July 11 in Pats History: Former Patriots player shoots policeman in a helicopter

[jmt57]

Okay, a bit disingenuous with the thread title above - perhaps. But wouldn't there be a good possibility that headline would be what we would all see, if the situation happened more currently post all the -gates?

Today in Patriots History
Helicopter-Shooting Steel Curtain DT​

There is not much to report for the Pats on July 11 - though I have to admit that I had completely forgotten that Ernie Holmes ever played for the Patriots.


Happy birthday to Ernie Holmes, who would have been 73 today
Born July 11, 1948 in Jamestown, Texas
Patriot DT, 1978; uniform #63
Signed as a free agent on November 30, 1978
Died January 17, 2008 at the age of 59

Ernie Holmes played for Pittsburgh for six seasons, starting 58 games for the Steelers from 1972-1977. He was a crucial part of the famed Steel Curtain defense, where he earned a pair of Super Bowl rings. Due to weight issues Holmes was traded to Tampa Bay for a 10th and 11th round draft pick early in the '78 offseason, but was cut at the end of the Bucs training camp. The fearsome (and unstable) Holmes played in final three games of the 1978 season with the Patriots (plus the Chuck Fairbanks farewell postseason loss to Houston), finishing his NFL career in that New Years Eve loss in Foxboro.

Steelers' Tackle, Holmes, Arrested in Ohio Manhunt (Published 1973)

Pittsburgh Steelers football player E Holmes is arrested by Ohio State Police for allegedly shooting at trucks on hwy

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Z: Steelers' Holmes was as misunderstood as he was underappreciated

Once I saw Ernie Holmes pick up a sportswriter by the shirt and hold him, with one hand, against the wall while he lectured the poor guy on the finer points of

www.si.com

Ernie Holmes, 59, preacher, former Pittsburgh Steeler - The Boston Globe

'Steel Curtain' tackle Holmes dies in car wreck

Ernie Holmes, a two-time Super Bowl winner and an anchor of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense, has died in a car crash. He was 59.

www.espn.com

Ernie Holmes, 59, N.F.L. Lineman, Is Dead (Published 2008)

Ernie Holmes won two Super Bowls as an anchor of Pittsburgh’s famed Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s.

www.nytimes.com

Ernie Holmes (1948-2008) - Find a Grave Memorial

Professional Football Player. Born in Jamestown, Texas, he played at the defensive tackle position for seven seasons (1972 to 1978) in the National Football League, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams (1975 and 1976...

www.findagrave.com

Ernie Holmes once told a reporter from Time magazine that he was attracted to the violence of football and that he didn't "mind knocking somebody out."
QB Dan Pastorini described Holmes as the defender that he feared the most.​

 

[jmt57]

Today in Patriots History
Ezell Jones, Larry Cowan​

Happy 74th birthday to Ezell Jones
Born July 11, 1947 in Collierville, Tennessee
Patriot OT, 1969-170; uniform #74
Acquired in a trade with the Jets on March 24, 1969 for a 1970 5th round draft pick

Ezell Jones was the 104th overall pick by the Jets in 1969, out of Minnesota. He played in 18 games over two seasons with the Patriots, with one fumble recovery, plus a safety in the Pats November 16 25-14 victory at Cincinnati. Jones later returned to Minneapolis where he became a Vice President of Business Development and Relationship Manager for an insurance company in Minnesota.

About — Fifth Quarter Integrated Solutions

Advocating for Equity

www.5qis.com

Ezell Jones | Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute

www.minneapolisfed.org

Ezell Jones named to Metropolitan State Foundation Board

Metropolitan State University welcomes Ezell Jones to the Metropolitan State Foundation Board of Trustees.

www.metrostate.edu

Happy 61st birthday to Larry Cowan
Born July 11, 1960 in Mobile, Alabama
Patriot RB, 1982; uniform #44
Signed as a free agent on November 23, 1982

Larry Cowan was drafted by Miami in the 7th round in 1982, but only played in two games for the Fins. After the strike ended the Pats signed the Jackson State alum, who played almost exclusively on special teams. Cowan appeared in a total of seven games for the Patriots, including their 28-13 playoff loss at Miami. He then averaged 5.5 yards per carry and caught 101 passes playing for the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL from 1983 to 1985.

