters are fighting for one roster spot.

After countless offseason workouts, organized team activities, minicamp sessions and training camp practices, plus hundreds of punts, one live scrimmage and two preseason games, the battle remains too close to call.

I think both of us work very hard, said Masthay. We both have a very professional mindset. I think both of us are able to kind of shut it off when its time to shut it off when were not on the field or not in meetings.

The stakes are high in this extended job audition, with the winner realizing his NFL dream and the loser likely relegated to the unemployment line. Yet neither combatant possesses a cut-throat, cage-match, fight-to-the-death mentality.

Bryan and Masthay seem to genuinely like each other. They have shared rides to and from practice and played cards in the locker room. They just happen to want the same thing, and it will come at the expense of the other.

Obviously we know that one person is going to be here and ones not, said Bryan. (But) were friends and we talk.

We are different sort of people, with different backgrounds and different beliefs and so forth but were still guys and we still joke around. When its time to joke around we joke around and when its time for business we just get on with it.

Their upbringings are worlds apart.

The left-footed Bryan, 28, was born in Melbourne and grew up playing Australian Rules Football. Before this year Bryan never punted using a long snapper or with blockers and rushers in front of him.

The right-footed Masthay, 23, didnt take up football until his junior year in high school but earned a scholarship to Kentucky where he punted for four years.

They joke around but never about their job situation.

Its not really funny that one of us will lose our job but we just have a professional working relationship and we kid around with each other and have fun with one another, said Masthay. I think weve both made each other better.

Both appear laid back enough to handle the intense scrutiny that greets every punt. But they are also extremely competitive and focused.

Im pretty determined in what Im doing, said the 6-5, 220-pound Bryan. With (moving) my family halfway across the world I have to get this job so Im not going to just let it go without a fight, so Im working hard and making sure everything is right.

Masthay keeps a notebook that charts every punt hes made in practice since March.

Its part of my job to be hitting good hang times, good distances, placing the ball where it needs to be placed, said the 6-1, 200-pound Masthay, and so I have to pay attention to that in detail.

In less than two weeks the Packers must choose between them. Special teams coach Shawn Slocum isnt looking forward to that day.

Its going to be very difficult, said Slocum. I have a feeling we will likely see the other guy in the league. These guys both have that potential. Its a great problem to have.

Despite the intense pressure, both punters have attempted to savor the experience.

I love being in the NFL and in particular with this team, said Masthay. This is a fantastic organization. Ive enjoyed every day of it since Ive been here in March.

Bryan feels the same way. Its good fun, he said. Im learning something new every day. Its just an exciting journey.

In the harsh reality of the NFL, its a journey that will soon end for one of them.

Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.


UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (13m) : End of a Degu-era
dhazer (52m) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (3h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (4h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (14h) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (21h) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (22h) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (23h) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
beast (25-Mar) : Simply fined in the week to follow
beast (25-Mar) : I agree with one NFL official, it'll probably be like some of the helmets hits, not really called by the refs on the field but simply fined
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Hip drop is not. Super confusing. Referees job is harder
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

22h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Around The NFL / dhazer

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.