Despite missing two more field goals on Sunday, Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Mason Crosby is still the team’s kicker.
One of those misses was a 50-yarder in the Packers’ 24-20 victory over the Detroit Lions.
“I’ll address the field goal situation: Mason’s got to put the ball through the uprights,” McCarthy said during his weekly press conference with reporters. “That’s something that we’ve got to do a better job of.”
Crosby has only made five of his last 10 attempts and is 11 for 18 on the season.
“It’s just like anything in life professionally: You have the opportunity to work with an individual every day and you see what they’re about, their mentality, their commitment, their preparation leading up to it,” McCarthy said. “I have no reasons not to believe in him.
“Now, I can see your pens are all writing and I understand he’s missing kicks in games. The bottom line is this is about performance on Sundays and I have all of the confidence that Mason’s going to get that back because we need him.”
Crosby made 24 of 28 field-goal attempts last season, but he is clearly struggling this year.
Crosby did make a 39-yarder with 19 seconds left in the game that added to Green Bay’s 21-20 lead.
“Each year is different,” Crosby said. “You just have to work through it, I guess. Last year I started off really hot and ended up with a great percentage, but I’ve got to keep making kicks. Just grind through the week and focus on hitting a good ball and putting it on line and giving myself an opportunity at putting it through the uprights. That’s my job, and that’s what I intend to do.”
Crosby’s next chance to turn his struggles around is this Sunday night when the Packers (7-3) visit the New York Giants (6-4).