
Pineiro has both the leg and accuracy
Looking at Pineiro and how he performed throughout his collegiate career with the Gators, I am thoroughly impressed. I can see exactly what the Raiders must have seen a year ago when they signed him following the draft.
First of all, as a former soccer player, you know Pineiro has the leg. Just take a look at this:
81 YARDS. IN PADS.
— Ryan Heckman (@TheRyanHeckman) May 6, 2019
Your newest #Bears kicker, @EddyPineiro.
pic.twitter.com/mc0GKqoASF
If there is ever any doubt the Bears had found a kicker with one of the stronger legs you’ve seen, that doubt ends now. It’s Pineiro. An 81-yard field goal in pads? That’s downright impressive.
Along with the leg, Pineiro brings elite accuracy to the table. Although he only started kicking as a high school senior, Pineiro would have ended as the 4th-most accurate kicker in NCAA football history. The minimum qualifier, per Sports Reference, is 50 career kicks. Pineiro ended his two-year stint with the Gators at an 88.4 percent clip on field goal attempts — with 43 career attempts.
In his final season at Florida, Pineiro missed just one kick, going 17-for-18.
Here’s to hoping the Bears found their long-term solution at kicker. If all goes according to plan, Pineiro stays healthy and wins this job. Fingers crossed, Bears fans.