Packers Sign Cundiff (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

Longwell to Cundiff is a rather significant decline in talent. If Cundiff's history is any indication, the Packers will soon begin going through a merry-go-round at the kicker position.

Link

 

[Aaronstory]

From Longwell, to almost one of the greatest kickers in the history of the game, to Cundiff.

 

[Sabertooth]

Yeah, #### Longwell. He's a guy who threw everybody under the bus but himself. He's a whiner. And he's being paid a ton. Hope the Vikes like those kickoffs to the 20 yard line this year.

Cundiff is not making near the cap impact of Longwell. And how many games could a Longwell field goal have made a difference in last year, but he missed.

I've been a Packer fan my whole life and since Shortwell signed that contract a few years ago, he's gone downhill and blamed everybody but himself. Good riddance.

 

[Bri]

I thought Cundiff signed with Tampa back in late January/february?

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

I'm not enamored with either of these signings, but it appears the price is right for Taylor. Ultimately, I see him lasting 1 season with the Pack.

Cundiff just plain sucks - but this signing makes it clear that Longwell's absurdly short kickoffs pissed off Thompson. The guy hurt us in the field position battle every time he had to kick off. Cundiff is definitely a below-average FG kicker. But maybe, just maybe we'll see a touchback for the first time in 10 years.

 

[Mike Herman]

I thought Cundiff signed with Tampa back in late January/february?

They released him shortly after resigning Matt Bryant. He mights last a little longer in GB, but probably not significantly more. The Packers needed someone to kick for offseason workouts.

 

[Rovers]

I don't thing Cundiff is as bad as all that. Forgeting his rookie year, and last year, coming off a major injury and only playing in 6 games, I looked at his numbers from 2004 and 2005.

He went 43 for 55. Upon further review, he was 27 for 28 inside the forty. If you remove his 50+ yard attempts (3 for 7) he went 40 for 48. He had some trouble from 40 to 49 where he went 13 for 20. So, he was all but automatic inside the forty. 65% from 40 to 49 insn't good, but it isn't miserable, either. Add the fact that he's about 50% from 50+..... he'll be kicking for someone this year. His 78% overall in those two years is only a bit below the league average, if I'm not mistaken. (from these two years)

 

[Bri]

I thought Cundiff signed with Tampa back in late January/february?

They released him shortly after resigning Matt Bryant. He mights last a little longer in GB, but probably not significantly more. The Packers needed someone to kick for offseason workouts.

thanks Mike

 

[datonn]

Yeah, #### Longwell. He's a guy who threw everybody under the bus but himself. He's a whiner. And he's being paid a ton. Hope the Vikes like those kickoffs to the 20 yard line this year. Cundiff is not making near the cap impact of Longwell. And how many games could a Longwell field goal have made a difference in last year, but he missed. I've been a Packer fan my whole life and since Shortwell signed that contract a few years ago, he's gone downhill and blamed everybody but himself. Good riddance.

C'mon, Packer fans, we gotta stop with all the (and save it for when Favre decides to hang up the cleats)! The Vikings have had "kick-off" specialists who can boom the ball deep but couldn't hit the broadside of a barn on the roster for almost the entire time since Gary Anderson joined the team back in 1998, because Anderson (and other kickers) didn't have the leg strength to kick the ball deep. Given the choice between an unreliable FG kicker who can kick the ball deep on kick-offs and a guy who has been there in the clutch and performed well in the FG accuracy department for most of his career, I choose the accurate FG kicker. If Longwell cannot get the ball deep on kick-offs, sign one of 100 guys just waiting for the chance to boom the ball deep for the league minimum. I've always thought that is kind of a waste of a roster spot.....but so is having a kicker who cannot put the ball through the uprights when the game is on the line. There were three kickers (UFAs, anyway) worth having this off-season, and none of them were named Cundiff. I'm sure he came a lot cheaper than those other three guys, but there is a reason for that. Longwell didn't have the best year last season, I'll give you that! However, if any kicker in the league moves indoors for 10+ games per year (8 at home, Lions, 1+ other away game?), I have a sneaking suspicion that their accuracy and kick-off distances will both improve....but that's just me.

 

[uwgb96]

Yeah, #### Longwell. He's a guy who threw everybody under the bus but himself. He's a whiner. And he's being paid a ton. Hope the Vikes like those kickoffs to the 20 yard line this year.

Cundiff is not making near the cap impact of Longwell. And how many games could a Longwell field goal have made a difference in last year, but he missed.

I've been a Packer fan my whole life and since Shortwell signed that contract a few years ago, he's gone downhill and blamed everybody but himself. Good riddance.

