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Packers: Kicking competition going down to the wire

By Freddie Boston

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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The competition between Mason Crosby and Sam Ficken will continue this week in the Green Bay Packers’ final preseason game.

The Packers wanted competition for kicker Mason Crosby this summer, and Sam Ficken has provided it. Now the team must make their decision. Which of the two will win the job for the new season?

Both kickers have been perfect so far in the preseason, although they haven’t had too many opportunities. They’ve both converted one field goal each — Crosby from 43 yards and Ficken from 41. Crosby has converted all five of his extra-point attempts, Ficken all three of his.

“They’ve both done a really nice job,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said on Tuesday. “Mason has a ton of experience, and I think Sam’s done a nice job. I think everyone has seen his leg strength. I think he’s probably proven that he can kick in this league.”

The competition now continues in the Packers’ fourth and final preseason game on Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.

And one strange possibility is that the kicker who doesn’t make the roster could end up playing against the Packers less than a week later. The Chicago Bears have struggled to find their long-term answer at kicker, and there’s at least a possibility they’d have interest in either Crosby or Ficken. Gutekunst said it’s something they’ve talked about:

“Those discussions have been had. I think this time of year, I think learning from Ted, you’ve really got to focus on what’s best for your team and not worry too much about anything else.”

With little to choose between the two kickers this summer, the Packers have to ask themselves which kicker they’d rather play against next week. While it’s important to look beyond one game, it could also help them determine who is the best choice for the rest of the season.

If Crosby walks out to kick in a Bears uniform, with his experience in the league, I’d feel confident he’d make every kick. But Ficken lacks that experience. No matter how talented he may be, he is unproven in the pressure of the regular season — he’s converted just 50 percent of his six regular-season field goal attempts.

Could the Packers keep both kickers on the 53-man roster for an additional week, just to prevent the Bears from signing one? Even though it would be understandable, it’s unlikely they’d be able to keep two kickers even for only one week.

Which kicker do you think should win the job?

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