McCarthy: Slumping Crosby still 'our guy'

Published Dec. 16, 2012 6:23 p.m. ET

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CHICAGO — Two more missed field goals from Mason Crosby in the Packers' division-clinching win over the Bears on Sunday has still not changed coach Mike McCarthy's mind about who their kicker should be for the remainder of this season.

"We're not changing our kicker, so you can write that down right now," McCarthy said. "He's our guy."

Crosby wasn't even close on a 43-yard attempt in the second quarter, sending it wide right. Early in the fourth quarter, Crosby missed on a 42-yarder that clanked off the left goalpost.

"Mason needs to make those kicks," McCarthy said. "We're at that time of year — we left points on the field today and the two missed field goals are definitely makeable field goals. Obviously, it factors into some of the decisions you make after that.

"It's time for him to step up."

Crosby is now 17 of 29 on field goals (58.6 percent) this season. That is by far the worst percentage by any kicker in the NFL this season.

"Obviously it's frustrating whenever you're not making kicks," Crosby said after the game. "But the biggest thing is that I'm not making the kicks to put this team up by two touchdowns. That was my thing. That was six points there."

Crosby's biggest issue this season has been on 50-plus-yard field goals, a distance where he's only made 1 of 8 so far. But his misses Sunday weren't from that deep range.

"He needs to make those kicks," McCarthy said. "He knows that. He has to do his part."

Despite Crosby's struggles, the Packers have yet to bring in any free-agent kickers for a tryout.

The Bears signed 39-year-old kicker Olindo Mare earlier this week after Robbie Gould was placed on injured reserve. Mare, who made both of his field goals in Sunday's game, was just one of several potential candidates that Green Bay decided earlier in the season not to pursue.

"That's not even on my mind," Crosby said when asked if he's worried the team might bring in another kicker for competition.

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