Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson already finds himself on the hot seat, but the Packers gave him a vote of confidence yesterday. After Carlson struggled during training camp and the team’s preseason opener, Brian Gutekunst said it’s natural for a young kicker to struggle, with the GM pointing to former kicker Mason Crosby.
“We believe in him, we think he has a lot of talent, he’s done some really good things since he’s been here. You guys have seen his leg strength, his power. I really like the way the ball elevates off his foot,” Gutekunst said Friday (h/t to Packers Wire). “But you have to find a way to get to a more consistent level. One thing…there’s not a lot of patience sometimes when there needs to be.
“Mason had some multiple times while he was here where he was in some really bad spots, some struggles, and I always thought Ted [Thompson, former GM] gave him a pretty long leash and he always came out of it. I think that’s important, especially for young players to get that patience, that leash to get there. But at some point, when this stuff becomes real, it becomes different.”
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (via Twitter), the organization has no intention of bringing in competition at the position, meaning the job is still Carlson’s. Of course, things can change quickly, and a poor outing during tonight’s preseason game could change the Packers’ thinking.
The brother of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Anders had a productive career at Auburn, earning second-team All-American honors and a first-team All-SEC nod in 2020. After connecting on 20 of his 22 field goal attempts during that 2020 campaign, Carlson converted 26 of his 38 attempts (68 percent) between 2021 and 2022. Despite the drop in accuracy, the Packers still selected him in the sixth round of this past year’s draft, making him the replacement for Crosby, who spent the past 16 years in Green Bay.
Carlson looked good early during his preseason debut, connecting on his first four kicks. However, he later missed a pair of extra point tries, and the kicker reportedly continued to struggle during practice this week. The Packers are especially confident that Carlson can shake off his funk, with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia noting that Green Bay specifically targeted the kicker for his mental fortitude.
“I’ll go back to his mental makeup has a lot to do with why we drafted him, why we like him and why we think his future is going to be bright for him,” Bisaccia said.
He’s pacing himself
Going cheap on kickers is great, until you need him to make that 45 yarder to win the game.
I’m thinking if that was an actual thought going into the off-season, draft, camp, or any point up to now, they wouldn’t have decided way back in April (more likely the second last season ended) to just move on from Crosby.
I’ve actually seen comments defending Carlson that go something like this: Ok, so he missed a couple kicks in a game setting, but he was dead on during Family Night.
If this dude struggles early and coats them a game or 2 by mid October, I can’t wait to hear Gute, LaFlower and Co. defend him then.
They’ll be lucky to win 7 or 8 games, so it makes sense to move on from Crosby. Find the next kicker before year 2 of Love starting.
Get Manson back!
Charles Manson?
Coming from a fellow Auburn Alum, he was not good the last two seasons; character makeup is great but he isn’t as good as his brother.
He was a sixth round selection for a reason. This is the season to experiment, not just with this position…
2 reasons actually.
Gute is a dope, and failed to realize he clanked the 2 seasons after being a 2nd team All American.
They could have experimented by signing him as an undrafted FA, along with any number of others, and call the camp competition an experiment.
The Packers have has the greatest special teams for years. Just need to R E LA X and not worry about things. With all the great offensive talent I would be shocked if any game comes down to special teams.
Packers have had a long leash with Jacke, Longwell and Crosby the past 33 years. So the way I figure it let him go through some growing pains and struggles. He’l be fine. I cant imagine what u packers fans would do if you had to endure a 2-15 or 3-14 season. I think the little village of GB might shut down for a year lol
Well, they didn’t in the late 1970’s – 1980’s. It was rough. And, I admit, a little spoiled since Favre then Rodgers.
New era. New time. Had to happen sooner or later.
Who knew Rodgers wouldn’t skip a beat? Imagine if they hit with Love? This fanbase has been spoiled but hopefully the QB excellence continues.
If Gutekunst runs out of patience with Carlson he can always look to Stills, Nash & Young as replacements for Crosby.
Nash’s knees are shot. No way he can even make uncontested extra points these days. Only way he comes to GB is if Vince McMahon has another NWO reunion in town.