Hrm that sounds familiar. Lets check the history books, shall we.


2001 AFC Divisional Round: New England Patriots Vs Oakland Raiders

"In the 2001 playoffs, during a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders in the final game at Foxboro Stadium, Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 and send it into overtime. The Patriots then won the game on another field goal of 23 yards by Vinatieri. That 45-yard kick in driving snow is regarded as one of the greatest clutch plays (and greatest kicks) in NFL history."

"In Super Bowl XXXVI he kicked a 48-yard field goal on the final play to give the New England Patriots their first Super Bowl victory, a 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams."

My take: The only thing impressive about that win was holding "The Greatest Show on Turf" to 17 points.

"Two years later, and in an almost identical situation, he kicked a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to boost the Patriots to another championship (after missing one field goal and having another attempt blocked in the first half). This time, the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32-29.

My Take: Take away the "V-Factor" and 3 Super Bowls turn into 1, maybe none? You have to be mentally ill to argue that without Adam Vinatieri the Patriots still would have achieved the same success. Vinateri has always been a brilliant kicker when it counts and honestly many people believe (and the rest will believe as the years go on, he is the reason (not Tom Brady, not Tedy Bruschi (who I still say looks like a young Erik Estrada), not Bill Bellichick) is the reason the Patriots made it over the top of the hill. The rest of that supporting cast got them to the top of that hill. His foot booted them over the top.

(Source: Wikipedia)


That's my expert opinion and I'm stickin' to it. I'm going back into my hole now.

Signed,

D.J., The Sports Doctor.

P.S. Hey Grady, I hope you have a Sprint Phone. We'll find you a nice wig and moustache to wear with the jersey.