Adam Vinatieri can't come home again

[PonyExpress]

When Adam V.'s playing days are done, he will likely move to Florida or another warm weather climate where he can pursue his passion for golf. He may find his way into a network gig, or maybe travel the world and the seven seas. But if all those plans fall through, and he decides New England isn't so bad after all, and a job in the local media market seems appealing... I hope he thinks twice, and stays away. I realize other fans will find my views extreme, but as irrational as it may seem to some, any feelings I had for Adam V. the player evaporated this season. Watching him wearing the Colt uniform, happily beating the Pats in a heartbreaking game, and winning the SB as a Colt: those events ended the appreciation I once had for him as a Patriot player. He won another SB this year, but it came with a price: the gratitude of at least one Patriot fan for past glory. Don't come home again, Adam.

 

[The Gr8est]

When Adam V.'s playing days are done, he will likely move to Florida or another warm weather climate where he can pursue his passion for golf. He may find his way into a network gig, or maybe travel the world and the seven seas. But if all those plans fall through, and he decides New England isn't so bad after all, and a job in the local media market seems appealing... I hope he thinks twice, and stays away. I realize other fans will find my views extreme, but as irrational as it may seem to some, any feelings I had for Adam V. the player evaporated this season. Watching him wearing the Colt uniform, happily beating the Pats in a heartbreaking game, and winning the SB as a Colt: those events ended the appreciation I once had for him as a Patriot player. I have a sick feeling that no logic or reason can repair. He won another SB this year, but it came with a price: the gratitude of at least one Patriot fan for past glory. Don't come home again, Adam. Ever.

I can only speak for myself, but passions fade after time, and Adam WILL be in the HOF. If he wants to come back to retire, I think he would be welcomed.

But that's for a later time, we already have a kicker.

 

[unoriginal]

Well, I guess what you're trying to say is, if he hadn't of won an AFC Championship, it would have all worked out all right in the end.

Course, if he had never won another AFC Championship, we would have all laughed at him.

He did his job for us, he did his job for them, without resorting to any of the taunting or shenanigans of his predecessor, the liquored up idiot kicker. Good for him. That much closer to the Hall - where he'll probably wear a Pats uniform, barring unforeseen heroics in Indy.

When can I expect the inevitable Dan Klecko and Dexter Reid "cheatin'" threads?

 

[upstater1]

I think Adam realizes he's cut ties with New England, he prefers it this way, and he doesn't care. That's fine with me.

But I'll also tell you this: Adam will not enter the Hall of Fame unless something a lot more dramatic happens in his career. A couple amazing kicks doesn't land you in the Hall of Fame.

He is, after all, just a kicker.

 

[sdaniels7114]

...we already have a kicker.

Who's cheaper and would have made Swifty McBreakatackle of the Bears there start every one of his kickoff returns from inside the End Zone, not outside the 10yrd line.

I don't have a beef with AV anymore. The kid's a keeper; but I agree that AV's got no real shot at a media gig here in New England anymore. There's too many guys who never stuck a knife in our backs.

 

[jcdavey]

he's getting in the HOF, he's pretty much been acknowledged by all as the best clutch kicker of all time the last few years

bank on it, he's in, and thanks to nfl HOF rules, he's going in as whoever he played with, so if he retires a colt he goes into the HOF as a pat and colt

that's why i like the nfl HOF over the mlb one, they nfl doesn't pick what team you go in as.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Well, I guess what you're trying to say is, if he hadn't of won an AFC Championship, it would have all worked out all right in the end.

Course, if he had never won another AFC Championship, we would have all laughed at him.

He did his job for us, he did his job for them, without resorting to any of the taunting or shenanigans of his predecessor, the liquored up idiot kicker. Good for him. That much closer to the Hall - where he'll probably wear a Pats uniform, barring unforeseen heroics in Indy.

When can I expect the inevitable Dan Klecko and Dexter Reid "cheatin'" threads?

The idea of Vinitraitor getting into the Hall wearing a Pats uni makes me want to puke blood.

 

[jcdavey]

The idea of Vinitraitor getting into the Hall wearing a Pats uni makes me want to puke blood.

they go in under the logo of the teams they played for, not a uni really

so he'll go in as a pat and colt, and whoever else he plays for if anyone else

 

[SoonerPatriot]

they go in under the logo of the teams they played for, not a uni really

so he'll go in as a pat and colt, and whoever else he plays for if anyone else

Regardless, when is retirement comes there won't be any ceremoinal 1 day contracts so he can retire a Patriot and there shouldn't be.

 

[Gumby]

I said this before when he left;

He did what he did IMO in equal parts for the money as he did for his long term marketability / history. He took a short term hit on his marketability in the NE area to buy IMMORTALITY.

There are NO KICKERS in the HOF. (disregarding those who also played QB).

There is a very good chance that if AV stayed in NE and we won 2 more SBs with him that he would not get any more consideration for Canton than any other kicker before him. Plenty of HOF voters would say yeah great he made a kick inthe snow; so what HE IS JUST A KICKER.

Or consider this: he competes against younger stronger legs (Gostkowski) in training camp and lost out, was cut and then had to go to a team without a resolved kicker situation. Maybe ends up on a Arizona or other cellar dweller team for a year or two and then retires as a nobody.

