Last word on Vinatieri

[Oswlek]

I don't think clutch exists.
I think lack of clutch exists.

Some people perform as good in all situations.
Some people can't handle the pressure and choke.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one here who actually thinks that other NFL kickers could make the kicks that Adam did.

Green Bay's former kicker went 9-9 in late game attempts for the win or tie over the past few years. Really the only kick that was otherworldly was the 45 yarder to tie against Oakland. All the other ones you would expect at last 75% on.

I am by no means saying that I don't think Adam was a great kicker. He was, and I wish he was still on the team. But I will be very surprised if the kicking game costs NE even one game this year.

 

[BelichickFan]

Yup - yesterday on WEEI -

BB was asked if he'd consider keeping two kickers. He said he absolutely would if he felt it was in the best interest of the team - and that everyone was surprised when he kept 4 QBs on the roster but he still did that and that worked out pretty well.

That doesn't mean he actually would do it though. Come on, you've listened to Belichick enough. Not with this roster.

 

[Patsgirl_DK]

BB said at his preconference today that Grammatica (sp?) had done really well in TC, On PFW in Progress today someone suggested that this was his way of signing him of with an extra plus on his resume. I think the guy might be right but we will know much more on Saturday when we see who will be doing the kicking.

Edit. Just saw the Gramatica released thread. I guess the guy was right.

 

[JoeSixPat]

That doesn't mean he actually would do it though. Come on, you've listened to Belichick enough. Not with this roster.

What do you want - you say its just idle fan speculation - and then when you hear BB says he would absolutely consider it you just write it off?

Don't argue with me - argue with him - that's what he said

but I guess in this case it seems that Gostowski won out

 

[BelichickFan]

What do you want - you say its just idle fan speculation - and then when you hear BB says he would absolutely consider it you just write it off?

Don't argue with me - argue with him - that's what he said

but I guess in this case it seems that Gostowski won out

You don't need to say anything, I just think it was very unlikely they would keep two kickers with this deep roster.

 

[Water Boy]

Bingo! That's what I find so stupid about analysts who claim the Pats are so much weaker now because they lost a kicker. Sure, he made some great kicks in the postseason, but it's not like he's the only kicker in the league who would have made them.

Sebastian Janakowski gets no credit for the three field goals he made in the Snow Bowl.

 

[the taildragger]

I don't think clutch exists.
I think lack of clutch exists.

Some people perform as good in all situations.
Some people can't handle the pressure and choke.

Sometimes I think I'm the only one here who actually thinks that other NFL kickers could make the kicks that Adam did.

spoken like an actual athlete

it's not about "rising up" in the big moment but about not being affected by the big moment...that's the definition of a "big game player."

this was a nice article on outsiders...don't disagree with their conclusion, although I'm a bit more optimistic about Ghost...but let's not burden him with expectations.

Had this exact argument the other day at work, guy actually comes up with the old, "nobody else in the league could've made those kicks." To which I said, well, Janikowski was 2 for 2 from like 50 yards in that snow game. Is anyone confident in Adam making that snow kick AGAIN?

I can name a bunch of kickers off the top of my head who I like to win the Super Bowl from 46-48 yards INDOORS off CARPET...including one of the guys on the other side of the field (Wilkins), and including Rackers, Longwell, Stover, etc...

They'll never get that chance.

Adam was put in that position TWICE. And his HoF ticket was punched by a guy who, backed up on his goalline, with no serious weapons around him, no timeouts, and 80 seconds on the clock, took his team down the field 50 yards....we're comparing ONE KICK to that performance!

SB-38?...not one, but TWO scoring drives (10 points in last 3 and a half minutes) to win the game...this has never been done in either a Super Bowl or Championship game...EVER. Montana never did that. Unitas never did that. And they didn't have to face a modern NFL defense without a host of Pro Bowl talent surrounding them.

Adam better hope Steven bombs or people will give a second thought to his HoF prospects.

and yes, his kickoffs absolutely sucked (Can't believe the Dolts dropped their KO specialist)...we were blind not to realize this.

 

[dryheat44]

spoken like an actual athlete

To which I said, well, Janikowski was 2 for 2 from like 50 yards in that snow game. Is anyone confident in Adam making that snow kick AGAIN?[/i]

Does anyone else remember after the game Adam saying that "I make that kick maybe one out of five times"? HE doesn't even like his chances to do it again.

Outstanding kick. Doesn't make him a outstanding kicker anymore than Freddie Mitchell's 4th-and-26 grab makes him an outstanding wide receiver.