The pressure on Gostkowski?

[JoeSixPat]

I've got to say - I mean this as no knock on Gostkowski, but I hope to God that the team can keep him out of a situation where he has to win a game.

It's tough enough to be in a high pressure situation as a kicker in the NFL as it is - and these guys ARE in fact human. Indeed we've seen Vinatieri miss some big ones for the Colts recently and Gostkowski himself has missed a few FGs.

But to have a perfect season riding on your kick? THAT'S the type of pressure no kicker has really ever faced.

Do I think that Gostkowsk can get the job done in that situation? Yes. But would I prefer not to test him? Absolutely. And I'd find it very tough to blame him if he did in fact miss in that situation given the immense pressure.

So here's hoping that the team never has to put him in that situation and that they get back to their unabashed running up the score.

Now I'm sure some might say that by running up the score we've kept Gostkowski out of that type of situation where he's pushed and tested. That's a ton of BS - as if we should have purposely kept the score close and risked losing to give Gostkowski some "practice" in high pressure situations.

He didn't miss a kick through the playoffs last year - that's practice and experience enough for me - but I think its important to recognize the nature of the kicking game, and why strategically, its important to avoid putting your kicker in that type of 1st of its kind, all time greatest pressure kick in the NFL type situation.

In other words Patriots - Run It Up.

 

[spacecrime]

Gostkowski was a pitcher. He can deal with pressure.

That said, I agree. I hope he doesn't kick a FG on Sunday. If fact I hope he doesn't even kick a PAT. Go for two after every TD

I've got to say - I mean this as no knock on Gostkowski, but I hope to God that the team can keep him out of a situation where he has to win a game.

It's tough enough to be in a high pressure situation as a kicker in the NFL as it is - and these guys ARE in fact human. Indeed we've seen Vinatieri miss some big ones for the Colts recently and Gostkowski himself has missed a few FGs.

But to have a perfect season riding on your kick? THAT'S the type of pressure no kicker has really ever faced.

Do I think that Gostkowsk can get the job done in that situation? Yes. But would I prefer not to test him? Absolutely. And I'd find it very tough to blame him if he did in fact miss in that situation given the immense pressure.

So here's hoping that the team never has to put him in that situation and that they get back to their unabashed running up the score.

Now I'm sure some might say that by running up the score we've kept Gostkowski out of that type of situation where he's pushed and tested. That's a ton of BS - as if we should have purposely kept the score close and risked losing to give Gostkowski some "practice" in high pressure situations.

He didn't miss a kick through the playoffs last year - that's practice and experience enough for me - but I think its important to recognize the nature of the kicking game, and why strategically, its important to avoid putting your kicker in that type of 1st of its kind, all time greatest pressure kick in the NFL type situation.

In other words Patriots - Run It Up.

 

[NE39]

He was perfect in last year's playoffs. He is hitting 84% of his FG, a more than respectable level. He has proven to be a weapon on kickoffs, which has made a difference.

Give the kid a break. If you ask me, his career is off to a remarkable start. I don't know how much more you could ask of him.

All kickers are going to miss the occasional kick. I can't think of too many out there I'd take over Gostkowski right now. If it comes down to making that kick, I'm sure he will approach it like the pro he is.

 

[hwc]

Sheesh. What is with all the negativity on this board? You'd think we are 6-7 and fighting for a wildcard berth.

The kicker. The running offense. The old linebackers. If this gets any worse, we're going to have people saying, "Playoffs? Playoffs! Don't talk to me about playoffs. I just hope we can win a game!"

 

[pheenix11]

Ahhh Boston. I forget what it was like sometimes to be the Chicken Little of the sports world. Down here in Tampa everyone is terminally happy even when their teams suck.

As a terrible Celtics coach once said, "the negativity in this town sucks!"

Yes it did, Rick and so did you, hehe.

Relax guys and try enjoying the ride a little more. I will be making my first trip back to Boston this weekend to go to the Pats game since I left 4 years ago. I am already smiling from ear to ear just thinking about it.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Ahhh Boston. I forget what it was like sometimes to be the Chicken Little of the sports world. Down here in Tampa everyone is terminally happy even when their teams suck.

