Eddy Pineiro has gone through a lot in terms of trying to win the Chicago Bears kicking job. He was traded by his original team before training camp began. Then he endured over a month of grinding, pressure-fueled practices where every single kick he attempted was placed under a microscope. He openly admitted that it was exhausting at times. This didn't erode his self-confidence though and he finally managed to outlast fellow competitor Elliott Fry two weeks into the preseason.
One would think the job is his at this point, but Pineiro isn't dumb. He understands there are two weeks left before the opener. If he stumbles during that time, the Bears have made it clear they're leaving their options open. They will look for somebody else. That may seem harsh. It isn't though. What Pineiro is going through pales in comparison to what other young kickers have endured in their careers. At least he's managed to be on a roster consistently for two years. First in Oakland and now Chicago.
Somebody who could educate him on how much worse it could be? None other than Robbie Gould. Fourteen years ago in 2005, he was an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. He signed with the New England Patriots, knowing he didn't have a prayer of making the roster with Adam Vinatieri in place. Then after being released, he was brought in by the Baltimore Ravens. A team that had All-Pro Matt Stover.
Again he was cut, and just like that the opportunities dried up. He actually left football to begin working construction in Pennsylvania. Only a chance of fate gave him one last chance.
Eddy Pineiro never flirted with having no career at all
Chicago actually went into the 2005 season with Doug Brien as their starting kicker. He'd been a journeyman for a long time who'd helped the 49ers win the Super Bowl in 1994. The Bears hoped his experience would give them some stability at the position. However, after just three games Brien injured his back. Chicago brought in five kickers for emergency tryouts. Gould was one of them. The team liked his stronger leg and so gave him a chance to start the next week against the Cleveland Browns.
Gould made a nice first impression, connecting on his first field goal attempt from 44 yards out. He later missed from 48 but that didn't discourage the Bears. Their coaches liked his stroke and his mental makeup. Brien was released the next week and Gould held the starting job the rest of the season. The rest is history.
Pineiro may not like the mentally taxing drills he's been put through by the Bears, but it should be a reminder that if he can't handle it they will go out and find somebody who can. Gould took advantage of one such opportunity. There's bound to be another out there anxious to do the same. It's truly now or never for the Bears' young kicker.
