LaFleur has 'confidence' in Packers' new kicker

GREEN BAY, Wis. — It took Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur all of two practices to alter 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 individual in a recreation.

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%” affect some in-game choices.

However after Narveson was practically 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 mentioned Sunday. “If that is what you are asking: Do I’ve confidence in him? Completely.”

Here is what could have modified LaFleur’s thoughts:

• In his first apply with the Packers, Narveson mentioned 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 apply, 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.

“It is what you dream of, proper?” Narveson mentioned 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 possibly can 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 alternative for Anders Carlson, whose struggles late final yr in his rookie season despatched the Packers down the trail of trying to find higher choices.

They lower 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 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 recreation winner.

Nonetheless, Tennessee opted to go together with veteran kicker Nick Folk.

“I used to be absolutely anticipating re-signing with the Titans on the apply squad,” Narveson mentioned. “Even from the forefront, once they had 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 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 need to cease right here and I do not really feel like I’ve arrived.”