The Green Bay Packers kicker competition was reduced to two on Tuesday. On Thursday, some distance opened up between the two remaining players.
It’s no longer a three-way contest. Rookie James Turner was released Tuesday.
In the final practice before Family Night, veteran prospect Greg Joseph finished a perfect 7-of-7 — with field goals of 41, 42, 45, 47, 49, 51 and 58 yards. Meanwhile, incumbent Anders Carlson went 4-of-7 — with field goals of 45, 47 and 49. Like Joseph, Carlson threw for 58 yards to end the practice.
Over the course of nine training sessions, Joseph developed a significant competitive advantage on the pitch.
Joseph, who has been the Minnesota Vikings’ kicker for the past three seasons, is 29-for-31, or 93.5 percent.
Carlson, who started off forceful as a rookie but has since had some woeful ups and downs, is 25-of-31, or 80.6 percent. Overall, Carlson shot 81.8 percent from the field last season.
Any distance Joseph covered against Carlson could be covered Saturday night at Lambeau Field. Kicking inside the stadium creates a completely different environment than practice, and it’s a good bet those kicks will have more significance in the kicking competition. There will be thousands of fans in attendance, and the winds are different inside the Lambeau Field bowl.
Will Joseph be able to maintain his balance and accuracy on Family Night? And can Carlson pull off a mini-funk? Both questions are critical, given Joseph’s inconsistencies throughout his NFL career and Carlson’s repetitive funk early in his own career.
Packers Kick Tracker
Greg Joseph: 29 of 31 (93.5%)
Anders Carlson: 25 of 31 (80.6%)
