Sure, the Bears have a star middle linebacker who views playing for them with the grim resignation of a man doing life without chance of parole. Yes, their All-World kick returner is so upset about his contract that he's complaining to Deion Sanders. And, once again, the team's preparing to go to battle with quarterbacks better suited for a second-tier Canadian team than the NFL. But they've got a kicker!A very well-paid kicker, at that! Robbie Gould put pen to paper on a five-year, $15.5 million extension that made him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. Not bad for a guy who didn't get drafted out of Penn State and was working construction when the Bears signed him to replace Doug Brien in 2005. And he's been very good, hitting 85% of his field goals since then. He's just 26 so, barring injury, should see out the deal without losing much effectiveness as opposed to Adam Vinatieri's failure to make good on his big deal with the Colts.
It will be interesting to see if the Bears follow up this move with new contracts for Brian Urlacher, Devin Hester and Tommie Harris. A big investment in the kicking spot when your offense is, shall we say, mediocre at best would indicate you plan to play a lot of close games. Defense and special teams will help you pull off that approach with the greatest success.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Bad weather city, weak offense, proven numbers...so this is a good move. Kickers are always the last guy signed, with what's left of salary cap monies, now... they can hopefully, be secure in a vital area of offense for a few years.Solid.
Posted at 9:21AM on May 13th 2008 by Lex
2. I guess the Bears are rewarding Gould for "reliability." Still though, that's a lot of cake for a kicker who has never made a field goal of 50 yards or more.
Posted at 4:16PM on May 13th 2008 by rtbraye
3. now ,if they could just find a quarterback.........
Posted at 8:54AM on May 14th 2008 by scracer
4. They had to sign him after Hester he's the best weapon they have !!!!!
Posted at 12:59PM on May 14th 2008 by Tony Muth