The Packers have been desperately trying to find their answer at kicker for some time now. In April, Green Bay traded up to select kicker Trey Smack out of Florida. Last night, the rookie kicker impressed during family night.
The Packers have had their struggles with finding a reliable kicker. Green Bay released Brandon McManus in May and then recently waived Lucas Havrisik, likely indicating that Trey Smack is their guy, for now at least.
Smack started off training camp with some struggles. During his first live period, Smack hit 3 of 5 field goals, missing from 39 yards and 45 yards. The 3 makes came from 28, 33 and 42.
The following practice, Smack hit just 3 for 5 again, missing from 33 and 55 but managed to find the uprights from 40, 43 and 48. To end that practice, the rookie missed a game winner from 55 as the first-team offense was down by two points in an end-of-game drill.
He did manage to get the offense the win with the second stringers as he found the uprights from 33 yards as well as the third stringers as he hit one from 51 yards.
Matt LaFleur had this to say about the rookie kicker, “This is not our first time with a rookie kicker. I know there’s gonna be some good and some he wants back.”
Despite the rocky start to training camp, Smack had an encouraging performance during Family Night.
The rookie managed to hit from 61, with room, during warmups. Smack was 6/7 on the night with makes from 33, 35, 38, 43, 45, 47 and a lone miss from 51. Additionally, as reported by Carson Fowler, Smack said the night felt like a “confidence boost” for him.
A night like that in front of tons Packers fans should definitely give the rookie a boost. While there will be some struggles, Green Bay can only hope that Smack finds his footing.
Brian Gutekunst had this to say about dealing with a rookie kicker, “My patience—I’d like to have more of it, I always would. I think we’re going to have a pretty good football team this year, but if you’re going to make it and be a part of it, you have to perform”
Will Smack be the guy they hoped for? Only time will tell. Additionally, will Brian Gutekunst manage to find enough patience for the rookie kicker in the event he continues to struggle? The window is now and the rookie needs to step up and be the guy.
