ROBBIE GOULD RELEASED!!!

[JABF]

Sept 5, 2016 7:33:57 GMT -6 mikegolf said:

theathletic.com/18787/2016/09/05/bears-decision-to-give-gould-the-boot-more-than-money/

That article made some excellent points:

"This fall, Gould — along with New England’s Steven Gostkowski — was set to hold the league’s highest cap hit for a kicker at $4.1 million. Since signing that extension, Gould’s performance has slipped. He suffered through injuries in the 2014 season and was inconsistent in 2015, missing two kicks that would’ve resulted in wins against San Francisco and Washington.

Gould’s troubles carried over to this preseason. He hit a low in Game 4 against the Browns, missing one field goal and two extra points. That type of performance would bring any kicker under scrutiny, even one with his pedigree.

In a league that operates with a limited economy, every dollar counts. By cutting Gould, the Bears eat $1.1 million in dead money ($500,000 of his guaranteed salary plus $600,000 in his prorated bonus), but they also save $3 million.

While the shock of seeing a different kicker line up for the Bears will permeate for a while, it’s also refreshing. This is a new regime, with no loyalties to the past. If you don’t perform, you shouldn’t be given a job because of who you were."

[butkus3595]

Even if Barth is no better than Gould...if he's just as good this is still a win because you are paying Barth much less than you were paying Gould.

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2016 23:54:51 GMT -6 mpbears68 said:

Sept 4, 2016 23:40:55 GMT -6 @bearsinhouston said:

Fox told Pace that since he only plans on scoring TDs and won;t have to punt this year, we really didn't need him any more. Fox has a lot of confidence!

I heard your avatar girl is our new kicker.  She's got great extension.

And Gumby-like flexibility

[mpbears68]

Sept 5, 2016 7:49:39 GMT -6 JABF said:

Sept 5, 2016 7:33:57 GMT -6 mikegolf said:

theathletic.com/18787/2016/09/05/bears-decision-to-give-gould-the-boot-more-than-money/

That article made some excellent points:

"This fall, Gould — along with New England’s Steven Gostkowski — was set to hold the league’s highest cap hit for a kicker at $4.1 million. Since signing that extension, Gould’s performance has slipped. He suffered through injuries in the 2014 season and was inconsistent in 2015, missing two kicks that would’ve resulted in wins against San Francisco and Washington.

Gould’s troubles carried over to this preseason. He hit a low in Game 4 against the Browns, missing one field goal and two extra points. That type of performance would bring any kicker under scrutiny, even one with his pedigree.

In a league that operates with a limited economy, every dollar counts. By cutting Gould, the Bears eat $1.1 million in dead money ($500,000 of his guaranteed salary plus $600,000 in his prorated bonus), but they also save $3 million.

While the shock of seeing a different kicker line up for the Bears will permeate for a while, it’s also refreshing. This is a new regime, with no loyalties to the past. If you don’t perform, you shouldn’t be given a job because of who you were."

That pretty much sums up why I felt it was time to move on from Gould (even before the recent PS games).  

Yeah, I know its a risk.  

It's also would have been a risk to pay him $4.1m this season and just hope the trend of the last 2 years was a only a fluke.   

[shortfacedbear]

Wow, just wow. If he has lingering injuries he should have been dealt with in off season or addressed during the draft. Now we're chasing a kicker along with offensive linemen.

I'm not sure if this is a Slauson move by Pace but wtf is going on?

[JABF]

Sept 5, 2016 9:40:10 GMT -6 shortfacedbear said:

Wow, just wow. If he has lingering injuries he should have been dealt with in off season or addressed during the draft. Now we're chasing a kicker along with offensive linemen.

I'm not sure if this is a Slauson move by Pace but wtf is going on?

I agree they should have addressed this earlier, but in fairness I think they kept hoping Gould would be okay for at least this season.  But the guy ended up looking pretty bad.  Do you pay an extra $3-million for a guy who will probably lose games for you this year?  Obviously no.  It is a bad situation they found themselves in.

Ultimately Pace's neck is on the chopping block if he doesn't build a winner here.  He probably has this season, and next season, to show significant improvement with the team.  If he doesn't, then he'll probably be shuffled out the door.

