Green Bay Packers rookie kicker Trey Smack bounced back from last week’s disappointing kicking session by connecting on 7-of-8 field goal attempts at Tuesday’s minicamp practice in Green Bay.
The positive performance was a step in the right direction for a young specialist going through the typical ups and downs to start an NFL career.
According to Mike Spofford of Packers.com, Smack hit from 51 yards and 58 yards out to end the kicking session, and his lone miss went wide right from 40 yards. The 58-yarder represents his longest make in a practice setting open to the media so far.
At Florida, Smack made a school record 10 kicks of at least 50 yards, and his long range production appears to be translating to the next level. But bouncing back from a low is another necessary trait for a kicker.
Last week, Smack missed four kicks, including three misses wide left from inside 40 yards, across a nine-kick session at a windy practice during OTAs.
Such is life with a rookie kicker learning the ropes. Smack is a sixth-round pick and now the heavy favorite to win the kicking job after the Packers released veteran Brandon McManus, putting immense pressure on the rookie to perform right away for a Super Bowl contender. He must ride the wave without losing confidence until he finds consistency at the NFL level.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers rookie Trey Smack bounces back at minicamp, hits from 58
