Based on the last season, I’d not see that as a win. But if he’s clearly better, then so be it. However last year was broadly comparable and any upside would likely be less if Carlson loses. Probably a stop gap solution if Carlson fails.

I am really happy that the Packers realize wasting any points at all next year, especially with as close as most of the games are, is a fixable problem. I am not sure this kicker is the answer though, he has a strong leg so kickoff returns should be less frequent if he wins the competition. Even though Anders was hyped as having a strong leg, his kickoffs rarely got near the end zone. We need better.

There are 3 kickers in the draft to keep an eye on that have stronger legs than Carlson and Podlesny for sure.
Josh Karty-Stanford
Harold Mevis-Missouri
Will Reichard-Alabama
Karty and Mevis hit 60+ yard FGs last year, Mevis set SEC record @ 63 yards
Maybe one of them as UFDA

I have no idea the % of how many college kickers get drafted. I would assume not many, so most are UFDAs.

Bringing in Greg Joseph suggests that the Packers are not farting around. They are ready to replace Anders Carlson if necessary. But I still agree with the author that Carlson has the advantage if all things are equal. The tricky part is that Carlson kicked well during the first half of last season but faltered toward the end. How do you know that won't happen again? I'm hoping it was due to mental fatigue from the very long NFL season, with Carlson coming off an injury-shortened college season. So maybe he will be better prepared for the long haul this year.

Anders C being drafted is due to Rich B. Anders had consistency issues in college and expect Rich convinced Gutey he would fix him similar to Carlson's older brother. I was optimistic about the young man to start the season...but am now more "meh".

The new KO rule for 2024 will require more accuracy to land the ball between the 20 and goal line so that negates the booming KOs. Kicks landing in the End Zone or through it get placed at the 30. This will be a change in kicker evaluations this season.

Certainly too late to give up on Carlson...but he's on the hot seat.

Neither one of them were very good in 40-49 yard FG range last season, hitting only 50% of them; and Joseph was kicking a majority of times indoors.

I think we can do better here and that Gute should be fairly open-minded about finding better competition. Back over a decade ago after not being drafted, Justin Tucker made a video of himself hitting various kicks and submitted it to the Ravens, who invited him to compete in training camp...and the rest is history.

Generally speaking, the Packers still are very rough around the edges when it comes to honing their special teams. I mean, relying on the prospect analysis of the coach who has worked with a relative of the prospect in the past doesn't exactly scream due diligence. And the lack thereof bleeds into other areas, like the semi-revolving doors at punter and long snapper.

Being Serious

Love having competition at every position, including kicker. Every man up, best man wins. This will be good for Carlson and I think he will prevail and become a great kicker. He was an ordained rookie with a crappy long snapper. As they say, what could possibly go wrong?!

Kidding
Gute needs to spend our 25th pick overall on a long snapper and this all goes away.

This kicking thing will all work out or I will wear CHTV's Pants Burp's used depends for a week.

"Don't click Submit Comment CrayZ...Do not...Click...Submit........................Dammit!!!

This is no upgrade.

A reporter I read analyzed the stats between Joseph and Carlson. They were nearly identical, including misses at extra point and field goals last season.

One of the great mysteries to me is when a pro kicker misses an extra point. The kick is generally from the 30 yard line and dead on to the goal post. Most high school kickers can make it at that range. It is the same procedure as when the kick is 50 yards or more. Snap, everyone block down, place, kick. Mystery.

Another factor in this is the new kickoff rule. That will require a kicker with some precision. Carlson is anything but precise. Joseph might be better, I don't know.

Other than wasting a low round draft pick I don't know why the Packers are farting around with Carlson. There are ooodles of kickers around and surely there's one who would be an upgrade.

Hah, suck it, Vikings! Go ahead and take all the Favre, Jennings, Lowry, A. Jones, Sharper, Bostick, Ferguson, Walker, Sullivan, Smith, Longwell, and D. Jones you want. We'll *always* have Dave Osborn, Letroy Guion and now Greg MFing Joseph!

So with the new kicking rules and a kicker not needing a strong leg for kick offs I was wondering why we did not bring Mason back. One thing against him was that his leg was not strong enough to get touchbacks. Is Mason wanting too much? Is he disgruntled and not wanting to play with the Packers?

I really hope that Carlson and Joseph work together to help each other out. It is possible one of them might be on the PS.

Two crap kickers equal one good one. Is that the theory they are working under?

The new kickoff rule is just a scam to allow offenses to have a shorter field and score more points. Everything is about capturing the casual fan. Roger has locked up the sports fans and now he's after people who prefer gambling and fantasy football to actual sports.

Don't like the new kick-off rules, nor the idea of playing in Brazil.

I suppose both might benefit GB with Nixon as returner and not having to play in Philly, but..

Frankly NYG game in Europe destroyed the season ... AR got hurt, players weren't happy, looked lethargic, and Rasul eventually got traded for saying what everybody was thinking a year later.

I don't know but I think Carlson has a leg up on the competition. He will be fine.

Just started watching Geeks and Freaks...underated show. But, it allows me to better understand some of you posters. 😁✌️🙃

Right, Said Fred...I am Too Sexy.,

Pantz

If they are both right footed, no way! I can see if Joseph was a lefty...then makes a TON of sense to keep BOTH on the 53.

Which way the wind is a gusting, field conditions and hash placement may tell which kicker is best suited to nail the FG. If one pulls a hammy during the game, call in the backup. No stone unturned...

Or, sign his bro. That way we have ACDC. For those about to rock, we salute you will be cranked at all home games before a crucial FG or XP.

If we go this route, we may need to roster a holder that is ambidextrous?

Just a thought,

P

Here's to an open competition. May the best leg win!

What did they pay him to be training camp competition?

Bringing in competition is always a good idea when clearly Carlson has not established himself as a rock solid pro kicker. Might not be a bad idea to use one of those many seven rounders this year on another leg to throw into the mix.

I said at the time they brought Carlson in and just anointed him the job with no competition, that this would come back to bite them and it did. The Packers went against their own practices when they didn't provide competition in camp for Anders and he maybe would have been better because of it or he would have failed and been cut and we would then have a better kicker. They shouldn't have limited their options here and don't ever just give someone a job again without making them earn it. Hopefully he will come back with a vengeance but for a while there you had to hold your breath every time he kicked a FG or even EP.

One thing that the new kickoff rules don't address and many fans are not taking into consideration, is the high percentage of penalties on kickoff returns. If the number of returns goes up, the percentage of penalties is likely to go up proportionally.

One year the NFL is trying to eliminate returns due to injuries, the next year the NFL is increasing returns?

Will be interesting to see how kickers adapt to this. They will be asked to do something that none of them has been asked or practiced before - consistent line drive kicks to a spot.

I agree that Carlson will win the job if he performs evenly with Joseph in camp and preseason. The Packers have always favored players they've drafted over free agents. What could happen is Carlson could win the job but Joseph will be placed on the practice squad for insurance in case Carlson falters.

I think the new kickoff rules could have a major effect on what qualities you look for in a kicker. I would guess the strategy will be to aim for the sidelines so the coverage can converge onto that area of the field. However, you then risk kicking the ball out of bounds, ball on 40. So you probably want a guy who can kick low line drives directionally. Maybe teams will roster two kickers? Crazy, but who knows. Back in the day, your starting QB was the place kicking holder, your starting center was also your long snapper, and some placekickers punted, as well. So could we see a new kickoff specialist? We'll see.

Statistics should tell you everything. Article says there’s not that much difference in their extra point percentage %87.1 vs %92.

How about this statistic One kicker missed the most extra points in the league last year….Ours!