The sample size isn’t significant yet, but the incumbent kicker and veteran prospect appear to be ahead of the rookie after five practices of Green Bay Packers training camp.
Michigan rookie James Turner had another chance during the Packers’ fifth practice Saturday. He connected on 5 of 7 kicks, including two in a row for more than 45 yards, to end the practice. according to Bill Huber from SIHis missed shots came from 47 and 49 yards.
Overall, Turner has 13 of 19 kicks — or 68.4 percent — at the start of training camp. The rookie needs to find some consistency in the coming days, or the Packers may decide to limit the kicking contest to two.
(*Actually, consistency may not be the right word. In a way, Turner was surprisingly consistent. He made 2 of 3 kicks in almost every one of his live kicking sessions. But 2 of 3 is not good enough at this level.)
Anders Carlson, now in his second year after a shaky rookie season with the Packers, has attempted his first 11 kicks of training camp. His only missed shot came off the goalpost from 50 yards out during Friday’s practice. He is 11-for-12 overall, including 6-for-6 starts in humid, rainy conditions Wednesday.
“Carlson was solid,” Packers Wire contributor Paul Bretl said. “He seems pretty clean up the middle. More power than the other two.”
Let’s not forget Greg Joseph, who has been the Minnesota Vikings’ kicker in each of the last three seasons. After going 6-of-6 on Friday, Joseph is now tied with Carlson at 11-of-12 through five practices.
At some point, it won’t make sense for the Packers to carry three kickers. It will be complex to provide enough live opportunities for all three, and the Packers will want to see enough competition during the preseason.
“Turner finished a distant third in that competition,” Bretl said.
Will Turner be able to turn the game around, or will the mighty starts by Carlson and Joseph ultimately lead to a rivalry between the two kickers?
Packers Kick Tracker
Anders Carlson: 11 out of 12 (91.7%)
Greg Joseph: 11 of 12 (91.7%)
James Turner: 13 of 19 (68.4%)