Alabama High School Football History

The History of high school football in Alabama

www.ahsfhs.org

Lawrence Cowan football Statistics on StatsCrew.com

The Stats Crew has compiled complete career football statistics for Lawrence Cowan.

www.justsportsstats.com

Larry Cowan (31) was just a backup and special teamer in the NFL, but he gained 2,321 yards in three CFL seasons.​

July 11, 2013:
Alfonzo Dennard is arrested on suspicion of DUI, refusing a chemical test, and a driving infraction while on probation for a 2012 assault charge. He plead no contest to refusing to submit to a chemical test in exchange for having the DUI case dismissed; was fined $500 and placed on probation. This came five months after being convicted of assaulting a police officer, for an incident that occurred seven days prior to the 2012 NFL draft.

New England Patriots' Alfonzo Dennard arrested again

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft must have seen this one coming.

www.latimes.com

Patriots' Dennard arrested in DUI case

New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was arrested early Thursday morning in Lincoln, Neb., on suspicion of driving under the influence.

www.espn.com

Other pro football players with New England area connections born on this date:

- B.J. Raji, 35 (7/11/86); 9th overall pick of the 2009 draft by Green Bay, by way of Boston College. Raji took an unexpected hiatus in 2017 that turned into a retirement just when a contract extension had been worked out, in order to help his father care for his mother and aunt.

Former BC Eagle B.J. Raji is taking hiatus from NFL [Updated]

B.J. Raji, the dancing, lead-blocking, State-Farm-advertising nose tackle for the Green Bay Packers, is reportedly retiring.

www.boston.com

- Jeff Kemp, 62 (7/11/59); son of Jack Kemp, the AFL QB and congressman. The younger Kemp is a Dartmouth grad who had an 11-year NFL career and went 9-4 with the Rams in his only season as a starter.

About - Jeff Kemp Team

www.jeffkempteam.com

- John Jenkins, 32 (7/11/89); born and raised in Meriden CT, Jenkins has played in 93 NFL games at nose tackle since 2013.

Miami Dolphins Sign DT John Jenkins

The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have signed defensive tackle John Jenkins.

www.miamidolphins.com

- Tony Brown (7/11/64-6/19/10); the Stamford CT native played for Buffalo during the '87 strike, and was later blacklisted for a case he took to the Supreme Court against the NFL.

KENNEDY: Stamford's Tony Brown will be missed by many

Tony played college football at the University of Pittsburgh with another future Hall of...

www.stamfordadvocate.com

And a few notable pro football players born on this date:

- Andre Johnson, 40 (7/11/81); WR had seven seasons with over 1100 yards receiving.

Andre Johnson Rips Texans' Easterby: 'Don't Know Nothing About Football'

Legendary Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson shared his views of the organization and Jack Easterby on 'I Am Athlete.'

www.si.com

- Patrick Peterson, 31 (7/11/90); Arizona CB from LSU has been named to the Pro Bowl eight times.

Patrick Peterson already making his new teammates mad in Minnesota

Former Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson has been making his presence felt during his first few weeks with the Minnesota Vikings.

raisingzona.com

- Willie Anderson, 46 (7/11/75); Cincinnati Bengal All-Pro tackle started 184 NFL games from 1996 to 2008.

Former Auburn, NFL lineman Willie Anderson returns to Vigor, provides 'invaluable' lessons

The five-time Pro Bowler spent several hours at Vigor on Wednesday, providing instruction to aspiring offensive linemen at the school

highschoolsports.al.com

25 Years Later, Willie Anderson Still A Force Up Front

The silver anniversary of Willie Anderson’s draft finds the NFL’s best turn-of-the-century right tackle going full circle. When he was 13 and both a football and basketball prodigy, the fast break Bengals of 1988 helped lure him into following the NFL. No

www.bengals.com

- Len Hauss, 79 (7/11/42); five-time Pro Bowl center for Washington started 192 consecutive games from 1964 to 1977.

Hauss a legend in Jesup, Georgia lore

With Georgia’s serendipitous season of 1959, a championship year to end a decade of misery and discontent (the drought vs Tech was broken in 1957 which was about the only highlight of the long suffer…

www.onlineathens.com

- Cecil Isbell (1915-1985); 7th overall pick of the 1938 draft set NFL single season records for passing yards and touchdown passes in 1941, and then broke both of his own records the following year.

