Chicago Bears: It’s time to make a decision on the kicking situation

It’s about time for the Chicago Bears to make a decision about their much-maligned kicking situation.

As you read this, the Chicago Bears are now two games into their preseason schedule, after last night’s loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium last night. The kickers were in the spotlight again after mixed results following their first preseason action against the Carolina Panthers last week at Soldier Field.

With three weeks of training camp evaluation (which doesn’t include minicamp) and two preseason games under their belt, it’s time for the Bears to make a decision about their internal kicking competition.

Perhaps they have and just prefer not to announce it, but it might not be a bad idea to make a decision.

Following last week’s game, Eddy Pineiro made some comments to the Chicago Tribune that would suggest the kicking competition might be getting to him.

"“It can be a little exhausting. Every day you feel like, ‘Oh damn, if I miss this kick, am I going to get cut? Are they going to trade for somebody else?’ It does get annoying, but I can’t control any of that.”"

Elliot Fry had a different perspective (which is another reason I personally think he has the edge in the competition).

"“That’s with every kicking situation, not just the Bears. If you don’t perform, they’re going to look elsewhere. So you just have to focus on your kicks. If you can make your kicks when they count, if you have a really good preseason, it’s going to be hard for them to turn you away.”"

Fry seems to “get it” and understands this is all part of the business. He also seems to understand that if a player can’t handle this kind of “pressure” they’re unlikely to handle actual pressure in a game. Maybe this is why Fry made all 14 of his field-goal attempts last season in the AAF and both kicks (a 43-yard field goal and extra point attempt) in his first preseason game (though he did miss his only try last night).

Regardless of what you think about Pineiro’s comments (personally I think referring to the competition as annoying isn’t a great look), there is at least one important takeaway. At some point, the Bears need to try to get back to business as usual with their kickers.

Look, you know you’re kicking situation is good when no one is talking about it. The more the Bears shine the spotlight on the competition, the more they could end up undermining the confidence of each of them.

There is something to be said about giving one kicker all of the repetitions and sending him a message that “you’re our guy.” Repetitions are important. It’s why the starting QB takes all of the reps with the first team in practice. The same holds true for a kicker. Allowing one kicker to take all of the snaps to get as comfortable as possible with the snapper and holder, can only help his performance.

And look, naming a kicker now doesn’t preclude them from going out and signing another one after roster cuts are made, should a better option become available. But naming a kicker now will allow them to evaluate their choice when he believes he’s “the guy.” He can take all of the kicks in the third and fourth preseason games which is a more realistic way to evaluate a kicker’s performance, rather than the rotating approach they’ve been taking.

At this point, the Bears know who these guys are. It appears they have to decide between a strong leg who may not be as accurate and a more accurate kicker with a weaker leg. They are who they are at this point. So it’s time to pick one and truly evaluate over the next two weeks whether he can be the guy or if you need to go back to the drawing board and the waiver wire.