Ian Allan
Robbie Gould signed a big contract extension with the Bears on Monday, becoming the highest-paid kicker in the league. The deal reportedly is worth $15.5 million over five years.
Is he worth that kind of money?
I think he is.
In grading kickers, I look at power – kickoffs and attempts from 50-plus yards – and I also look closely at how a kicker performs in the range of 40 to 49 yards. Kicks inside 40, I think, are essentially meaningless. As good as kickers are today, those are almost like extra poins.
Gould is only average in terms of power, but he’s been very reliable in that measuring stick range of 40 to 49 yards, and he’s been successful despite kicking in lesser conditions. He faces more than his fair share of wind and weather, and the Bears have a natural grass field that can be problematic late in the year.
The Bears have plenty of problems, but kicker isn’t one of them. I like the Gould signing.
FIELD GOAL ACCURACY, 40 TO 49 YARDS (2007-2008):
(chart shows all kickers with 10-plus attempts)
FG FGA Pct.
24 28 .857 Robbie Gould
18 21 .857 Jason Hanson
11 13 .846 Joe Nedney
15 18 .833 Lawrence Tynes
10 12 .833 Mike Nugent
14 17 .824 Nate Kaeding
14 17 .824 Ryan Longwell
14 17 .824 John Kasay
12 15 .800 Shayne Graham
11 14 .786 Shaun Suisham
18 23 .783 Kris Brown
17 22 .773 Josh Scobee
10 13 .769 Sebastian Janikowski
13 17 .765 Jay Feely
15 20 .750 Jason Elam
12 16 .750 Neil Rackers
12 16 .750 Rian Lindell
9 12 .750 Adam Vinatieri
14 19 .737 Matt Stover
11 15 .733 Olindo Mare
11 15 .733 Morten Andersen
13 18 .722 Rob Bironas
15 21 .714 Josh Brown
7 10 .700 John Carney
11 16 .688 Matt Bryant
13 19 .684 Dave Rayner
8 12 .667 Jeff Reed
19 29 .655 Jeff Wilkins
13 20 .650 Phil Dawson
9 14 .643 Mason Crosby
7 14 .500 David Akers
—Ian Allan
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