Green Bay Packers: Cecil Isbell was best at #17

With just days left until the start of the Green Bay Packers NFL season, our countdown to the big day continues - today with a look at Cecil Isbell. Sund...

lombardiave.com

- Chris Cooley, 39 (7/11/82); Washington TE went to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2008, but was more famous for a couple of photographs.

Former NFL standout Chris Cooley comes home to Powell - Powell Tribune

In a time when COVID-19 has affected everyone’s lives, Chris Cooley saw one positive outcome: the chance to come home.

www.powelltribune.com

Chris Cooley Bares It All - Washingtonian

The photograph leaves little to the imagination. Chris Cooley, the burly Redskins tight end, is in bed with his wife, Christy, a petite blonde and former Redskins cheerleader. She’s lying on top of him, cupping his head in her hand,...

www.washingtonian.com

- Jacoby Jones, 37 (7/11/84); WR returned four punts and five kickoffs for NFL touchdowns (ninth most in NFL history), and later returned yet another kickoff for a TD - in Arena Football.

Baltimore Ravens hero Jacoby Jones joining HBCU staff

Jacoby Jones left a legacy for himself by carving out a key role in the Super Bowl run with the Baltimore Ravens

hbcugameday.com

- Dale Hellestrae, 59 (7/11/62); long snapper played in 205 games over 15 seasons, winning three super bowl rings with the Cowboys during a career spanned three decades (1985-2001).

Dale Hellestrae | Football University

FBU Offensive Line Coach Dale Hellestrae brings his NFL experience, skill, and technique to the FBU field in 2013! Hellestrae played in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman specialized as a long snapper and special...

footballuniversity.org

 

[Pape]

there are a few games from 1978 on youtube ... one of them is the Patriots at cowboys and Ernie Holmes is front and center in some series... you can see him lined up over center in the NT slot, replacing Ray Hamilton... i didnt watch the game with the intent of seeing his contributions though... what i do remember it looked like he was used around the goal line... guess they wanted to give Hamilton a rest? that was a pretty good line though, even without their best player Adams ... Lunsford/McGee/Hamilton/Bishop...


and heres a pic of Ezell Jones, standing sorta next to Gino Cappelletti,,,

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

Okay, a bit disingenuous with the thread title above - perhaps. But wouldn't there be a good possibility that headline would be what we would all see, if the situation happened more currently post all the -gates?

Today in Patriots History
Helicopter-Shooting Steel Curtain DT​

There is not much to report for the Pats on July 11 - though I have to admit that I had completely forgotten that Ernie Holmes ever played for the Patriots.


Happy birthday to Ernie Holmes, who would have been 73 today
Born July 11, 1948 in Jamestown, Texas
Patriot DT, 1978; uniform #63
Signed as a free agent on November 30, 1978
Died January 17, 2008 at the age of 59

Ernie Holmes played for Pittsburgh for six seasons, starting 58 games for the Steelers from 1972-1977. He was a crucial part of the famed Steel Curtain defense, where he earned a pair of Super Bowl rings. Due to weight issues Holmes was traded to Tampa Bay for a 10th and 11th round draft pick early in the '78 offseason, but was cut at the end of the Bucs training camp. The fearsome (and unstable) Holmes played in final three games of the 1978 season with the Patriots (plus the Chuck Fairbanks farewell postseason loss to Houston), finishing his NFL career in that New Years Eve loss in Foxboro.

Steelers' Tackle, Holmes, Arrested in Ohio Manhunt (Published 1973)

Pittsburgh Steelers football player E Holmes is arrested by Ohio State Police for allegedly shooting at trucks on hwy

www.nytimes.com

Dr. Z: Steelers' Holmes was as misunderstood as he was underappreciated

Once I saw Ernie Holmes pick up a sportswriter by the shirt and hold him, with one hand, against the wall while he lectured the poor guy on the finer points of

www.si.com

Ernie Holmes, 59, preacher, former Pittsburgh Steeler - The Boston Globe

'Steel Curtain' tackle Holmes dies in car wreck

Ernie Holmes, a two-time Super Bowl winner and an anchor of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense, has died in a car crash. He was 59.