Packer fan here as well, but I'm just not getting the hate? Sure, I hated the short kickoffs too, but that's ALWAYS been a problem with Longwell. Many teams have that issue and some even have a roster spot for a kickoff specialist. I'm not saying that's necessarily the right answer, but to say he's gone downhill is ludicrous.

Last year was definitely ugly, but...

'02 82.4 28/34

'03 88.5 23/26

'04 85.7 24/28

AND even with the struggles last year he is 7-9 from 50+ from 03-06.

AND that's with home games in GB. He's 86.3 44/51 indoors.

 

[Festus]

I'm really not liking what the Packers are doing in free agency. Appears to me they're going for value instead of quality and that's only "just another warm body" on the roster.

 

[NoCheese]

Yeah, #### Longwell. He's a guy who threw everybody under the bus but himself. He's a whiner. And he's being paid a ton. Hope the Vikes like those kickoffs to the 20 yard line this year.

Cundiff is not making near the cap impact of Longwell. And how many games could a Longwell field goal have made a difference in last year, but he missed.

I've been a Packer fan my whole life and since Shortwell signed that contract a few years ago, he's gone downhill and blamed everybody but himself. Good riddance.

I'm sure if it's an issue, the Vikings will get a kickoff specialist. Meanwhile, I'd rather have Longwell lining up for the game winner than Billy Cundiff. That should be interesting.

 

[packersfan]

Longwell's whining got a little annoying last season but the guy has been one of the best kickers in the NFL since he arrived in the league. His departure is a major loss to the Packers. Keep in mind it's been a LONG time since the Packers have had to worry about having a reliable kicker. They've had Longwell and before that Jacke. So Packer fans have gotten spoiled in that department. That could all change this season.

That said, Longwell's kickoffs have always been a major problem. But that's why I never understood why the Packers never had a designated kickoff man. Made no sense at all. They kept a spot for a long snapper (Rob Davis) for years but never for someone who could also play a pivotal role in helping them win the field-position battle. And this was even more necessary as the defense began to decline and every yard on the field mattered more.

Poor GM work there by Sherman and Thompson IMO. Other teams find a way to get a guy like that on the roster; no reason the Packers couldn't have followed suit. It's definitely important enough.

 

[Sabertooth]

Longwell's whining got a little annoying last season but the guy has been one of the best kickers in the NFL since he arrived in the league. His departure is a major loss to the Packers. Keep in mind it's been a LONG time since the Packers have had to worry about having a reliable kicker. They've had Longwell and before that Jacke. So Packer fans have gotten spoiled in that department. That could all change this season.

That said, Longwell's kickoffs have always been a major problem. But that's why I never understood why the Packers never had a designated kickoff man. Made no sense at all. They kept a spot for a long snapper (Rob Davis) for years but never for someone who could also play a pivotal role in helping them win the field-position battle. And this was even more necessary as the defense began to decline and every yard on the field mattered more.

Poor GM work there by Sherman and Thompson IMO. Other teams find a way to get a guy like that on the roster; no reason the Packers couldn't have followed suit. It's definitely important enough.

Because they had to keep two punters.

 

[packersfan]

Longwell's whining got a little annoying last season but the guy has been one of the best kickers in the NFL since he arrived in the league. His departure is a major loss to the Packers. Keep in mind it's been a LONG time since the Packers have had to worry about having a reliable kicker. They've had Longwell and before that Jacke. So Packer fans have gotten spoiled in that department. That could all change this season.

That said, Longwell's kickoffs have always been a major problem. But that's why I never understood why the Packers never had a designated kickoff man. Made no sense at all. They kept a spot for a long snapper (Rob Davis) for years but never for someone who could also play a pivotal role in helping them win the field-position battle. And this was even more necessary as the defense began to decline and every yard on the field mattered more.

Poor GM work there by Sherman and Thompson IMO. Other teams find a way to get a guy like that on the roster; no reason the Packers couldn't have followed suit. It's definitely important enough.

Because they had to keep two punters.

As I said, poor GM work by Sherman (they only kept one punter last season with Thompson as the GM).

 

[sho nuff]

I'm really not liking what the Packers are doing in free agency. Appears to me they're going for value instead of quality and that's only "just another warm body" on the roster.

Cause they need more than just one "quality" player.I like what Thompson is doing to an extent...he is not about to bust up a good cap situation to be back in a crappy position 2 years later.

 

[sho nuff]

And he is good on kickoffs...I will say I doubt he is even our FG kicker to start the season.

Its a leg for minicamps and such...

 

[football fan]

I really like what Green Bay is doing in free agency (if they are signing these guys at reasonable prices)! They are signing players to help the team. Please look at this link and tell me GB shouldn't sign some linebackers:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2383618

I know, people want more high profile signings, but being cap smart is the best long run strategy. Look at the draft, GB can fix a lot of their defense if they can get Williams in the first round & with the LB depth in this year's draft, they can get a good young LB or two. Hopefully they can find a couple of guards and a center in either the draft or free agency.

