Should the Pats do to Vinatieri what the Broncos did to Elam?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Both of these kickers could go into the HOF and both are just 2 years apart in age.

I think it was great what the Broncos did in signing Elam for 1 day and then retiring him as a Bronco.

I think the opportunity for New England to do the same,comes up in 2011 when Adam is 38

If the situation arizes and Adam is announcing retirement,do you want the Patriots to do what the Broncos just did?

[after all of his injuries the past 2 years or so,it could even happen this year]

 

[Willie55]

No. He went to the Colts. If it had been any other team, I would say yes. but the Colts!? WTF!!

 

[BritPat]

Don't be so bitter. The guy played a massive role in us becoming a Dynasty. Re-sign the Beast! (when he's ready to retire obviously).

 

[Patjew]

Yes. Time has eased the pain of Adam's betrayal.

 

[dhamz]

If Adam wants to do that then it is a no brainer. I'm not sure he will.

 

[Fencer]

Kickers often don't retire at 38.

Those who do often don't actually stay retired.

 

[jarnhestur]

Vinatieri who?

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Yes. Time has eased the pain of Adam's betrayal.

not for me it hasnt. However, when he retires, i'm willing to move on....not till he retires though

 

[Tunescribe]

Loyalty cuts both ways. Vinatieri was offered a reasonable amount of money to remain a Patriot, but bolted for bigger $$$ to our second-most-hated rival. Despite all he did for us, that's hard to forgive. I voted neutral; don't care strongly either way.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It matters not. The Vinitraitor is long dead to me.

But the arbiter is Kraft, not I. Kraft is kinda the squishy feel good typa guy and I predict he & Myra will offer that possibility to the Vinitraitor.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I don't see why not. Kickers are different, top tier kickers among other things score a lot of points yet make about as much on a long term deal as a top tier position players make in a season. We weren't willing to give him another long term deal with any guaranteed money, just a series of seasons where we'd pay him at the top rate if we didn't cut him... So he didn't really have much choice. And he was a FA. For one more year he was elite enough to kick them into an AFCC. We had a chance to stop them from advancing farther and failed to. Since then he's been stealing Polian's lunch money. Forced to make a change we landed Gostkowski and that seems to have worked out OK.

Adam was the $$$ kicker of a dynasty. He made every kick we ever really needed him to make. If Adam doesn't make that snow bowl kick we might still be looking for that first ring and who knows where Belichick or Brady are at this point...

Adam clearly belongs in the Hall at Patriot Place. He arguably belongs in the one in Canton. For guys like Adam and Willie and Ty and Vrabel who played the majority of their careers here and won three rings here before moving on post prime because it's a business as well as a game, retiring a Patriot should always be an option.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Loyalty cuts both ways. Vinatieri was offered a reasonable amount of money to remain a Patriot, but bolted for bigger $$$ to our second-most-hated rival. Despite all he did for us, that's hard to forgive. I voted neutral; don't care strongly either way.

He really wasn't. He was offered a series of one year deals here where if he wasn't cut or pressured to renegotiate they'd pay him non-guaranteed top tier salary. Polian offered him a 6 year deal with the requisite bonus and guaranteed money in addition to the top tier salary. For a kicker it was a no brainer. He hadn't yet made the kind of money that takes care of generations. I think he also made the choice to roll the dice on going out as a meh...in Indy lore rather than waiting for the FO and fanbase here to kick him to the curb, which is essentially what happens here if you stay a season or two or three past your prime...

 

[Tunescribe]

He really wasn't. He was offered a series of one year deals here where if he wasn't cut or pressured to renegotiate they'd pay him non-guaranteed top tier salary. Polian offered him a 6 year deal with the requisite bonus and guaranteed money in addition to the top tier salary. For a kicker it was a no brainer. He hadn't yet made the kind of money that takes care of generations. I think he also made the choice to roll the dice on going out as a meh...in Indy lore rather than waiting for the FO and fanbase here to kick him to the curb, which is essentially what happens here if you stay a season or two or three past your prime...

Yeah, well, he would've made up the difference endorsing Papa Gino's and Dunkin' Donuts, then taking the media job Tedy Bruschi eventually landed.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

only if he begs

 

[BelichickFan]

Don't be so bitter. The guy played a massive role in us becoming a Dynasty. Re-sign the Beast! (when he's ready to retire obviously).

You're right - but I voted NO, I'm a grudge holder, he can retire in that yucky Colts jersey for all I care.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't see why not. He's the greatest and most clutch kicker to have ever played for the Pats to date. AV is part of the folklore now. If he wants to retire as a Pat, I think they should let him.

 

[mojocaster.com]

Loyalty cuts both ways. Vinatieri was offered a reasonable amount of money to remain a Patriot, but bolted for bigger $$$ to our second-most-hated rival.

Bottom line to me: V could have retired a Pat without having to re-sign for a day to do so. He chose otherwise - to hell with him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I have no problem w/ Av retiring as a Pat.

 

[Rob0729]

Hey if we say "Hey, it's just business" when the Patriots cut a player who has been loyal to the team, why would begrudge Adam for leaving like he did? He left for a domed team (which would and probably did extend his career) and the richest kicker contract in league history at the time. I don't take that personally. If he wants to retire a Patriot, I say let him.

 

[nabwong]

Vinatieri who?

Last I heard, this guy won 4 superbowls. Not too shabby.