I like Eddie P. I think he has a stronger leg but have nothing against Fry. I think Eddie is younger and a longer term solution. I really do not care as long as they can make the kicks they need to make.
It does sound like Eddy Pineiro has a stronger leg, and looks just as accurate as Fry (although Fry is kicking 60 yard field goals, so he's not a noodle leg guy at all). One thing that I wonder about is that Fry has type-1 diabetes. I don't know anything about diabetes. Would this be a negative factor, or a non-factor? Anyone have any idea?
Jay Cutler had Type-1 diabetes. For all of his strengths and failings, I don't think being a diabetic had anything to do with it.
Update: I also saw than former Cub great Ron Santo also had Type 1 diabetes, FWIW.
I like Eddie P. I think he has a stronger leg but have nothing against Fry. I think Eddie is younger and a longer term solution. I really do not care as long as they can make the kicks they need to make.
It does sound like Eddy Pineiro has a stronger leg, and looks just as accurate as Fry (although Fry is kicking 60 yard field goals, so he's not a noodle leg guy at all). One thing that I wonder about is that Fry has type-1 diabetes. I don't know anything about diabetes. Would this be a negative factor, or a non-factor? Anyone have any idea?
Cutler played QB, the hardest position in sports, at a good level with diabetes. Hopefully that wouldn’t be a consideration for the kicker. May the best man win. I want Eddie, but Fry has his dogs in this race and I have consistently heard good things about him throughout his time with us.
It does sound like Eddy Pineiro has a stronger leg, and looks just as accurate as Fry (although Fry is kicking 60 yard field goals, so he's not a noodle leg guy at all). One thing that I wonder about is that Fry has type-1 diabetes. I don't know anything about diabetes. Would this be a negative factor, or a non-factor? Anyone have any idea?
Cutler played QB, the hardest position in sports, at a good level with diabetes. Hopefully that wouldn’t be a consideration for the kicker. May the best man win. I want Eddie, but Fry has his dogs in this race and I have consistently heard good things about him throughout his time with us.
+1
In hindsight I'm getting a better appreciation for how Nagy has handled this. The Bears brought in a number of guys, put them under pressure to perform (as best you can simulate when it's just people fighting for an NFL job versus in a real game situation), and then whittled the position roster down to 2 young guys now. Both of these guys look like they have bright NFL careers ahead of them. Whomever we cut will still have a shot at being picked up by another team (we're not the only team having kicker woes). I love the competition. I am feeling good about either guy winning the competition and being our kicker this year (I like them both).
EDIT: And there is fierce pressure on these guys now due to them fighting for their NFL life. The winner could have a sweet career on a great Bears team for many years to come. The loser may (or may not) land on a team this year. Or ever in the case of Fry. So far they both are handling the pressure well and booming huge kicks.
I like Eddie P. I think he has a stronger leg but have nothing against Fry. I think Eddie is younger and a longer term solution. I really do not care as long as they can make the kicks they need to make.
It does sound like Eddy Pineiro has a stronger leg, and looks just as accurate as Fry (although Fry is kicking 60 yard field goals, so he's not a noodle leg guy at all). One thing that I wonder about is that Fry has type-1 diabetes. I don't know anything about diabetes. Would this be a negative factor, or a non-factor? Anyone have any idea?
Cutler had diabetes as well. I know that adrenalin can inhibit the thought process at times. btw I have been drinking. shhhhhh
I like Eddie P. I think he has a stronger leg but have nothing against Fry. I think Eddie is younger and a longer term solution. I really do not care as long as they can make the kicks they need to make.
It does sound like Eddy Pineiro has a stronger leg, and looks just as accurate as Fry (although Fry is kicking 60 yard field goals, so he's not a noodle leg guy at all). One thing that I wonder about is that Fry has type-1 diabetes. I don't know anything about diabetes. Would this be a negative factor, or a non-factor? Anyone have any idea?
Cutler had it as well. They monitored his sugar levels during the game and it did not seem to have an effect on his physical being. I am no doctor but doubt that should be a factor.
The Bears showcased their most closely watched position battle Saturday night at their Family Fest practice at Soldier Field. The result was an exhale of relief.
The position of kicker has been in upheaval since the end of last season. While the playoff loss to the Eagles, thanks in part to a missed field goal, still haunts many Bears fans, coach Matt Nagy believes that it's time to turn the page.
"We hit that kind of hard in the offseason," said Nagy, "and we used it. But now we're into 2019. For me, the second we stepped on at Bourbonnais, we're moving past that."
Practicing at Soldier Field for Family Fest, kickers Eddy Pineiro and Elliott Fry took turns kicking field goals from the same ball placement. Pineiro had more opportunities to compensate for Fry attempting more kicks during the week in Bourbonnais. Pineiro made all 12 field goals he tried, including one from 60 yards.
"I was craving a good day like today and just getting over that hump," said Pineiro. "I always feel like I always miss one or something always goes wrong. But today went well."
Nagy complimented Pineiro on his productive day and credited him for showing off the potential that led the Bears to trade a conditional seventh-round pick to the Oakland Raiders to acquire him.
"Well, we always thought that he has some pop," said Nagy, "and I think the biggest thing with him was the consistency of the accuracy and being able to fit that accuracy with the pop. Once you get that down, he can do some pretty good things."
Fry connected on 7-of-9 attempts, missing from 48 and 60 yards. Still, Fry came away from the practice with optimism, viewing the night as an opportunity to prepare for the first preseason game on Thursday.
"It was awesome," said Fry. "Obviously came out getting used to the feeling of Soldier Field. It was really good. A really nice night, obviously. Didn't have to battle any wind or anything. But it was good to get in front of the fans, get out in the stadium and kick."
Nagy credits the kickers, along with special teams coach Chris Tabor, with focusing on the things they can control and tuning out the rest. Pineiro emphasized that his success on Saturday night was not only the result of his work but also that of long snapper Patrick Scales and punter Pat O’Donnell, who serves as the holder.
According to Nagy, the real test will come in the preseason, when both kickers will have their first chance to prove themselves in a game setting.
"There's pressure on every kick in Chicago right now," said Nagy. "So every chance you get, do your best to make it. And if you miss one, come back the next time and make the next one. I think, and maybe I'm crazy, I think they're doing decent. It's not the game, but they're doing pretty good."
In the past few weeks, coaches have discussed Pineiro and Fry more as a tandem than an ongoing competition. While neither Nagy nor Tabor have tipped their hand as to who is currently leading, a decision will be coming in the next month.
Even so, Pineiro shrugs off that pressure.
"This is what we do for a living," said Pineiro. "Just got to make kicks. That's what Chicago wants."
So some stuff I've heard/read is that Pinero is way more cavelier then Fry who is a little more workman like. Pinero also has the more powerful leg, but his mechanics are more frantic; if he can lock them down he's by far the better option.