Cory's Corner: Mason Crosby Will Build On Perfection

The 6th round pick leads the franchise in scoring, field goal percentage and 50-yard makes. 

While many worry about the fate of the Packers’ quarterback position, they remain rock solid at kicker. 

And the reason that’s the case is simply because of Mason Crosby. 

I mean, Aaron Rodgers was the NFL’s MVP last year, but it was Crosby who was perfect. No, that isn’t a typo. For the first time in Crosby’s 14-year career, he was flawless at field goals. 

He was 16-for-16, but he didn’t just hit chip shots. Nine of those makes were from 40-plus yards. And speaking of nine, there  have only been nine kickers that have kicked perfect field goals for an entire season. 

And this year wasn’t just an outlier. Crosby was 22-f0r-24 last year, including going 7 of 8 from 40-49 yards. 

What Crosby is doing is nothing short of remarkable. Remember that Crosby turns 37 on Sept. 3 and he’s kicking like he’s in his second season. 

But let’s also not forget that the Packers brought in Giorgio Tavecchio and Sam Ficken when Crosby had down years in 2012 and 2018. Tavecchio played just two seasons and Ficken actually kicked for the Jets last year. 

Through all of that, Crosby has been the constant. And he handled it with ease. 

“I felt like for the most part, I missed two kicks all camp, so I controlled as much as I could,” said Crosby after winning the kicking job in 2019. “I do feel at peace. I know what I can do and I know what I’m capable of and whatever that looks like. Until I’m told otherwise, I’m going to keep preparing to be a Green Bay Packer.”

There aren’t a lot of other professional athletes that would welcome competition so gracefully. These are guys with egos that are playing at the highest level and going to practice each day knowing that they are a couple mistakes away from getting a pink slip is usually too much for a veteran. 

So Crosby wasn’t just better, he knew he was better. Call it a quiet cockiness. And what head coach doesn’t want a kicker that knows how valuable he is? 

Crosby was a sixth round pick in 2007 and now he’s the No. 1 scorer in franchise history. He’s 628 points ahead of second place Ryan Longwell and 857 points ahead of third place Don Hutson. I’m secure enough to say that record will never be broken.

But it isn’t just scoring. Crosby has 39 makes fr0m 50-plus yards — 22 ahead of second place Chris Jacke. And he’s No. 1 in team history in career field goal percentage for kickers with more than one attempt. He is making 81.8 percent of his field goals, which is amazing. 

Now you may be wondering, how much longer does Crosby have before the sand in the hourglass is completely empty? Well, remember that list of nine kickers that I mentioned above? Gary Anderson was one of those guys and he accomplished the feat when he was at the ripe age of 39. 

Crosby just continues to get better. You can continue to count him out if you want, but that assessment would be off the crossbar. 

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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4 points
 

Comments (18)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Savage57's picture

June 26, 2021 at 06:37 am

When Crosby was going through his case of the yips in 2012, he worked through an issue which is the death knell for a lot of kicker's careers. McCarthy's loyalty to Crosby being able to rebound from a tough season also had much to do with Packers fans enjoying another decade of Crosby's best production.

Add the fact he kicks outdoors, in the elements and it makes what he's done even more amazing. And the guy knows drama, too. Back to back 50+yarders for the win!

12 points
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stockholder's picture

June 26, 2021 at 06:43 am

In 2019 you thought it might be Crosby's last year. And also pointed to his troubles on artificial turf. Nice Flip flop. Nice Praise. It's hard to argue with success. So if he stays perfect. I can see your solid thinking.

2 points
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cheezyone's picture

June 26, 2021 at 08:32 am

Good article Cory. Does anyone know what the longest kick is, that Crosby made in a game?

3 points
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Since'61's picture

June 26, 2021 at 10:15 am

Crosby longest career FG is 58 yards against the Vikings during the 2011 season. Thanks, Since '61

2 points
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greengold's picture

June 26, 2021 at 10:47 am

He rang the bell at 58 yds in 2011. He's hit 57 twice and 56 twice in his career. One of the 57s he crushed last season. He's still got it.

