Zane Gonzalez – Carolina Panthers K
- Finishes the season without missing another field goal
We are going bold here, right?
So far, Zane Gonzalez is 20 of 22 from field goal attempts with his only misses coming from beyond 50 yards. It seems the kicker’s confidence is growing as has his consistency this season.
After failing to earn a contract during a tryout at mandatory minicamp as the Carolina Panthers went with Joey Slye, the veteran has come full circle and found a home after both Slye and Ryan Santoso didn’t live up to their billing.
An unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season, Gonzalez is playing for a long-term contract either in Carolina or elsewhere. But again, the Panthers should be making plans to keep the two-time NFC Special Teams Player of the Week around.
While one believes he would like to find a jersey hanging in a locker at Bank of America Stadium next season, Gonzalez knows the best way to secure this is to kick the ball between the uprights.
Gonzalez will be the hero of the special teams’ unit keeping the Panthers in games when the offense sputters. Although depending on this area of the field is something Carolina would prefer not to do in the grand scheme of things.
This bold prediction is Gonzalez hitting every field goal in the remaining five games for the team which will allow him to take a deep, well-earned breath heading into the offseason.