How Much Is A Kicker Worth?

“So understand

Don’t waste your time always…Searching for those wasted years.\

Face up... make your stand…

And realise you’re living in the golden years.”

--Bruce Dickerson of Iron Maiden “Wasted Years.”

How much is a kicker in the NFL worth?

According to the Bears, about 15 million dollars.

Now I do not want to debate this but, a kicker is worth about 40 field goals a year. Considering the Bears extra points after touchdowns, considerably less should be considered.

With the Bears, this seems like wasted money. Whereas I personally like Robbie Gould, I cannot fathom any kicker worth this much money.

Whereas I like Robbie could, I cannot place his value equal to a guy like Brian Urlacher.

Whereas I like Robbie Gould, how many games has he really won?

So please note, this is nothing against Robbie Gould, but come on, Bears.

Pay Urlacher what he is worth and move on.

How can any team justify this amount of money for a kicker in the first place. Let alone, justify this kind of money for a free agent, undrafted kicker in the second place.

I was talking at Fat Jacks (fine bar in Bloomington) about Robbie Gould, when one of my friends and a patron and a Bears fan named Mike said “well, he won the Seahawks game in the playoffs in 2006.”

As I reminded Mike it was true, but that was after he missed a few field goals. In overtime, he made one, but he missed two I believe in regulation. No one can deny kicking in Soldiers Field is a pain, but 15 million dollars?

I think Robbie is a class act and a nice kid, but 15 million dollars?

For a kicker we pay 15 million dollars?

Wow.

I am so in the wrong profession.

In fact former Pontiac High School and State Champion winning Coach Mick Peterson (and also a great friend whom I will miss when he retires) turned to me at lunch and said “Gould wants a contract extension for a fu#kin’ kicker?”

And thus and lo the Bears gave him a deal.

Oh well, good for Gould; I hope they consider the same type of opulence and generosity for a star like Urlacher.