Green Bay Packers adding former USFL kicker Ramiz Ahmed to special teams mix

The Green Bay Packers have added another kicker to the mix on special teams. On Sunday, the Packers signed former Nevada and USFL kicker Ramiz Ahmed to a deal according to Paul Sheehy, the president of the ProStar Sports Agency.

“Congratulations to K, @i_m_Ramiz on signing with the @Packers! Ramiz played collegiately at @NevadaFootball and was a 2-time @USFL Player of the week this season with the @USFLMaulers who hit a 61 yard FG this season vs @USFLGenerals. He previously spent time with the @Bears,” Sheehy tweeted.

As a senior at Nevada in 2018, Ahmed made 15 of his 20 field goal attempts, good for 75 percent. He also made 40 of his 45 extra point attempts. He showcased his big leg in the USFL this past season with the Pittsburgh Maulers, with a season long of 61 yards. He did struggle with accuracy in the USFL, making just 14 of his 22 field goal attempts, a mere 64 percent conversion rate. He also made seven of his ten extra point attempts.

Packers starting kicker Mason Crosby is currently on the PUP list, so Ahmed will add another body to the special teams unit. With Crosby out, Gabe Brkic is listed as the top kicker on the depth chart during the preseason.

Matt LaFleur wants to see improvement on special teams for the Packers

The Packers had an early exit in last year’s playoffs, falling to the San Francisco 49ers on a last second field goal by kicker Robbie Gould. During that loss, issues on special teams were clearly on display for the Packers. Entering the offseason, LaFleur acknowledged those issues and said that fixing them was a top priority.

“I don’t think it’s ever just one thing but certainly that will be a big-time priority I think for us moving forward, is to not allow something like this to happen again,” said LaFleur.

“I’ve just got to make sure that we’re all pushing to find every advantage we can – players, coaches, everybody involved, to be at their best, to give us the best chance to win because the margin for error in this league is so miniscule. There’s not a lot that separates a lot of these teams, and that was so evident by the games (Sunday), evident in our game. You’ve got to find every advantage you can.”

The Packers hired Rich Bisaccia as their new special teams coordinator in the offseason, hopefully adding a spark to the unit. Bisaccia served as the Raiders interim head coach last season, and is one of the top assistants across the entire league, much to the excitement of LaFleur.