Three's Company - Packers Sign Third Kicker in Ramirez

Pardon the lack of updates this weekend as 'blog central' was turned into 'brunch central' at the hands of my party-hosting girlfriend (a great skill player to have on my roster, to be sure). On to the news!

------------------------------------------------------------

Kicker Mason Crosby - Photo Cred: JerseyAl.com

Much like the stock market, Kicker Mason Crosby's value to the team has risen, fallen, risen, and fallen again throughout training camp. His recession of accuracy climaxed again as he went just 1-4 during a recent practice, the third time he's performed as poorly in as many weeks. Coach McCarthy has seen enough and saw fit to call in, try out, sign, and then practice Zach Ramirez, a third kicker on a crowded roster that can only get smaller from here.

Rookie kicker Giorgio Tavecchio has been deadly accurate as Crosby's direct competition thus far, but his leg power has been in question. Fans have been left to debate Tavecchio's merits. Some ballyhoo his weak leg, while others are hungry for literally any kicker besides Mason Crosby. But the team brass has made it's opinion clear by signing a third kicker: Tavecchio won't cut it.

Checkout Zach Ramirez's demo video below. For more on new kicker Zach Ramirez's story, check out Tom Silverstein's write-up over at JSOnline.com.



For more the Packers crisis at kicker:
First it Giveth... Free Agent Kickers Off The Market

First it Giveth... FA Kickers Off The Market

First it giveth, and then it taketh away. Recently-cut kickers Dan Carpenter and Rian Lindell were snatched up quicker than you can say "the free agent market is awash with talented kickers."--Though that phrase is admittedly lengthy. 

Rian Lindell, the former Bill, inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Bucs, while former Dolphin Dan Carpenter signed on with the new look Arizona Cardinals. 

Meanwhile, in Titletown, kicker Mason Crosby's newfound groove was offset by a terrible practice Wednesday, having missed a slew of kicks. He had somewhat restored coaches' faith after a perfect performance in last week's preseason contest in St. Louis. 

Challenger Giorgio Tavecchio has been the more accurate leg through camp and preseason, but the feeling from beat writers is that coach Mike McCarthy wants to give Crosby the job. McCarthy may not have a choice, as Crosby seems to be making that decision for him. 

The competing kickers are running out of time. The first round of roster cuts is due by August 31st, and it would be surprising if the team kept two legs past that point. Every kick matters.

Will the team regret not giving Carpenter or Lindell a serious look come mid-season? Are you comfortable with either of our current options?

Carousel of Kickers. Bills Release Lindell

Rian Lindell was cut 8.19.13
Photo credit: buffalobills.com

The kicking carousel made another revolution today as the Buffalo Bills released their longtime kicker, Rian Lindell. Lindell joins now-former dolphin kicker Dan Carpenter in the unemployment line, salary cap casualties in a weak special teams marketplace.

Meanwhile in Green Bay, the Packers are currently saddled with a $2.4 Million cap number for shaky kicker, Mason Crosby. The Titletown booter's woes are well documented here on the Daily Dope Sheet, having converted a paltry 63.6% of his field goal attempts last season (league worst).

Crosby is in competition with newcomer Giorgio Tavecchio. "Sergio," as head coach Mike McCarthy once mistakenly called him, has been much more accurate than Crosby, though his leg is nowhere near as strong.

Followers of DDS are familiar with the sentiment that the Packers would be foolish not to pursue Dan Carpenter. Now it appears the market is flush with talent, and the team would be highly remiss in not examining these options. Faith in the kicking game is fickle, and far too important to leave well enough alone.





Did Crosby show you enough on Saturday at St. Louis? Is Tavecchio the guy? Should the team look elsewhere? Tell me what you think.

Packers Would Be Foolish Not To Pursue Carpenter

The Miami Dolphins announced the termination of kicker Dan Carpenter's contract this week. The move clears $2.7 Million from Miami's salary cap and clears the way for the installation of  rookie kicker, Caleb Sturgis. 

Meanwhile in Green Bay: Much has been made of Green Bay's kicking competition between veteran Mason Crosby and newcomer Giorgio Tavecchio. While Crosby's woes continue, Tavecchio has positioned himself well as a dead-nuts-accurate field goal kicker. His leg strength has been called into question, however. His kickoffs have been inconsistent, many failing to reach the 5-yard line. His kickoff power has no doubt improved since the start of camp, but having punter Tim Masthay also practicing kickoffs doesn't bode well for the team's faith in Giorgio's power. 

K Dan Carpenter is on the market.

Enter: Dan Carpenter. The six-year man has a career field goal percentage of 81.9%, and is four years removed from a career high 89.3% in 2009. 

Mason Crosby, by contrast, was good a league-worst 63.6% of the time last season, bringing his career average down to 76.8%. The nuances of kicking may be plentiful, but kickers are ultimately signed and cut based on this lone metric, and Crosby is trending in the wrong direction.

Carpenter, who is taking a brief leave to see his wife through the delivery of their new baby, has several kicker-needy teams already waiting in the wings, the Browns and Seahawks likely among them. The Packers would be foolish not to buy a ticket the Carpenter lottery. 

