2026 Draft Rd 6 #35 K Trey Smack Florida

[Heyjoe4]

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.

The timing wasn't good, and sometimes that's just how things break. When the contract was created, McManus looked like the answer to GB's kicking woes. That playoff loss in Chicago was so very bad, there's no chance he stays.

Then again, I wonder if they let McManus keep his job for a year while Smack acclimates to NFL life....... I'm not sure what the cap impact would be from cutting McManus early. McManus almost certainly wants to keep playing, meaning he gets cut or traded (if there's a team willing to trade for a guy who will likely get cut).

So it looks like Smack will get the job with Havrisik on the PS. Who knows what will happen to McManus?

 

[Heyjoe4]

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.

Good questions. They'll keep McManus as long as possible (esp after paying him $1 mil) while they get an idea of how Smack will do in the NFL - even though that's an impossible task.

They'll have one K on the roster and one on the PS of course. It will probably be Smack and Havrisik, with McM gone, somewhere.

 

[Krabs]

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.

Agreed, I found that odd. If we were going to part ways they should have done it earlier. Maybe Bisaccia had something to do with keeping McManus before he flew the coop.

 

[SudsMcBucky]

Or maybe they hedged their bets until they could find someone they liked better. And remember, it's still no slam dunk that he beats out McManus, either.

 

[tynimiller]

Or maybe they hedged their bets until they could find someone they liked better. And remember, it's still no slam dunk that he beats out McManus, either.

Yup and no reason to rush it at this point as savings is neglible.

 

[milani]

Good questions. They'll keep McManus as long as possible (esp after paying him $1 mil) while they get an idea of how Smack will do in the NFL - even though that's an impossible task.

They'll have one K on the roster and one on the PS of course. It will probably be Smack and Havrisik, with McM gone, somewhere.

That is why they get paid the $$$. To make those tough decisions.

 

[OldSchool101]

Well GB did defy the odds and carried two PlaceKickers not long ago. Not suggesting it as long term, but if the $ doesn’t change as far as releasing McManus? it then comes down to a roster spot debate.

Brandon shows to have a $1.945Mil Cap savings if traded this Month (pre June) and $945K cap help if outright released. While that’s not huge it might be ideal to work a trade with a team who could get him on the cheap OR just walk away.

I think we know long term he’s not in the picture. In the meantime Brandon would definitely have a fire under him and if he doesn’t perform we just release him. If he comes in on fire? Give Smack a year to adjust.

 

[Schultz]

Can you protect a certain number of guys on your original practice squad after final cuts and naming your 53?

 

[OldSchool101]

Can you protect a certain number of guys on your original practice squad after final cuts and naming your 53?

Good point. I think it’s 4 players can be designated as protected.

 

[Half Empty]

That is why they get paid the $$$. To make those tough decisions.

Yet they often continue to get those big bucks, regardless of the decisions they make.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Agreed, I found that odd. If we were going to part ways they should have done it earlier. Maybe Bisaccia had something to do with keeping McManus before he flew the coop.

Agreed. Then again, Gluten couldn't have known he'd get Smack in the draft. The $1 mil is costly in light of Mc<M's playoff debacle in Chicago. That happens. A guy gets a bonus, presumably based on past performance, and thwn doesn't deliver. In this case though, that bonus was part of a deal McM made before the playoff loss. Hard for me to see how it could have been avoided.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Good point. I think it’s 4 players can be designated as protected.

Thanks OS. I didn't know players on the PS could be protected, or needed to be protected. Makes some sense I guess - although once a guy clears wavers, he should be able to stay on the PS between seasons - or at least for the season following the placement.

 

[milani]

Yet they often continue to get those big bucks, regardless of the decisions they make.

That is why corporate bigwigs get the $$. If they make bad decisions they still can take the money and run. If they make good decisions they run to the highest bidder and get more yet.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

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.

I remember a shank at County Stadium where jokes were being told that you just can't crack in 2026, and yes the punchline 'nah he missed wide left'

 

[Heyjoe4]

I remember a shank at County Stadium where jokes were being told that you just can't crack in 2026, and yes the punchline 'nah he missed wide left'

Thanks Ric - brings back memories of going to Packer games at old County Stadium - the worst place imaginable to play a football game. I think one corner of the end zone was inches from the outfield wall. County Stadium was like a Bizarro World version of Lambeau.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Great memory. I was around when Lombardi's Packers were playing and I do remember Hornung kicking. Her kicked straight, unlike today's "soccer-style" kickers.

Jan Stenerud. He was a great kcker for most of his career as I recall. I think he was with KC.

I remember Don Chandler.

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Was he our last non-soccer style kicker? Memory fades...

 

[gopkrs]

I remember the year Hornung came back and he kicked horribly. A game against the rams. Goal posts on the goal line I think and the ball on like the ten yard line. Ball placed way to the side on the hash marks. So The Pack took too much time. Rams declined so as not to give Hornung a better angle. He missed.

 

[milani]

I remember Don Chandler.

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Was he our last non-soccer style kicker? Memory fades...

Not quite. Before Chester Marcol arrived in 1972. The Packers experimented. Jerry Kramer did some in 1968 before he retired. Mike Mercer was signed. Errol Mann, Dale Livingston, Booth Lusteg, Lou Michaels, and Tom Conway. It was a circus. Not an area that we excelled.

I remember Don Chandler.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Was he our last non-soccer style kicker? Memory fades...

 

[milani]

I remember the year Hornung came back and he kicked horribly. A game against the rams. Goal posts on the goal line I think and the ball on like the ten yard line. Ball placed way to the side on the hash marks. So The Pack took too much time. Rams declined so as not to give Hornung a better angle. He missed.

Hornung was bleep that year AND that day. He went 1-3 on FGs. And one of those very short kicks was blocked and the Rams returned it 94 yards for a TD! We lost 27-17. If Hornung makes those 2 misses we win the game. Ugly.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I remember Don Chandler.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Was he our last non-soccer style kicker? Memory fades...

Wow that is a cool, and autographed picture! I still laugh when I see how the kickers kicked in those days - leading with the big toe instead of the arch.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Not quite. Before Chester Marcol arrived in 1972. The Packers experimented. Jerry Kramer did some in 1968 before he retired. Mike Mercer was signed. Errol Mann, Dale Livingston, Booth Lusteg, Lou Michaels, and Tom Conway. It was a circus. Not an area that we excelled.

Those names jogged my memory a bit (Maybe I wanted to forget?) Mann, I believe had also kicked for Detroit.

Thanks for the trip down bad memory lane...

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Wow that is a cool, and autographed picture! I still laugh when I see how the kickers kicked in those days - leading with the big toe instead of the arch.

Did you notice who the holder was?

Back then, starting QBs routinely had this additional duty.

 

[milani]

Those names jogged my memory a bit (Maybe I wanted to forget?) Mann, I believe had also kicked for Detroit.

Thanks for the trip down bad memory lane...

Mann was Detroit's kicker, I believe, the day that Tom Dempsey kicked his record FG for the Saints against the Lions.

 

[gopkrs]

Alex Karras did a very funny skit on Johnny Carson show about the Dempsey 63 yarder.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Does anyone know where/if McManus has landed? Seems likley he'll win a starting job somewhere, or at least get invited to TC to compete. Thanks.