As a terrible Celtics coach once said, "the negativity in this town sucks!"

Yes it did, Rick and so did you, hehe.

Relax guys and try enjoying the ride a little more. I will be making my first trip back to Boston this weekend to go to the Pats game since I left 4 years ago. I am already smiling from ear to ear just thinking about it.

good post. I've lived all my 48 years in RI and yet sometimes i feel like a foreigner ... We've been fortunate and it's been great ... all the rest is gravy IMO. My only wish now is for the Bruins because I was oh so young when they won the cup ... otherwise no complaints from me ... none at all.

The prospect of another Super Bowl win or two or three. Prospect of the Celtics and the Red Sox winning some ... it's all good ... real good.

The Patriots are the best team for sure ... but the teams just below us are dangerous and anything can and sometimes does happen...so what.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gostkowski was a pitcher. He can deal with pressure.

That said, I agree. I hope he doesn't kick a FG on Sunday. If fact I hope he doesn't even kick a PAT. Go for two after every TD

Umm, no. I'd like to see Gostkowski get the record for PATs made and PATs attempted in a season (66 and 70, respectively--he already has 65). Then the Pats are welcome to go for two on every down.

 

[BlitzFritz]

this is an interesting thread. (why all the clamour over discussing some chink in our armor?? its interesting! lol )

i also think Gost hasnt been truly truly tested the way AV was. and i agree, i hope it doesnt come down to that.

we look like a different team now -- rather than getting a little ahead and palying tough defense (which can lead to HUGE FGs) we just score score score, and see if you have a prayer of keeping up w us.

 

[shmessy]

I understand Joe's nervousness from a fan's point of view.

That being said, The Ghost has nothing left to prove to me. He was money in some VERY high pressure situations in last year's playoffs. He is having an excellent sophomore season.

I have more faith in him at this point than I would in Vinatieri. I hope he's our kicker for the next 15 years.

 

[desi-patsfan]

I've got to say - I mean this as no knock on Gostkowski, but I hope to God that the team can keep him out of a situation where he has to win a game.

I

I really love statements like this. It lets you say anything you want and not "mean" it.

 

[patchick]

Umm, no. I'd like to see Gostkowski get the record for PATs made and PATs attempted in a season (66 and 70, respectively--he already has 65). Then the Pats are welcome to go for two on every down.

I believe his perfect 65-for-65 performance so far this year is a record in its own right.

 

[NE39]

this is an interesting thread. (why all the clamour over discussing some chink in our armor?? its interesting! lol )

i also think Gost hasnt been truly truly tested the way AV was. and i agree, i hope it doesnt come down to that.

we look like a different team now -- rather than getting a little ahead and palying tough defense (which can lead to HUGE FGs) we just score score score, and see if you have a prayer of keeping up w us.

I think the clamor is defining him as a chink in the armor. He has proven to be a reliable kicker, and going 8-for-8 in last year's playoffs shows he is battle-tested.

I have no problem if a game comes down to being decided by Gostkowski, at least as much as it coming down to any kicker. I can't think of many kickers in the NFL that I would consider clearly better than him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I believe his perfect 65-for-65 performance so far this year is a record in its own right.

Since you already let the cat out of the bag, I'll point out that there is a stat for most PATs in a season without a miss, which Gostkowski currently holds even if he didn't kick another PAT this season. If Gostkowski goes the next three weeks without a miss, he'll likely set three records this season (PATs made, attempted, most PATs without a miss).

 

[Scouse Patriot]

I'm sure he'd feel a whole lot more conident if he knew some fans wouldn't trust him. Basicallly thats what it's about because he's missed a couple in the past weeks.

Everyone misses now and again. Thats the way it is. He's proved to be a more than capable kicker so get behind the kid if it comes down to it. Believe it or not, it's not excactly easy.

 

[nowayback]

i would hate to imagine what this board would be like if we actually lost a game.