Get Off Mason Crosby's Case

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With seeing the amount of absurd fanatical outcry in Packer Nation, one would think we have a record similar to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7) or the Detroit Lions (1-7).

Yet the Packers are 4-4 and very much alive to make the post-season. Sure there are problems that need to be addressed. Problems including:

• A lack of pass rush by the defense
  
• A lack of protection by the offensive line
  
• Blown coverage by special teams
  
• Blown defensive coverage assignments
  
• A QB with a tendency to not sense pressure
  

While these areas deserve finger pointing, I can think of one player who should not be listed as a scapegoat.

It's Mason Crosby.

A former sixth round pick out of Colorado, Crosby was considered a steal for the Packers in 2007 NFL Draft because of his powerful leg and clutch kicking. 

In his rookie season, he led the league in total points with 141 in 2007.

Last year, his attempts were limited and missed three field goals from 30-39 yards out.

This year, his field goal percentage is 77.8 percent, but this stat is very misleading.

Crosby has attempted 18 field goals this season, which ranks second in the league. 14 of them are under 50 yards and has only missed one of them (a 49 yard attempt in week one).

Crosby's accuracy has been highly efficient with field goal attempts under 50 yards and has not missed chip shot kicks similar to last year.

This year, 52 percent of all field goals in the league from 50+ have been converted. Once again, its another misleading statistic.

Though Crosby has only made one his four kicks, he is one of only three kickers who have attempted more than two kicks of 50+ (Josh Brown 2-3 and Josh Scobee 2-5).

Of all seven kickers who have only kicked two kicks, they all have only made one.

The other ten kickers who have only attempted one kick 50+ are 7-10.

Crosby is one of the few kickers in the league that has the leg ability to make long field goals which is why Mike McCarthy has given Mason opportunities to do so instead of punting.

Though he has missed three long field goals, he is still one of the league's best kickers and is not the reason for Green Bay's three losses on the season.

Mason Crosby's Regular Season Field Goal Statistics

Year     1-19     20-29     30-39      40-49     50+

2007     1-1        8-8       10-11      9-14      3-5

2008     1-1        8-8       10-13      5-6       3-6

2009     1-1        4-4         5-5       3-4       1-4

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