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Frost is sure pysche can weather shank
Frost is sure pysche can weather shank
Friday, November 12, 2004
Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BEREA, Ohio — Derrick Frost’s left leg is fine. He kicked 25 balls at practice yesterday, showing the sprained knee and ankle on his plant leg won’t keep him out of the game Sunday against Pittsburgh.
That answers one question about the Cleveland punter. Another looms — about Frost’s psyche.
The rookie’s 7-yard punt Sunday night set up the Baltimore Ravens’ decisive touchdown. In any loss, numerous players can share the responsibility. In Frost’s mind, he is solely to blame.
"I felt like I let everybody down and I lost the game," Frost said. "That’s the bottom line."
Frost’s shank came in the fourth quarter with the Browns clinging to a 13-12 lead and backed up to their goal line. Ryan Pontbriand’s snap was slightly off target, and the middle of the line allowed penetration. On top of that, Frost was trying to kick with a leg injured while helping to make a tackle on his first punt.
"Basically, the deck’s stacked against you in that situation and everything needs to go right to have it happen right," Frost said. "It’s like kicking a 55-yard field goal. Everything’s got to go right. Even so, 7 yards. . . . Even if everything does go wrong, I’ve got to do better than 7 yards."
A veteran punter might be able to draw on experience to keep his spirits up. A rookie doesn’t have that reservoir, and Frost has fought self-doubt before.
"That’s probably my biggest enemy," Frost said. "It’s always been my biggest enemy because I’m really hard on myself. You have to tell yourself, ‘Who cares? It’s over with.’ There’s nothing than can be done anymore. All you can do is make up for it this week."
Having a few days to get over it apparently has helped.
"I feel fine," Frost said. "It was upsetting. You can make it worse by playing bad this weekend. I fully intend to play and play well."
Friday, November 12, 2004
Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BEREA, Ohio — Derrick Frost’s left leg is fine. He kicked 25 balls at practice yesterday, showing the sprained knee and ankle on his plant leg won’t keep him out of the game Sunday against Pittsburgh.
That answers one question about the Cleveland punter. Another looms — about Frost’s psyche.
The rookie’s 7-yard punt Sunday night set up the Baltimore Ravens’ decisive touchdown. In any loss, numerous players can share the responsibility. In Frost’s mind, he is solely to blame.
"I felt like I let everybody down and I lost the game," Frost said. "That’s the bottom line."
Frost’s shank came in the fourth quarter with the Browns clinging to a 13-12 lead and backed up to their goal line. Ryan Pontbriand’s snap was slightly off target, and the middle of the line allowed penetration. On top of that, Frost was trying to kick with a leg injured while helping to make a tackle on his first punt.
"Basically, the deck’s stacked against you in that situation and everything needs to go right to have it happen right," Frost said. "It’s like kicking a 55-yard field goal. Everything’s got to go right. Even so, 7 yards. . . . Even if everything does go wrong, I’ve got to do better than 7 yards."
A veteran punter might be able to draw on experience to keep his spirits up. A rookie doesn’t have that reservoir, and Frost has fought self-doubt before.
"That’s probably my biggest enemy," Frost said. "It’s always been my biggest enemy because I’m really hard on myself. You have to tell yourself, ‘Who cares? It’s over with.’ There’s nothing than can be done anymore. All you can do is make up for it this week."
Having a few days to get over it apparently has helped.
"I feel fine," Frost said. "It was upsetting. You can make it worse by playing bad this weekend. I fully intend to play and play well."
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