Can’t Win ‘Em All, Bledsoe Backs Vinatieri Following Tough Loss
Follow us
Follow Us
🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes
Posted Under: 1999 Patriots Season
HOME > Patriots Blog > 1999 Patriots Season
Well, you can’t win them all, and there are a few people who don’t want the blame to fall on Adam Vinatieri for Sunday’s loss.
“Adam Vinatieri should have never been in that situation to have to make that kick,” Bledsoe told the Associated Press. “It’s my job as the quarterback, first and foremost, to hold onto the ball, not give it to the defense. I gave it to them three times today. If I don’t do that, Adam’s not in that situation.”
A dejected Vinatieri told reporters after the game, “The guys did a good job to get us back in the game. We scored a touchown and our defense held them to get us a chance to win. It’s a little hard right now. I let the team down.”
“I could probably go out there and hit a hundred in a row right now. I just didn’t hit one when I needed to.”
Vinatieri has already hit two late game winning field goals this season. Right after Adam spoke to reporters, his good friend Lee Johnson spoke up.
“I got the ball caught on my thumb, and I couldn’t get the laces around,” said Johnson. “It was what I call a 3 o’clock lace, with the laces on the right side of the ball, and when that happens the kick usually goes wide right. Knowing Adam, he should hit that, but I just wanted everybody to know the hold was not up to my satisfaction.”
Pete Carroll also spoke about Vinatieri during his press conference. “Adam has won a bunch of games for us in the past and he will win a bunch of games for us in the future. We had a chance to win it and we didn’t get it. That is all there is to it.”
Bledsoe had a tough afternoon, and faced constant pressure from the Kansas City defense. He fumbled during the game, threw two interceptions, was sacked three times, and knocked down more times than I’m sure the offensive line would like to admit. The pressure was the reason for the turnovers, but he did stay poised and was the key to the team even having a chance to win. They will need to do a better job protecting him if the Patriots hope to become serious contenders for the Superbowl.
As for anyone out there who still feels that Adam was responsible for the loss to the Chiefs, Ferric Collons said it best:
“He’s made more than he’s missed. For anyone in the newspaper or on TV who has anything bad to say about Adam, come see us in the locker room in Foxboro.”
The Patriots will now get ready for a Miami Dolphins team that is coming off a last second victory over Indianapolis.
From our archive - this week all-time:
April 21 - May 6 (Through 26yrs)
Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.