GREEN BAY, Wis. — It took Inexperienced Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur all of two practices to vary his tune on going into Friday’s season opener towards the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil with a kicker he has by no means seen in particular person in a sport.
Earlier than rookie kicker Brayden Narveson arrived at staff headquarters final week, LaFleur referred to as the scenario “uncharted territory” and acknowledged that having a brand new, untested kicker might “completely, 100%” influence some in-game choices.
However after Narveson was almost good in his first two kicking classes in entrance of the staff, LaFleur sounded extra comfy together with his new kicker.
“Yeah, I’ve seen sufficient to be assured in him,” LaFleur stated Sunday. “If that is what you are asking: Do I’ve confidence in him? Completely.”
Here is what might have modified LaFleur’s thoughts:
• In his first follow with the Packers, Narveson stated he made all 5 of his kicks throughout a closed scrimmage inside Lambeau Discipline. That included a 58-yarder in windy situations.
• In Sunday’s follow, Narveson stated he made 5-of-6 with the lone miss on a 51-yarder earlier than he bounced again to make one from 53.
“It is what you dream of, proper?” Narveson stated of constructing a robust first impression. “On the finish of the day all you possibly can ask for is the chance. And when you get the chance, you have to be prepared and step in. … You may solely make a primary impression one time. So I used to be very aware of that.”
The Packers claimed Narveson off waivers from the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday. He grew to become the sixth kicker on the Packers’ roster because the finish of final season, and — for now — he is the alternative for Anders Carlson, whose struggles late final 12 months in his rookie season despatched the Packers down the trail of looking for higher choices.
They lower Carlson final week and initially stored veteran Greg Joseph on the primary model of their 53-man roster till they knew whether or not they would get Narveson on waivers.
Whereas the Packers studied Narveson throughout the draft course of, a supply stated they didn’t supply him a contract after he went undrafted. Narveson stated so far as he knew, the Titans had been his solely choice. He made 6 of seven area aim makes an attempt this preseason for the Titans, together with a 59-yarder and a sport winner.
However, Tennessee opted to go together with veteran kicker Nick Folks.
“I used to be totally anticipating re-signing with the Titans on the follow squad,” Narveson stated. “Even from the forefront, once they had been recruiting me, if you’ll, throughout the draft, that was the guiding concept that that was in all probability what was going to occur. However on the identical time, I ready, I acquired alternatives within the video games, I executed within the video games.
“That gave me the prospect to come back right here, and I am ecstatic. I am excited to be right here and I will proceed to get higher, as a result of I do not wish to cease right here and I do not really feel like I’ve arrived.”
