Released in '16, back in '19? // Robbie Gould talk

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Bumped for review and discussion.

We all had mixed feelings when Gould was cut. We all hoped the Bears had a plan of succession.

What we got was placekicker hell, and Gould could have done the neener neener fuck you to the team. Instead, he wants to come back based on recent news stories.

I say the Bears should get him if possible.

I realize that we are hard up for a kicker, but he would have to take a hometown discount. He wants to be back here, make him pay for it. We are still paying that fuckstick Parkey, so we can't go out and blow $5M on another kicker.

[Otis Day]

That would be Pace admitting he made a mistake. Not really seeing that happening.

[Mikefive]

That would be Pace admitting he made a mistake. Not really seeing that happening.

If the 9ers offered us Gould for a 5th round pick, Pace would jump on that so fast, it would make our heads spin. And then pay him $5M/year.

[wab]

That would be Pace admitting he made a mistake. Not really seeing that happening.

Pace has never really been afraid of admitting and rectifying a mistake.

There's some complexity to bringing Gould back, but the least of it is Pace's ego.

[Boris13c]

an article from back in January ... lets us relive misery on 2 fronts :

John Fox is Somehow Still Screwing the Bears as Robbie Gold Shines With the 49ers

Former Chicago Bears head coach John Fox's decisions are still affecting the Bears for the worse. Despite being fired after last season, the ESPN analyst's decision to let go of kicker ​Robbie Gould go is still looming over the franchise.

Last night's ​NFC Wild Card matchup between the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, of course, came down to a last-minute field goal. And that led to the ​doink heard around the world.

Bears kicker ​Cody Parkey managed to hit both the upright and the crossbar, resulting in an epic, agonizing missed field goal and a devastating 16-15 loss for Chicago. The entire game cannot be blamed on Parkey's mistakes, but Gould would have undoubtedly made a difference. The numbers simply don't lie.

Kicking often comes down to mentality. ​Parkey's past miscues clearly got in his head and clearly affected how he approached this game-deciding kick. The fact that as a team the Bears have missed 19 field goals since cutting Gould is completely dumbfounding. Gould, however, has been sensational.

whether it is Gould returning or someone else shining, the Bears have to find a way to correct the morass of a kicking game since Gould left

[wab]

I stand by what I said back then. I was ready for him to go. He was missing clutch kicks.

Having said that, this is a different team now, and I'd be fine with him returning.

[AZ_Bearfan]

I give Pace a pass on this. Wasn't Robbie heading up the NFLPA or something and saying some things to the media that was ruffling the owners feathers a bit? I could be wrong. But he was definitely slumping and needed a new start. Pace was a rookie who probably wasn't even allowed to select his first HC. I'm pretty sure between Fox and Robbie's cap hit, it seemed like the thing to do. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I can only hope he's grown into his role enough to understand his mistakes and move forward with some lessons learned.

[wab]

I give Pace a pass on this. Wasn't Robbie heading up the NFLPA or something and saying some things to the media that was ruffling the owners feathers a bit? I could be wrong. But he was definitely slumping and needed a new start. Pace was a rookie who probably wasn't even allowed to select his first HC. I'm pretty sure between Fox and Robbie's cap hit, it seemed like the thing to do. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I can only hope he's grown into his role enough to understand his mistakes and move forward with some lessons learned.

Fox was an old school coach that didn't care much for dissension in the ranks. Gould's position in the NFLPA very much ruffled the feathers of the head coach.

That, coupled with his production relative to his cape hit, plus his age sort of forced Pace's hand. I thought it was the right move at the time because he was missing clutch kicks and making a lot of money. I still think it was the right call.

[IotaNet]

I stand by what I said back then. I was ready for him to go. He was missing clutch kicks ...

I give Pace a pass on this. ... he was definitely slumping and needed a new start. Pace was a rookie who probably wasn't even allowed to select his first HC. I'm pretty sure between Fox and Robbie's cap hit, it seemed like the thing to do. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I can only hope he's grown into his role enough to understand his mistakes and move forward with some lessons learned.

Totally agreed. I can't find the article right now but even Gould admitted that he needed a change of scenery at the time.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pace made this work. It would be a very popular move with the fan base.

[thunderspirit]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Pace made this work. It would be a very popular move with the fan base.

I would be very surprised, honestly.

Ignoring the money aspect (which has to factor in), that's an awful lot of cap space tied up in the kicker spot, due to Parkey's cap hit this year.

I agree it would be popular with the fan base, but I'm not sure that makes it the right thing to do.

[Boris13c]

note in regards to thread title - Gould was actually released in 2016

[UOK]

Dunno where I got 2012 from. Still waking up I guess.

[Bad Flanders]

dumb...

A couple bad kicking games in years has just become a guarantee of bad kicking at least a couple times a year.

I would just like to point out that everyone should listen to me all the time!

[Bad Flanders]

And I stand by Robbie's stats also. He didn't suck, he sucked for Robbie Gould, which still made him better than all but the most consistent kickers.

2015, his last year here, he kicked 33 field goals that year - 4th in the league. He kicked 7 longer than 50 yards - FIRST in the league.
Yes, his average was 84.6% in 2015, below his career avg with the Bears of 85.4%. But he was still working back from a major injury in 2014.

