The only position under as much, if not more, scrutiny than quarterback in Chicago is kicker.
Following the heartbreaking double-doink missed field goal that sent the Bears to an early playoff exit, the football world has been captivated and confused by the kicker position in Chicago.
Eddy Pineiro was named the Bears’ kicker for Thursday’s season-opener against the Packers, and he wants to reaffirm the coaching staff for its faith in him.
“I’m excited, confident,” Pineiro said, via ChicagoBears.com. “I’m happy that they chose me to be the guy. I’ve just got to prove them right and show them that I’m the guy and just keep making kicks.”
That’s the goal. Pineiro had an encouraging preseason, where he connected on 8-of-9 field goals, including a 58-yarder that still resonates.
But up until now, none of them have counted. Starting Thursday, every kick will count, and it will be a new pressure for Pineiro to master.
Pineiro’s only missed field goal happened in the Bears’ first preseason game at Soldier Field — a 48-yard miss. While it’s certainly not easy to kick at Soldier Field, Pineiro wants to make sure he does his due diligence in preparing to kick on his home turf.
Pineiro practiced at Soldier Field on Sunday, where it allowed him to continue to work on adapting to the conditions, including the wind, the grass and the field.
“A lot of it is mental, especially in a place like this,” Pineiro said. “It’s not every other place. You’ve just got to be mentally strong and block out everything—block the media, block the fans, block everything out and just make kicks.”
Pineiro will face his biggest challenge to date on Thursday, when he steps out onto Soldier Field with the national spotlight on him, waiting to see how he responds.
