2026 Draft Rd 6 #35 K Trey Smack Florida

[milani]

I think Longwell is even on record of saying kicking indoors would lengthen his career. Hus length on kickoffs would play real well with today's KO rules.

Longwell's kickoffs showed in outdoor and cold weather games as early as 2000. In the 2003 playoff vs. Philly the Packers had 1st and goal at the 5 around the 2 minute warning of the half. The Eagles stopped us but got the ball at the 2 with not much time left. They could not get to midfield and the half ended. Sherman was also thinking that if we take the points then Longwell kicks off and the Eagles have the ball at at least the 35 and McNabb could easily get them 30 yards and Akers has a big leg. So going for the TD was the choice that could negate all that.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hornung was a decent kicker through 1961 by the standards of that time which is incomparable to today. Kickers had it quite a bit differently. Goal posts were on the goal line so teams could attempt a FG just by crossing midfield. And if you missed the ball was placed on the opponent's 20 yard line instead of the spot of the hold. The uprights were very low which worked to the kickers advantage. If the kick hovered over and near the upright refs generally called it good for all teams. Today that kick hits the post or is outside of it. But the hash marks were wider like the college game which made the angle sharper to split the uprights. And the ball was placed 7 yards from the line of scrimmage instead of 8 like today.
Hornung started 1962 pretty well. But an injury forced him to turn the kicking duties over to Jerry Kramer. Kramer had to kick in 1963 because Hornung was suspended. Hornung had to kick in 1964 because Kramer missed the season with wood splints in his body. By that time Hornung had lost it. He was underweight due to over training in the offseason. His leg strength had deteriorated. And he was a step slower although still a great offensive talent.

Thanks for all the history milani, much appreciated. I knew that Kramer was the kicker for a while bit don't recall the circumstances. And it always confounded me that the uprights, and they were uprights, were placed at the goal line. That is a broken neck, or broken something, waiting to happen.

And I don't recall when a missed FG resulted in placement at the spot of the kick, rather than the 20 yard line. It doesn't seem like it was long ago, but must be at least 20 or 30 years, maybe more.

 

[Heyjoe4]

College careers

A. Carleson 110 att @ 71.8% FGM
B. Narveson 91 att @ 78.0% FGM
T. Smack 64 att @ 82.8% FGM

Slightly smaller sample in the SEC but also his 10 of 13 kicks at 50+ yards
backs up his leg is strong. Never had a season under 81% and has 100/101 XPM

Thanks OS. It's always risky to take a kicker in the draft, but it's riskier to have an inconsistent kicker. It was a good move by Gluten and no one saw it coming.

My guess is that McManus gets cut, Havrisik goes to the PS, or stays on the PS, and Smack gets the job. Here's hoping to a long and successful career for him in GB.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Gogolak Brothers were likely the first in the pros. But Stenerud had a great career. But he missed that longest game in history kick against the Dolphins in OT at Arrowhead.

How long was the kick attempted? Thanks milani.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Don't forget Garo Yepremian and our own Chester Marcol!

Chester was a very good kicker and an even more interesting character. I hope he found the solution to hs drinking problem. And who can forget the blocked FG he turned into a TD?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yes, I think this is accurate. We drafted Domani Jackson CB in the 6th and then grabbed Smack in the 6th. So, we gave up two 7ths to move back up into the 6th round. Math says that we gave up one total pick. Anyone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Sounds right Krabs. It was a good move by Gluten. He didn't have anyone he was crazy about in the 7th, and figured he'd add UDFAs, so he took almost no risk by moving up to get Smack.

This guy has to have a long and successful NFL career just for his name - SMACK!

 

[milani]

Thanks for all the history milani, much appreciated. I knew that Kramer was the kicker for a while bit don't recall the circumstances. And it always confounded me that the uprights, and they were uprights, were placed at the goal line. That is a broken neck, or broken something, waiting to happen.

And I don't recall when a missed FG resulted in placement at the spot of the kick, rather than the 20 yard line. It doesn't seem like it was long ago, but must be at least 20 or 30 years, maybe more.

With kickers getting better the league decided that it had to have more risk and reward for attempting a long FG. Missing one back in the day amounted to a punt. I recall one time the Lions' Wayne Walker tried a long FG on a blustery day that went out of bounds at the Bear 3 yard line! And that is where the poor Halas boys had to take over.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Even before kickers were really specialists Hornung had that horrific 1964 season. Then when Don Chandler retired we struggled. Chester Marcol started out well but his other habit ruined his career. Getting Jan Stenerud was a short lived plus.

The worst kicker I remember was Zendejas I only go back to '81

 

[OldSchool101]

It was rebuild time. Longwell's kickoffs were consistently shorter than most and he could do better in a dome at the time. He did not have the range that many of the NFL kickers today have. But he was accurate. In 2005 he had a new holder and it brought his numbers down.

I see. Good memory that was long ago. It was tough watching him across years and years hurt us while wearing Purple

 

[milani]

The worst kicker I remember was Zendejas I only go back to '81

Thank goodness he was short-lived. I recall that Max blew a chip shot game winner at Lambeau against his old team! And the announcers for that old team were laughing and cheering for him after the miss.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I w

Shows us how serious Gute is about this. Kicking in 2023-24-25 had its ups and downs in different ways and at different times. Just want to end this merry go round and have a decent kicker. Does not have to be an Aubrey or a Vinateri. Except for one season Crosby was good.

