Cory's Corner: Mason Crosby Has Been Consistent Rock
He's near perfect in the playoffs and the Packers may need him to punch a ticket to Super Bowl LIV.
Mason Crosby hasn't missed a playoff field goal since a 41-yarder in the 2016 NFC Championship Game inAtlanta. He's an amazing 26-for-29 on field goals and a perfect 63 of 63 on extra point kicks.
I don't think this meeting will mirror the carnage that took place in late November. The 49ers got early opportunistic turnovers and things went sideways quickly.
Crosby has been the rock on a team that has been about as volatile as the stock market. He has only missed two field goals, good enough for a 91.7 percent clip, which is the highest mark of his career.
Crosby has been so good, he has been 8 of 10 from 40 yards or longer. Oh, and he has also hit 33-yard and 23-yard game-winners.
Remember seven years ago when Crosby saw a huge dip in his production and everyone wanted him gone? His field goal percentage dropepd under 70 for the first time in his career and he was just 11 for 21 from 40-plus yards.
And amazingly, Crosby has sustained those great numbers this season even though his sister-in-law Brittany passed away on Nov. 29 after a three-year bout with ovarian cancer. Even before that, his wife Molly was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer this summer and she underwent surgery before Green Bay's final preseason game.
Just getting through this year would've been enough for most people, but not Crosby. He has done the impossible and he turned in his best season of his career. Let's not forget that Crosby is 35 and the old rule of thumb is that you should start to lose your physical skills the older you get. However, Crosby has somehow gotten better ever since putting that clunker of a season behind him in 2012.
If the Packers pull the upset and stun the 7½-point favorite, Crosby is going to play a major role. There's no reason why coach Matt LaFleur won't be confident calling his number, especially to win the game with just a whisper of time left.
The Packers have been consistently inconsistent this year, but the one guy that has held it all together has been the guy that nobody ever talks about.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (14)
Samson
January 18, 2020 at 07:26 am
Another smart move by Gute/MLF to provide comp during preseason (Fick) & then retain the tried & tested Crosby... Everyone has to admit at this point, the 'new' Packer regime has made many correct calls leading into & during season 2019-20. --- The breath of fresh air in Green Bay has delivered.
Houndog
January 18, 2020 at 07:34 am
Spot On!
Even as Crosby missed 5 Field goals in the Detroit debacle last season I felt as "who else would you want with the game on the line". He's definitely the rock you speak of, and that Detroit game was an anomaly, not just for Crosby.
To stay focused having gone through what he's experienced this season is testament to his professionalism.
Hoping he retires as a Packer, and hoping that it's NOT real soon.
NickPerry
January 18, 2020 at 09:31 am
I didn't know about Crosby's sister-in-law or about his wife until about 2 months ago when I watched a segment of "Packers Unlisted" on Packers.com (Sorry Al & Aaron). To say Crosby was "Going Through It" is a gross understatement to say the least. It made me appreciate Crosby all the more and for the first time since 2012, I haven't flinched every time the ball leaves Crosby's foot on an attempt.
Even last week in Lambeau against Seattle when that snap on the first PAT (I think) was bad and Scott did a great job getting the ball down, spun, and put in place, Crosby didn't hesitate or miss a beat...Right down the middle. Now I'm not going to lie, I hope I see the Packers just whoop the living crap out of the 49ers and it's over by early in the 3rd quarter like 38-3. But if that's not in the cards and it comes down to Crosby kicking the game winner I'm confident Mason will nail it. Matter of fact after the year Crosby and his family have been through, I couldn't think of a better way to start the New Year for the Crosby's and the Packers...Mason kicking the Packers into the SB!!
TarynsEyes
January 18, 2020 at 10:59 am
"Mason Crosby hasn't missed a playoff field goal since a 41-yarder in the 2016 NFC Championship Game in Atlanta."
Hard to miss a FG in a playoff game especially since they weren't in the playoffs in 2017-18.
I love Crosby, even when some wanted to cut him and I'm sure some will take it as I'm dissing on him but I'm not. I'm dissing the statement, although true in its desire to sensationalize a player's achievement but totally misleading in conveying his achievement.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 18, 2020 at 12:04 pm
So, an alternative headline factually could have been:
"Crosby hasn't missed a field goal in the playoffs since the last playoff game in which he attempted a field goal."
*That needs punching up.
Crosby hasn't missed a playoff FG since his last attempt.
*Still clumsy.
TarynsEyes
January 18, 2020 at 12:17 pm
The headline should simply be...
"Crosby's experience should help Packers if needed."
LeotisHarris
January 18, 2020 at 08:33 pm
Tgr, this would have worked for me as the lede:
Mason Crosby's near perfect in the playoffs, 26-for-29 on field goals and a perfect 63 of 63 on extra points, and the Packers may need him to punch a ticket to Super Bowl LIV.
That said, Cory is one of the better writers here imho. Like all writers, he could benefit from an editor and proofreader.
NickPerry
January 19, 2020 at 03:57 am
LOL... You beat me to it LeotisHarris… I was getting ready to post those same stats of Crosby's myself. But just think about it...He's missed just 3 kicks overall in the Playoffs in his entire career...Pretty damn impressive when he's attempted a total of 92 kicks.
malta1099
January 18, 2020 at 11:06 am
Tarynfor12 is totally right. Crosby's played in exactly ONE playoff game since that miss in 2016. Corey, how do you lead with that statement? And, yes, no diss on Crosby. Love him, love the Packers. We will win on Sunday, and quite possibly via Mason's leg. But you guys have got to get the quality of the writing up on CHTV.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 18, 2020 at 12:09 pm
The spirit of the article is spot on. Crosby, despite personal issues, has had a fine 2019. He has made 26 of 29 field-goal attempts in career playoff games (89.6%). And there have been some long attempts and some game-winners in those numbers.
jannesbjornson
January 18, 2020 at 12:29 pm
He has to be re-signed. He is a master. A guy that should be a Packer.
Samson
January 18, 2020 at 02:50 pm
Thegreatreynoldo
The spirit of the article is not only spot on but the only relevant conclusion to be taken from the article..... The "creative linguists" who post on CHTV seem to always miss the important stuff.
mnbadger
January 18, 2020 at 03:16 pm
Crosby seems to be a genuinely great person and a very good NFL kicker. I'm a former hs kicker that missed one in a 1 point playoff loss. As I sat dejectedly after the game, my teammates all told i was the only guy they wanted to be in that position and they were proud of me and still loved me. I'll never forget that and if Crosby fails, I'll always think of him in that light.
flackcatcher
January 19, 2020 at 01:03 am
Shorter Cory: Pay the man...