Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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Kicking can be a lonely profession when things aren't going well, but Kliff Kingsbury isn't concerned about the psyche of Zane Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has missed three important late-game kicks in recent weeks against the Seahawks, Dolphins and Patriots.
He was able to redeem himself with a game-winning overtime field goal against Seattle, but the errant attempts against Miami and New England contributed to close losses.
"I don't (wonder about his confidence)," Kingsbury said. "Zane understands (high-profile attempts) come with the territory. Those are kicks we've got to make. He's been really good for us, and he understands that we've got to make those kicks when we have that opportunity."
Gonzalez missed a potential game-winning overtime field goal against Seattle in Week 7, but an Isaiah Simmons interception allowed him to hit a 48-yarder for the 37-34 win.
In Week 9, Miami kicker Jason Sanders hit a go-ahead 50-yard field goal with 3:30 remaining and Gonzalez left short a 49-yard attempt with 1:58 to go that would have tied the game.
On Sunday, Gonzalez missed a 45-yard attempt with 1:52 remaining and Nick Folk hit a 50-yarder as time expired for the 20-17 win.
Gonzalez, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, has connected on 16-of-21 field goals this season, a 76.2% success rate that is among the lowest for NFL kickers. Kingsbury told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM that neither he nor the organization has lost confidence in Gonzalez's ability.
"He's been really good for us," Kingsbury said. "Zane knows he's got to make those kicks when they arise, and we believe he will moving forward."
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