www.espn.com

Ernie Holmes, 59, N.F.L. Lineman, Is Dead (Published 2008)

Ernie Holmes won two Super Bowls as an anchor of Pittsburgh’s famed Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s.

www.nytimes.com

Ernie Holmes (1948-2008) - Find a Grave Memorial

Professional Football Player. Born in Jamestown, Texas, he played at the defensive tackle position for seven seasons (1972 to 1978) in the National Football League, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. He was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams (1975 and 1976...

www.findagrave.com

Ernie Holmes once told a reporter from Time magazine that he was attracted to the violence of football and that he didn't "mind knocking somebody out."
QB Dan Pastorini described Holmes as the defender that he feared the most.​

More accurate identifier is the "FAKE -gates"

Ernie was Julius Adams' friend - I believe a large factor in Fairbanks' decision to bring him here.

That Thanksgiving I remember Ernie was so upset at not having a job he ate an entire turkey.

BTW in addition to the losses of Darryl and John Smith, the '78 team was devastated by Julius going down for the year in Week 1.

I remember Holmes having his head shaved into an arrow in '74 "to point us on the road to the Super Bowl"

They're our opponents and they really suck now, crybabying since we almost always beat them, and their last two titles were gifted to them by the officials; but the Immaculate Reception like the Tuck Rule was a correctly called legal play; and they agreed right away we got jobbed in Oakland in '76.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

there are a few games from 1978 on youtube ... one of them is the Patriots at cowboys and Ernie Holmes is front and center in some series... you can see him lined up over center in the NT slot, replacing Ray Hamilton... i didnt watch the game with the intent of seeing his contributions though... what i do remember it looked like he was used around the goal line... guess they wanted to give Hamilton a rest? that was a pretty good line though, even without their best player Adams ... Lunsford/McGee/Hamilton/Bishop...


and heres a pic of Ezell Jones, standing sorta next to Gino Cappelletti,,,

We lost in Dallas because of all the missed short range field goals

 

[Pape]

We lost in Dallas because of all the missed short range field goals

Dave Posey had a bad day

 

[jmt57]

Dave Posey had a bad day

I would be really interested in finding out the reason why Chuck Fairbanks decided to cut Lowery and instead go with David Posey at kicker.

In his first game with the Pats Lowery went 3/3 on extra points (no field goal attempts), then 4/4 on XP and 0-1 on FG attempts. The Patriots won both games; two days before the next game they signed Posey. While Lowery's only NFL experience at that point was those two games, it was two more than Posey had. In 1977 Posey had been with the 49ers and Lions in the offseason, and with Atlanta during the '78 offseason, but was released all three times before the regular season began. It wasn't as if the team was signing a long time veteran over a rookie.


There is one line in this article - one of the few that I could find in regards to Lowery/Posey - that suggests maybe it was immaturity, or nerves? An off field incident? Impossible to say for sure, I'm just speculating.

Where are they now: Nick Lowery - National Football Post

Ken Crippen interviews the Chiefs' great.

www.nationalfootballpost.com

Lowery’s journey was one of persistence. Lowery recalled, “I went through a lot of rejection before I finally made it.” He continued, “I graduated in 1978. I signed with the Jets. I did well, but I screwed up in the third preseason game and they cut me. I went up to Dartmouth to do some theatre and language stuff. I got a job as a waiter. The opportunity with the New England Patriots came.” Patriots’ kicker John Smith suffered a thigh injury and was out. After he finished his shift at the restaurant, Lowery drove to Foxboro. Lowery continued, “I literally showed up on their doorstep in the fading light at Foxboro. Luckily, [head coach] Chuck Fairbanks was still there. I convinced him to take a look at me. I kicked lights out. A week later, they signed me. I played two games for the Patriots. We beat Oakland, in Oakland. It went down to the last few minutes. A guy by the name of Steve Grogan ran 22 yards down to the two-yard line with about a minute left. We scored a touchdown. Otherwise, I would have had to try a 42-yard field goal to beat the Raiders. We won both games, the next week against San Diego. But, I wasn’t ready for prime time yet, and they cut me. A lot of my story, to me, is how if you keep putting yourself out there, that is the only way to make it in the NFL. Whether you are a number one pick, or if you are somebody who didn’t even get drafted, like myself. It takes a while to get used to that level of pressure. You have to learn a lot about yourself.” Lowery was replaced by David Posey.​

Bottom line is that Posey was just as likely to miss than connect, going 11 for 22 on field goal attempts (including that one-for-four game against Dallas) that year, and also missed a couple of extra points. There were also two other games with Posey kicking that the Pats were fortunate to win. Week 12 at the Jets he missed a field goal and an extra point in a 19-17 game, and in week 15 the Pats beat Buffalo 26-24 despite Posey missing one of his two field goal tries.

