Panthers sign rookie kicker Adi Kunalic, competition for Olindo Mare – NFL News
Carolina Panthers kicker Olindo Mare who has struggled this season with form will now face competition from rookie kicker Adi Kunalic who signed a three-year deal with the franchise on Tuesday.
The rookie will compete from the off witha Mare to become Panthers first choice. Mare has struggled with his kicks this season after signing a four-year deal with the franchise in the offseason worth $ 12 million, which included
a $ four-million signing on bonus.
Mare missed a crucial 36-yard field goal last week that would have allowed the Panthers to gain a two-point lead over division rivals Atlanta Falcons. The kick, however, did not pass through the uprights as Falcons took advantage
later on to seal the win.
The kicker’s penchant for not performing at crucial moments for his team has cost the Panthers dearly and General Manager Marty Hurney hopes that competition from Kunalic may bring the best out of the veteran kicker.
"We have to make critical plays in critical situations, and there's been two games here where we haven't done it," Hurney said. "So you just have to look at all your options."
Kunalic was an unsigned rookie from Nebraska and attended training for Carolina Panthers. The management was highly impressed with the rookie’s ability, signing him up on minimum rookie salary to the squad.
"We obviously liked Adi. He had a good training camp," Hurney said. "We thought he had a lot of talent and potential, and we just decided now is a good time to bring him in and let him compete."
Hurney was also not ready to decide who will start in this Sunday’s encounter against Houston Texans and will wait till results from Thursday’s practice to decide who makes the team sheet.
"I don't know, we brought Adi in compete with Olindo," Hurney said. "We'll see what happens this week in practice."
Carolina Panthers are third in the National Football Conference South with a poor 4-9 record. They built up some momentum, winning two games before succumbing to defeat against Atlanta Falcons in game week 14 of the NFL.
Mare, whose missed field goal attempt provided Falcons the opportunity to win the game, has converted just 19 out of 25 attempts this season. His conversion rate is lowest in the NFL.
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