The Bears are putting their faith in a virtually raw rookie kicker in the same week that they will face the Minnesota Vikings and kicker Paul Edinger in what is in danger of becoming a true personnel embarrassment for the organization
Robbie Gould became the latest kicking hope of a troubled Bears team Wednesday after veteran Doug Brien was waived following his 1-for-4 start and Gould’s conversion of a 44-yard attempt last Sunday in Cleveland. Brien was signed to replace Edinger.
Brien had not kicked in nearly two weeks and Gould was added ostensibly as insurance last week because of Brien’s back spasms. But that excuse vanished Wednesday.
The Brien experience cost the Bears $750,000, the minimum salary for a vested veteran which is guaranteed if he is on the roster opening day. Brien’s cap hit is $455,000, plus rookie Gould’s salary, which is not guaranteed beyond week to week.
The move has potentially huge significance for a team that is geared philosophically to play conservatively and keep opponents close into the fourth quarter, at which point field goals loom large.
“It’s not a guaranteed position,” Gould said. “It’s a performance-based business. You have to do your job and that’s what I’m focused on doing. Hopefully, I’ll be around here for a while. That’s my ultimate goal.
“It’s just tough to see Doug go. Doug is a great kicker. He’s had some bad luck.
“This is kind of a surprise. But as a rookie kicker, this is the break you’re looking for. You hate to have it come at the expense of Doug, but you have to make the most out of your opportunity.”
Gould, a rookie from Penn State who won the job last week in a five-man competition, went to New England’s camp as an undrafted free agent, was waived, signed to Baltimore’s practice squad before opening day and was waived by the Ravens Sept. 27.
Leg strength was the deciding factor in the Bears signing him and all three of Gould’s kickoffs at Cleveland went to the Browns’ 8-yard line or deeper.
“His mentality right now is just what we’re looking for,” special teams coach Dave Toub said. “His leg strength was far above those other [tryout] guys who were here.”
On Thursday morning Gould, punter Brad Maynard and long snapper Pat Mannelly will hop into a stretch limousine and head downtown for Gould’s first look at Soldier Field.
The Bears hope he likes what he sees.
“I’ve heard it’s pretty windy out there,” Gould said. “I’m hoping it’s not too windy out there on Sunday.”
Gould did miss one field goal at Wednesday’s practice but the Bears will let him keep his job–for now.
The try–Gould’s only miss–was from 58 yards and was just wide right, with probably five yards of distance to spare after he had hit from 48 and 53 yards as coaches kept backing him up in the team kicking drill.
“We just wanted to see how far he could kick it,” Toub said. “Had he made the 58, we would have pushed him back farther.”
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jmullin@tribune.com