 

[Pape]

I would be really interested in finding out the reason why Chuck Fairbanks decided to cut Lowery and instead go with David Posey at kicker.

In his first game with the Pats Lowery went 3/3 on extra points (no field goal attempts), then 4/4 on XP and 0-1 on FG attempts. The Patriots won both games; two days before the next game they signed Posey. While Lowery's only NFL experience at that point was those two games, it was two more than Posey had. In 1977 Posey had been with the 49ers and Lions in the offseason, and with Atlanta during the '78 offseason, but was released all three times before the regular season began. It wasn't as if the team was signing a long time veteran over a rookie.


There is one line in this article - one of the few that I could find in regards to Lowery/Posey - that suggests maybe it was immaturity, or nerves? An off field incident? Impossible to say for sure, I'm just speculating.

Where are they now: Nick Lowery - National Football Post

Ken Crippen interviews the Chiefs' great.

www.nationalfootballpost.com

Lowery’s journey was one of persistence. Lowery recalled, “I went through a lot of rejection before I finally made it.” He continued, “I graduated in 1978. I signed with the Jets. I did well, but I screwed up in the third preseason game and they cut me. I went up to Dartmouth to do some theatre and language stuff. I got a job as a waiter. The opportunity with the New England Patriots came.” Patriots’ kicker John Smith suffered a thigh injury and was out. After he finished his shift at the restaurant, Lowery drove to Foxboro. Lowery continued, “I literally showed up on their doorstep in the fading light at Foxboro. Luckily, [head coach] Chuck Fairbanks was still there. I convinced him to take a look at me. I kicked lights out. A week later, they signed me. I played two games for the Patriots. We beat Oakland, in Oakland. It went down to the last few minutes. A guy by the name of Steve Grogan ran 22 yards down to the two-yard line with about a minute left. We scored a touchdown. Otherwise, I would have had to try a 42-yard field goal to beat the Raiders. We won both games, the next week against San Diego. But, I wasn’t ready for prime time yet, and they cut me. A lot of my story, to me, is how if you keep putting yourself out there, that is the only way to make it in the NFL. Whether you are a number one pick, or if you are somebody who didn’t even get drafted, like myself. It takes a while to get used to that level of pressure. You have to learn a lot about yourself.” Lowery was replaced by David Posey.​

Bottom line is that Posey was just as likely to miss than connect, going 11 for 22 on field goal attempts (including that one-for-four game against Dallas) that year, and also missed a couple of extra points. There were also two other games with Posey kicking that the Pats were fortunate to win. Week 12 at the Jets he missed a field goal and an extra point in a 19-17 game, and in week 15 the Pats beat Buffalo 26-24 despite Posey missing one of his two field goal tries.

That is an interesting question...

found this SI article

Life is a kick for Nick

Kansas City Placekicker Nick Lowery still gets an occasional needle having to do with the kicker's apparent life of ease, or the unmanliness of ending a game

vault.si.com

in it was this tidbit
"In two games with New England he made seven conversions but fell short on a 45-yard field-goal try and did poorly on kickoffs. "Strictly a mechanical problem," he insisted at the time, but the Pats brought in David Posey, and Lowery headed home to McLean."

sounds like the missed kick combined with some bad kickoffs did him in. Lowery was 0-1 in New England on FG attempts. Not that Posey was any better, especially on the FGAs. Unfortunately, the kick stats etc from that era are sorely lacking.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

That is an interesting question...

found this SI article

Life is a kick for Nick

Kansas City Placekicker Nick Lowery still gets an occasional needle having to do with the kicker's apparent life of ease, or the unmanliness of ending a game

vault.si.com

in it was this tidbit
"In two games with New England he made seven conversions but fell short on a 45-yard field-goal try and did poorly on kickoffs. "Strictly a mechanical problem," he insisted at the time, but the Pats brought in David Posey, and Lowery headed home to McLean."

sounds like the missed kick combined with some bad kickoffs did him in. Lowery was 0-1 in New England on FG attempts. Not that Posey was any better, especially on the FGAs. Unfortunately, the kick stats etc from that era are sorely lacking.

