Chicago Bears Roster Review: Robbie Gould

Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) enjoys a moment during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace has quite a rebuilding project on his hands. In the next phase of our Chicago Bears Roster Review, we look at the players who are currently on the Bears roster. We’ll look back at their 2014 season and look ahead to how they might fit into the team’s plans in 2015.

Robbie Gould, K – Age 33

2014 Review

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I’m starting to sound like a broken record after doing several roster reviews but here’s another long time Bear that had his worst season in 2014. In all fairness, Gould missed 4 games last season due to injury for the first time in his career. His 75% Field Goal percentage was the worst of his career and he even missed an extra point. Robbie, along with us all, would like to forget 2014.

Career

Robbie is the most accurate kicker in team history and third most accurate in NFL history, making 234-of-272 (86.60%) field goals in his career. He ranks second in franchise history in career scoring (1,025 points; trailing Kevin Butler by 91 points), career field goals made, career field goals attempted and extra points made (323-of-325). This achievement is even more impressive while being done in a city nicknamed “the Windy City.”

2015 Outlook

At the end of the day, we are talking about a kicker so I will make the discussion quick. Robbie will be the 3rd highest paid kicker in the NFL in 2015 and is a $3.6 million cap hit. That’s a lot of money seeing that there are 18 other kickers that are under a $1 million cap hit for their team.

However, call me “kicker crazy” but I think he should stay, despite the money he’s owed, for 3 reasons: leadership, comfort and familiarity. I am not going to pretend that I know much about kicking a football but what I do know is that kickers are put in very uncomfortable situations with the game on the line after standing on the sidelines all day. The more comfortable and familiar they are with their surroundings and fan base, the better chance that they will have – it’s human nature. Robbie has created a bond with many fans and has done something that is pretty unbelievable when you think about it; he has become one of the best kickers in NFL history in a city that has conditions that are very difficult to kick in. Not to mention, he has become somewhat of a leader on this team that has lacked leadership, whether we like it or not.

What do you think? Should the Bears keep Robbie? Are we wasting too much time talking about a kicker? I welcome your comments……and BEAR DOWN.

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