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12/30/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare hits four FGs

News: Bears kicker Olindo Mare, signed by the Bears in mid-December when Robbie Gould went down, made four of his five field goal attempts in Sunday's 26-24 win over the Lions.
Analysis: Mare hit from 40, 33, 28, and 20 yards out, while sending a 43-yard attempt wide right. The 39-year-old still has some life left in his leg, and the Bears were willing to trust him in a playoff run with Gould out, so there is low-end Fantasy value there. With Chicago struggling to score touchdowns in the red zone Sunday, Mare saw plenty of chances. Still, without a home for most of 2012, Mare will have little value -- if any at all -- heading into 2013.

12/23/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare has lone FG blocked

News: Bears kicker Olindo Mare had a quiet performance in Week 16 against the Cardinals. He made four extra points but had his lone field goal blocked in the 28-13 win. He attempted a 20-yarder in the fourth quarter but Adrian Wilson got in the way of it, and Justin Bethel returned it 82 yards for a touchdown.
Analysis: Mare has made 2 of 3 field goals since being signed by the Bears but their lack of offense hinders his appeal in Fantasy. Continue to ignore the 39-year-old in the majority of formats heading into Week 17 against the Lions.

12/16/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare helps in team debut

News: Bears kicker Olindo Mare connected on two field goals and an extra point during Chicago's 21-13 loss to Green Bay in Week 15. Mare, who replaced Robbie Gould after he was placed on injured reserve, booted two kicks of 34 yards each during the game.
Analysis: The Bears represent Mare's fifth team in the NFL, but his first this season after he was dropped by Carolina during the preseason. He was drilled 81.2 percent of his field-goal attempts during his career and should be viewed as a low-end option for Week 16 at Arizona.

12/11/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare lands in Chicago

News: The Bears announced Tuesday kicker Robbie Gould was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. The Bears signed Olindo Mare to take over Gould's placekicking responsibilities.
Analysis: Mare has been out of work since losing out on the Panthers' placekicker job this preseason. He struggled with his accuracy last season, making just 22 of 28 field goals for Carolina. However, he has a wealth of NFL experience, which is why the Bears brought him on board. The Bears could give Mare regular scoring chances, but he remains a very low-end Fantasy option heading into Week 15.

8/27/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare dropped by Panthers

News: The Carolina Panthers made their first round of cuts Monday and waived the following players: kicker Olindo Mare; wide receivers Darvin Adams, Michael Avila, Brenton Bersin and Rico Wallace; running backs Lyndon Rowells and Josh Vaughan; defensive lineman Eric Norwood and tight end Greg Smith.
Analysis: Mare is a relatively surprising release as he was trimmed just one season into his four-year, $12 million deal. But the Panthers will instead turn to Justin Medlock after he converted all three of his field-goal attempts in the team's first three preseason games. Mare, meanwhile, struggled last season and converted just 78.6 percent of his field goals. He should remain untouched in all Fantasy formats at this point.

8/14/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Carolina PK battle carries on

News: Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday the kicker battle between incumbent starter Olindo Mare and challenger Justin Medlock will be decided after the third preseason game. Rivera said both kickers have done well thus far.
Analysis: The Panthers brought in Medlock after Mare converted just 78.6 percent of his field goals in 2011 -- his lowest average since 2007. Whether Mare keeps his job or loses it to Medlock, neither kicker will be more than a low-end Fantasy option on Draft Day.

1/1/2012

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare totals five points

News: Panthers kicker Olindo Mare kicked one field goal (41 yards) and added two extra points against the Saints in Week 17.
Analysis: Mare will compete to stay with the Panthers in 2012 and might be worth using as a one-week replacement next season.

12/24/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare benefits from high-scoring day

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare had a productive performance in Week 16 against the Buccaneers. He made both of his field goal attempts and converted six extra points in the 48-16 win. He made his field goals from distances of 19 and 21 yards.
Analysis: After making just one field goal over the last three games, Mare make it up for owners on Saturday and could have saved his job in the process. The Panthers recently brought in rookie Adi Kunalic to compete with the veteran but he has remained the game-day kicker. That shouldn't change in Week 17 against the Saints so continue to view Mare as a low-end Fantasy K.

12/19/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare still competing for PK job

News: Panthers PK Olindo Mare won Round 1 of his practice challenge against rookie Adi Kunalic. Mare converted four extra points Sunday against the Texans. Kunalic was signed last week to compete against Mare. Will the competition continue this week? “Absolutely,” coach Ron Rivera said Monday.
Analysis: Perhaps keeping the competition on Mare will help him focus, so it's not surprising that Rivera isn't changing his stance. Mare isn't the most reliable kicker in the NFL, but kicking for a decent Panthers offense, he's usable in Fantasy. He'll typically hit a field goal or two, putting him closer to seven or eight points than three or four. He has to worry about Kunalic breathing down his neck, though, so treat him as a No. 2 Fantasy K for Week 16 against the Buccaneers.

