http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/mason-crosbys-challenger-trusts-in-himself-spirituality-b9940161z1-212706121.html 

I did like how MM handled Mason's "slumps". He does suck, statistically, as an NFL kicker, but I still like the guy. He kicks in a tough place. I hope this guy beats him out... my attachment to Mason Crosby is mostly emotional- fan-shit. I think it's time for some new blood, especially since MM lost confidence (for all the world to see) - last year with Crosby. Mike is VERY loyal, and I very much like and respect that about him... I personally respect downward loyalty far more than upward loyalty...this factor must be weighed heavily when we speak of a replacement for Mason Crosby.

I can take or leave Crosby. He has done some good in the past years. Had some (a lot) of bad last year. A fresh start with another team may be what he needs.
I am not possessive that his competition is the answer to all GB's kicking woes. He may well be but it will be at least 2 years before I will be sure.

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This new kid on the block, won't make it past the second pre-season game. Unless Mason Crosby really messes up.

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Mason has always been very good in camp, to my knowledge.

I do recall a pretty rough preseason a year ago. I believe he really struggled during the family night scrimmage.

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I tend to agree, but Tavecchio or whatever is not the only kicker out there. I think Crosby will be on a short leash. It's still his job to lose, but not very many signs he is not back to his old self, and he really will be gone. His relatively high salary is gonna work against him. He's damn lucky that for now there is plenty of money available.

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Crosby does alot of things right. He does the onside kicks and alot of technical shit the right way.

He's NEVER been clutch. BUT that year when they were messing with his holders all the time, he (unlike Longwell) never cried about it or made a bitch move to the press. He took it all on himself.

THAT, imo is why they stuck behind him through his struggles last year. They kind of owed it to him from that standpoint. He stood behind them when they were F'n with his holders, causing him to miss. Now the shoe's on the other foot.

Still has to snap out of it though.

I still think they messed with his head when they had that long distance kicking competition at the Family Night scrimmage.

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In his first regular season game, Mason Crosby converted all three field goals he attempted, including a 53-yarder and a 42-yard kick with two seconds left on the clock to help the Packers defeat the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

The kick was the first game-winner by a rookie on opening weekend since 1979 (when Matt Bahr achieved the same feat).

Crosby was the first player in NFL history to kick a 50-yard field goal and a game-winning field goal with under a minute remaining in his NFL debut.

Crosby was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week (the first rookie kicker to receive this honor on opening weekend).

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This is going to be such a tough call.

First, I cannot believe Mason Crosby lasted this long in a Packers uniform. I'm shocked that they stuck with him last season through some immense struggles, after starting the season 5 for 5.

He wound up as the NFL's worst Kicker in 2012. 63.8% FGs made with 35 TBs, one year after booting 86% and 49 TBs.

His misses streak was epic last year. However, 7 of his misses in that stretch were from 50+. In today's game, isn't it reasonable to expect he make at least half of those? I would think so.

Crosby will have to be lights out in preseason in order to keep his job. That's just the way I see it, especially when they can free up a couple million $ by going with Tavecchio.

Regardless, we are still left with a kicking problem. Either Mason Crosby fixes it, or Ted Thompson will. Should he decide to go with Tavecchio, and for whatever reason he struggles, Ted will find another who won't.

Like wpr, I'd like to see more TBs on KOs, and a whole lot more consistency on FGs. I fully expected that from Crosby when he signed the big contract, but he went the opposite direction. I would like to see us with a K who can make those 50+ yd FGs more routine.

Maybe Tavecchio is that guy.

I think the lack of touchbacks on kickoffs is because that is what the coaches are telling him to do ... as in land the ball inside the five yard line so they can pin them before the 20 or cause a turnover. There is no question about it that Mason Crosby can boot it out the back of the endzone.

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