Brandon McManus

[Thirteen Below]

I don't really care what it costs to keep McManus, in the grand scheme of things he has proven his value and you pay him what he and his agent reasonably ask for. If the Packers **** around and lose him, they could find themselves bringing back Anders, Joseph and Narveson back for a miss-off competition.

I completely agree. He's one of the lowest paid kicker in the league, but the second best - you know he'll expect to be paid, and Gutekunst knows he's going to have to.

It's not like it's going to be quarterback money or wide receiver money... not even tight end money. The highest paid kicker in the league, Butker, makes $6.4 million, and there are two more at $6M. The next 8 on the list make between 5 and 6, and that's probably where MacManus would fall. But even if he wants more, it would probably be not much more than 6, and he'd deserve it.

I don't think it's going to be any kind of problem, either to agree on a price or to find the cap space. I think we can look forward to several years of seeing him kick the ball. Crosby had one of the better years of his career at age 38, and Nick Folk - the man who barely beat MacManus out for the crown - is 40.

 

[tynimiller]

McManus also just over kicked his norm too, but that doesn’t mean I’m not against resigning. I just think some are gonna be let down when he regresses down some to the norm potentially for him - which is still a solid upper level kicker.

This is his eleventh season and he’s only kicked higher than 86% one time, this season.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

McManus also just over kicked his norm too, but that doesn’t mean I’m not against resigning. I just think some are gonna be let down when he regresses down some to the norm potentially for him - which is still a solid upper level kicker.

This is his eleventh season and he’s only kicked higher than 86% one time, this season.

Way to burst all of our bubbles!

I agree though. If McManus had a "Prove It Season", this was it. Coming back from legal issues was a big hurdle, but proving he could still be a solid kicker in the NFL was even bigger. He did both and came out smelling like a rose.

Now I will burst the other bubble. No doubt the Packers will want to resign McManus and keep him in Green Bay. However, I have no doubt that to do it, they will be competing with quite a few other teams that will want his service. It may come down to money, but also where Brandon wants to be. Let's hope it is in Green Bay.

 

[Pkrjones]

Now I will burst the other bubble. No doubt the Packers will want to resign McManus and keep him in Green Bay. However, I have no doubt that to do it, they will be competing with quite a few other teams that will want his service. It may come down to money, but also where Brandon wants to be. Let's hope it is in Green Bay.

Who wouldn't want to kick for a team when at least a quarter of the games are below freezing, swirling winds, & usually snowy?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Who wouldn't want to kick for a team when at least a quarter of the games are below freezing, swirling winds, & usually snowy?

Thought of that myself and Mason seemed pretty happy in GB. If nothing else, the Kicker can blame a bad kick on the cold weather!

 

[milani]

Thought of that myself and Mason seemed pretty happy in GB. If nothing else, the Kicker can blame a bad kick on the cold weather!

Crosby played in Colorado. Cold weather did not phase him. Back in the day when Jerry Kramer was used to kick for the Packers Lombardi knew he lived in Idaho and grew up close to the Canadian border.

 

[adambr2]

McManus also just over kicked his norm too, but that doesn’t mean I’m not against resigning. I just think some are gonna be let down when he regresses down some to the norm potentially for him - which is still a solid upper level kicker.

This is his eleventh season and he’s only kicked higher than 86% one time, this season.

Not to necessarily disagree with you but I want to point out that McManus attempted 47 (!) field goals in the 4 seasons before coming here from 50+ yards. I can’t say for sure if that’s more than any other kicker during that period, but I’d be shocked if someone is higher.

Just to add some context to his FG percentage. He’s been pretty reliable under 50 yards.

 

[tynimiller]

Not to necessarily disagree with you but I want to point out that McManus attempted 47 (!) field goals in the 4 seasons before coming here from 50+ yards. I can’t say for sure if that’s more than any other kicker during that period, but I’d be shocked if someone is higher.

Just to add some context to his FG percentage. He’s been pretty reliable under 50 yards.

That's fairly consistent along the line of any good kicker in the NFL with solid leg strength. Guys like Boswell (40 in last four), Aubrey (27 in his two seasons), Fairbairn (34 last four), Sanders (33 in last four), D Carlson (34 last four), Tucker (36 last four)...McManus kicking a lot of those makes sense being he kicked in Denver for years and does have a strong leg.

Those guys above who offhand were just guys that I knew kicked a fair amount of long attempts (have no doubt there is more out there that are higher even):

Boswell last four seasons 90 / 71.4 / 93.5 / 93.2 percentages
Aubrey his first two 94.7 / 85.1
Fairbairn 78.9 / 93.5 / 96.4 / 85.7
Sanders 74.2 / 81.3 / 85.7 / 90.2
Carlson 93.0 / 91.9 / 86.7 / 85.0
Tucker 94.6 / 86.0 / 86.5 / 73.3

I'm not at all anti-McManus - we need to sign him to a four year deal IMO and likely he should end up top 5 or top 3 paid just given the situation and timing. BUT, even in the seasons he kicked say less than 8 50 yard attempts since you want to isolate that as a factor (which for sure is) he has kicked for 69.2 / 85.7 / 85.3 / 75 / 80 / 85.3 and then this season the 95.2

Likelihood is he will be consistent like he always have and end up around that 81-86 mark on the season. I just think some are not realizing how over the top high to his typical this season was.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Likelihood is he will be consistent like he always have and end up around that 81-86 mark on the season. I just think some are not realizing how over the top high to his typical this season was.

