Stephen Gostkowski: No longer under the shadow of #4

[PATRIOT64]

Nice little story and shows not only has he come out from under the shadow of a 3 time Super Bowl winning kicker in Vinatieri, but he actually has better numbers than Vinatieri thus far in his short career and can break a record season in points scored by way of 3 (although I am sure we would have liked to see less 3 and more 7)

Nevertheless,Its a nice story to a guy that some here,including me thought he was going to be a disaster when 2 of his first 5 kicks were blocked - Just like Cassel,he has pleasantly surprised us and deservingly has earned his first Pro Bowl.

Concord Monitor - The right call

 

[PatsSox363804]

Still can't believe they didn't kick that 48 yarder in the Superbowl.

 

[signbabybrady]

Still can't believe they didn't kick that 48 yarder in the Superbowl.

ahhhhh ahhhhh la la la la la not listnening

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I am a big fan of Ghost, I am absolutely delighted that he was selected for the Pro Bowl and feel that he richly deserves that honor. I only wish that BB had had the same confidence in him as did those who made this selection when he decided to go for it on fourth and 13 in a dome, in the SB, rather than attempt a 48 yard FG that could have put three critical points on the board in a game we lost by three points.

But, Vinatieri's place in Patriots history is secure and his shadow will loom large until Gostkowski matches even one of Number Four's four great kicks: the two in the Snow Bowl and the ones that won SB's XXXVI and XXXVIII. Even haters in the media call his first Snow Bowl kick the greatest pressure kick in the history of the NFL.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

A nice balanced article noting Gostkowski's accomplishments without building him up too much or downplaying the AV record - well done to both Gostkowski and the author.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I am a big fan of Ghost, I am absolutely delighted that he was selected for the Pro Bowl and feel that he richly deserves that honor. I only wish that BB had had the same confidence in him as did those who made this selection when he decided to go for it on fourth and 13 in a dome, in the SB, rather than attempt a 48 yard FG that could have put three critical points on the board in a game we lost by three points.

You're assuming, of course, that the rest of the game would've turned out exactly the same way if Gostkowski had made the kick. For all we know, it could have turned out even worse.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

You're assuming, of course, that the rest of the game would've turned out exactly the same way if Gostkowski had made the kick. For all we know, it could have turned out even worse.

of course...they could have blocked the attempt and run it in for a TD or we could have made the fg and the gints could have run the ensuing KO back for a TD and then we could have fumbled the next KO at their five and they could have taken it in for a TD on the next play and then...

i'm just talking about the one decision....the outcomes from the never made decision to kick are, by definition, unknowable...

 

[Calciumee]

I think it is a great unbiased article.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Those who follow the team closely know he was out from under V's shadow long ago.

That being said, I've seen Adam make a few long clutch kicks for the Colts this season and I can't help but respect him as a player for all he did for us and continues to do as a football player.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Those who follow the team closely know he was out from under V's shadow long ago.

That being said, I've seen Adam make a few long clutch kicks for the Colts this season and I can't help but respect him as a player for all he did for us and continues to do as a football player.

Unfortunately you are never truly recognized as a great player at your position till you make the overrated Pro Bowl - Adam did early in his career and now Gost has made it

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

He was better than AV from the start of his career. Not better than the 2001 AV (no kicker is or probably ever will be), but better than him 2003 and onwards. Remember his rookie season he was perfect in the playoffs, including a couple huge ones at Indy. No question we were right in letting AV walk.

 

[Disco Volante]

Still can't believe they didn't kick that 48 yarder in the Superbowl.

It's sad because when I think Stephen Gostkowski, this is always the first thing that comes to my mind.

#2 is the 50 yarder against the Chargers in the playoffs the year before though.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Unfortunately you are never truly recognized as a great player at your position till you make the overrated Pro Bowl - Adam did in his seventh season and now Gost has made it

Ahem.

He was better than AV from the start of his career. Not better than the 2001 AV (no kicker is or probably ever will be), but better than him 2003 and onwards. Remember his rookie season he was perfect in the playoffs, including a couple huge ones at Indy. No question we were right in letting AV walk.

The Snow Bowl kick is the greatest kick ever. But I'd argue that, in context, Gostkowski's 50-yarder against SD was as clutch as Vinatieri's SB-winning kicks. (And, BTW, don't forget that Gostkowski is only the second rookie, ever, to make a game-winning FG in the playoffs.)

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Those who follow the team closely know he was out from under V's shadow long ago.

That being said, I've seen Adam make a few long clutch kicks for the Colts this season and I can't help but respect him as a player for all he did for us and continues to do as a football player.

Well, I'd like to think I follow the team pretty closely and I think the shadow is there. Not week by week anymore perhaps, if that is what you are saying; but if the Pats lose a Playoff game or a trip to the playoffs because Ghost misses a late FG from 49 yards in, I think the shadow of Adam's 45 yarder in a blizzard and his 45 and 41 yarders in domes to win the SnowBowl and SB's XXXVI and -VIII will be there.

Do I think that's fair? Nope. But will it be a big part of the story line the next day? I'd bet my next paycheck on it.

Please don't turn my comments into "you're disrespecting Gostkowski." I'm not. I respect him and like him. I like his demeanor and his attitude almost as much as I like what he does on the field. But if any PK of this generation is going to join Jan Stenerud in Canton, it's gonna be Number Four. That's a shadow.