 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crosby's Career Begins With Whirlwind Week
by Mike Spofford, Packers.com
posted 09/14/2007
Since the month of September arrived, Packers rookie kicker Mason Crosby has had to stop every so often and take a deep breath, and it's hard to blame him.
It's been the only way to slow down the psychological onslaught of the beginning of his life in the NFL, which has been as intense and rewarding, in addition to exhausting and exciting and any other such adjective, as that of perhaps any 2007 rookie in the league thus far.
"It's been unbelievable," said Crosby, in perhaps the understatement of his life.
It started for Crosby on Saturday, Sept. 1. Well, actually, it started back in late April, when Crosby was drafted in the sixth round by the Packers and knew he'd have to beat incumbent kicker Dave Rayner out of a job.
He found out for sure he had done just that on Sept. 1, the day of the final roster cutdown, after a long and grueling training camp battle. Crosby spent most of the afternoon at a local sports bar, watching his alma mater Colorado against rival Colorado State in their college football season opener, with his cell phone by his side, praying it wouldn't ring.
"I was hoping to not hear from anyone," he said. "Because that's good news."
The phone didn't ring, and as the 5 p.m. cutdown deadline neared, Crosby felt confident enough to take a short nap. He then got a call from his parents in Texas, who had seen on the internet that Crosby made the team.
It was time to exhale, for maybe the first time in several months.
"It was an awesome feeling," Crosby said. "Like finally I could, not necessarily relax, but take a deep breath and get ready for the next step."
That was the next day, with his first practice as the only kicker on the Green Bay roster. Then on Monday, Sept. 3, Crosby turned 23, but he didn't go begging for any presents, knowing it was entirely possible he could have been spending his birthday temporarily unemployed.
"I talked to my parents about that and my mom was like, 'I always want to see you on your birthday,' but she was happy she didn't get to see me this year," Crosby said. "That was kind of nice. It was awesome knowing I was working for a game here in Green Bay rather than trying to find another place to play."
Preparation for that first game continued the rest of the week, which in Crosby's mind took forever, with five practices leading up to the game rather than the usual three. Eventually Sunday arrived, Crosby put his uniform on, and then ventured out onto Lambeau Field to get loosened up for the first of what he hopes is many games as the Packers kicker.
With the stands filling up and more players trickling out of the tunnel, it was time for another deep breath.
"During warm-ups I had to keep telling myself don't overkick, don't let the emotions and everything take over," Crosby said. "I just made sure to stay focused and got warm and felt good."
It's a good thing, because the Packers lost the coin toss and Crosby had to kick off right away, and he boomed it to the 1-yard line. Less than two minutes into the game, he was on the field for an extra point, which was true, and another kickoff, this time for a touchback.
Then, before the first quarter was even halfway over, it was time for his first NFL field goal. No sweat. Just a 53-yarder. Another deep breath.
"I felt ready for it," Crosby said. "I knew the snap and hold and protection would be great. Having that confidence and trust in that helps me out a lot."
Another field goal, from 37 yards, late in the third quarter tied the game, and the stage was set to be the hero. With six seconds left in the game, Crosby trotted out for a 42-yard try to win the game.
He nailed it with just two ticks remaining, a kick for which he knew he was as prepared as he could have been. After dozens of kicks with an "every one counts" mentality in training camp, a handful in the preseason games, and then two meaningful field goals already under his belt in that first regular-season game, it was almost as though he wasn't a rookie by the time holder Jon Ryan snatched down the high snap for the game-winner.
And he wasn't done. With his adrenaline having taken over, Crosby flew down the field on the ensuing kickoff and blasted into the Philadelphia return man, jarring the ball loose.
Then after the game, he was called into the media auditorium for a formal post-game press conference, and he stood at the podium with dozens of reporters and cameras focused solely on him.
It was an experience he called "a little intimidating," and the fact that it took an entire training camp, preseason, and first game for a phrase like that to be uttered says something about the mental toughness he possesses.
"I've been doing this for four months it feels like, and now all the games and stuff is just like a continuation," Crosby said. "I was fortunate enough to be here and get in that competition. I had to work hard and focus, and I took advantage of that opportunity. It helped me and I'm very thankful for it."
The Packers are certainly thankful Crosby helped get them off to a 1-0 start, and there's no denying the team's confidence in Crosby, because everyone knows he earned the job.
"There's something to be said about the new guy that shows up, particularly the rookie, he comes in and just laces up his shoes every day and goes to work," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "You may be the butt of a few jokes at first, and it's all part of a rookie orientation in a sense. I've just been impressed with his whole operation. I'm not surprised at all that he's here today."
So is there anyplace to go but down? Already the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after one game, Crosby has set the bar ridiculously high, and he's aware the fans' expectations will remain lofty.
But so are his own, and he views his unforgettable NFL debut not as a peak, but rather upward progress in a potentially long and prosperous career.
"I think it's motivating if anything," Crosby said. "Now I have a standard and I have to try to achieve that every day, and that's what I try to do anyways. Now it's out there and I have to keep working for it. I'm thankful for it in all reality because it's not a slow climb. I have that standard, that ceiling, and I have to keep going to try to raise it."
His next chance to do that comes in his first road game, at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands on Sunday. It's a venue known for swirling winds and rabid New York fans, but all evidence indicates Crosby will be difficult to rattle.
"I think really he's been performing in a hostile environment from the very beginning," special teams coordinator Mike Stock said. "This guy is a competitive guy. He's human, he's going to miss some too, but I don't think he's even worried about going in there."
On the minuscule chance that he is, he'll just take another deep breath. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
