How to Fall and Miss the Floor

Kickers are almost an afterthought in the NFL. And when they're not, they're practically generic. Never waste a high draft pick on one. And never, ever over-pay them. They're just not worth it.

Despite punters having punted and placekickers having placekicked for as long as linebackers have been linebacking and quarterbacks have been quarterbacking, this attitude has even permeated the game's Hall of Fame.

To date, four placekickers have been enshrined. And just one—that's one—punter.

It does not compute.

In the wake of Cody Parkey's otherworldly 2018 season, I wonder how important Bears' fans consider the position. Or even Bears' coach Matt Nagy.

Bears' GM Ryan Pace certainly embraced the kickers-are-generic ethos, releasing the Bears' best-ever placekicker prior to the 2016 season because he was set to earn about three-quarters of what Cody Parkey averages on his current contract.

He was also—gasp—thirty-four years old. Incontestable points, all.

In his three seasons since, Robbie Gould has made 82 of 85 field goal attempts (96.4%), and converted 75 of 82 extra point attempts (91.4%). Points surrendered? Sixteen.

In the same time span, Gould's four successors have hit on just 57 of their 75 field goal attempts (76.0%) while converting 99 of 105 extra points (94.2%). Forfeited points? Sixty.

Since being dismissed for being too old and too expensive, Gould is a combined 157 for 167, a success rate of 94.0%.

His replacements? 156 for 180, a success rate of 86.6%.

If that weren't bad enough, know that Gould has erred on as many kicks in the past three seasons as Cody Parkey did in 2018.

Ryan Pace is young. He is learning on the job. And his capricious release of Gould smacks of arrogance and ignorance. Of far-reaching decisions based on insufficient evidence.

Next year is not guaranteed. Nor is the year after that. The Bears had the playoffs in hand this season, and surrendered them in a fashion worthy of horrormeisters Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King.

Khalil Mack will always be a feather in Pace's cap. Just as the premature release of Gould will always be a thorn in his side.

GMs are important. So are placekickers.

It is a lesson I hope Mr. Pace is soon to embrace.