The Packers made their kicking competition a three-way dance on Monday when they signed Zach Ramirez, but three turned out to be a crowd in Green Bay.
The team announced Monday that Giorgio Tavecchio has been released after spending the offseason and summer competing with incumbent Mason Crosby for the kicking job. Neither of the kickers distinguished themselves with their work in preseason action, but the team obviously decided to go with Crosby’s experience over Tavecchio’s higher conversion rate during practices.
Tavecchio made one of the two field goals he attempted in the first two preseason games, but didn’t attempt a kick in last week’s game against the Seahawks.
Ramirez didn’t play much in his final year at Portland State after injuring a ligament in his leg early in the season, but he was a standout as a junior and Crosby’s not on the steadiest ground after a rough 2012 season. Whoever winds up getting the job for Week One, it’s probably going to continue to be a spot where the Packers examine their options as the year unfolds.