Thursday, April 13, 2006

Let the Kicking Derby Begin!

Remember that Brit who made a 35-yard field goal as time expired to help the Minnesota Golden Rodents beat the Wisconsin Badgers 37-34 a couple years ago? If you're a Badger fan you do! Rhys (pronounced Reese) Lloyd was offered a contract after a workout with the Pack on Monday. Lloyd was cut by the Ravens in training camp last summer. His signing comes less than a week after GM Ted Thompson claimed Dave Rayner off waivers from Indianapolis. Lloyd and Rayner join Billy Cundiff, whom the Packers signed a few weeks ago, in the kicking competition. Of the three, only Cundiff has made a field goal in a NFL regular-season game.

One possible bonus to Lloyd: he also punted at Minnesota, and ranks fifth in average in school history.

So, the Pack loses all-time leading scorer Ryan Longwell to the Minnesota ViQueens. Perhaps the Pack gains by picking up a former Minnesota Golden Rodent who seemed to have a way of making the big kick in clutch situations.