Belichick On Vinatieri: 'Don't Think Anyone Is Kicking Better Than He Is'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Even at 41 years old, Adam Vinatieri is still Mr. Automatic when it comes to booting a football through the uprights.
Vinatieri, now in his ninth season with the Indianapolis Colts after spending the first 10 years of his career in New England, is a perfect 20-for-20 on field goals this season. No one knows Vinatieri's ability to hit clutch kick after clutch kick better than Bill Belichick, and his former head coach doesn't see an end in sight.
"Right now, I don't think anyone is kicking better than he is," Belichick said of Vinatieri on Tuesday, as his Patriots prepare for their Sunday night tilt with the Colts. "There's a lot of guys kicking good, but I don't think anyone is kicking better. He's in a great situation as far as not having to deal with kickoffs, but as far as putting the ball down between the uprights, tremendous. The way he's kicking now I don't see where the end in sight is. Distance isn't a problem. He gets good lift on the ball, not exceptional, but good. He's kicking in a good environment, so he's drilling it. He looks great.
"The ball goes perfectly straight, doesn't move. Every kick is right on the money," said Belichick. "You have to try and block it. Waiting for him to miss, you'll be waiting all day. You have to see if you can somehow affect the kick, but he's kicked the ball great. No question."
Vinatieri is a legend in New England, best known for kicking late, game-winning field goals in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVII, and delivering a clutch 45-yard game-tying kick in the snow in the famous "Snow Bowl" game against the Oakland Raiders in 2001.
The Patriots and Vinatieri parted ways following the 2005 season, as Vinatieri signed with the Colts (New England's biggest rival at that point) and Belichick drafted Stephen Gostkowski in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. While Vinatieri went on to win another ring with Indy in 2006, it would be hard to find anyone who doesn't still hold No. 4 in a high regard throughout New England (minus a few dummies who boo Vinatieri when he returns in a Colts uniform).
Belichick was asked about Vinatieri's departure on Tuesday, and said it was simply the business side of the NFL.
"I've always had a good relationship with Adam," said Belichick. "The NFL is a business; I'm not trying to write a story for you here, but this isn't news. There is free agency every year. Players change teams. We get them, other guys get our guys."
Like just about most things with Belichick, Vinatieri's departure nearly a decade ago simply "is what it is."
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