San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest special teams questions in 2017

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) punts the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; San Francisco 49ers punter Bradley Pinion (5) punts the ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants kicker Robbie Gould (5)looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants kicker Robbie Gould (5)looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Will Kicker Robbie Gould Be a Bust?

The Niners elected to let veteran kicker Phil Dawson walk this offseason, replacing him with another veteran, Robbie Gould.

Gould, a 12-year veteran, last saw the Pro Bowl back in 2006 when he was a member of the Chicago Bears. It’s worth pointing out he was a first-team All-Pro that year as well.

The 34-year-old kicker signed on with the New York Giants last year for 10 games and converted all 10 of his field-goal attempts but only 87 percent of his extra-point tries — a career low in that category.

Sure, this was a bit of a limited sample size. But one has to wonder if that’s going to be the trend that continues with the 49ers now.

Not to rehash bad memories, but one can easily look back to former Niners kicker David Akers and his amazing 2011 campaign, only to recall how things fell apart for him the following year.

San Francisco hopes the former is the case and Gould manages to rediscover the same magic that led him to his one and only Pro Bowl nod back in 2006.

With the 49ers offense likely to struggle in its first year under head coach Kyle Shanahan, Gould’s contributions will be needed.