The key number is $3M guaranteed, not the 5 years, the Packers are protecting themselves based on his average performance kicking field goals and sub-standard performance kicking "game winning" field goals. Had he not been consistently "wide to the right" that year McCarthy never would have had a sub 500 record on the books. If he continues to miss in winning situations they can cut him at any time and still be out only $3M. The years on the contract only give them the ability to pro rate for salary cap purposes.

"quanticomarine" wrote:

Interesting comment. I would be curious to see some research to back it up.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 

I think it's referring to what would have been the game winner against the Vikings (@Minnesota) and what would have been the game winner against the Bears, but was blocked.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

Mason Crosby vs. Ryan Longwell 
Longwell was a pretty good kicker during his nine years in Green Bay, but he’s become even better since leaving the team in 2006. His field goal percentage has increased in each of the past four seasons. In 2010, he made a career-high 94 percent of his kicks (17 of 18) and has a career percentage of 83.5.

Crosby, on the other hand, has been fairly mediocre since coming to the Packers in 2007. His field goal percentage decreased each of his first three seasons with the Packers, resulting in a below-average 75 percent in 2009, before he rebounded to hit 78.6 percent of his kicks in 2010. In his career, Crosby has made 78.1 percent of his kicks.

Mason Crosby's no Ryan Longwell...

Originally Posted by: vikesrule 

Right, and you can't put a blocked kick on the kicker unless it's an absolute line-drive.

Originally Posted by: peteralan71