Goskowski under pressure

[maverick4]

re

I think we should let them get through mini-camp before we start declairing that they may become possible future hall of famers.

Hehe. Hey, I said it would be ideal, I didn't say likely.

I do think, however, that there are tons of parallels between the 80's 49ers and the 00's Pats. A lot of drafts and player acquisitions have been similar.

Just for fun: In Montana's 6th year, Walsh drafted Rice. In Brady's 6th year, BB drafted Jackson.

Back to Gostkowski... I really like that this guy was a multi-sport athlete, and a pitcher. Pitching is similar to kicking in many ways - it's about accuracy, minor adjustments, making big pitches/kicks under pressure.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I was thinking the same thing. I remember one time in H.S. the coach had me shoot a free throw at the end of practice. He told the team they could either do 2 suicides and be done OR they could bet that I would make the free throw and not run any, but if I missed they would have to do 5. Some chose to run the 2. Then I shot and made the free throw. Talking smack to the guys that chose to run the 2 was probably my crowning athletic achievement.

Sorry for the OT post.

It was a heart warming story.

Now we need another "sticky" to cover OT post. The other sticky covered OT threads only.
Once we get that "sticky" covering OT post we will need another to cover OT thoughts.

 

[shakadave]

I'm really getting the feeling this draft is going to be legendary, we'll be talking about it in 10 years as the draft that brought the Pats another 2 (or 3) Superbowl titles.

I totally agree. I've felt that way ever since draft day.

 

[shakadave]

I wonder how long the kick was?

Short, according to reports.

 

[mgcolby]

Hehe. Hey, I said it would be ideal, I didn't say likely.

I do think, however, that there are tons of parallels between the 80's 49ers and the 00's Pats. A lot of drafts and player acquisitions have been similar.

Just for fun: In Montana's 6th year, Walsh drafted Rice. In Brady's 6th year, BB drafted Jackson.

Back to Gostkowski... I really like that this guy was a multi-sport athlete, and a pitcher. Pitching is similar to kicking in many ways - it's about accuracy, minor adjustments, making big pitches/kicks under pressure.

There are a ton of similiarities, I got your point just giving you some friendly ribbing.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I think it was good to give the rookie a bit of a test. See how he handled the pressure. As a bonus he's kind of a hero for the day for helping the vets get a break from the running.

I'm not anointing Gotkowski yet. He still needs to show more. But that's what TC and preseason are for.

 

[Kdo5]

I wonder how long the kick was?

50 yards!!!!

But seriously I'd expect it be 40 yards or around there but I love the way BB coaches, a great way to increase this guys confidence, that pressure wont get to him.

 

[spacecrime]

I wonder how long the kick was?

Short, according to reports.

Rookie kicker Stephen Gostkowski, picked in this year's NFL draft after Adam Vinatari signed with the Indianapolis Colts, is lifted up by teammates after he nailed a 40-plus yard field goal during the morning session of the third and final day of Patriots football mini camp in Foxbrough, Mass., Thursday June 15, 2006. The team is celebrating because head coach Bill Belichick said they would skip a conditioning run at the end of practice if Gostkowski made the kick.

 

[miDeuce]

I think that was an important first step today. Gostkowski proved to his teammates he can kick under pressure. NFL Regular Season pressure? Of course not. But in the context of mini-camp it was a big deal and the vets no doubt feel at least a little love for the kid kicker. Once he has his teammates behind him and believing in him he might actually have a shot to step in and do the job we expect of him. BB knows the fire he's throwing this kid into. And he used his first possible opportunity to not only get him used to the pressure but to prove to his new teammates that he can do it.

 

[fgssand]

Same here. This is the ideal case, but we might have just drafted Rice, Craig, Jones, and Cofer. I feel especially confident about Jackson and Maroney.
.

I said that from day one, I love this draft.

 

[flutie2phelan]

And bonding him with the rest of the team. Being a kicker (for the most part) sucks from the 'respect' standpoint of the rest of the team (i.e. 'just a kicker')... being a rookie kicker must suck even worse... and being a rookie kicker replacing a legend must suck ten-fold. Belichick is the Jedi Football Mastermind.

Yes, this gambit does seem like a master stroke.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

And bonding him with the rest of the team. Being a kicker (for the most part) sucks from the 'respect' standpoint of the rest of the team (i.e. 'just a kicker')... being a rookie kicker must suck even worse... and being a rookie kicker replacing a legend must suck ten-fold. Belichick is the Jedi Football Mastermind.

No more Ghost nicknames, he is now R2D2 for grace under pressure.

 

[marty]

And bonding him with the rest of the team. Being a kicker (for the most part) sucks from the 'respect' standpoint of the rest of the team (i.e. 'just a kicker')... being a rookie kicker must suck even worse... and being a rookie kicker replacing a legend must suck ten-fold. Belichick is the Jedi Football Mastermind.

Well said T!
Another great move by BB to get the rook kicker "connected" with the team early, and to build TEAM concept each and every year.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

This is close to the same strategy the Tuner used to develop the Vinitraitor his rookie year. In interviews Adam said that he was constantly placed under pressure in training camp to see if he'd crack. Found the experience stressful but helpful and career building. A position like FG kicker requires some physical attributes but like shooting free throws with the game on the line it's mostly mental.

 

[spacecrime]

This is close to the same strategy the Tuner used to develop the Vinitraitor his rookie year. In interviews Adam said that he was constantly placed under pressure in training camp to see if he'd crack. Found the experience stressful but helpful and career building. A position like FG kicker requires some physical attributes but like shooting free throws with the game on the line it's mostly mental.

Interesting. Gostkowski was a pitcher I believe, and pitchers face pressure situations alost every game. A man on third, one out, tie game, that sort of thing.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Interesting. Gostkowski was a pitcher I believe, and pitchers face pressure situations alost every game. A man on third, one out, tie game, that sort of thing.

I'm sure that's one of the things Belichick liked about him. Pressure doesn't affect "kicking". It affects your body's ability to peform the physical act you're trying to accomplish. Kicking, pitching, speaking in public, whatever. The fact that Gostkowski has been in pressure situations in two college sports and had to put the pressure aside and have his body relax and perform the desired act couldn't have gone unnoticed to Belichick.

He also had a tremendous senior season.