If you are now the all-time leading scorer in the NFL and Belichick just let you go to free agency without much of a fight, then surely that's a ticket to being a player Belichick let go too soon. Seriously, you can't leave the Patriots organization and start another 14 years in the league without automatically joining the club. Here is the case for Adam Vinatieri.
Vinatieri played 10 stellar seasons for the Patriots and helped the team bring home their first 3 Lombardi Trophies. You could say that if not for his accurate foot and the ice running through his veins, the Patriots never would have become the dynasty that they are today.
While Vinatieri was an interesting find for the Patriots organization, he was actually brought on during Bill Parcell's tenure. Adam came to the team in 1996 after playing a year in Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals. Prior to playing across the Atlantic, Vinatieri played four years at South Dakota State University.
While Vinatieri was an interesting find for the Patriots organization, he was actually brought on during Bill Parcell's tenure. Adam came to the team in 1996 after playing a year in Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals. Prior to playing across the Atlantic, Vinatieri played four years at South Dakota State University.
At the age of 34 and with 10 NFL seasons under his belt, Vinatieri entered free agency during the 2006 offseason with the hopes of playing football in some better conditions. Nothing against the Patriots, but Adam did inform his agent that warm weather or a dome would be his preference. Once the Colts came calling, Vinatieri never looked back.
In his first year as a member of the Colts, Adam would complete 14 of 15 field goals in the postseason. He did this in route to winning his 4th Super Bowl. As a member of the Colts, Adam set the record for most field goals made in a row (44) and earned another first team Pro Bowl award.
Since leaving the Patriots, Vinatieri has made 85.3% of his regular season field goal attempts and 85.7% of his playoff attempts. Considering that just under half of his attempts are from at least 40 yards, that's pretty impressive.
Given the fact that Vinatieri didn't really have a drop off until last year and the Patriots were dealing with a revolving door of kickers, surely Belichick is guilty of giving up on him too soon.
In his first year as a member of the Colts, Adam would complete 14 of 15 field goals in the postseason. He did this in route to winning his 4th Super Bowl. As a member of the Colts, Adam set the record for most field goals made in a row (44) and earned another first team Pro Bowl award.
Since leaving the Patriots, Vinatieri has made 85.3% of his regular season field goal attempts and 85.7% of his playoff attempts. Considering that just under half of his attempts are from at least 40 yards, that's pretty impressive.
Given the fact that Vinatieri didn't really have a drop off until last year and the Patriots were dealing with a revolving door of kickers, surely Belichick is guilty of giving up on him too soon.
The only thing which could prevent Vinatieri from being a player that Belichick let go of too soon would be a replacement who was better during the same time frame.
After signing free agent Martin Gramatica in the offseason, Belichick used pick 118 to take Stephen Gostkowski. The rookie Gostkowski won the job and has since accrued 3 Super Bowl rings, 4 selections to the Pro Bowl and the most points in a Patriots uniform. Below is a comparison of the two kickers from 2006-2019.
After signing free agent Martin Gramatica in the offseason, Belichick used pick 118 to take Stephen Gostkowski. The rookie Gostkowski won the job and has since accrued 3 Super Bowl rings, 4 selections to the Pro Bowl and the most points in a Patriots uniform. Below is a comparison of the two kickers from 2006-2019.
VERDICT- There was only one way for Belichick to have come out ahead on letting go of 34 year old Adam Vinatieri, and he did it with Stephen Gostkowski. Only time will tell if letting Gostkowski go this offseason is right move.
WHEN HAS BELICHICK LET A GUY GO TOO SOON? PART 1
WHEN HAS BELICHICK LET A GUY GO TOO SOON? PART 2
WHEN HAS BELICHICK LET A GUY GO TOO SOON? PART 3
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