Should Ryan Longwell Be Welcomed Back?

Ryan Longwell kicked for the
Packers for nine years, and holds
multiple franchise records

This week, amid a fierce kicking competition between Mason Crosby and Giorggio Tavecchio, a third kicker was welcomed into Lambeau. Former Packer and holder of virtually all significant franchise kicking records, Ryan Longwell, announced his intention to retire as a Packer. Longwell kicked for the team for nine seasons, and had a golden toe to be sure. Here's a short list of his accomplishments:

• Most made FG's in Packers history: 226
• All time Packers leading scorer: 1054 points

It's relatively common these days for players to sign one-day contracts to retire with their preferred team. But in a game of rivalries, tough love, and hard and fast rules, it could be seen as an empty ceremonial gesture— a bit "warm and fuzzy." 

First, a history lesson: The first player ever to sign a one-day contract was Roger Craig. The phenom 49er ball carrier plowed through the NFC West from 1983 through 1990, then went on to play a year with the Raiders and two with the Vikings. He stated a desire to retire as a 49er, the club where he saw the bulk of his success, and where he set many records which still stand today. Signing a one-day contract allowed him to achieve just that, where he was welcomed back into the fold with open arms. 

Since then, it's become common place for players to do this. As teams become more brand oriented, it also benefits them to rewrite history in the most favorable light for their flag. But shouldn't there be a statute of limitations? A point after which it becomes downright silly to sign a one-day contract?  

Ryan Longwell was an excellent kicker for the Packers for nine seasons. But he then went on to be an excellent kicker for the division-rival Vikings for six more years. After that, he signed with his hometown Seahawks for a playoff run in which they'd lost their kicker to injury. In short, when Longwell left Green Bay, his career was only 56% complete. The average career length in the NFL is said to be about 3 years. Longwell played twice that long and then some for the Vikings and Seahawks. After almost doubling his career length with these other team after Green Bay, is there a spot in Lambeau for Ryan Longwell? Should there be?

I'm soliciting your comments here. Should there be a statute of limitations? If so, how long is it? And do franchise accomplishments outweigh it? Discuss!

The Express Dope: Thursday, Aug 8th, 2013

Occasionally, I'll post some quick news hits to summarize the last few days of action. These segments will henceforth be known as 'The Express Dope.'

Tackle Bryan Bulaga is out for the
season again. Photo fred: ESPN

Bulaga officially ruled out: Consider any glimmer of hope subsided. The hobbled tackle had hoped a second opinion would permit him to play the season through on his torn ACL—not impossible for a position like offensive line. Common sense prevailed however, and Bulaga has decided to put himself on the shelf (again). This is clearly the best decision for his career, and his long term health in general. It's arguably the best decision for the team as well, who can now give rookie David Bakhtiari the full necessary tutelage to take over a daunting role. Bakhtiari has already exceeded expectation in camp, and all eyes will be on him during this Friday's preseason opener against the Cardinals.

Vince Young signed: The 30 year-old journeyman QB was brought in for a workout this past Monday and never left. While head coach Mike McCarthy states Young's signing is in no way a reflection on fellow backups BJ Coleman and Graham Harrell, it's hard not to view it as a slight indictment. The two have competed only against each other the past two seasons, and a capable number two slinger has not emerged. Young brings experience, athleticism, and a rocket arm to what had been a tepid backup QB competition. This should get interesting fast.

Cobb Injures Bicep: The Packers not-so-secret weapon, WR Randall Cobb, bowed out of Tuesday's practice early with what was later reported as a bicep injury. Cobb was seen midway through practice with an ice sling over his arm. The ice came off after a short time, but he took no further reps. Cobb returned to practice Wednesday, but was extremely limited and could be seen favoring the arm at times. The coaching staff doesn't seem worried, but keep in mind they have no obligation to discuss injuries in detail at this point in camp.

Nelson's Knee Flares Up: Workhorse WR Jordy Nelson underwent a procedure this week to repair a nerve in his knee, which flared up at the start of camp. The issue dates back to his college days, so it's nothing new. But the rehab period will have the valuable WR sidelined for all of preseason, with an optimistic timetable having him ready for the home opener (slash playoff rematch) against the San Francisco 49ers.

Kicking Contest Heats Up: Kicker Mason Crosby has said he doesn't feel pressure from competing leg, Giorgio Tavecchio. But perhaps he should. Crosby's struggles from last season—he was the NFL's least accurate kicker—have seemingly rolled over into the new year. He struggled at the Family Night Scrimmage, and is routinely tying or losing to Giorgio Tavecchio in kick-for-kick contests. Coaching and management have publicly made it clear that his efforts have not cut it, and Crosby agrees. Crosby's saving grace might be Tavecchio's questionable leg-strength. Though highly accurate, Tavecchio has struggled on kickoffs, many falling flat shy of the five yard-line. If Tavecchio does win the job, the team may have punter Tim Masthay kick off, as he has plenty of leg. Masthay's problem is accuracy and consistency on kickoffs. Then again, he's a punter. Look for a game of musical chairs at the position this Friday against the Cardinals.