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?

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.