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.”
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