Brandon McManus

[Thirteen Below]

His off the field issues aside, he is an upgrade and probably the best available at this point in the season. He can't be any worse. *knock on wood*

He's an upgrade over Narveson, that's true. And look, don't get me wrong, I'm relieved we have him. I'd have even taken Carlson back at this point, if it were an option. I think we're all relieved to see the end of Narveson. But let's take a step back and try to keep our expectations modest.

Last year, Carlson was ranked #24 among field goal kickers, at 81.8%.

Macmanus was #26 - 81.1%.

Which is 3 ticks below his career average of 81.4% (which, in turn, is still 4/10 of a percent below Carlson's average in 23). We're in much better shape than we were 36 hours ago, but we didn't exactly hit the Nick Folks lottery.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

For what it’s worth, Gute said he’s “very, very comfortable” with us signing him.

McManus, his attorney, and Tony Buzbee (who was representing the two plaintiffs) have all said at this point the matter is “resolved”. Whether that means the civil case was dropped or settled outside of court, I’m not sure, but in whatever case it seems to be over.

So are you telling us that it's now a matter of......"Touch-and-go"?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't know much at all about Hale, but I guess if Gutekunst thinks he's got a better furture than Narveson, he probably knows a little bit more about the situation than I do.

I don't know much about Hale, but besides the financial commitment to him, he's a free PS roster spot. I am guessing that the Packers like his potential or I doubt he is still there getting a weekly check of $12,500. I think in the long run, the best thing for Narveson is a clean break from the Packers. Even if he was put on the PS and brought back due to McManus not working out/getting injured, I don't think a week, a month or 3 will ever change the pressure that he would face kicking for the Packers again, at least this season. I wish the best for the kid, but go find a warm spot, work on your technique, get your head right and hope for a tryout elsewhere.

 

[Half Empty]

I don't know much about Hale, but besides the financial commitment to him, he's a free PS roster spot. I am guessing that the Packers like his potential or I doubt he is still there getting a weekly check of $12,500. I think in the long run, the best thing for Narveson is a clean break from the Packers. Even if he was put on the PS and brought back due to McManus not working out/getting injured, I don't think a week, a month or 3 will ever change the pressure that he would face kicking for the Packers again, at least this season. I wish the best for the kid, but go find a warm spot, work on your technique, get your head right and hope for a tryout elsewhere.

Hale (6-1, 203) is a rookie who began his career at Oklahoma State as a walk-on. The Gosford, New South Wales, Australia, native was a two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist (2020, 2023) and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023. He finished his college career 43 of 54 on field goal attempts to give him the fifth-highest field-goal percentage (.796) in school history. Hale's 43 field goals rank No. 8 in OSU history. He made 47 consecutive PAT attempts from 2021-23 to tie for the 10th-longest streak in school history.

 

[milani]

He's an upgrade over Narveson, that's true. And look, don't get me wrong, I'm relieved we have him. I'd have even taken Carlson back at this point, if it were an option. I think we're all relieved to see the end of Narveson. But let's take a step back and try to keep our expectations modest.

Last year, Carlson was ranked #24 among field goal kickers, at 81.8%.

Macmanus was #26 - 81.1%.

Which is 3 ticks below his career average of 81.4% (which, in turn, is still 4/10 of a percent below Carlson's average in 23). We're in much better shape than we were 36 hours ago, but we didn't exactly hit the Nick Folks lottery.

But he at least has survived the last decade. In a decade will we remember Narveson or Carlson? ( Maybe his brother ) All things equal for this one season in crunch time I will take my chances with a veteran.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

A small point of consideration: It's true that McManus' career ~81% FG percentage is not exceptional by today's standard. But in looking at kick distribution and such....so far this year we have not trusted Narveson enough to even *attempt* anything over 50+ yards. McManus for his career is 91% at 49 yards and under. That is a massive upgrade on what we've had thus far AND does also allow for the possibility of some longer attempts.

THIS....right here is why McManus was a great signing....as long as his off the field legal stuff is behind him.

Rich Bisaccia echoed this yesterday.

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[Voyageur]

I think our kicking duties are in better hands (actually feet) with McManus. We need to let it play out. At least we know he's not afraid to have it teed up over 50 yards out for a try, and that will have an effect on how tight defenses have to play the Packers. It opens it up for a long gainer now and then, because they'll worry about the 5 or 6 yards that makes a kick closer, in McManus range.

It would be interesting knowing how many times the Packers had the ball anywhere from the 37 to 42 yard line, and had to either go for it, or punt, because they had no faith in anyone getting a 52-57 yard FG.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It would be interesting knowing how many times the Packers had the ball anywhere from the 37 to 42 yard line, and had to either go for it, or punt, because they had no faith in anyone getting a 52-57 yard FG.

I think that was the case this year and last year.

I would love to see the metrics on what teams are able to do once over the other teams 37 yard line. My guess is, TD's are scored less times than either FG's or no points. So even if you do "go for it, because you don't have confidence in your K", if you make the first down, you still are not assured of a TD. You may even turn the ball over on a turnover, 4th down or missed FG.

If I am a coach, unless the clock or score dictates different, I want a kicker I am confident to send out there from the opponents 35 yard line on in and hopefully get that 3 points on the board.

 

[Voyageur]

I think that was the case this year and last year.

