A perfect night for Elliott Fry has him in good standing heading into the second preseason game ahead of Eddy Piniero on the pecking order
With the Chicago Bears resting a lot of starters, and Mitch Trubisky coming out for a few hand offs and a night off, there was not much to learn big picture from the first preseason game. However, by far the biggest regular-season battle that played out in week one of the preseason was the kicker battle.
Of course, all eyes were on the kickers.
While Elliott Fry made his first kick attempt, a point after try on a David Montgomery, the first field goal did not go as smoothly.
Fortunately for Fry, the miss was off of the foot of Eddy Piniero his counterpart. Fry went on to nail a 43-yarder, but Piniero missed a 48-yarder which caused fan anxiety and a few boos from the crowd.
Pineiro went on to make his PAT attempt later in the game.
You can say that Pinerio had a tougher kick. Still, there is no way you can walk away from this game without thinking that Fry has taken a substantial lead.
I know, Florida, and the Raiders, a draft pick. Fry did not dominate OTAs and neither separated themselves in camp.
However, the key is that the kicks in the stadium are all that matters. Can you make kicks with the lights on?
Call it shortsighted, or a small sample, but it comes down to pressure moments and delivery when it matters.
Elliott Fry delivered and Pinerio did not. Distances does not matter, it is a production business. if Fry missed and Pinerio hit, we would say the same thing. This is not to say that Pinerio will not bounce back.
If he goes 2-2 next week and Fry is 1-2, I will write that Pinerio is back in the mix. However, when the lights were on and the pressure mattered Fry stepped up and Pinerio did not. So far, Fry has to be looked at as a leader heading into week two.