Adam Vinatieri Still the NFL's Worst Kicker, Misses 30-Yard Field Goal at Metrodome

One of these days, the TV announcers will realize what anyone who has watched the Indianapolis Colts in the last couple of years already knows: Adam Vinatieri is a terrible kicker.

Yes, yes, I know, he's "clutch" because he made a few big field goals in big games when he played for the Patriots. But Vinatieri doesn't make big field goals nearly as often as he misses short field goals.

With the Colts trailing the Minnesota Vikings 15-7 in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome, Vinatieri took the field for a 30-yard field goal. He missed, wide right.

Does that surprise you? It shouldn't. Vinatieri ranked 28th in the NFL last year in field goal accuracy, including a pathetic 0-for-2 from beyond 39 yards. (Vinatieri also has one of the weakest legs in the league on kickoffs.)

The miss did surprise CBS announcers Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf, who apparently haven't watched much football lately and were under the impression that Vinatieri is good. He isn't.

UPDATE: Vinatieri makes me look stupid. Which isn't hard to do.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-14-2008 @ 3:55PM

Gary said...

Stephen Gostowski: competently filling in for Vinatieri since 2006

9-14-2008 @ 10:25PM

BinaryRock said...

Super Bowl Rings since 2006:
NE --> 0
AV --> 1

9-14-2008 @ 11:53PM

Yeah, I know. But you miss the point, unless you think that somehow not having Vinatieri led to their recent lack (relatively speaking) of success. On the other hand, the Patriots are paying Gostkowski far less than what the Colts are paying Vinatieri - do you think they'd switch now? Maybe, maybe not - but in 2006 everyone would have dismissed that question as absurd. Not anymore.

9-14-2008 @ 4:05PM

Matt said...

Sick mush MDS. Sick mush.

9-14-2008 @ 4:11PM

L said...

Who won the game on a 47 yarder???

9-14-2008 @ 11:56PM

Reminds me of Super Bowl 38. Vinatieri missed two field goals in that game (if I recall correctly, one was blocked) but made the game winner.

All criticism aside, his 46 yarder in the snow to tie the game in the Tuck Game is one of my favorite sports memories.

9-14-2008 @ 11:54PM

DieHardColtsFan said...

If you're using those stats as your evidence, then I can't buy your argument. If I followed your line of thought, then by that logic John Carney was the best kicker in the NFL last year.

You can't compare Carney making 3 out of 3 field goals with Vinatieri's making 23 out of 29. For Pete's sake, Vinatieri kicked almost 3 TIMES the amount that Carney did.

And sure Vinatieri's screwed up every now and then. What kicker hasn't? In any case, I just don't think you can look at an 82.2% career field goal percentage and truthfully say that he's the worst kicker in the NFL.