3 points
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PatrickGB's picture

June 26, 2021 at 09:37 am

According to my eyes the only kicks he missed were due to wind and poor LS and holder exchange’s.

2 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

June 26, 2021 at 09:54 am

Crosby still kicking those campus bells making others pay attention.

https://youtu.be/4sI7vFv9REI

-2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 26, 2021 at 10:02 am

The last game where our field goal unit was a significant factor in the loss was in 2018. Since then, late FGs have been the margin of victory a couple of times.

You may now resume the “special teams suck” narrative.

3 points
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greengold's picture

June 26, 2021 at 10:41 am

Aside from Mason Crosby & JK Scott, who is better than many might realize, they have a lot to fix.

JK Scott had a down year last year statistically because we punted far less. In his 3 seasons, he went from 71 punts in 2018 to 77 punts in 2019 (a phenomenal year for him btw), to only 46 punts in 2020.

2018 - 44.7 average and 19 inside the 20, long 67
2019 - 44.0 average and 29 inside the 29, long 66 (PFF All-Pro 2nd Team)
2020 - 45.5 average and15 inside the 20, long 62

Aside from the 2 players who actually put a foot on the ball and our LS, they've left a lot to be desired. Their O & D units on both KR & PR rank at or near the bottom of the NFL. We are also one of the worst teams in the NFL on 2pt conversion D.

Appears as if we had a big talent void, and Gutekunst looks to have focused on adding specialists to help in a number of areas via draft/UDFA this offseason. I have a lot of confidence Maurice Drayton, and a big infusion of talent who are good ST players will make them far better than what we've known. Maybe we actually see some PRs/KRs for TDs - for the Packers!!!

FG unit has been solid, as has been our punting, minus the coverage on those punts.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

June 26, 2021 at 01:24 pm

It’s the returns. I thought so.

Stop returning punts. Return only the kicks you have to. Punt out of bounds. Drill kickoffs through the back of the end zone.

No turnovers, penalties, or injuries. Problem solved.

2 points
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Since'61's picture

June 26, 2021 at 10:21 am

Crosby has been the only bright spot in our horrendous ST play for the last decade or so. He has been the only consistent performer among our ST units and he is an unheralded factor in the Packers success since he joined the team in 2007. Regardless of who is the QB in 2021 I'm confident that we can count on Crosby to get the job done when he is called upon. Thanks, Since '61

8 points
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splitpea1's picture

June 26, 2021 at 11:10 am

The pair of over 50-yard field goals in the 2016 playoffs against Dallas, one near the end of regulation and the other to win the game, are two of the great moments in Packers playoff history (to go along with the AR-Cook connection). The drama of those closing minutes can never be beat when you come out on top--particularly against that opponent.

4 points
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CheesyTex's picture

June 26, 2021 at 11:25 am

But it took a plane ride with Mason's Mom for Jersey Al to see the light. :-)

1 points
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

June 26, 2021 at 11:59 am

In addition to being perfect on the field last year, Mason Crosby has been beacon of perfection off the field as well. He has been the model image of a Green Bay Packer player.

5 points
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LambeauPlain's picture

June 26, 2021 at 12:13 pm

Keep it going, Mason! George Blanda kicked FGs until he was 48.

Have really been spoiled by Dr. Clutch. Vs Dallas in the playoffs in 2016, my wife was a nervous mess on his two clinchers. She said "what if he misses...its too far!"

I just smiled and said "nope, he'll do it."

Mason has spoiled us with his big leg and equally large confidence.

3 points
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porupack's picture

June 26, 2021 at 03:00 pm

wow. watched all the games, and still just missed this fact: 16 for 16. Thanks for calling this out! Shame on me that I was too busy fuming that GB offense didn't get the first down. McCarthy's loyalty and faith in Crosby during that 2012 season is a gold nugget credit to McCarthy....and deserves added admiration for every year Crosby continues to play.

Maybe a nickname (just read the other CHTV post on nicknames): Crosshairs Crosby

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Qoojo's picture

June 27, 2021 at 12:23 pm

You described what a great year he had. But how will he "build on perfection"?

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porupack's picture

June 28, 2021 at 06:50 am

two perfections!

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