I guess that my point is that GB isn't that far from turning their team into a contender (yes they have weakinesses and issues like the Javon Walker & Brett Farve situations), but in general they are not that far from turning this team around because they still have the draft and lot of cap money to work with. Being a Green Bay homer, I also could see the possibility of Farve hanging around for a few years yet, if GB starts looking like a contender. I just really like what GB is doing, there will be some good free agents available prior to the start of this football season.

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

 

[packersfan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Aaronstory]

I'm really not liking what the Packers are doing in free agency. Appears to me they're going for value instead of quality and that's only "just another warm body" on the roster.

Kinda like the Patriots the year before their first Super Bowl season...?Free-agency is two weeks old. Thompson is doing a fantastic job (other than losing out on the damn kicker) He is refusing to overpay for mediocre talent.

 

[Sweetness_34]

As a Bears fan, I am enjoying every minute of Ted Thompson's decision making in the frozen tundra.

Last off-season (Klemm, that safety they got etc) & this off-season.

 

[football fan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

 

[Aaronstory]

As a Bears fan, I am enjoying every minute of Ted Thompson's decision making in the frozen tundra.

Last off-season (Klemm, that safety they got etc) & this off-season.

You liked him creating 20 mil in cap room and fixing Sherman's mess?

 

[Texasmouth]

Cundiff has some major potential. He just needs some time, he was really starting to show what he had two seasons ago but then he got injured before the regular season this year and I think they rushed him back. Give the guy a chance, he might end up being a solid kicker for you guys and he is really young.

 

[sho nuff]

Cundiff has some major potential. He just needs some time, he was really starting to show what he had two seasons ago but then he got injured before the regular season this year and I think they rushed him back. Give the guy a chance, he might end up being a solid kicker for you guys and he is really young.

Hmmm...thanks for the positive spin on this...

 

[packersfan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

 

[sho nuff]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

Edinger's percentage is not much better if any...and he is worse on kickoffs than Longwell was.

 

[packersfan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

Edinger's percentage is not much better if any...and he is worse on kickoffs than Longwell was.

Agreed which is why I don't consider him a strong option either. By not re-signing Longwell or pursuing Vinatieri or Vanderjagt more aggressively the Packers put themselves in a position where kicker could become a significant weakness in 2006. That's the reality. Maybe Cundiff will pan out; maybe they'll luck into another Longwell who will be pulled off the street the way the Packers did in 97 after Mooch cut him after minicamps with the 49ers. But there's a very real possibility the Packers will now become like many other teams who spend considerable amount of time searching for a reliable kicker until they find one. That's something the Packers have not had to worry about for quite some time.

 

[Bri]

Todd France?

Pack are one of the few teams that genuinely use NFLE as a minor league type tool

 

[football fan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

Edinger's percentage is not much better if any...and he is worse on kickoffs than Longwell was.

Agreed which is why I don't consider him a strong option either. By not re-signing Longwell or pursuing Vinatieri or Vanderjagt more aggressively the Packers put themselves in a position where kicker could become a significant weakness in 2006. That's the reality. Maybe Cundiff will pan out; maybe they'll luck into another Longwell who will be pulled off the street the way the Packers did in 97 after Mooch cut him after minicamps with the 49ers. But there's a very real possibility the Packers will now become like many other teams who spend considerable amount of time searching for a reliable kicker until they find one. That's something the Packers have not had to worry about for quite some time.

I guess I don't understand why Longwell is considered dependable where he is worth a lot of money to a rebuilding team. GB is in a rebuilding or retooling phase. Is a kicker going to matter, if your offense can't score, or if your defense can't stop anyone?There still is more free agency, the draft, and potential trades. I'm guessing that GB brings in another kicker. I guess my main point is GB has to rebuild their defense, offensive line, maybe some depth at WR. To me those issues are more of a concern then a kicker. I am not losing any sleep that GB will not go to the Super Bowl because of a missed FG.

 

[Rovers]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

I'll say it again.... Cundiff isn't awful. If you look at his numbers from 2004 and 2005 (which I broke down earlier in this thread somewhat) you'll see he has potential. He WAS rushed back last year. He was almost automatic inside the forty and can hit from over the fifty.

 

[ChampBailey24]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

The packers are in reconstruction so it's not that much of a deal if their kicker misses a few field goals.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

Edinger's percentage is not much better if any...and he is worse on kickoffs than Longwell was.