12/18/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare doesn't get FG opportunity

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare, who had to compete to keep his job in practice during the week after missing a crucial field goal Week 14 against the Falcons, didn't get to attempt a field goal Week 15 at Houston. He connected on all four of his extra point opportunities, however.
Analysis: Mare isn't the most reliable kicker in the NFL, but kicking for a decent Panthers offense, he's usable in Fantasy. He'll typically hit a field goal or two, putting him closer to seven or eight points than three or four. He has to worry about Adi Kunalic breathing down his neck, though, so treat him as a No. 2 Fantasy K for Week 16 against the Buccaneers.

12/18/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare gets one more chance

News: The Panthers put K Adi Kunalic on the inactives list for Week 15 at Houston. That makes Olindo Mare the team's kicker for at least one more week. Kunalic was brought in to give the struggling Mare some competition, but Mare will be used now as the team's kicker for their tilt with the Texans.
Analysis: Even though Mare gets to play at least one more game, he is still a risky play in Fantasy. He is only worth starting in the deepest of leagues for Week 15.

12/12/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI Mare might be out of job

Olindo Mare

Mare might be out of job

News: Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the team could replace K Olindo Mare, who missed another short field goal during a Week 14 loss against the Falcons. “We'll evaluate that and we go through this. This is a very veteran kicker, a very experienced guy that's had a couple of misses. Very unfortunate,” Rivera said. “The timing of the misses are about as bad as they get, obviously. We've got to think this through and go through the process, and make sure we make good decisions.”
Analysis: Mare has been great on kickoffs this season, with his 44 touchbacks ranking second in the league. However, he is near the bottom of the NFL with his 76 percent conversion rate on kickoffs, prompting the Panthers to perhaps look at other options. Mare has minimal Fantasy appeal to begin with, so if he loses his starting job, then it will make a small ripple in Fantasy circles.

12/11/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Miss puts Mare in doghouse

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare had a chance to give his team a two-point lead on a 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter Week 14 against the Falcons, and he missed it. He still had three extra points in the contest, but that missed field goal was what caught coach Ron Rivera's attention. “We have to sit down and visit with him,” Rivera said. “You can’t do that, you really can’t.”
Analysis: Mare has had his share of misses over the years and isn't exactly known for being a clutch kicker. He had been fairly productive for Fantasy purposes in the weeks leading up to Week 14, though, scoring no fewer than eight points in any of his previous three games. He still lacks the consistency to serve as a starting kicker in most Fantasy leagues, however.

12/4/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare watches team score five TDs

News: Carolina K Olindo Mare held the Panthers easily defeat Tampa Bay on Sunday of Week 13. That said, Mare only finished the game with eight points. He went 5 for 5 on extra points for the Panthers, but just 1 for 1 on field goals. Mare hit from 43 yards on the only field goal he attempted in the performance.
Analysis: The Panthers haven't exactly been setting the world on fire scoring the football. Mare hasn't topped double figures in Fantasy scoring since Week 7 against Washington. Carolina plays at home against the Falcons Week 14. Carolina met Atlanta back in Week 6 and Mare finished that game 1 for 1 on field goals with two PATs for a total of five points recorded. We expect a similar game this time around. Mare is just a No. 2 Fantasy K for Week 14.

11/27/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare has one blocked

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare nailed field goal attempts from 40 and 41 yards in a Week 12 win over the Colts, but his 45-yard try in the closing seconds of the first half was blocked by DL Jamaal Anderson. Mare did convert all three of his extra-point attempts.
Analysis: Mare has already missed five field goal attempts this season, and his production in Fantasy has been erratic. While the Panthers provide him with plenty of opportunities to produce, there are more reliable options available in the vast majority of Fantasy formats.

11/20/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Nine's fine for Mare

News: Panthers kicker Olindo Mare nailed two field goals (27, 31 yards) and three extra points in the team's Week 11 loss at Detroit.
Analysis: Mare is worth adding for Week 12 when the Cats scratch into Indy in what should be a fairly dominating offensive performance. Figure that Mare will get some chances to kick. If you need a kicker, look his way.

11/13/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare misses another 50-yard FG

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare missed a 50-yard field goal Week 10 vs. Tennessee and is now 0 for 2 from 50-plus yards this season. He did convert a 29-yard field goal, but had no extra-point attempts in a 30-3 loss.
Analysis: Mare has had three games this season with 10-plus points, and the Panthers have a pretty productive offense. But Mare is all over the place with his point production that he remains a No. 2 Fantasy kicker heading into Week 11 at Detroit.

