This sucks 'Colts reach deal with Adam Vinatieri'

**Tuckerman** · 03-22-2006, 07:46 AM

Colts reach deal with Adam Vinatieri

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The Indianapolis Colts have agreed in principle on a contract with Adam Vinatieri, one of the best clutch kickers in the history of the NFL.

Vinatieri is expected to replace the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, Mike Vanderjagt.

Vinatieri is best known for connecting on the winning field goals in two of the New England Patriots' three Super Bowl victories.

The 33-year-old Vinatieri has converted 263 of 321 field goal attempts and 367 of 374 extra point tries in 160 career games over 10 seasons, all with the Patriots. Most importantly, he has helped the Patriots win three of the last five Super Bowls.

It was in the 2001 season that Vinatieri connected on a 45-yard field goal in a driving snowstorm to force overtime against the Oakland Raiders in an AFC Divisional Playoff. Vinatieri then hit a 23-yarder in OT to give New England the win.

Then in the Super Bowl, his 48-yard field goal on the game's last play boosted the Patriots to a 20-17 win over St. Louis. Two years later, again in the Super Bowl, Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining gave the Patriots a 32-29 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

Vinatieri has also proven to be a weapon on kickoffs. He has 61 touchbacks, including a career-best 10 last season.

Vanderjagt had handled field goals and extra points for the Colts throughout his eight-year career. He, like Vinatieri, became an unrestricted free agent after the 2005 season.

Its just fucked up.

**cinnepa** · 03-22-2006, 07:48 AM

padded room please.

**shmerham** · 03-22-2006, 07:49 AM

This feels almost as bad as getting dumped.

**iceman** · 03-22-2006, 08:05 AM

Pats done blown the train up.

I wonder what the plan is.

**Obstruction** · 03-22-2006, 08:16 AM

Looks like their selling the farm off by the acre.

Corporate sports leagues suck.

**JMan** · 03-22-2006, 08:36 AM

you have to hold some faith in the patriots front office. i mean they did get the pats to the super bowl 3 out of the last 5 years. it definately does suck that viniateri went to our number one rival. McGinnest, dwight, givens, now adam gone. they have to be saving up some money for some top notch players.

**iceman** · 03-22-2006, 08:44 AM

Yeah I do have faith, like I said I just wonder what the plan is. Letting Vinatieri go stings - you can't replace him because he's the best. If I was Bob Kraft I would've paid him, seems like a no-brainer from here.

A lot of really good guys - good players but great team guys - have hit the bricks recently. It'll be interesting to see what happens, there are plenty of good athletes around but character is a much tougher thing to find.

**Boomer28** · 03-22-2006, 08:52 AM

This is a kick in the nuts. I read that article and felt like some super hot chick just left me for some flashy rich asshole. That guy WAS the Patriots. I mean he's a kicker and all, but still, after a while was there any better feeling than having him come in to close out a tie game?

**JMan** · 03-22-2006, 08:52 AM

the patriots have said that they dont want to be paying the highest salary for any position so im assuming thats why they didnt dish out the cash for viniateri. he now has a 3 1/2 million signing bonus and will make 7 1/2 mill over the next 3 years. highest paid kicker in league history. guess who is speaking with the pats now...........................vanderjact.

**shmerham** · 03-22-2006, 08:54 AM

idiot kicker

**Woodsy** · 03-22-2006, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by cinnepa

padded room please.

who the fuck put you in charge?!?
what part of Colts or Vinatari made you think this was fucking skiing related?!?
dont like it dont open it.

gonna be an intersting off season.
so glad the Vikes dealt fumbelina

& ciinebon, I dont like your little premade mall sweet rolls either!

**smmokan** · 03-22-2006, 09:45 AM

I'd relate this signing to Damon signing with the Yankees. Even though I'm a New England sports team hater, I didn't want to see either of them happen.

**JMan** · 03-22-2006, 09:56 AM

both damon and viniateri will regret taking money over loyalty. im more bummed about viniateri because he is more valuable to the pats than damon was to the sox.

**Tippster** · 03-22-2006, 10:15 AM

Huge liability salarycap-wise. He did win them a bunch of games, tho. You gotta wonder whatthe decision-making process is in the NFL's front offices. Shit - I hear Dallas is probably gonna sign T.O. Why the hell would you poison your team like that?

**JMan** · 03-22-2006, 10:20 AM

they just signed T.O. the other day for 22 mil for 3 yrs. he is a disease and parcells is the cure. in reality T.O.will find something to complain about and will bring the team down in the end.

**smmokan** · 03-22-2006, 10:22 AM

Not to change directions, but have you been reading what people are saying about the TO signing? Morons like Peter King of SI and some guys on ESPN radio are saying that its a great signing, and TO won't act up this year and he'll be on his best behavior. These are the same guys that were saying two months ago that no one should sign this guy and let him go play in Canada. Oh how things change when you want to do interviews with the guy.

**Woodsy** · 03-22-2006, 10:25 AM

yeah just like Bourque and Clemens.
regret regret

He was getting old; they will find a good kicker, those guys in charge there are wicked smaht.

This isnt a one way street, not only his decision.

**PaSucks** · 03-22-2006, 10:30 AM

As a little bit of a Patriots hater, I find it strangely unfulfilling that the team is being dismantled. Suprising.

Unfortunately, I also doubt it will hurt them that much. They have let great players go before and been fine. I think they have the best coach in the league and a QB that can obviously get it done, and thats more than most teams.

**Sutter** · 03-22-2006, 10:43 AM

The Pats are still 20 million UNDER the salary cap which means they must have something smart in place. Vinateri served us well, bu there are some obvious gaps in their offense right now that they need to fill with a real hard working star and that requires freeing up some capital. I have total faith in the mad scientist Bilichek and Kraft.