Mason Crosby will finally have some competition. The Green Bay Packers have signed former Cal kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, according to John Breech.
Now, you’re probably asking yourself, who the hell is this clown?
Tavecchio went to camp with San Francisco last season, but was released in favor of veteran David Akers. During his college career (2008-11), Tavecchio made 48-of-64 (75 percent) field goal attempts and 112-of-120 (93.3 percent) extra point tries.
Those aren’t exactly awe-inspiring numbers. In fact, they’re a lot like Crosby’s non-awe-inspiring NFL numbers. The Packers incumbent kicker has only hit on 76.8 percent of his career field goal attempts. In 2012, he was even worse though, hitting just 21-of-33 (63.6 percent).
One other thing to know about Tavecchio — if you couldn’t tell by the name, he’s really Italian. He was born in Milan, so he’ll probably fit in well with Green Bay’s large Italian population.
Anyway, if there’s any reason to wonder how legitimate of a “competition” this will be, it’s this. Akers sucked pretty bad last season and the 49ers didn’t run out and re-sign Tavecchio. In fact, they signed veteran retread Billy Cundiff to push Akers when the playoffs rolled around.
So, in theory, Tavecchio is competition for Crosby. However, the Packers may have just signed a guy they know Crosby is going to beat in attempt to get his confidence up.
EN 
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This is one of the greatest names for a kicker ever. And to try from 45, here comes Packer kicker- Giorgio Tavecchio.
I don’t think any kicker move is window dressing. I think the Packers would LOVE to part with Crosby’s $3 million cap hit this season.
I also LOVE the name…..I long for the days of Packer Player names like Atari Bigby & Brady PO-PIN-GA!
I will not miss Crosby…..Especially at 3 mil. I don’t direspect kickers, but I have a lot less respect for them than some other positios. You have to have 3 tricks in your bag….field goals, directional kicks, & onside kicks. You had BETTER make your effing field goals; the other skills can be mediocre if you are scoring points at all reasonable distances. If not, well, your NFL career is over. Hope you majored in something marketable in college!
I disagree with Iltarion…it’s exactly what it appears, a camp body to play tonto to our lone ranger, Crosby.
This is a fucking joke. Gentlemen, there are fine high % college kickers that can be had in Rounds 6-7 or even UDFA for cripes sakes!! Awesome name though I agree…maybe he wants to make all the players laugh and play loose by teasing our new Italian Stallion in OTAs?
Here’s a short list of available COLLEGE stud kickers which I’m convinced now they won’t sign any of them:
Dustin Hopkins, Florida State 83.3% (25/30) as a senior and has a long of 56-yards.
Caleb Sturgis, Florida 46 of 54 field goals (85.1%) with a long of 55 yards.
Brett Maher, Nebraska 20-of-27 field goals, while connecting on all 59 of his PAT attempts.
Brandon McManus, Temple In 2012, he set the season record for field goal accuracy (82.4%)
Anthony Cantele, Kansas State
Brett Baer La.-Lafayette (87.0%)
Dan Conroy, Michigan State ALL BIG TEN
I would like to see any of those guys you list in camp as well. Probably don’t have to be drafted, just picked up afterwards.
But, apparently NFL scouting for the K position is more than FG percentages. Blair Walsh also had a shitty percentage in college, and look, yeah, he’s a pretty good NFL kicker.
I played this guy in the Italian Football League back in the day. The facts that he played in the IFL and that I played him can tell you how big of a joke is this guy.
Yawn,,,kicker.
This news is not worth the kilobits of capacity it utilized.
Wake me up in 4 weeks for the draft.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
Yesssssss! Thank you!
Improve that position & save some $$$$!!!!!
Operative word is ‘improve’. Really?
Una testa formaggio italiano…..
Between FinMe sticking around and now this winner move, I can barely contain my excitement and anticipation for next season.
Fuck.
You guys think the Packers found him on Linkedin?
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/giorgio-tavecchio/42/243/755
That’s one SPICY MEAT-A-BALL!
GBP 4 LIFE