We've only seen 1 season of his team's performance so far.  Season 2 begins in a week.  But fans are fickle and will 2nd guess his every move and be calling for him to be fired if he doesn't deliver the goods.  So I'm willing to watch and see how these moves pan out.

The man doesn't strike me as being stupid.  He undoubtedly has a vision - and a plan to achieve that vision - and some existing players didn't fit that plan.

I am okay with that - if - he builds a winner here.  If not, then I'll be wanting to move on from him.  But for now I am hoping and trusting he has the gears to get us where we need to go.  

[riczaj01]

Sept 5, 2016 1:54:20 GMT -6 germansbombedph said:

If Barth sucks, we cut him and try the next. We could try a UDFA too. It's just a leg for the Moment if we want to see it that way

Yep, just keep bringing them in until you find the next Robbie. 

[riczaj01]

Sept 5, 2016 7:49:39 GMT -6 JABF said:

Sept 5, 2016 7:33:57 GMT -6 mikegolf said:

theathletic.com/18787/2016/09/05/bears-decision-to-give-gould-the-boot-more-than-money/

That article made some excellent points:

"This fall, Gould — along with New England’s Steven Gostkowski — was set to hold the league’s highest cap hit for a kicker at $4.1 million. Since signing that extension, Gould’s performance has slipped. He suffered through injuries in the 2014 season and was inconsistent in 2015, missing two kicks that would’ve resulted in wins against San Francisco and Washington.

Gould’s troubles carried over to this preseason. He hit a low in Game 4 against the Browns, missing one field goal and two extra points. That type of performance would bring any kicker under scrutiny, even one with his pedigree.

In a league that operates with a limited economy, every dollar counts. By cutting Gould, the Bears eat $1.1 million in dead money ($500,000 of his guaranteed salary plus $600,000 in his prorated bonus), but they also save $3 million.

While the shock of seeing a different kicker line up for the Bears will permeate for a while, it’s also refreshing. This is a new regime, with no loyalties to the past. If you don’t perform, you shouldn’t be given a job because of who you were."

He's been very meh since that contract. Luckily he should have enough money to feed his family for awhile.

[JABF]

Kevin Butler and Robbie Gould were special players who survived careers in a brutal stadium. So special that I would be surprised if we can find a replacement next year that can be either of their equals. I think you have to lower the expectation-bar a bit. We all know that Soldier Field is a hell hole to kick in. This isn't one of those climate-controlled domes here. It is brutal for a kicker.

I'll be fine if they can just fine a young kicker with good-but-not-great talent. If we do land something great again, hey, all the better. But it probably won't happen.

[shark86]

Sept 5, 2016 10:24:48 GMT -6 JABF said:

Sept 5, 2016 9:40:10 GMT -6 shortfacedbear said:

Wow, just wow. If he has lingering injuries he should have been dealt with in off season or addressed during the draft. Now we're chasing a kicker along with offensive linemen.

I'm not sure if this is a Slauson move by Pace but wtf is going on?

I agree they should have addressed this earlier, but in fairness I think they kept hoping Gould would be okay for at least this season.  But the guy ended up looking pretty bad.  Do you pay an extra $3-million for a guy who will probably lose games for you this year?  Obviously no.  It is a bad situation they found themselves in.

Ultimately Pace's neck is on the chopping block if he doesn't build a winner here.  He probably has this season, and next season, to show significant improvement with the team.  If he doesn't, then he'll probably be shuffled out the door.

We've only seen 1 season of his team's performance so far.  Season 2 begins in a week.  But fans are fickle and will 2nd guess his every move and be calling for him to be fired if he doesn't deliver the goods.  So I'm willing to watch and see how these moves pan out.

The man doesn't strike me as being stupid.  He undoubtedly has a vision - and a plan to achieve that vision - and some existing players didn't fit that plan.

I am okay with that - if - he builds a winner here.  If not, then I'll be wanting to move on from him.  But for now I am hoping and trusting he has the gears to get us where we need to go.  

I think I give Pace a little more slack than you. The guy is new at his position and is bound to make a few mistakes. As long as he learns from them, I'm good. I like what he's done so far with so little to work with.