Agreed which is why I don't consider him a strong option either. By not re-signing Longwell or pursuing Vinatieri or Vanderjagt more aggressively the Packers put themselves in a position where kicker could become a significant weakness in 2006. That's the reality. Maybe Cundiff will pan out; maybe they'll luck into another Longwell who will be pulled off the street the way the Packers did in 97 after Mooch cut him after minicamps with the 49ers. But there's a very real possibility the Packers will now become like many other teams who spend considerable amount of time searching for a reliable kicker until they find one. That's something the Packers have not had to worry about for quite some time.

GB is in a rebuilding or retooling phase. Is a kicker going to matter, if your offense can't score, or if your defense can't stop anyone?

 

[packersfan]

Those that complain that Longwell was a huge loss, Longwell was a whiner, who blamed his holder a lot last year. Who wants an older kicker that can't kick the ball very far and complains about their holder for $2 million a year? I'd rather have Cundiff at a resaonable price than a $2 million a year whining weak legged kicker.

Be careful what you wish for.

Cundiff might be a drop off from Longwell, but if he was signed for a reasonable price, I would still rather have him than Longwell at $2 mill per year. I'm sorry Longwell just isn't worth $2 mill per year. That was a very good call not to resign a aging kicker for a team in the rebuilding stages.

I'm not saying Thompson made a mistake in not re-signing Longwell. However, having a proven, reliable kicker is a HUGE asset and something the Packers have not been without for over a decade. That's been a tremendous luxury in the team's favor. Now that luxury is gone. Cundiff is awful and based on his history it'd be a surprise if he lasted the entire season as the Packers' kicker. Frankly, I'd rather have Edinger and I'm not a huge fan of his by any stretch either.

The packers are in reconstruction so it's not that much of a deal if their kicker misses a few field goals.

Anything that prevents your team from having the best possible chance to win matters. I don't care what mode you're in. Again, I'm not ruling out the possibility that Cundiff or another kicker comes in and solidifies the position. The Packers initially lucked into Longwell because Mooch cut him after minicamps as a rookie. So it can happen. But my point is Packer fans better be prepared for some uncertainty at this position for the first time in over a decade. Cundiff's track record suggests there's a strong possibility that will occur.

And if it does, I sure as hell don't want to hear people #####ing about the Packers' kicking situation if they aren't worried about it now.

 

[Bri]

USAToday

It's not the most glamorous three-horse race, but the Packers are ready to see what will come out of it as they seek a replacement for their stallion of a kicker, Ryan Longwell.

Two weeks after they signed veteran free agent Billy Cundiff, Green Bay added Dave Rayner and Rhys Lloyd. Rayner was claimed off waivers from Indianapolis, while Lloyd was signed off the street.

All bets are off on which, if any, of the three will emerge in the coming months to fill the proficient right shoe of Longwell. The Packers decided to not make a run at re-signing their all-time leading scorer and let the unrestricted free agent escape to division rival Minnesota.

"I think it's pretty wide open," Chris Murray, agent for Lloyd, said of the competition. "It sounds like they're done with (signing) kickers, so it will probably come from one of those three guys."

First-year special teams coordinator Mike Stock, however, indicated that the team still could be in the market for a kicker closer to the start of the season if the three candidates on the roster don't pan out.

"It depends on how they work out when they get here," Stock said. "It's going to take some time. Nothing's going to happen overnight. It's a matter of seeing who's going to fit."

Based on experience, Cundiff would have a leg up on Rayner and Lloyd. Cundiff has kicked in the league for four years, all with Dallas. Although he's shown to have a strong leg, he hasn't been the most reliable kicker. He's connected on only 73.2 percent of his field-goal attempts in his career and was cut twice by the Cowboys last season.

While the Packers signed Cundiff for one year after claiming him off waivers from Tampa Bay, they signed Rayner to a two-year contract.

Rayner served as the Colts' kickoff specialist as a rookie last season. The sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan State attempted only one field goal, which he missed from 59 yards.

Rayner said four teams made waiver claims on him. The Colts waived him after they signed free agent Adam Vinatieri to replace regular kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

"I wanted to go somewhere and be able to compete and have an opportunity to kick," Rayner said of landing with the Packers. "There's no set kicker there. We're all on the same level. The best man will win."

Lloyd stands to be the dark horse in the race. He was out of football last season after being cut by Baltimore in the preseason. The Ravens had signed the former University of Minnesota standout as an undrafted free agent.

The Packers took notice of the strong-legged Lloyd, who kicked and punted in college, during a pro-day workout for Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney last month. They brought Lloyd in for a workout April 10, and he made all 11 of his field-goal attempts to warrant a one-year contract.

Lloyd is a native of England and has a soccer background.

"Rhys has a huge leg. We'll see how it goes," Murray said.