Don't worry, those "some", will be discovered soon enough. A McManus miss in a critical situation and we will see all sorts of posts about what a terrible kicker he is!

 

[tynimiller]

Don't worry, those "some", will be discovered soon enough. A McManus miss in a critical situation and we will see all sorts of posts about what a terrible kicker he is!

Oh how true that is. Same folks screaming for Malik Willis to be our QB instead of Love likely...or a large crossover section exists between the two.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Watson? The guy is a potato chip. His knees are about as strong as a potato chip is, when you hold it by the tippy-tip end, and dip it into French Onion dip just out of the fridge. You know the darned thing is gonna break. His skills are amazing, when he's healthy. The problem for him is his body.

And that's a shame for all concerned, because he's got more going on than just a skill set - he brings a selfless attitude, a "team first" approach to the game that no team can ever get enough of. He works hard to make himself better, fights through his injuries in the off-season, is an enthusiastic downfield blocker, supports and encourages his teammates... not some Cris Carter or Randy Moss "diva"; just a great guy. A solid teammate all around.

Remember, his dad Tim was drafted by the Packers 30 years ago, and while he worked hard and had a great attitude too, he was never able to have the success Christian has had. But his dad taught him a lot about what it takes to make it at this level, and Christian seems committed to honoring his dad's mentorship.

He's the kind of guy I love to see make it, and it'll be a shame if he doesn't. Which, sadly, seems to be looking more and more likely. Hopefully we're wrong, and I'm still pulling for him, but he does seem to not have the kind of body that it takes to survive the NFL.

What puzzles me on Melton is why they haven't used him in the long routes. The guy ran 40s under 4.35. He's as fast, if not faster than Watson. So, why don't they use him in that capacity with Watson out?

Interestingly, Watson's dad feels that Luke Musgrave is the guy who's best suited to replace his son as the "take the top off" downfield threat. His 4.61 speed is a little slower than Watson's 4.36, but still fast for a tight end.

It's an interesting idea. Might be a good way to get him on the field for more downs.

 

[Pkrjones]

And that's a shame for all concerned, because he's got more going on than just a skill set - he brings a selfless attitude, a "team first" approach to the game that no team can ever get enough of. He works hard to make himself better, fights through his injuries in the off-season, is an enthusiastic downfield blocker, supports and encourages his teammates... not some Cris Carter or Randy Moss "diva"; just a great guy. A solid teammate all around.

Remember, his dad Tim was drafted by the Packers 30 years ago, and while he worked hard and had a great attitude too, he was never able to have the success Christian has had. But his dad taught him a lot about what it takes to make it at this level, and Christian seems committed to honoring his dad's mentorship.

He's the kind of guy I love to see make it, and it'll be a shame if he doesn't. Which, sadly, seems to be looking more and more likely. Hopefully we're wrong, and I'm still pulling for him, but he does seem to not have the kind of body that it takes to survive the NFL.


Interestingly, Watson's dad feels that Luke Musgrave is the guy who's best suited to replace his son as the "take the top off" downfield threat. His 4.61 speed is a little slower than Watson's 4.36, but still fast for a tight end.

It's an interesting idea. Might be a good way to get him on the field for more downs.

Maybe double moves would shake Musgrave loose from a decent coverage LB? Start him inline, 5 step out pattern & turn it up the sidelines for a back-breaking TD? I could see it.

 

[Voyageur]

And that's a shame for all concerned, because he's got more going on than just a skill set - he brings a selfless attitude, a "team first" approach to the game that no team can ever get enough of. He works hard to make himself better, fights through his injuries in the off-season, is an enthusiastic downfield blocker, supports and encourages his teammates... not some Cris Carter or Randy Moss "diva"; just a great guy. A solid teammate all around.

Remember, his dad Tim was drafted by the Packers 30 years ago, and while he worked hard and had a great attitude too, he was never able to have the success Christian has had. But his dad taught him a lot about what it takes to make it at this level, and Christian seems committed to honoring his dad's mentorship.

He's the kind of guy I love to see make it, and it'll be a shame if he doesn't. Which, sadly, seems to be looking more and more likely. Hopefully we're wrong, and I'm still pulling for him, but he does seem to not have the kind of body that it takes to survive the NFL.


Interestingly, Watson's dad feels that Luke Musgrave is the guy who's best suited to replace his son as the "take the top off" downfield threat. His 4.61 speed is a little slower than Watson's 4.36, but still fast for a tight end.

It's an interesting idea. Might be a good way to get him on the field for more downs.

I agree on Watson. I think he's the epitome of a team player. The kind of guy you want to see succeed. I'd love to see him back on the field in GB, ready to fly down the field and make those catches we've seen out of him. I think the Packers realize this, and even though they will move on as if he isn't coming back, there will be room for him out there to make a comeback in green and gold. I hate seeing things like what happened to him occur. The guy deserves better than that. He's shown he's more than willing to sacrifice his body to make plays that a lot of guys would shy away from. At this point, it's going to have to be 2026 for him.

In a way, I do somewhat agree with Tim. Musgrave does have moves for a guy his size, and when it comes to a 50/50 hand fight for a ball, I'll take him over almost everyone. He's not going to give the ball up to protect himself.