I wondered about using UDFA, but he’s tried that. I’m sure he’s confident this guy will be the long-term answer. This team is too talented to not have a reliable K.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don't think a team gives up two draft picks regardless if they are 7th rounders and then not roll with him. Smack is the new kicker. I'm actually pretty excited about this pick. I know it is dumb, but we are addressing a serious need.

Yeah I trust Gluten. He clearly thought Smack was worth the pick. I like it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

With kickers getting better the league decided that it had to have more risk and reward for attempting a long FG. Missing one back in the day amounted to a punt. I recall one time the Lions' Wayne Walker tried a long FG on a blustery day that went out of bounds at the Bear 3 yard line! And that is where the poor Halas boys had to take over.

Yeah there was almost no risk in kicking a field goal, to your point, assuming the kick can reach the EZ.

With failed attempts spotted where the kick was attempted, HCs have more to consider.

At the same time, there are more 4th down attempts now than I ever remember.

 

[McKnowledge]

If Smack is serious about his craft. He should spend the offseason practicing in conditions that will happen in December and January.

Huge fans blowing in his face.

Confetti or a something snow like falling in his vision.

Drafting a kicker is a noteworthy investment.

He's competing with a respected veteran (McManus), an overlooked prospect (Havrisik), and most importantly the expectations of a Super Bowl aspiring team.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If Smack is serious about his craft. He should spend the offseason practicing in conditions that will happen in December and January.

Huge fans blowing in his face.

Confetti or a something snow like falling in his vision.

Drafting a kicker is a noteworthy investment.

He's competing with a respected veteran (McManus), an overlooked prospect (Havrisik), and most importantly the expectations of a Super Bowl aspiring team.

Interesting comments. I wonder to what extent the environment can be simulated for a kicker.

And in addition to the weather, GB's kicker kicks off real turf for at least 8 or 9 games. Lambeau field is very well maintained, but kicking off real grass is likely to be different than turf.

 

[DoURant]

If Smack is serious about his craft. He should spend the offseason practicing in conditions that will happen in December and January.

Huge fans blowing in his face.

Confetti or a something snow like falling in his vision.

How did I miss this post yesterday... I nearly spit my coffee across the room. Thank McK for making me laugh.

 

[Heyjoe4]

How did I miss this post yesterday... I nearly spit my coffee across the room. Thank McK for making me laugh.

Yeah in retrospect it would be impossible to simulate kicking at Lambeau in December/January.

 

[SudsMcBucky]

Interesting comments. I wonder to what extent the environment can be simulated for a kicker.

And in addition to the weather, GB's kicker kicks off real turf for at least 8 or 9 games. Lambeau field is very well maintained, but kicking off real grass is likely to be different than turf.

the turf at the Swamp is also natural grass. The big difference we won't know is how well he kicks in the COLD.

 

[milani]

the turf at the Swamp is also natural grass. The big difference we won't know is how well he kicks in the COLD.

Could always send him to the south end of Argentina in June.

 

[DoURant]

I'm wondering how long they keep 3 kickers on the roster. You drafted Smack, you paid a $1M roster bonus to McManus... I think it would be in the best interest to Havricik, to be released or traded quickly, just so he has a chance to catch on somewhere and have a chance. Maybe they are already hitting the phones for a trade partner, but having 3 kickers on the roster seems like overkill at this point.

 

[milani]

I'm wondering how long they keep 3 kickers on the roster. You drafted Smack, you paid a $1M roster bonus to McManus... I think it would be in the best interest to Havricik, to be released or traded quickly, just so he has a chance to catch on somewhere and have a chance. Maybe they are already hitting the phones for a trade partner, but having 3 kickers on the roster seems like overkill at this point.

At least 2 until September 1.

 

[DoURant]

At least 2 until September 1.

I agree with 2

 

[OldSchool101]

If fly him to Antarctica and land him in those -23 below with 45Mph gusts and feels like -57 below and have him Kick with a Cross Wind

That plus Huge fans blowing in his face. Tell the fans to brush and hit the mouthwash first it could get ugly.

 

[tynimiller]

I don't think a team gives up two draft picks regardless if they are 7th rounders and then not roll with him. Smack is the new kicker. I'm actually pretty excited about this pick. I know it is dumb, but we are addressing a serious need.

Just sucks we had to pay McManus that million bonus in contract in March...bad thing is walking away from McManus is nearly no savings this year in Cap numbers.

 

[Heyjoe4]

the turf at the Swamp is also natural grass. The big difference we won't know is how well he kicks in the COLD.

Good point Suds. I forgot that the Gators play on turf.

An instinctively good kicker will do well under any circumstances. And during a game, both kickers face the same environment.

Good instincts are impossible to teach, making K one of the more challenging positions to fill. Once a guy has established himself in the NFL, he's not going anywhere. Makes it hard to find THE guy at K.

But Smack's production at FL was very good. That's no guarantee. I trust Gluten would not have traded up to get him without having some idea that he'll be successful in the NFL. To that point, they may want to carry two Ks - McManus and Smack - for one season as insurance, and mentoring for the rookie. Well, if McManus is willing to help a guy replace him as K, and $5 mil/season.