Factoid

I mentioned it early. Now, some numbers to back it up.

Adam Vinatieri might be the league’s most overrated kicker. He played a critical role in New England winning its first Super Bowl, hitting a 48-yard game winner against the Rams, and helping the Patriots get to that game with a 45-yard kick in snow against the Raiders (which I consider to be the best kick in NFL history, considering the weather conditions and the magnitude of the game). But that was six years ago. Since that time, Vinatieri has falsely praised as some kind of difference-maker, when in reality, there are a dozen or more kickers who’ve been just as good or better.

Vinatieri is one of the league’s more accurate and clutch kickers, but his leg strength is nothing special. He’s not a great kickoff guy, and he’s not good on long-range field goals. Consider the following chart, which shows all kickers who’ve attempted at least four field goals from 50-plus yards over the last three years. That’s Vinatieri at the bottom at 0-for-4, even though he’s been playing in a dome stadium the last two years (where it’s easier to make those kicks).

So, going back to the Josh Brown contract negotiations, it was ridiculous for the Seahawks to annoy their player by going into those talks with the argument, “You’re a good kicker, but you’re no Adam Vinatieri.” Brown is significantly better than Vinatieri, and in hindsight will probably be worth more than the $14.2 million (over five years) contract that he signed with the Rams.

FG FGA Pct.
7 8 .875 Rian Lindell
10 12 .833 Jeff Wilkins
6 9 .667 Kris Brown
11 18 .611 Josh Brown
3 5 .600 Paul Edinger
3 5 .600 Mason Crosby
7 12 .583 Rob Bironas
4 7 .571 Lawrence Tynes
8 14 .571 Jason Hanson
4 7 .571 Jay Feely
9 17 .529 John Kasay
2 4 .500 Shaun Suisham
2 4 .500 Josh Scobee
4 8 .500 Joe Nedney
5 11 .455 Ryan Longwell
10 23 .435 Neil Rackers
3 7 .429 Jason Elam
9 21 .429 Sebastian Janikowski
2 5 .400 Nicholas Folk
2 6 .333 David Akers
2 6 .333 Shayne Graham
3 9 .333 Mike Nugent
2 7 .286 Matt Bryant
2 7 .286 Michael Koenen
1 4 .250 Jeff Reed
3 13 .231 Olindo Mare
1 5 .200 Dave Rayner
0 4 .000 Adam Vinatieri

--Ian Allan

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