GREEN BAY, Wis. — It took Inexperienced Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur all of two practices to alter his tune on going into Friday’s season opener in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil with a kicker he has by no means seen in individual in a recreation.
Earlier than rookie kicker Brayden Narveson arrived at workforce headquarters final week, LaFleur known as the scenario “uncharted territory” and acknowledged that having a brand new, untested kicker might “completely, one hundred pc” influence some in-game selections.
However after Narveson was practically good in his first two kicking classes in entrance of the workforce, LaFleur sounded extra snug together with his new kicker.
“Yeah, I’ve seen sufficient to be assured in him,” LaFleur mentioned Sunday. “If that is what you are asking: Do I’ve confidence in him? Completely.”
This is what could have modified LaFleur’s thoughts:
• In his first observe with the Packers, Narveson mentioned he made all 5 of his kicks throughout a closed scrimmage inside Lambeau Area. That included a 58-yarder in windy circumstances.
• In Sunday’s observe, Narveson mentioned he made 5-of-6 with the lone miss on a 51-yarder earlier than he bounced again to make one from 53.
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“It is what you dream of, proper?” Narveson mentioned of constructing a powerful first impression. “On the finish of the day all you may 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 turned the sixth kicker on the Packers’ roster for the reason that finish of final season, and — for now — he is the substitute for Anders Carlson, whose struggles late final yr in his rookie season despatched the Packers down the trail of looking for higher choices.
They reduce Carlson final week and initially saved 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 in the course of the draft course of, a supply mentioned they didn’t supply him a contract after he went undrafted. Narveson mentioned so far as he knew, the Titans have been his solely possibility. He made 6 of seven discipline aim makes an attempt this preseason for the Titans, together with a 59-yarder and a recreation 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 observe squad,” Narveson mentioned. “Even from the forefront, once they have been recruiting me, if you’ll, in the course of the draft, that was the guiding concept that that was most likely what was going to occur. However on the identical time, I ready, I obtained alternatives within the video games, I executed within the video games.
“That gave me the possibility to return right here, and I am ecstatic. I am excited to be right here and I’ll proceed to get higher, as a result of I do not need to cease right here and I do not really feel like I’ve arrived.”
