2017 Green Bay Packers: Specialists

Special Teams is typically the least talked about part of the NFL, but has a huge impact on the outcome of many games. Without Mason Crosby’s herculean effort against the Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers go home one week earlier last season. Here’s a look at the inexperienced Special Teams corps the Packers have behind Mason Crosby:

Kicker – Mason Crosby

Crosby is somehow only 32 years old. He’s been the Kicker in Green Bay for 10 seasons, and looks to be as good as ever entering season 11. Since his massive struggles in 2012, Crosby has been one of the best in the entire league. He still possesses excellent leg strength, and has experience kicking in all weather conditions. He’ll continue to handle the kickoff duties.

Punter – Justin Vogel

Vogel was one of the better Punters to come out of the draft this season, but signed as an Undrafted Free Agent with the Packers. He has great hang time and is a fantastic directional kicker, which made Green Bay comfortable enough to cut Jacob Schum. He’s the only Punter on the roster for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers brought someone in to compete during Training Camp.

Vogel has experience holding kicks at Miami (FL), and his ability to develop a relationship with Crosby will have a big impact on making the roster. He can also be the emergency guy on kickoffs. To be an impactful NFL Punter, Vogel needs to improve his consistency and leg strength.

Long Snapper – Derek Hart

It is interesting that Brett Goode is still an unsigned Free Agent and Hart remains the only Long Snapper on the roster. Hart went undrafted in 2015, and has been working at Harley-Davidson as an Engineer since. Consistency is the number one requirement for Long Snappers, and Hart will have to prove he can be reliable. With the Packers Super Bowl goals, I have a hard time believing they would trust an unproven commodity at such an important position. I would expect Brett Goode to make another August return to the Green and Gold.