5 Months Chicago Bears Comment

Bears signed K Olindo Mare.

Mare, who will be 40 in June, beat out Neil Rackers and Billy Cundiff at a Tuesday tryout. He replaces Robbie Gould, who pulled a calf muscle while warming up for last week's game against the Vikings. Mare was last seen in Carolina during training camp, where he lost the placekicking gig to Justin Medlock.

9 Months Chicago Bears Comment

Panthers released K Olindo Mare.

Justin Medlock will handle kicking duties unless the Panthers opt for one of the released veterans such as Billy Cundiff. Mare is among the most experienced kickers in the league, but shanked a number of critical kicks in 2011, and was due an untenable $2.1 million. A journeyman sixth-year pro, Medlock will be on the radar as a streaming option in the Panthers' ascendant offense.

9 Months Chicago Bears Comment

Olindo Mare has been consistently short on field-goal attempts of 50 yards or more during camp.

Mare missed both of his attempts from 50-plus yards last season and hit on just 78.6 percent of his field goals overall. Even though the Panthers' high-powered offense should yield plenty of attempts, fantasy owners can find more reliable options.

12/30/2011 Chicago Bears Comment

Coach Ron Rivera is pleased with the way Olindo Mare has responded to competition with Adi Kunalic the past few weeks.

"I think bringing Adi back has maybe helped him to refocus," explained Rivera. The Panthers plan to keep Kunalic around throughout the offseason and training camp, so Mare can't afford to stumble next summer. His 2012 performance should have GM Marty Hurney thinking twice about handing out $4 million guaranteed to a kicker.

12/19/2011 Chicago Bears Comment

Coach Ron Rivera said Olindo Mare and Adi Kunalic will continue to compete during the week to see who will be the Panthers' kicker on gamedays.

Mare didn't attempt any field goals in Week 15, but did make all four of his extra points. He's still on thin ice due to his 76.0 conversion rate on field goals this season.

12/18/2011 Chicago Bears Comment

Olindo Mare will be the Panthers' kicker in Sunday's Week 15 game against the Texans.

Mare won a mid-week competition with newly-signed rookie Adi Kunalic to retain his job this week. Regardless, we'd avoid Mare in fantasy formats. His confidence has to be shaken after missing multiple crucial kicks this season.

12/16/2011 Chicago Bears Comment

Coach Ron Rivera "hinted" Friday that Olindo Mare will remain the Panthers' kicker in Week 15, but said the team won't officially decide until Saturday.

Recently signed undrafted rookie Adi Kunalic would be the alternative. "Olindo has kicked the ball well," said Rivera. "Bringing Adi in, he's kicked it pretty good but a little concerned about him being just a little bit sore." Ideally, this is a situation to avoid in fantasy football leagues.

  Next »