How quickly people forget that there was a period -- while he was still in Green Bay -- when Ryan Longwell was the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 

I agree that the difference between Longwell and Crosby is not as great as the difference in field goal percentage suggests. And Crosby will get you about an extra yard and a half per kickoff. But there are a couple of statements in this thread that I don't see any proof of:

1. If you have Longwell, you will need to add a kickoff specialist. (Longwell has kicked off for his entire career, and he's done it competently.)

2. Crosby is a better kicker in bad weather. (Longwell did very well for years kicking in the elements in Green Bay.)

Originally Posted by: Greg C. 

Where did you find stats that show Crosby kicks one to one and a half yard deeper than Longwell, or is that guessing?

I think if Longwell stays in a dome, he can continue doing kickoffs, but if he's outside, I don't see him being able to handle kickoffs competently for many more seasons.

Longwell kicked in Lambeau Field for a few years and during that time was the highest FG% kicker all time. I don't see Crosby getting that achievement.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

My wild guess is that's it's more than two yards... but that's just a guess.

Originally Posted by: beast 

Mason Crosby kickoff numbers

Year 	G 	KO 	Yds 	OOB 	Avg 	TB 	Pct 	Ret 	Avg
2010 	16 	84 	5,173 	3 	61.6 	4 	4.8 	76 	21.8
2009 	16 	94 	5,907 	2 	62.8 	12 	12.8 	77 	22.7
2008 	16 	92 	5,952 	3 	64.7 	17 	18.5 	69 	23.8
2007 	16 	93 	5,857 	1 	63.0 	14 	15.1 	77 	20.9

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

"There are lies, damned lies and statistics"

That's the phase this article reminds me of. First off when Longwell laughed is sounded like he knew it didn't have a chance of happening. But let me give some more honest and in depth good stats.

And I expect to prove the reason Longwell kicking % is so high is because he normally kicks indoors and they play safe (inside the 40) kicks with him.

As well as prove Crosby has been the opposite way, playing almost all of his kicks happened outside in 2010 and MM takes risk and tries kicking from further a lot more often.

..............................

How many kicks (and what percentage) were kicked outdoors last year?

Crosby had 25 of 28 (89.28%) of his kicks outdoors.
Longwell had 7 of 18 (38.88%) of his kicks outdoors.
So Crosby has to deal with weather a lot more

.....................................

Now lets look at where Longwell makes his money... inside the 40.

Longwell is 15 of 16 (93.75%) inside the 40.
Crosby is 12 of 14 (85.71) inside the 40.

In other words Crosby had to deal with the a lot more weather and still only missed one more kick inside the 40.

.....................................
What about the 40+ long distance ones?

Longwell had only 2 kicks over 40 yards (41 and 48) and made them both.
Crosby had 14 kicks over 40 yards including 4 over 50. He missed two between the 40 and 50 and two over 50.
So Crosby is 8 of 10 between 40 and 50. And 2 of 4 over 50. So overall Crosby was 10 of 14 over 40.

Again Crosby had a lot more difficult kicks.

.....................................

If you look at Crosby stats over the years. Inside the 40 he's been pretty good. It's those over 40 and over 50 ones MM likes to go for that kills Crosby kicking %.

Crosby stats.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/id/10636/mason-crosby 

Longwell stats.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/id/1328/ryan-longwell 

Originally Posted by: beast 

As for kickoff averages...

Longwell has an average of 59.775 yards in his last four years with the Packers.
Longwell has an average of 63.325 yards in the last four years with the Vikings.

Crosby has an average of 63.025 yards in the last four years with the Packers.

So in the last four years Longwell has out kicked Crosby on the kickoffs. Of course he gets to play in a dome more often.

Comparing their last four years with the Packers Crosby was out kicking Longwell by 3.25 yards.

Originally Posted by: beast