This needs to be addressed: What kicker will the Pats Sign?

[MoLewisrocks]

363839 -
The average kick yardage is determined by where the returner catches the ball. So, while Edinger might have had a few go into the endzone, his average is still only 63. Which means that the return man was, on average, starting at the 7 yard line.

As for touchbacks and how they are attributed, yes, if a return man brings it out, that is the fault of the coverage. However, I think that Edinger's problem is that he doesn't get enough hang time on his kicks. I noticed that the opposing team starts right around the 30 yard line whenever he kicks. Its not much different than Adam. But the fact he gets no TBs isn't a good thing in my opinion.

Edinger's KO average last year was identical to his career aversge - 59.4. He's had ONE touchback in the last 3 years. He lost his job with Da Bears after back to back lousy KO (57.7, 58.7) and PK (72.2, 62.5) seasons in 2003-2004. He didn't do much better in a dome in Minnesota either.

The Pats didn't call him, he called them. I can't see BB carrying a KO specialist or a backup kicker which is what he'd need to do with Edinger given the number of games we win by 6 or less. If you weren't happy with AV's KO, understand this guy has been consistently 2-5 yards shorter over his career. Adam had 18 touchbacks over the last 3 seasons and his KO's averaged 62.8.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Has Tyler Grogan decided to convert from punter yet? Or, maybe that soccer lass who excited the masses with her sports bra, I hear she's retired from soccer, could be she needs a new hobby?

 

[maverick4]

re

I say go young. Find the best college kickers, kickers in NFL Europe, and maybe even soccer players who like football (like Olindo Mare, NFL leader in all-time FG accuracy).

Invite them to training camp, have a long, intense evaluation process, and choose the best one.

Adam Vinatieri was an undrafted kicker himself, and the Pats made the Superbowl when he was a rookie (or 2nd year).

.

 

[fgssand]

We talked about this on our latest show. It appears that New England has a decent scout when it comes to kickers (see: Phil Dawson, Owen Pochman, Robbie Gould). I wouldn't be shocked to see the Pats pick up a rookie free agent or late round draftee to fill the void. No telling what the Pats will do, but it seems to me that if they were seriously interested in a player like Edinger, they would make a move for him fairly soon.

That is a very good point - I wonder if indeed it is the same scout that found all those kickers you mention. We may very well have a couple of unknowns standing by ready to go?

Seems if we didn't then would BB have used the franchise tag afterall when he could have??

Aren't we known for having a back up plan for every situation?

 

[Remix 6]

I am not happy with AV leaving especially with the FA list of kickers not so good. Patriots have made some questionable moves that worked and maybe we actually get a guy like Josh Huston, OSU or Gotskowski, Memphis. Gots showed me some good things at some competitions and I like his leg..hes a strong kicker and is 1 of the best coming out of college this year. Houston is a great kicker too. Hes not as good as Mike Nuggent but we cant tell yet because he played behind him the whole time till last year where he got to play. Hes got a strong leg aswell

 

[OntarioPatsFan]

Why are we even discussing this? We already have a kicker....

 

[Remix 6]

lol. Unfortunatley, hes an UFA and hasnt been resigned.

 

[maverick4]

re

I am not happy with AV leaving especially with the FA list of kickers not so good.

Vinatieri himself was an undrafted free agent when the Patriots found him.

Don't get worried about the FA list. The Pats will find somebody.

I find it unlikely that out of millions of kickers in the world, the 32 in the NFL right now are the only ones that are good enough.

.

 

[Lamanai]

I think Edinger is a good K. Those that don't can you give some reasons?

Look at his non-dome numbers for last season, 57%...and poor on kickoffs. The previous year with Chicago he was at 62.5%, which put him near the very bottom of the league. He's mediocre at best. Basically, he's had one decent year (2001) in his six year career.

I think it is fair to ask you to give us some reasons why you think he *is* a good kicker, no ?

 

[Murphys95]

Why are we even discussing this? We already have a kicker....

You got it all backwards! I was hoping Adam would have stayed on as kicker and backup QB. After all, AV has a qb rating of 122.9.

 

[maverick4]

re

You got it all backwards! I was hoping Adam would have stayed on as kicker and backup QB. After all, AV has a qb rating of 122.9.

Hahahahaha. Don't forget David Patten too!

.

 

[OntarioPatsFan]

You got it all backwards! I was hoping Adam would have stayed on as kicker and backup QB. After all, AV has a qb rating of 122.9.

Ha! Nice point, Murph. I guess we're doooomed now.... The Patriots are now on the clock for the 2007 NFL Entry Draft .

 

[IcyPatriot]

How old is Scott Sisson Now?

 

[patsfan55]

How old is Scott Sisson Now?

OMG
LOL

NOOOOOO!

NOT MISSIN SISSON

 

[ctpatsfan77]

You got it all backwards! I was hoping Adam would have stayed on as kicker and backup QB. After all, AV has a qb rating of 122.9.

I'm sure in some alternate universe, this has already happened. . . .

FOXBOROUGH (MVP) -- The Patriots needed to replace Adam Vinatieri. Who'd have guessed Belichick wasn't planning on hiring anyone new?

"We're going to have Mike Vrabel handle kicks. Even though he's never done it before, that smug b*****d has done everything else I've ever asked of him, so I'm sure he'll be kicking touchbacks by the start of training camp," said Belichick.

When asked about this announcement, Vrabel replied, "Well, if my--er, Coach's--master plan calls for me to be the kicker, then I guess I'm going to be the kicker. And I figure I should still be able to make some tackles on the returns, too."

 

[cubedoggy]

Has Tyler Grogan decided to convert from punter yet? Or, maybe that soccer lass who excited the masses with her sports bra, I hear she's retired from soccer, could be she needs a new hobby?

Yes. I now predict the next Pats kicker will be Brandi Chastain.

 

[RayClay]

Lou Groza.

 

[patsgreatestdynasty]

probably Paul Edinger

 

[fluoropolymer]

Let's not forget the dollars!!

I think it all comes down to dollars. AV's price became too high - both in salary and bonus. I think the Pats will evaluate all comers; challenge a select group to prove ther worth in training camp, and sign someone for a salary of ~$500K. That frees up ~$2M in salary and probably another $2M in bonus dollars. Think that will come in handy for the negotiations with Seymour, Branch and Koppen? I do. I hated to see Givens, Willie, and Adam leave, but the Pats need the $$$ to keep and build the future.

 

[Pats726]

Would the Patriots keep two kickers??? I am thinking a vet and a rookie...why two?? So the rookie would be eased in and NOT all of a sudden being compared to the next AV. Just a thought...clutch kickers are hard to find..but I bet there are now all kinds of kickers..AFL, CFL that may be thinking they can do it....which is NOT a bad position to be in. I would have rather have had AV stay, but we all would have...nuff said...but having two would help in my mind pyschologically...but I doubt they will waste a roster spot like that...