So he took his own situation in hand; moved to a DOME team that was competitive, a team that was willing to (OVER) pay top dollar and he had a chance to secure his legacy as THE KINGMAKER. Now that he has "brought" a SB trophy to 2 different teams; he will have proponents in the HOF voter crowd who can say - Look he was the final push that got Indy and NE over the hump - he WON the Baltimore game for Indy - He WON the SNOW BOWL and both SBs for NE. He deserves to be in.


All that said (that I UNDERSTAND his decision); As a PATS FAN; I disagree with it and it still feels like BETRAYAL to go to THAT TEAM.

I'll be happy if he chooses to wear a PATS helmet in Canton; but don't come back to NE looking to make a buck. I won't buy whatever you sell.

 

[Patjew]

I've forgiven him. It hurt like being dumped by a steady girlfriend when he left, but I'm over it now. Now I just appreciate what he did for us. I didn't think I would feel like this yet, but I do. And this is going to drive some of you guys nuts and make you lash out, but I'm happy for him that he got another ring.

 

[Yankees/Colts]

When Adam V.'s playing days are done, he will likely move to Florida or another warm weather climate where he can pursue his passion for golf. He may find his way into a network gig, or maybe travel the world and the seven seas. But if all those plans fall through, and he decides New England isn't so bad after all, and a job in the local media market seems appealing... I hope he thinks twice, and stays away. I realize other fans will find my views extreme, but as irrational as it may seem to some, any feelings I had for Adam V. the player evaporated this season. Watching him wearing the Colt uniform, happily beating the Pats in a heartbreaking game, and winning the SB as a Colt: those events ended the appreciation I once had for him as a Patriot player. He won another SB this year, but it came with a price: the gratitude of at least one Patriot fan for past glory. Don't come home again, Adam.

Yeah, but he'll always be a hero in Indianapolis. He'll always be welcome there. He might ride in the pace car in the Indy 500 for the rest of his life.

I think he's pretty happy being a Colt.

 

[Fanfrom1960]

I think Adam realizes he's cut ties with New England, he prefers it this way, and he doesn't care. That's fine with me.

But I'll also tell you this: Adam will not enter the Hall of Fame unless something a lot more dramatic happens in his career. A couple amazing kicks doesn't land you in the Hall of Fame.

He is, after all, just a kicker.

There already is "just a kicker" in pro football's HOF named Jan Stenerud who doesn't have a single post season or any other kick that's as memorable or considered as clutch as three that Adam has. So, I think you're wrong. Vinatieri will make the HOF.

 

[Hawg 73]

Adam who? The Pats kicker is the Ghost. That's the only kicker I care about right now!

 

[Gumby]

mea culpa - missed Jan Stenerud. Forced me to research before opening my mouth and inserting foot any deeper.

From HOF website:

The 6-2, 187-pound Stenerud excelled for 19 seasons and 263 games in pro football. He never missed a game because of injury or illness. ...........

Stenerud is the first “pure” placekicker to enter the Hall. His list of outstanding achievements is long. With 1,699 points, he ranked behind only the fabled George Blanda in all-time scoring at the time of his retirement.

His 373 career field goals and seven seasons of scoring 100 or more points were also NFL records. He kicked 17 field goals over 50 yards and his personal best was a 55-yarder against Denver in 1970.

For comparison:

AV: In 11 seasons
............G FGM FGA PCT 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ LNG XPM XPA PTS
Career 173 288 349 82.5 7-7 106-110 88-105 79-109 8-18 57 405 412 1269

2006: 13 25 28 89.3 1 3 13 10 1 48 38 38 113

Needs 8 more years to match Stenerud - wont happen
Needs 430 pts to match Stenerud - could happen within 4 more seasons
Needs 85 FG to match Stenerud - could happen in 3 more seasons

He is 34 right now; I don't think most would think AV's leg would hold out much past 38; but athletes are aging more gracefully today. If he can stay in Domes where his lack of kickoff depth doesn't hurt him as much. ????

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

On his field goals and taking some hits
"They weren't the most pretty things. I guess I'm a little dirty for a kicker, but what are you going to do."
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Jan Stenerud is in the HOF and he did not play QB

 

[patriotspride]

When Adam V.'s playing days are done, he will likely move to Florida or another warm weather climate where he can pursue his passion for golf. He may find his way into a network gig, or maybe travel the world and the seven seas. But if all those plans fall through, and he decides New England isn't so bad after all, and a job in the local media market seems appealing... I hope he thinks twice, and stays away. I realize other fans will find my views extreme, but as irrational as it may seem to some, any feelings I had for Adam V. the player evaporated this season. Watching him wearing the Colt uniform, happily beating the Pats in a heartbreaking game, and winning the SB as a Colt: those events ended the appreciation I once had for him as a Patriot player. He won another SB this year, but it came with a price: the gratitude of at least one Patriot fan for past glory. Don't come home again, Adam.

im with you .the guy makes me sick to my stomach .i have no good feelings left for that guy .

 

[BigEZPatsFan76]

Yeah, but he'll always be a hero in Indianapolis. He'll always be welcome there. He might ride in the pace car in the Indy 500 for the rest of his life.

I think he's pretty happy being a Colt.

Well, you can have him, we don't want him.


EZ76

 

[pheenix11]

Vinatieri should make it into the HOF. The 45 yd Snow Bowl kick to tie the game against the Raiders was the single greatest kick in NFL history. Then he won 2 SB's in the final seconds.

I don't get this bias against kickers in the HOF. They are on the team, they play, if they play well put them in the damn HOF.

Ray Guy is another one who belongs there.