Gostkowski v. Gramatica: who would you keep?

[ctpatsfan77]

I'm surprised this hasn't come up yet.

Personally, I'm about 95% convinced that Gostkowski will stick, and I wouldn't at all be surprised if they both stay, at least initially.

 

[BelichickFan]

Well I voted for Gramatica. I wanted to vote for them both but we have some impressive guys out there like LeKevin Smith, Pierre Woods, Mincey, who are going to earn roster spots and even with just 2 QB I don't see cutting a Woods to keep a second kicker. Gostowski is going to have to prove to be accurate and yesterday wasn't a good start (I'm talking down the middle accurate not hugging the goalpost accurate). Right now I say they cut him and hope to get him on the P.S.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

One will go to practice squad, the other will dress. If they are equal on the field, I think Gramatica will stay becaust it would be easier to hide Gostowski on the Practice squad, right? Not my idea, but I overheard someone else saying it last night.

 

[Digger44]

One will go to practice squad, the other will dress. If they are equal on the field, I think Gramatica will stay becaust it would be easier to hide Gostowski on the Practice squad, right? Not my idea, but I overheard someone else saying it last night.

I am not sure how you hide a fourth round pick on the practice squad. Then again he is a kicker, but a very costly one at that because of his draft position. I think they both stay, there will be a few planned IR's coming and we will see how it goes with tht PUP and the PS.

 

[Willie55]

I voted for both. Gost being the kick-off specialist ( letting him mature a year or two in the NFL before putting the pressure on him) and Gramatica kicking the FG's.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

If you don't keep Gost, then you run the risk of losing the your fourth round pick to waivers when you set up the practice squad. Chances are Gramatica would clear waivers, as no one else would pick him up. (He sat all last year, and no one was banging on his door).

Send Gramatica home, if Gost faulters, you can re-sign him. If we keep Gramatica, I don't think Gost will be there to grab if Gramatica goes south.

Alot of you are pretty quick to judge a guy by 1 field goal that was off center. 3 points is 3 p points. He made the kick.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

it's too early to say-both have talent.

Keep Grammatica this year and maybe next year we could sign someone else-it all depends-but Gostkowski lacks experience and accuracy but he could develop to be one of the best. dunno.

Im more concerned with TD's than FG's.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Chances are Gramatica would clear waivers, as no one else would pick him up. (He sat all last year, and no one was banging on his door).

Let me do PATSNUTme's job for him: Gramática cannot be placed on the practice squad. So either he makes the team or he goes home. In theory, Gostkowski could be put on--but the question then arises of if any other teams think they need a better kicker than the one they've got.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Keep Grammatica this year and maybe next year we could sign someone else-it all depends-but Gostkowski lacks experience and accuracy but he could develop to be one of the best. dunno.

Well, seeing as he one chance Friday night was his first chance ever, it's just as likely the problem was nerves as accuracy. [If he had missed, that'd be another matter altogether, but a dead duck that clears the goalposts is worth just as much as a line drive down the middle.]

 

[italian pat patriot]

i have not voted as there is not the option 'both'

and i start to think both could be Patriots players

 

[Willie55]

i have not voted as there is not the option 'both'

and i start to think both could be Patriots players

Pat - you can vote for both (which I did)

 

[ctpatsfan77]

i have not voted as there is not the option 'both'

and i start to think both could be Patriots players

Just check the boxes next to each name; clicking one doesn't remove the other.

 

[italian pat patriot]

Pat - you can vote for both (which I did)

grazie Willie 55 (are you also going to CLE ? i joke...ciao !)

 

[italian pat patriot]

Just check the boxes next to each name; clicking one doesn't remove the other.

grazie anche a te. now i vote

 

[Jimke]

Gramatica is only signed thru 2006. If the Pats keep him, they will probably

be looking again next year for a kicker. The Pats should keep Gostkowski

provided the competition is reasonably close.

 

[trustedwithangels]

Things can only go downhill with Gramatica. He's a shell of his former self. The last time he truly played pro football was in 2004 with the Colts. He was 3for 6 on kicks between 30-39 yards and 1 for 5 on kicks over 40. His Kickoff numbers weren't terrible as he averaged about 61 yards per kickoff which is only slightly off his career average of 62. Nevertheless, If we leave Gramatica in there he is GOING to be a liability all season and there are going to be times the coaching staff is gonna take a chance on 4th down because Gramatica can't hit long field goals consistently. I'd give the kid a shot and you can always fall back on Gramatica (there's no way anyone else picks him up)

(edited by myself for poor spelling of Gramatica)

 

[BelichickFan]

Things can only go downhill with Gramatica. He's a shell of his former self. The last time he truly played pro football was in 2004 with the Colts. He was 3for 6 on kicks between 30-39 yards and 1 for 5 on kicks over 40. His Kickoff numbers weren't terrible as he averaged about 61 yards per kickoff which is only slightly off his career average of 62.

He was still hurt then. Use your eyes and trust them, he had at least one kickoff on Saturday and it was fine. All accounts say he's been kicking well in camp.

The reason I voted for Gramatica is when we were moving into FG range to tie the Atlanta game although it didn't matter I had a flash of "one of these kickers needs to tie the game, Vinatraitor is gone". Reality hit. And although it ended up being short, Gramatica made it. Right down the middle. I realize that Gostkowski may have done too - and we're lucky that his first few FG in the NFL should be in not close games - but reality has hit for me and Gramatica's 2 FG were a lot better looking than Gost's.

Keep them both ? Fine. But I'm going to have some sleepless nights if we have just Gost before I see him make some big ones.

 

[Hoodie]

I'm keeping them both. My theory was they wouldn't sign a veteran back-up QB and so add the roster spot but after Cassel's performance on Fri. I'm not so sure they shouldn't get a back-up. Still I think we need to keep both kickers.

Question -- since Grammatica signed a 1 year deal, if he gets cut does he get paid a year's salary?

 

[spacecrime]

Pat - you can vote for both (which I did)

No, there is no choice for "KEEP BOTH PLAYERS" in the poll. Casting two votes, one for each, is not the same thing as saying KEEP BOTH. Casting a vote for each is the same as not voting at all as far as the results go. (If 100 people voted for each candidate, and 50 voted for Gost, the results would not indicate that the majority wanted both, it would merelys shouw that Gost won, 150 to 100 votes.)

I think it is possible to keep two if Gost does poorly, but that Gost stays even if he does horribly. He'll just be brought along, that's all.

 

[BelichickFan]

My theory was they wouldn't sign a veteran back-up QB and so add the roster spot but after Cassel's performance on Fri. I'm not so sure they shouldn't get a back-up.

2 things :

1) What backup QB are out there who would be better than Cassel ? Other than Kerry Collins who I think wants to play in the South or retire.

2) Although 2 QB would create a roster spot it doesn't have to be locked into a kicker. It creates a roster spot to be used in the best way. Second kicker or Pierre Woods, for instance.