It's one of those things.

The Karma was SO BAD in Miami that last Monday night, I wanted Bullough & Earhart to sit Grogan in a mostly meaningless game, especially with guys crying in the locker room when they were told about Chuck. Sure enough he got hurt. Steve shouldn't have even played against the Oilers. Ironically a year later Gifford Nielson led them to a major upset over the top seeded Chargers. And of Course Reich qb'd the comeback in Buffalo. So I guess I'm saying I prefer to play the guy who's healthy.

Unless it's Tony Eason or Drew Bledsoe. Bada Bing! Thank you, I'm here all week.

Anyway, Parcells had success with his kickers, Bahr and Vinatieri. Belichick too - except those multiple suicidal decisions in the big playoff games to go for it well within Ghost's range.

 

[Pape]

Belichick too - except those multiple suicidal decisions in the big playoff games to go for it well within Ghost's range.

There were some games though, that you just knew gostkowski was going to miss his kicks... A lot of those bb decisions were based on his lack of trust in gostkowski

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

There were some games though, that you just knew gostkowski was going to miss his kicks... A lot of those bb decisions were based on his lack of trust in gostkowski

Two way street.

Vinatieri's biggest kicks often came after he'd missed earlier in the game.

The odds of Gostkowski missing again in the same game, thus having a total meltdown, were miniscule. Repeatedly making a quarterback who's done his job and got his offense safely in field goal range stay in there and try to convert an unlikely at best fourth down, essentially taking your own points off the scoreboard, is too much for even Tom Brady to overcome.

And while we're on the subject, if Bill drafted A.J. instead of Harry, Tom might still be here.

 

[Pape]

And while we're on the subject, if Bill drafted A.J. instead of Harry, Tom might still be here.

i didnt trust gostkowski, so maybe i look at it differently...

as for the quoted statement, no comment... those conversations can get toxic right quick

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

i didnt trust gostkowski, so maybe i look at it differently...

Sorry about that. I disagree. BB screwed that up in SB42. And along with jeopardizing the perfect season, he hurt the kid's confidence.

as for the quoted statement, no comment... those conversations can get toxic right quick

I suppose they don't have a vaccine for that...I'm just a big baby and I wish we drafted AJ. Rant over.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

i didnt trust gostkowski, so maybe i look at it differently...

as for the quoted statement, no comment... those conversations can get toxic right quick

My wife would tell me she hates Gostkowski because he always misses in the playoffs in the big moments. I reassured her that he doesn’t actually have playoff woes, that stats prove it, unrealistic expectations, confirmation bias etc. Then he missed the kick.

That happened like four times.

 

[Pape]

My wife would tell me she hates Gostkowski because he always misses in the playoffs in the big moments. I reassured her that he doesn’t actually have playoff woes, that stats prove it, unrealistic expectations, confirmation bias etc. Then he missed the kick.

That happened like four times.

sometimes all the good a player has done can be undone by misses or mistakes,

And that can and does affect the perception of the player regardless of what his stat sheet looks like.

Do the dynamics of LII change if he makes those kicks early on? It might have.

Do the dynamics of the Denver game change of he makes the pat> It might have.

He was money for so long that when he started it miss, it was magnified. So it got to the point that I was fully expecting him to miss kicks ... ie i didnt trust him.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

My wife would tell me she hates Gostkowski because he always misses in the playoffs in the big moments. I reassured her that he doesn’t actually have playoff woes, that stats prove it, unrealistic expectations, confirmation bias etc. Then he missed the kick.

That happened like four times.

Ghost was clutch in '06.

Belichick screwed up SB42. He pretended he didn't have a kicker, or that the kid sucked, in any case that decision took points off the scoreboard, took confidence away from the offense and gave confidence to the Giants' defense, created a hurdle for Gostkowski to overcome in becoming a pressure kicker, and like everything else that day gave the Giants the chance to do the one single thing they did well that whole season: rush the quarterback.