I would love to see the metrics on what teams are able to do once over the other teams 37 yard line. My guess is, TD's are scored less times than either FG's or no points. So even if you do "go for it, because you don't have confidence in your K", if you make the first down, you still are not assured of a TD. You may even turn the ball over on a turnover, 4th down or missed FG.

If I am a coach, unless the clock or score dictates different, I want a kicker I am confident to send out there from the opponents 35 yard line on in and hopefully get that 3 points on the board.

The value of a kicker is immense in close games. Just the threat of him being able to nail one from 55 yards forces the opposition to do everything they can to keep you out of their territory, because they know what could happen.

Kicking is becoming an art. Every year kickers get better, and a lot of that is due to increased soccer playing, and kids who play soccer realizing that they might be a kicker in football, even if they suck at soccer. It's amazing how many who played Australian rules football as well, are either in the NFL, have been in the NFL, are in college, or even playing on US HS teams because they're good enough to get scholarships for college.

Then you see this kid, not even in HS yet, who kicks for the varsity, who can make 50 yard FGs. Imagine how good he will be when he develops more power behind his leg whip. Seing is believing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gra...ive&vld=cid:93c56fa9,vid:eek:ZZMSF131H0,st:17

 

[Wi. Mike now in Florida]

That has to be the worst lonely job in football especially on a cold winter day in Chicago.
The hole game is on you to win.
If you make it, your a hero, if you don't, you sit in the back of the bus.

 

[milani]

I think our kicking duties are in better hands (actually feet) with McManus. We need to let it play out. At least we know he's not afraid to have it teed up over 50 yards out for a try, and that will have an effect on how tight defenses have to play the Packers. It opens it up for a long gainer now and then, because they'll worry about the 5 or 6 yards that makes a kick closer, in McManus range.

It would be interesting knowing how many times the Packers had the ball anywhere from the 37 to 42 yard line, and had to either go for it, or punt, because they had no faith in anyone getting a 52-57 yard FG.

Hope it goes well for him the rest of the way. 2025 will present itself with a new challenge.

 

[Voyageur]

That has to be the worst lonely job in football especially on a cold winter day in Chicago.
The hole game is on you to win.
If you make it, your a hero, if you don't, you sit in the back of the bus.

Or fly back to GB in luggage class. If they're unhappy enough, they buy you a bus ticket and hand you $20 for meals, and say to report to the office when you get it.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I think our kicking duties are in better hands (actually feet) with McManus. We need to let it play out. At least we know he's not afraid to have it teed up over 50 yards out for a try, and that will have an effect on how tight defenses have to play the Packers. It opens it up for a long gainer now and then, because they'll worry about the 5 or 6 yards that makes a kick closer, in McManus range.

I agree. In one fell swoop, we took what was probaably our biggest weakness and turned it into a strength. Not our greatest strength, but at least nudged it into the "plus" column.

It would be interesting knowing how many times the Packers had the ball anywhere from the 37 to 42 yard line, and had to either go for it, or punt, because they had no faith in anyone getting a 52-57 yard FG.

Yes, this changes a lot. Frees so many options up for both Lafleur and Love. It gives Lafleur a lot more latitude in playcalling, not just once he gets around midfield but even to some degree at the start of a long drive (although much more so when you start to get past the 40.) And Love? It takes a lot of pressure off of a young and still-developing quarterback who sometimes channels Favre a little more than he does Rodgers. Makes him less likely to force a pass into coverage downfield on 3rd and long instead of taking the short checkdown and turn the game over to the kicker.

I'd rather he had a longer leg, to give us more margin of error from beyond the 40, but you can't have everything. I'm content with this.

This could very easily win us a couple more games this season, not to mention the distance it could make in January and even (hopefully) February. If we'd signed him 3 weeks ago, we lead the North today at 5-1, if I'm doing the math right.

 

[OldSchool101]

To display the confidence they had in McManus on long Kicks they gave him
82 attempts at 50+ across 10 seasons

As a comparison Crosby had less with
80 attempts at 50+ in 17 seasons

 

[milani]

I agree. In one fell swoop, we took what was probaably our biggest weakness and turned it into a strength. Not our greatest strength, but at least nudged it into the "plus" column.


Yes, this changes a lot. Frees so many options up for both Lafleur and Love. It gives Lafleur a lot more latitude in playcalling, not just once he gets around midfield but even to some degree at the start of a long drive (although much more so when you start to get past the 40.) And Love? It takes a lot of pressure off of a young and still-developing quarterback who sometimes channels Favre a little more than he does Rodgers. Makes him less likely to force a pass into coverage downfield on 3rd and long instead of taking the short checkdown and turn the game over to the kicker.

I'd rather he had a longer leg, to give us more margin of error from beyond the 40, but you can't have everything. I'm content with this.

This could very easily win us a couple more games this season, not to mention the distance it could make in January and even (hopefully) February. If we'd signed him 3 weeks ago, we lead the North today at 5-1, if I'm doing the math right.

Watching the Texans play the Bears in Week 2 they win 19-13. Fairburn, their kicker hit 4 FGs, 3 of which were 50+. Albeit they were indoor kicks does anyone believe Narveson would have made all 3 or even 2? Two weeks ago Fairburn won a game at the end with a long, long one. Now if McManus can make some from 40-50 we do not have to punt or play 4 down territory all the time.