On the blade
Eddy Piñeiro, kicker of Cuban origin for the San Francisco 49ers, and Venezuelan Andrés Borregales, of the New England Patriots, were the most notable Latinos for their performances in week five of the NFL.
Both kickers connected on their teams’ winning field goals in their respective games.
Piñeiro, son of a Cuban father and Nicaraguan mother, was named Best Special Teams Player of week five this Wednesday after his impeccable execution of field goals in the 49ers’ 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday.
It was the fourth time in the kicker’s eight-year career that he has earned this distinction.
In the game against the Rams, Eddy made good attempts of 37, 20, 59, the longest of his career, and 41 yards and two extra points.
Piñeiro, 30, signed with the Gambusinos on September 9 to replace the erratic Jake Moddy, fired due to his failures in the game of week one of the season.
Since his arrival in San Francisco, Eddy has executed all 11 kicks perfectly.
Add three field goals from a distance between 20 and 29 yards, three between 30 and 39, three between 40 and 49 and two from more than 50 yards.
Andrés Borregales also made the field goal of the Pats’ 23-20 victory that helped the Buffalo Bills undefeated last Monday.
The man from Caracas was recognized by coach Mike Vrabel and his teammates with the game ball for the second time this season.
“All this will lead us to take the next step, I’m not surprised, so here you have it Andy,” Vrabel told Borregales on Monday before distinguishing him to the applause and shouts of his teammates.
Andrés is a rookie who was selected in the sixth round of this year’s Draft.
After his performance in the preseason, he gained the confidence to be the Pats’ starting kicker.
In five games he has only missed one of the eight field goals he has taken. His longest attempt was 53 yards in week two against the Miami Dolphins, while against the Bills he made a 52-yard attempt. /EFE
