Assuming the difference in accuracy and based on the number of attempts from 40+ yards last season (neither kicker made one), the Colts would lose maybe one field goal a season on the difference. I think the biggest factor would be the trust/faith in your kicker, something Indy lost in Vanderjagt after the miss last season. AV may not have the stronger leg, but he comes with a built-in trust that might be worth the extra dough.
I can't believe these Colt's fans calling for Peyton's head and calling him a choker.... I lived in Denver during Elway's first 3 years there, and while he had some abuse cast his way, by his 4th year (which included a resounding 39-20 Super Bowl loss to the Giants), he was practically accorded sainthood. Peyton Manning may go down as the greatest of his era, if not all time, by the time he hangs 'em up. Peyton went down swinging to Pittsburgh. If he had found an open reciever and thrown a TD on that last drive, you all wouldn't be saying those things. To imply that he choked is pretty far fetched. I think if you have never been in that position to see if YOU would "choke", you have no business saying another person did, especially if they have the talent to be in said position and YOU DON'T! If Bettis doesn't fumble, Vandy's kick never happens. Who was the choker? Bettis hasn't learned to hang on to the ball with two hands when holding a lead in the last 2 minutes of the game? After HOW many years of playing football? With a title shot on the line? Vandy's kick was horrible, but in the same vein, how many games has he won in similar situations?I don't think it was the pressure that got Jag, but maybe it was. Chalk it up to a learning process, he's a pro, check out his resume`. Rcade's stats are pretty meaningful, Colts fans. Dyams, you're sittin in front of your computer and claiming you wouldn't be intimidated by the kickers in the league, well , I hope you realize how ridiculous it sounds. I'll take Janikowski drunk and give you 3 and 1/2. By the way Vandy goes 6'5" and 220. Vinatieri is listed @ 6' 202. John Hall 6'3"240 , scan the rosters, you will see nary a 130 lb. kicker in the league, most are over 200, and I bet most could show you what kicking is all about...
What's with the piling on Vanderjagt? He was out of contract, and based on his comments of years ago it isn't a stretch to see that he wouldn't want to come back (in addition to management not wanting him back as I had read in some other article that I can't find). Still, I don't see how you can spin the stats in either kicker's favour without knowing what effect a dome has. Vanderjagt is more accurate by a margin, but half his kicks are in a dome. Is that a big enough influence to account for his margin on the rest of the kickers?
The only windage in a dome is if the AC is kicking on high...
I don't really think anyone here really believes that Vinatieri is truly better all around. The reason for the celebration is that he's the best possible replacement, and keeping Vandy was never an option for the Colts. They only kept him last year because there wasn't a good replacement. He has pissed off management repeatedly and while still excellent, had been declining (losing distance, mostly). Missing the kick and the Letterman stunt was the last straw. The Colts try pretty hard to hire classy guys and act like a family, and while he was really good, he wasn't a member of the family. I wasn't all that excited about the prospect of Cortez competing to be the main guy, but this works out well.
Vinatieri is listed @ 6' 202 Once saw him run down Hershell Walker from behind on a kickoff during the Carroll Administration.
Peyton went down swinging to Pittsburgh. If he had found an open reciever and thrown a TD on that last drive, you all wouldn't be saying those things. Nope, we'd be talking about the Superbowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.
The Colts try pretty hard to hire classy guys Oh, damn it, now you had to go and make me dredge this back up.
I said try. You could also dredge up Doss's arrest, Harper's issues, etc. But in general, they're pretty low on the jerk scale.
Can someone explain to me how making a kick on David Letterman hurt Mike Vanderjagt? Would you be more supportive of him if he missed it? That line of reasoning is insane.
That line of reasoning is insane. Did someone mention T.O.?
I bet most could show you what kicking is all about... Have you met me, mjk? Those numbers aren't a major concern. Take the ones you list for Vandy and add 25 lbs. Speak for yourself, not for me. That wasn't really my point, anyways. I was only responding in jest to wfrazerjr's comment.
He was making light of the fact that he fucked up in the game. He didn't appear upset by his failure, apologetic, or anything. Part of it couldn't really be avoided, yeah, since they put him up to it, but he really didn't have very much business being on that show in the first place. If you blew a kick in the playoffs would you go on Letterman? I wouldn't.
well, peyton still wont win anything of any relevance. maybe vinatieri can kick one through the uprights to win a "big" monday night game. Thats as big as its going to get for the colts as long as happy feet manning is leading them. It doesnt matter who kicks the god damn ball. all that other b.s. is completely irrelevant in the steelers game if the dumbass refs knew what the hell an interception was.
