Trey Smack made an impression in his first preseason appearance very quickly. The Packers' rookie kicker looked comfortable right away, and that's already a reason to believe the Green Bay Packers may have found something important. Making his debut in Pittsburgh isn't exactly the easiest introduction for a young kicker.
The conditions can be tough, and kicking there can test even experienced players. Smack didn't seem bothered by any of it. He looked confident and showed off the kind of leg that could make 60-yard field goals feel like a realistic bet.
That's a valuable trait for a team that has struggled badly from longer distances. The Packers have converted just 57% of their field-goal attempts from 40-49 yards over the last two seasons. In an era when teams generally expect reliable kicking from that range, that's a big problem.
It's also the kind of problem that can actually cost a team games. More sports: Lions Have a Budding Late-Round Pick Worth Watching Smack has a chance to change that. Of course, one preseason appearance isn't enough to declare a kicker the answer to every special teams problem.
He'll have to keep proving himself once the games get started in the regular season. But the early signs are there, and his combination of confidence and leg strength gives Green Bay something it hasn't consistently had. The Packers have found ways to leave points on the board and let games slip away, and special teams problems have been part of that story.
If Smack can provide stability, it could take some pressure off the rest of the team. Sports news: Jets QB Cade Klubnik Gives Team Early Hope with Strong Performance That's what makes his development so important. Green Bay traded up in the sixth round to select Smack, and if he becomes the reliable piece his debut suggests he can be, that move could wind up looking like a bargain.
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