Pats sign Gramatica

[maverick4]

re

Wow this guys statistics are horrid.............I think this is one move that will come back to haunt Belly big time. I'd take my chances with Josh Brown of the Hawks before this guy.
http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133297

The Pats will bring in other kickers for competition.
His first four years were very good; as good or better than Vinatieri's.
He could be a nice signing if he's recovered from his injury.

 

[CTPatsFan]

Pats signed oldest Gramatica brother....heard on EEI

Oh boy. SB here we come!

I suppose he could mentor a rookie.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yikes. Morten Anderson isn't available? Seriously he'd still be better, and he's the only player that is allowed to wear an old school two-bar facemask.

http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/atlanta/Mortenatl.jpg

Morten's comments while announcing NFLE games indicates he is doing a bendover and spread for the Falcons and their warmer weather.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

My God. It has finally set in. AV is gone. Really gone.

I hope this is not their Plan A when it comes to his replacement because if it is, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

My God. It has finally set in. AV is gone. Really gone.

I passed that point before he signed with the Dolts. He was clearly not coming back. It would have been a big surprise to me, anyway.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

My God. It has finally set in. AV is gone. Really gone.

Here's reality, buddy

4-4-DEN25 (12:53) A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-L.Paxton, Holder-J.Miller.

Down by 9 with almost a full quarter to go. Mr. Perfect.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Here's reality, buddy

4-4-DEN25 (12:53) A.Vinatieri 43 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-L.Paxton, Holder-J.Miller.

Down by 9 with almost a full quarter to go. Mr. Perfect.

I get all that, but without re-igniting the whole debate I'll just say his previous performances slightly overshadow all of that. Lest we forget about our beloved Tommy's little toss to Champy that also had a thing or two to do with the outcome of the game. As with AV, that mistake by Tom does not overshadow previous greatness. End of story.

But alas, AV is the enemy now.

My point was an attempt at levity. We all know AV is gone. We all knew he probably wasn't coming back. But when his replacement dawns in the form of a Gramatica it tends to bring a little added perspective to his departure.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

But when his replacement dawns in the form of a Gramatica it tends to bring a little added perspective to his departure.

Gramatica was probably a better kicker than Vinatieri as recently as three years ago. Being only 30 it's wholly reasonable he can be again if his health really was the cause. If not, he won't be our kicker. No harm done.

 

[nescott]

This guy was kicking in the Arena League last year I am sure just a quick signing and he will be out once the new Rookie is drafted.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

This guy was kicking in the Arena League last year I am sure just a quick signing and he will be out once the new Rookie is drafted.

My thoughts as well.

 

[PATSNUTme]

We will draft a kicker or bring in a young UDFA or two.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves and trust BB and Brad Seely. They wouldn't have signed in Gramatica if they hadn't worked him out. Yes, game conditions are different than a workout, but they know what they are looking at.

 

[bucky]

Gramatica was probably a better kicker than Vinatieri as recently as three years ago.

Come on now. Don't get crazy. He may have had a stronger leg than Adam. But he was never better. You should also consider the difference between kicking in Foxborough and in Tampa before making such a statement.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

Adam's career avg. is 81.9% on FG. Last year he was 80.0%. His career avg. on KO is 62.4 yards, and his KO avg. last year 61.7 yards. He had 10 touchbacks last year.

As far as Martin Gramatica, from prior to 2003 he was pretty good K.

'99 84.4%
'00 82.4%
'01 79.3%
02' 82.1%

His AVG KO is 62.9 yards, and in 2002 (his last good year) he was 64.5 yards.

He'll be a good journeyman competition for a rookie K. Plus he's much cheaper than Edinger. If he gets back to 2002 form, he could win out the job from a rookie, or we might keep him and a rookie on the roster. One for KO, one for K. Signings like this just cannot hurt.

Furthermore, I wouldn't be suprised if we not only draft a K, but sign a UDFA K.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

We will draft a kicker or bring in a young UDFA or two.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves and trust BB and Brad Seely. They wouldn't have signed in Gramatica if they hadn't worked him out. Yes, game conditions are different than a workout, but they know what they are looking at.

Yeah, that's true, I'm sure he worked out for them. He'll be decent competition for a rookie, or maybe even 2 rookies.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

We will draft a kicker or bring in a young UDFA or two.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves and trust BB and Brad Seely. They wouldn't have signed in Gramatica if they hadn't worked him out. Yes, game conditions are different than a workout, but they know what they are looking at.

Uhh, given the ST performance the last couple of years it's okay not to trust Seely with your life. Maybe they just needed a kicker for the upcoming mini camps.

 

[spacecrime]

Wow this guys statistics are horrid.............I think this is one move that will come back to haunt Belly big time. I'd take my chances with Josh Brown of the Hawks before this guy.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133297

To me, they look good and consistent until 2003 and 2004. If he truly was hurt, and can get back his form, he will be fine. If he is not, then he gets cut.

So what is the problem with this signing. If he is better, we get a good kicker. If he is not, we are not worse off than before.

And every NFL team needs an extra kicker in TC to handle KO/p[unt return team drills. We'll just have a pro instead of an UDFA.

 

[spacecrime]

I get all that, but without re-igniting the whole debate I'll just say his previous performances slightly overshadow all of that. Lest we forget about our beloved Tommy's little toss to Champy that also had a thing or two to do with the outcome of the game. As with AV, that mistake by Tom does not overshadow previous greatness. End of story.

But alas, AV is the enemy now.

He's not the enemy becasue he is gone, but neither is he God. He is a great kicker who kicked the greatest kick in hte history of the NFL. He also missed a few, especially last year, and last BB BB lost enough confidence in him that he went for it on forth down a lot in what would normally be within AV's range.

He's gone. He'll be replaced. Matt Bahr and Rich Camarillo were awesome K/P. THey are gone and they were replaced. Get over it.

 

[scout]

In Tampa, they didn't call him automatica for nothing. Up until his injury this guy could freakin' kick. Living in Tampa, I watched this guy on a regular basis. I don't know how he did in cold weather, but he was always the one dependable factor on any Buc's team.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

In Tampa, they didn't call him automatica for nothing. Up until his injury this guy could freakin' kick. Living in Tampa, I watched this guy on a regular basis. I don't know how he did in cold weather, but he was always the one dependable factor on any Buc's team.

I agree. We'll see in TC and pre-season if he can get back to form. It will be interesting to see the competition between him and the rooks.

 

[usmcmgb]

Uhh, given the ST performance the last couple of years it's okay not to trust Seely with your life. Maybe they just needed a kicker for the upcoming mini camps.

Yeah, this was my take also. This is NOTthe aswer when the bell rings in September.