Kicker battle 2.0? Ryan Pace says there will be competition between Eddy Pineiro and Ramiz Ahmed

If you couldn’t get enough of last year’s kicking competition, Bears GM Ryan Pace has good news for you.

If you couldn’t get enough of last year’s kicking competition, Ryan Pace has good news for you.

During Pace’s pre-draft conference call with reporters, the Bears general manager revealed he expects an open competition between Pineiro and newly-signed kicker Ramiz Ahmed, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Bears GM Ryan Pace says it's an open competition at kicker between Eddy Pineiro and newcomer Ramiz Ahmed.

— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) April 21, 2020

The news isn’t earth-shattering, considering Pineiro struggled at times during his first season in Chicago, converting 23of-28 field goals and 27-of-29 extra points. His low point of the season came on a missed game-winning kick against the Los Angeles Chargers that essentially derailed his season before he was able to find his footing (no pun intended) to finish the season strong.

Pace told reporters he still believes in Pineiro, but acknowledges the competition will be benefit both players.

“We see those guys competing,” Pace said. “We love Eddy and think his future’s very bright. But those two competing against each other is a really good thing.”

Ahmed, signed late last week, was brought in to push Pineiro in camp, but the stakes were raised when Pace signaled both would compete for the starting job. Ahmed last kicked in college as a member of the Nevada Wolf Pack in 2018. He made 15 of 20 field goals during his final season.

The competition, or kicker battle 2.0, is unlikely to replicate last year’s circus that saw nearly a dozen players compete to go to training camp. The competition came down to Pineiro and Elliott Fry, with Pineiro emerging as the winner. Barring any surprising developments, this year’s competition should be a bit more tame.

While all eyes will be glued to the heavily anticipated quarterback competition between Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles, the battle between Ahmed and Pineiro will still be worth monitoring when the Bears begin training camp.

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3 kickers who could replace Ka’imi Fairbairn right now

Amid a poor season by Houston Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, the Texans should consider trying out these three kickers.

The Houston Texans have not been getting it done as a kicking team. Third-year place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has shown regression in 2019 after leading the NFL in scoring in 2018. In turn, the Texans have watched easy points fall off the board.

On the year, Fairbairn is 13 for 18 on field goals (72.2%) and 24 for 29 on extra points (82.8%). On Sunday, he missed a 43-yarder in a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Those, in the NFL, are unacceptable numbers.

If the Texans see Fairbairn’s struggles as a reason to replace him, it won’t be easy. The kicker market, as it usually is in Nov., is barren. Nonetheless, here are three options Bill O’Brien and Co. should consider going into Week 12’s Thursday game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Greg Joseph

A 69.5% field goal kicker at Florida Atlantic, Greg Joseph landed with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted in 2018. Then, as the replacement to Zane Gonzalez in Cleveland, Joseph served as the Browns’ kicker for 14 games in 2018.

In Cleveland, Joseph drilled 85% of his 20 field goal attempts, missing two from the 40-49 range, and one from 50+. He drilled a game-winning 37-yarder in Week 5. His shortfalls ultimately came down to extra point kicking, as he went 25 for 29 (86.2%) as a rookie. He is now a member of the XFL’s Seattle Dragons.

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6 free-agent kickers Colts could consider signing

Some options for the Colts if they are looking for a kicker.

The Indianapolis Colts are heading into Week 11, and there are some questions as to whether veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri will be with the team by season’s end.

It’s clear the Colts are evaluating the position as it’s been reported they are working out a handful of kickers Monday—marking this the second time this season they have brought in a group of free-agent kickers.

While it isn’t clear if the Colts want to move on from Vinatieri, who has missed 11 kicks in nine games, there is still the chance they make a move if they feel it will help them stay in the playoff race.

Here are six free-agent kickers the Colts could consider signing:

Cole Hedlund

A familiar face with the Colts, Hedlund signed with Indy as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft out of North Texas. The rookie was impressive in his preseason with the Colts as he made six of eight field-goal attempts and was perfect on his three extra-point attempts.

Hedlund might not have the biggest boot in the world, but the Colts need accuracy more than they need distance, especially with how often they a privy in going for it on fourth down.

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