The Green Bay Packers’ offense is one of the greatest in the NFL. Led by quarterback Jordan Love, they average 400.8 yards of total offense per game, ranking fourth in the conference. They also rank sixth in the NFL with 27.0 points per game. Despite missing two games due to an injured MCL, Love ranks second in the NFL with 12 touchdown passes and is the only quarterback with multiple four-touchdown performances.
The Packers’ defense is significantly better than it was last season. While they rank 18th in yards allowed per game, they lead the NFL in takeaways and ninth in points allowed. In addition to increasing their forced turnovers this season, the Packers strengthened their run defense. They presently allow 110.0 rushing yards per game, which is seventh best in the league.
Indeed, Green Bay’s offense and defense appear to be improving and should be among the best in the NFL by the end of the season. The same cannot be said for their special teams. Green Bay Packers kicker Brayden Narveson has not improved Last offseason, the Packers opted to replace Mason Crosby, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, with sixth-round draft pick Anders Carlson. That mistake cost Green Bay numerous games during the regular season and contributed significantly to their loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs.
As Packers fans are well known, Carlson struggled tremendously last season. He topped the NFL in missed kicks, missing one in each of the playoff games. He was so unreliable that the team brought in Greg Joseph to compete against him throughout training camp. Carlson and Joseph were both cut due to their lackluster performances at camp. Instead, the Packers elected to start the 2024 NFL regular season with Brayden Narveson, who was waived by the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, Narveson struggled this season, missing five kicks—the highest in the league. On Tuesday, the Packers announced his release and the signing of a contentious veteran kicker.
(Ironically, the 49ers announced Carlson’s signing as well.) Green Bay Packers fans are unhappy with the signing of Brandon McManus. To replace Narveson, the Packers hired veteran kicker Brandon McManus, who has a career field goal percentage of 81.4% and an extra point percentage of 97.2%. McManus made 81.1% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points while with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
While McManus is a definite upgrade at the position, two former Jaguars flight attendants are suing him for sexual assault on the team’s travel to London last year. The action was originally dismissed because the plaintiffs filed it anonymously. However, they have since refiled the claims using their true names. The case is still ongoing before the courts. While he has not been convicted, Packers fans are concerned about the organization hiring a guy with such charges hanging over his head.
As you can see, fans aren’t delighted to have a kicker accused of sexual assault on their team. It should be emphasized that the NFL investigated the charges but found insufficient evidence to ban him. However, this should not provide Packers supporters with relief. despite all, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was not suspended despite dashcam footage showed him physically leaving the scene of an accident that he had caused. By the way, there was an accident that caused several injuries. The crux of the matter is that, as an American citizen, McManus is immune from judicial punishment unless proven guilty.
However, the fact that the charges have not yet been proven false is alarming, and they should have played a larger role in Green Bay’s decision to sign him than they did. If an ordinary citizen asks for a job and has a pending case accusing them of sexual assault on file, the vast majority of businesses will refuse to hire them. If a parent’s teenaged or adult child comes home a new significant other who is facing sexual assault allegations, that parent is unlikely to be pleased. Yes, McManus is a significant improvement over Narveson.
However, the Packers take pride in bringing in players who are generally clear of legal issues and do not embarrass the team. Unless his issue is handled, this deal could be a major embarrassment for the franchise, regardless of how skillfully he kicks.
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