Sports

<< Previous   of   Next >> Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Seahawks kicker Olindo Mare (10) celebrates one of his four field goals.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, November 9, 2009 Hawks’ Mare bounces back By Rich Myhre Herald Writer SEATTLE — After Olindo Mare missed two field goals in a six-point loss to the Chicago Bears six weeks ago, Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora threatened to cut his veteran place kicker. “Not acceptable. Absolutely not acceptable. ... We’re not going to fight our (tails) off and have a field goal kicker go out there and miss two field goals and lose the game. Not going to happen,” Mora said after that 25-19 defeat on Sept. 27. Since hearing those scathing comments Mare has been perfect, converting nine straight field goal attempts. He was 4-for-4 on Sunday, making kicks from 37, 37, 24 and 20 yards as the Seahawks bested the Detroit Lions, 32-20, at Qwest Field. But just as Mare shrugged off the frustration of his showing against Chicago, he downplayed the elation of his performance against Detroit. “One day a time,” said Mare, who is in his 14th NFL season. “You’re only as good as your last kick.” Compared to other pro football players, place kickers probably have the slimmest margin for error. Quarterbacks can overthrow receivers, receivers can drop passes, defensive players can miss tackles, and coaches will be tolerant to a point. But one or two misses can put a place kicker in the unemployment line. And that’s just the way it is. “(Mora) had a right to speak out,” Mare said. “He’s my coach and those were make-able kicks. ... (But) I’m going to do the same thing regardless of whether he curses me out or tells me he loves me.” Mare has made 14-of-16 field goal attempts this season (boosting his career percentage to 80.7) and has converted all 17 of his extra point tries. Overcoming individual setbacks is a way of life “if you’re going to be a kicker,” Mare said. “Because you’re not going to play very long if you don’t.” READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Arlington brothers’ fight led to death, police say 2. Detectives consider slaps to father lethal 3. Woman found dead at Bothell house fire 4. Two teens hurt in collision near Granite Falls 5. Lottery win helps Lake Stevens convenience store owner pay bonuses 6. Everett man shot in groin; two men, one woman are arrested 7. I-5 car chase was result of driver's medical condition 8. CBS cancels ‘As the World Turns’ 9. Jail inmates’ meal complaint omits a crucial fact 10. Locker dips toe in NFL pool 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million