How do you replace a legend like Adm Vinatieri? You work on becoming one yourself.
Stephen Gostkowski was the 2005 Conference USA Special Team Player of the Year, and he was the first Kicker taken in the next NFL Draft (118th Overall), taken specifically with the belief that he could replace Vinatieri, who departed to Indianapolis as a Free Agent.
Gostkowski never had the signature kick that Vinatieri had, but he was very good, very consistent, and became a five-time league leader in Points Scored. A steady presence on dominant Patriots teams, Gostkowski won three Super Bowls with New England, was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team, and was a three-time Pro Bowler.
He retired after one year (2020) in Tennessee, and had he played on almost any other NFL team, he would have been regarded as the best Kicker in that franchise’s history.
Comments powered by CComment