10/30/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare misses critical kick

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare had a chance to get his team into overtime, but his missed 31-yard field goal attempt iced a victory for the visiting Vikings in Week 8. Mare's miss, which was his only field goal attempt on the afternoon, came with just 29 seconds left in regulation, and it left the Panthers with a 24-21 loss. Mare did convert all three of his extra point attempts.
Analysis: Mare is not having a great season overall, though he has produced enough to be worth considering as a bye-week replacement. However, do not look to Mare to fill in for Week 9, as the Panthers themselves will have a bye.

10/23/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare goes off for 15 Week 7 points

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare had a nice game in Week 7 as Carolina defeated the Redskins. Mare nailed two 45-yard field goals in the game and they set a season-high for the veteran kicker. Mare finished the Week 7 game with 15 total points as he went 4 for 4 on field goals and 3 for 3 on extra points in the contest.
Analysis: Mare recorded his best game this season on Sunday as his previous high in scoring had been 11 points accomplished twice on the year. The Panthers have not really showcased an excellent offense and that has translated into mediocre efforts week in and week out from Mare until the Week 7 game. Heading into Week 8 against Minnesota, the Vikings have been allowing hordes of Fantasy points to opposing kickers on the year. After Mare's big game, Fantasy owners can feel free in targeting him for a start in any format against the Vikings.

10/16/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare again has modest numbers

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare, who scored only three points against the Saints in Week 5, wasn't much more productive at Atlanta in Week 6. He finished with five points, kicking a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter and two extra points later in the contest.
Analysis: Mare has scored six points or fewer in four of his first six games. Granted, he has a couple of 11-point efforts mixed in there, but the bottom line is he isn't nearly consistent enough to start in most Fantasy leagues. The Panthers offense is productive enough that Mare's output could improve in the weeks ahead, but for now, he's nothing more than a bye-week replacement. The Panthers host the Redskins in Week 7.

10/9/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare held to three points Week 5

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare had one of four extra-point attempts blocked in a Week 5 loss to the Saints. Mare didn't even attempt a field goal during a three-point afternoon.
Analysis: Mare missed two field goals in Week 4 and now had another kick blocked, but his job isn't in jeopardy yet. In fact, he has surprisingly has had a lot of scoring chances early in the season thanks to the Panthers moving the football behind rookie QB Cam Newton. We wouldn't call Mare a high-end Fantasy kicker, but he can be a serviceable low-end option in deeper formats. The Panthers play the Falcons in Week 6.

10/2/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare misses two field goals

News: Carolina K Olindo Mare missed a 52-yard field goal and had another field goal attempt blocked in the Week 4 loss in Chicago on Sunday. Mare finished the game 3 for 5 on field goals with a long of 39 yards. He added two extra points and finished with 11 points overall in the game.
Analysis: Mare entered the Week 4 game having gone 5 for 5 on field goals on the year and he's now 8 for 10 with the two misses. One of those two misses was not really his fault as it was blocked, and the other was over 50 yards. Heading into Week 5 against the Saints, New Orleans gives up plenty of points and yardage on a weekly basis. Mare should have a solid opportunity to put up points against a team that entered Week 4 having allowed the fifth-most Fantasy points per game to opposing kickers. Consider Mare a solid start in all Fantasy leagues for the Week 5 game against New Orleans.

9/25/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare hits a couple more field goals

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare, who hit three field goals in Week 2, connected for two more -- a 32-yarder and a 35-yarder -- Week 3 against the Jaguars. He didn't have an extra point in the contest.
Analysis: Mare scored in double figures in Week 2, but overall, his Fantasy production hasn't been so great, which is kind of surprising considering the Panthers offense has been pretty good under rookie QB Cam Newton. Mare is worth watching, but he's just a No. 2 Fantasy option at Chicago in Week 4.

9/18/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare scores in double figures

News: Carolina K Olindo Mare had a solid game in the Week 2 loss against Green Bay. Mare was called upon to kick three field goals and he connected on all of them for a long of 33 yards. Mare added two extra points and finished with 11 points overall in the 30-23 loss.
Analysis: After an underwhelming performance in Week 1 due mostly to not getting many opportunities, Mare had a huge game in Week 2 against the Packers. What does that mean for Fantasy owners? It means the jury is still out. The Panthers can clearly score some points, and Mare has the ability to connect when given opportunities. Still, at this point, there are still better options available to start in Week 3 against Jacksonville.

9/11/2011

Olindo Mare, K, CHI

Olindo Mare

Mare quiet in Week 1

News: Panthers K Olindo Mare was not much of a factor in Week 1 against the Cardinals. Mare did not attempt a field goal in the 28-21 defeat, finishing with just three extra points.
Analysis: Mare wasn't needed on Sunday but many feel like this is a preview of what to expect from the veteran this season. Carolina's offense will likely struggle at times, which will likely limit his chances for field-goal attempts. Fantasy owners should consider Mare merely a low-end option in the majority of formats heading into Week 2.