Bears & NFL Talk 67: Who needs a kicker anyway?

[chicagoskycam]

I think that's right, although it might be more than slight. Turnovers are just really hard to replicate year over year. Along with that, it's unlikely to get 6 defensive TDs again. I do worry about the change in DC having an effect as well. But all in all the defense is going to be a huge strength of the team and anything outside the top 5 would be a big disappointment.

The offense will need to be better this year and I expect it to be.

There was some crazy stat I heard where nearly every loose ball bounced to a Bear.

 

[chicagoskycam]

Define improvement. In most sports talk outside of Chicago, Mitch is still the weak link and is the worst QB in the division.

I get not playing him in pre-season but out of all guys, I feel he really needs it. The talk out of a camp has not been all that positive and he has seen pretty much zero live gameplay so far this year. He's probably going to be rusty Thursday night.

 

[Panzerspitze]

I have found the Bears a potential placekicker...

 

[BK]

I have found the Bears a potential placekicker...

Echo...echo...echo...

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Of course in NFL you dont get luxury of taking that many steps (Usually its two or three approach steps) nor the luxury of not facing an opposition looking to block you

Also not much of a wind there

 

[piteus]

As much as I admire the USWNT, no women are going to kick in the NFL. Imagine what the USMNT can do with that much time and run up for a FG? It's nothing against the women. Science says the best men kickers are going to be better than the best women kickers. Strength, size, acceleration, speed, etc. Even the best technique doesn't compensate for the physics.

Let's not forget the potential visual of a woman kicker getting tackled on a fumbled kick by one of the NFL freaks ... or getting run over by a 220lbs kick returner running a 4.4 forty. No one wants to see that.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Was brought in to be primary backup at tackle (Can play both LT/RT)

 

[Panzerspitze]

As much as I admire the USWNT, no women are going to kick in the NFL. Imagine what the USMNT can do with that much time and run up for a FG? It's nothing against the women. Science says the best men kickers are going to be better than the best women kickers. Strength, size, acceleration, speed, etc. Even the best technique doesn't compensate for the physics.

Let's not forget the potential visual of a woman kicker getting tackled on a fumbled kick by one of the NFL freaks ... or getting run over by a 220lbs kick returner running a 4.4 forty. No one wants to see that.

True, except the Bears didn't [last season] and still don't have one of the "best" men kickers.

 

[piteus]

True, except the Bears didn't [last season] and still don't have one of the "best" men kickers.

That's the Bears fault. They gave $9mn to a kicker who couldn't kick under pressure. I'm willing to give Carli Lloyd that ... she is probably far better under pressure. Heck, I know she is after her performance in the 2015 World Cup Finals.

 

[HawksBeerFan]

The first time a female kicker gets blown up on a kickoff return will be interesting...

 

[piteus]

The first time a female kicker gets blown up on a kickoff return will be interesting...

I don't want to see it. I'm all for equality, but I don't need to see women playing along aside men in a combat sport. When 2 physical freaks like Luck and Gronk are talking about how much pain they were in physically and mentally from the punishment of the NFL before the age of 30, I don't need to see Lloyd (5'7" / 140lbs) get blown up by a 6'1" / 225lbs monster.

 

[Panzerspitze]

The first time a female kicker gets blown up on a kickoff return will be interesting...

[self-censored]

 

[MurrayBannerman]

I don't want to see it. I'm all for equality, but I don't need to see women playing along aside men in a combat sport. When 2 physical freaks like Luck and Gronk are talking about how much pain they were in physically and mentally from the punishment of the NFL before the age of 30, I don't need to see Lloyd (5'7" / 140lbs) get blown up by a 6'1" / 225lbs monster.

Which definitely happens all the time as a kicker.

 

[BK]

Which definitely happens all the time as a kicker.

It happens enough where I personally would not want the risk of it happening out of there.

 

[MurrayBannerman]

It happens enough where I personally would not want the risk of it happening out of there.

Don't punters/kickers just run off the field at this point for the kickoff or is that college?

 

[BK]

Don't punters/kickers just run off the field at this point for the kickoff or is that college?

I don't think so unless I have just missed it.

This just comes to mind.

 

[MurrayBannerman]

I don't think so unless I have just missed it.

This just comes to mind.

That's the punter on a fake. I'd assume she'd be entirely limited to kicking, which isn't even involved in a fake.

 

[piteus]

Which definitely happens all the time as a kicker.

Once is enough to be cringe worthy. I've come a long way where I enjoy watching qualified women UFC fighters in the Octagon. They are good and deserving. I was originally not one for watching women bleed. However, I don't need to witness professional male athletes even have an opportunity jack up even a great female athlete in a combat sport. That will never go away. I think it's innate. That's why most normal people abhor domestic assault even without the video.

 

[Illinihockey]

#1 she's not going to kick in the NFL #2 if she did, she'd be fine. Kickers almost never get hit. Punters sometimes can get contact but even then its very rare.

 

[b1e9a8r5s]

Don't punters/kickers just run off the field at this point for the kickoff or is that college?

That's not an actual thing is it?

They are the last line of defense and you hope it doesn't come down to it, but they certainly need to try to run a guy out of bounds or trip a guy up.

 

[MurrayBannerman]

That's not an actual thing is it?

They are the last line of defense and you hope it doesn't come down to it, but they certainly need to try to run a guy out of bounds or trip a guy up.

I remember something about it, but I'm not super confident in it.

 

[piteus]

#1 she's not going to kick in the NFL #2 if she did, she'd be fine. Kickers almost never get hit. Punters sometimes can get contact but even then its very rare.

"Almost" is not the answer I'm looking for. If she was just doing extra points as some female kickers have done in college ... I'm all for it. However, the NFL does not have kicking specialists anymore. When you play for your livelihood, things change.

If she wants to tryout, I see no harm in it. However, let's be honest. It would be a PR stunt ... nothing more. I don't need an American soccer hero (especially for so many girls) to be paraded around like a circus act. That's what the NFL would be doing.

 

[Illinihockey]

"Almost" is not the answer I'm looking for. If she was just doing extra points as some female kickers have done in college ... I'm all for it. However, the NFL does not have kicking specialists anymore. When you play for your livelihood, things change.

If she wants to tryout, I see no harm in it. However, let's be honest. It would be a PR stunt ... nothing more. I don't need an American soccer hero (especially for so many girls) to be paraded around like a circus act. That's what the NFL would be doing.

What do you mean the NFL doesn't have kicking specialists? There are place kickers and punters. Teams don't just have one guy that does it all

 

[piteus]

I remember something about it, but I'm not super confident in it.

You can't hit a kicker right after a kickoff. It's kind of like a QB after an interception. You can't touch the kicker if he makes no attempt to block or get into the play. However, if the kicker is anywhere near the ball or making an attempt to make a play, they are fair game. In fact, you can't do that to any player nowadays. Blind side hits on any player who are not even making an attempt on the play warrants a personal foul. Warren Sapp seriously hurt Kyle Clifton on an blindsided hit.

In a muffed field goal attempt, players are fair game unless they are actively running away from the ball.

 

[piteus]

What do you mean the NFL doesn't have kicking specialists? There are place kickers and punters. Teams don't just have one guy that does it all

Specialist as kickoff specialist and FG specialists. They used to have them back in the day. They have it in college with the bigger rosters. Thus, all kickers will have to do kickoffs, FGs, onside, and extra points ... unless the punter can also do it. The only kicker who can in today's game is that kid Minnesota just traded for.