If you blew a kick in the playoffs would you go on Letterman? I don't think Vanderjagt would be as good as he is if he treated missed field goals like a death in the family.
I am a Pats fan. I have had a great time watching the Pats stomp on the Colts the past 5 years or so. Not once during those years did I think, "Oh, we've got this one in the bag, Peyton Manning's playing." The Elway comparison above is a good one. Ton of talent, hasn't won the big one. Yet. I don't know if he will, but he's certainly good enough. Trashing Peyton in spite of his record setting numbers is silly. Do you all think Dan Marino sucks too?
Bill polian is "DA MAN ".Hey Rocky,watch me pull a rabbit ,outta my hat.......Peyton or Leaf?Faulk, Ricky, or, Da Edge?Vandy or Vinaterror? And yes, now a draft pick.Waitta dae get a load of Draft Day Batman.Bill, if your listening?You rock.....See you and my Colts at the big one in 2007.
Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that Belichick knows something that we don't know? Name one player he has let go who hasn't shown diminished skills -- and yes, that goes for now-blimpy Ty Law, despite his deceptive stats.
Give MV a break. He didn't cost the Colts the win. The entire offense lost that game (with the help of the refs). He is still a great kicker, but I would rather have AV.
Since Vanderjagt is a free agent, I wonder if he will end up in New England.
As a Colt's fan, I say that Vandy didn't 'lose the Pitsburg game' for us. We got outplayed. Hell, the Colt's had an easy schedule last year. The only teams that posed a challenge either beat us or kept the score close. Adding AV is great...but we need a RB and more defense. Same old story, well, except for the 'need a RB' part.
This is a huge loss for NE. Vinatieri was the one who started the Pats dynasty when he nailed that game winning FG in the snow vs. Oakland, if you'll recall. And if you think Bellichick is bananas for letting him go, remember two things: (1)In New England, it truly is all about the team. (2)Bellichick is a future hall of fame caliber coach. The Pats have been hit hard before by departures and the injury bug before and in the last 5 seasons they have still managed to win 58 regular season gms and 3 Super Bowls and Brady went 10-0 in playoff starts before the loss to Denver in round 2. No question NE is still a threat to get to Super Bowl XLI, but this clearly gives Indy a valuable weapon in close,games,and far as Peyton Manning choking in big games, let's remember that John Elway and the Broncos got their ass kicked in three Super Bowls before Jon finally won one.
Since Vanderjagt is a free agent, I wonder if he will end up in New England. He visited the 'Boys yesterday.
This is the 75th comment in a thread about an NFL kicker. Jesus.
The last two soccer threads combined for 25 comments, A, so the earth's not spinning off its axis just yet.
I don't think Vanderjagt would be as good as he is if he treated missed field goals like a death in the family. No one wants him to fall into a depression about it. But, fans like to keep the illusion that winning really matters to the players. It validates that it really matters to the fans. I doubt any Colts fan were ready for the jokes after 4 days, but Vanderjagt was. I'm depressed after a big loss for a solid week.
This is the 75th comment in a thread about an NFL kicker. Jesus. Last time I checked, there's a spot on the home page that keeps a running tally on number of comments for each thread. Having one more comment pointing out something so obvious is more ridiculous than 70-something comments about kickers.
Since Vanderjagt is a free agent, I wonder if he will end up in New England. He visited the 'Boys yesterday. And apparently agreed terms today.
Some counter-point to foaming in the local media: "New England management understands that, in the ultimate team game, a guy who steps on the field once every 35 plays merits only so much money. And it's somewhere below $2.5 million per year with a $3.5 million signing bonus." "Is one-fifth of a win worth paying Vinatieri $3 million instead of paying a league-average kicker $1 million and spending the rest of the money on a veteran wide receiver or a veteran backup for defensive tackle Vince Wilfork?"
What's funny is that no one thinks kickers are worth big money until they lose because their kicker misses a crucial field goal. It is terribly painful to lose those close games because the one week spot on your team is the kicking game. Disclaimer: I am an FSU alum. Wide right haunts me.
wow...a couple of years ago we thought peyton manning was god himself. now we are saying that the colts should trade him to keep mike vandershank, even though it is the QB that gets the team somewhere.
This will look great on the Pats unless the next kicker, whoever it is, misses one in the last minute with the playoffs (or the Super Bowl) on the line. For the Pats' sake, I hope it never comes to that.
I heard some people compare this move to Johnny Damon going to the Yankees. First off vinatari is a kicker and not very important to the game (no offense, but kickers play about 10 downs a game). Second off last time i checked, Colts and Pats fans didnt hate each other making this boogus.
