The Patriots 'All-Dynasty' Team

[jezza1918]

Did Vinatieri cost the Pats any playoff games? Because Gost cost them the 2015 AFCCG.

I can't recall any games he outright cost them, but in a world where John Kasay doesn't kick the ball out of bounds with 1:20 left in Super Bowl 38 and the pats go on to lose, Vinatieri missing a 31 yard FG and having a 36 yarder blocked likely would've meant he was the game goat.

 

[tims4wins]

Half true, half overblown narrative. He was 4/6 on FG in the Super Bowl, which is hardly the model of consistency.

He obviously had a great kick to lock up the Rams SB.

Against the Panthers he was 1/3; the only reason he was kicking for the win at the end of the game is because he'd missed a 31- and a 36-yarder.

And against the Eagles he hit a 22-yarder with 8:46 left in the game and the Patriots up by 7. It wound up being the margin of victory, but it's a chip shot that any kicker should expect to make (and it's not even like it was to tie or win with time running low).

1 of the 2 misses was blocked, but it's true that he was only 1-3 in that game.

Here's a crazy stat for you: up until the 2003 regular season game at Houston, he had NEVER missed indoors. In that game he missed one and had one blocked. And then 3 months later in the Super Bowl he again had one blocked and missed one in the same stadium.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Against the Panthers he was 1/3; the only reason he was kicking for the win at the end of the game is because he'd missed a 31- and a 36-yarder.

I know you're responding to the SB point made, but take this season, for instance. He kicked the game-winner with four minutes to go in that bitter-cold game against the Titans, then five FGs in the AFC title game against the Colts.

While his Super Bowl clutch gene might be overstated, he was instrumental in creating the foundation of the dynasty

 

[tims4wins]

I know you're responding to the SB point made, but take this season, for instance. He kicked the game-winner with four minutes to go in that bitter-cold game against the Titans, then five FGs in the AFC title game against the Colts.

While his Super Bowl clutch gene might be overstated, he was instrumental in creating the foundation of the dynasty

I think the kick against the Titans was second only to the Snow Bowl tying kick. That was like kicking a brick.

 

[johnmd20]

I know you're responding to the SB point made, but take this season, for instance. He kicked the game-winner with four minutes to go in that bitter-cold game against the Titans, then five FGs in the AFC title game against the Colts.

While his Super Bowl clutch gene might be overstated, he was instrumental in creating the foundation of the dynasty

Yes, that's what I'm saying. Vin wasn't perfect but he was instrumental in building the dynasty.

I think that gives him the bump ahead of Ghost.

 

[rodderick]

Half true, half overblown narrative. He was 4/6 on FG in the Super Bowl, which is hardly the model of consistency.

He obviously had a great kick to lock up the Rams SB.

Against the Panthers he was 1/3; the only reason he was kicking for the win at the end of the game is because he'd missed a 31- and a 36-yarder.

And against the Eagles he hit a 22-yarder with 8:46 left in the game and the Patriots up by 7. It wound up being the margin of victory, but it's a chip shot that any kicker should expect to make (and it's not even like it was to tie or win with time running low).

Those aren't exactly automatic, considering Gostkowski missed an extra point in the post season in three consecutive years, all of them in the last game of the season: two in the Super Bowl, and a crucial one against Denver in the AFCCG. The Patriots could have very well lost the Atlanta game because of him as well.

 

[8slim]

Regarding the RB discussion.... I feel like Antowain Smith is always unfairly overlooked, if not forgotten. Guy carried the rock a ton for 3 years — 800+ carries for over 3,000 yards between the regular and post season — and won two Super Bowls. Dillon was the best RB of the dynasty era, but I think one can make a case for Smith as #2, in terms of pure running.

 

[Silverdude2167]

I forget where but some time in the last year I read about the Snapper/Holder/Kicker combo in the Panthers SB...apparenlty none of those misses were on Vinatieri as the snaps were all terrible because it was a retired guy off the street with a hurt hand I believe. I believe the long snapper was completely terrified on the game-winning kick.

Great read - https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/03/nfl-super-bowl-38-xxxviii-brian-kinchen-new-england-patriots

 

[tims4wins]

Regarding the RB discussion.... I feel like Antowain Smith is always unfairly overlooked, if not forgotten. Guy carried the rock a ton for 3 years — 800+ carries for over 3,000 yards between the regular and post season — and won two Super Bowls. Dillon was the best RB of the dynasty era, but I think one can make a case for Smith as #2, in terms of pure running.

Yeah similar to Dillon he had one great year in 2001 but was meh thereafter, but still a huge piece of 2 titles.

 

[tims4wins]

I forget where but some time in the last year I read about the Snapper/Holder/Kicker combo in the Panthers SB...apparenlty none of those misses were on Vinatieri as the snaps were all terrible because it was a retired guy off the street with a hurt hand I believe. I believe the long snapper was completely terrified on the game-winning kick.

Already linked article.

 

[Jet-Boo]

Totally agree! That game was beyond frigid and the kick was insane! Must have felt like kicking a rock!