Chicago Bears: The answer to the team’s kicking problem

The Chicago Bears are still trying to solve their kicking problem, but the answer may be right under their nose.

It’s been nearly six months since the Chicago Bears lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Philadelphia Eagles thanks to Cody Parkey‘s infamous double-doink. In the aftermath of the game, it felt like almost a foregone conclusion that the Bears would have a new starting kicker on the roster in 2019.

That is no longer in question, as Parkey was released in the offseason. What is still in question is just who is going to fill that role for the 2019 squad and replace Parkey. The team started by adding eight kickers in the offseason, which they widdled down to three (Chris Blewitt, Elliott Fry, and Eddy Pineiro) just before minicamp. After a disastrous performance by the trio in minicamp, the Bears cut Blewitt and appear content to head into training camp with two kickers competing for the spot.

There have been some rumblings from fans to make a play to reacquire Robbie Gould via trade. However, he’s been franchise tagged by the San Francisco 49ers who have all the leverage in this situation.

Therefore, the Bears may have to explore other options, and one that is right under their nose and is worth a strong look is Roldan Alcobendas. Besides already having an awesome name for a kicker, he’s actually quite accomplished on the field.

Alcobendas was the 2018 recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award, given to the top kicker in all of college football. The presentation was ironically at Halas Hall, and Alcobendas described it as an “amazing experience.”

No doubt, Alcobendas earned that award, as he was a perfect 16-16 on his field goal attempts, including 5-5 from 40-49 yards, which was Cody Parkey’s Achilles heel last year. He was also 71-72 on his extra points. I asked him about the one miss, and he said he actually switched shoes before the game and his foot caught the ground first causing him to miss. He immediately went to the locker room, changed back to his old shoes, and never missed again.

Since the end of the season and his Pro Day, he has been “working out, training, and getting ready for his opportunity.”  He’s also “added 10 yards of distance since the offseason” using a combination of improved technique and added leg strength. He’s now “comfortable kicking between 50-55 yards.”

As for kicking in bad weather conditions, that’s also no problem for Roldan, who is used to kicking in tough conditions. He noted, “at Eastern [Washington Univeristy] you can get all four seasons in one day, so I feel like I’m used to kicking in poor conditions.”

Well, what about kicking under pressure? I asked him about the ‘double-doink’ which he had seen, noting that’s the worst feeling in the world for a kicker. But he feels he is prepared to kick in those high leverage situations and to handle the scrutiny that would come along with kicking in Chicago. In fact, he said his “coaches have used some of the same methods and tactics [to simulate pressure] in practice” that Nagy has employed in minicamp.

Alcobendas would welcome the challenge and is eager for the opportunity. For a team that has struggled so mightily with its kicking game, especially from the 40-49 yard mark, why not bring in a guy who was automatic from that range last season? He has experience kicking in bad weather and has even increased his range to 55-yards. If that’s not exactly what the Bears are looking for in a kicker, then they need to revise their criteria.