Perspective - Kevin Butler's best year EVER was 85 when he was 83.8%!

Gould's worst year was 2014, he was injured, he made 9 out of 12 for 75%... Still better than Butler's CAREER avg of 73.4%.

Except for Mike Nugent hitting 4 for 4, we haven't had ONE kicker top 75% since Gould left and that was Gould's worst mark.

And they had money when they cut him, yeah he was the second highest paid kicker but the money was there. It WAS a bad call at the time and it's a bad call to not try everything to get him back here to finish it all up. Kicking and punting can affect games drastically and the highest paid players in those positions make next to nothing compared to other positions, it's a bargain to invest more money there for the best players.

The biggest thing I worry about is that everyone said Lynch made Pace look bad in the trade for #2 (where we got Mitch) and in hindsight everyone says it's now Lynch that looks bad. I'm not sure Lynch is willing to risk his rep more by letting Gould go and having the Niners lose games the way the Bears lost games last year.

[Boris13c]

11/13/2005 - Robbie Gould's wind blown wild assed miss that took a hard right turn not long after leaving his foot ... Cedric Butthead Benson getting hurt ... Nathan Vasher's 108 yard missed FG return ... 4 fumbled punts by Bobby Wade (3 recovered by the 49ers) which was more because he sucked than anything to do with the wind

that game had a bit of everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71lVuGJWimY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wab]

I wouldn't say Bobby Wade sucked.

[Boris13c]

I wouldn't say Bobby Wade sucked.

he did as a punt returner which was the main reason he got cut

[AZ_Bearfan]

I'll always remember that game. I watched it in Maui and didn't realize how many Hawaiians are 49er fans. There were about 35 giant dudes in 49ers jerseys and me in my Urlacher jersey. Those guys were all so friendly and we had a blast watching that game in those crazy windy conditions.

[Bad Flanders]

the kick during that windy game is almost unbelievable without the video... the angle it turned doesn't seem possible

[The Marshall Plan]

I wouldn't say Bobby Wade sucked.

I wouldn't either. A side benefit of that 49'ers game hopefully was the drafting of Devin Hester in 2006.

[malk]

I don't know if I'm projecting some mad hope but I get the feeling that Gould would take a significant home town discount. Chance of wins, being near his family etc. Pace doesn't strike me as someone who would really turn the screws on a contract when he has leverage but something amicable could well be in order.

And whilst I'm not normally a fan of paying kickers, we're in our window and he's a fan favourite. Strikes me as someone who would fit right in with what Nagy is building.

[Knuckles]

I was a huge Gould fan but I understood why the Bears parted ways with him at the time. But, we're really a kicker away from going at least to the second round of the playoffs if not further. If Gould was here last year I'm 99% positive he nails that kick. If they can get him on a discount for 2-3 years I would be ok with that.

The thing I can see holding the Bears back is his kickoffs... That alone might warrant a discount.

[wab]

The thing to also consider, is that the Bears just brought in 3 kickers. On the surface that might not mean anything, but I can see the Bears at least seeing what they have in those guys in minicamp before making a trade for Gould.

[Umbali]

When you bumped this thread I scrolled through it thinking I would find me screaming and hollering. I remember being very upset and my daughter who I raised as a Bears fan was heartbroken. Robbie was so important during a time when our D dominated and our Offense was meh. I was surprised that I didnt vent here. I guess the alcohol worked lol.

I would love Robbie back if its for a 6th or 7th next year and a very friendly contract. I would be afraid of wanting him so bad then him declining lol. Thats just pure pessimistic Bears fan being afraid lol.

My thoughts are also based on who we have signed and not being impressed with them at all.

Screw it get Robbie back! lol

I am so wishy washy lol

[BR0D1E86]

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status ... 15712?s=20

Not sure what else he would say, but relevant to the topic anyway.

[Rusty Trombagent]

The thing to also consider, is that the Bears just brought in 3 kickers. On the surface that might not mean anything, but I can see the Bears at least seeing what they have in those guys in minicamp before making a trade for Gould.

and chicago is going to be a top destination for udfa kickers knowing the spot is 100% up for grabs. i miss robbie and absolutely hate that we let him go, but it is what it is and i just dont see him coming back.

[G08]

There's no guarantee, either, that Robbie Gould is going to be as good as he ever was in Chicago.

I'm glad us cutting him made him work harder at his craft, but what makes me think he won't come here and slack off again?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have him here if the price is right and it doesn't cost us a draft pick.

[BR0D1E86]

No need for Gould, Cohen is going to solve our kicker problem...

https://twitter.com/markgrotesports/sta ... 53825?s=20

[AZ_Bearfan]

That's great

[Mikefive]

The thing to also consider, is that the Bears just brought in 3 kickers. On the surface that might not mean anything, but I can see the Bears at least seeing what they have in those guys in minicamp before making a trade for Gould.

I'm going with... If Robbie Gould comes available... and I keep hearing in the media that off the record, Robbie wants out of SF in the worst way, so he can be closer to his family, who lives in Chicago... Ryan Pace would dump 2 of the signed PKs immediately and bring the leftover to camp as purely injury protection. It would be the no brainer of all no brainers.