The Boston Herald is all over the Adam Vinatieri story with a couple of articles over the past few days.
From an article written a couple of days ago, the paper is arguing that Adam V. needs to get paid by the Pats. His kicking ability has won them quite a few games. Then they drop this nugget on us.
Ask Bill Parcells in Dallas, where the Cowboys played six games decided by three points in 2005. Kickers Billy Cundiff and Jose Cortez cost them three of those games with short misses. The Cowboys finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs. You think Jerry Jones wouldn't give up 3 percent of his cap for a 12-4 record and a first-round bye? Do we even need to continue the "value" argument?
Now they've got a new article up which contains the following:
One agent who represents more than one available kicker said yesterday that, as he understood it, Vinatieri would sign with a team other than the Pats by the end of the weekend.
[snip]
As for the kicking situation, some chips started to fall into place yesterday, as Ryan Longwell signed with Minnesota and Matt Bryant re-signed with Tampa Bay. That would seem to leave only three or four destinations for Vinatieri, led by Dallas and Green Bay and followed by Atlanta and Indianapolis.
Yahoo Sports has a FA market watch after Saturday's activity listing the best FA's still out there. Adam V. is at #9 and Dallas is mentioned again.
Adam Vinatieri, K, New England Patriots - Vinatieri turns 34 at the end of next season, but he could have five dependable years left in him. Obviously, Vinatieri has the reputation of being money when the game is on the line, but he never has had a huge leg, converting only eight field goals of 50-plus yards over the last 10 seasons. He has missed his last four 50-plus attempts since 2003. Still, he has iced two Super Bowl victories with his leg and is great in the pressure cooker. That makes him perfect for potential playoff teams with shaky kicking games (hello, Dallas Cowboys?).
In this case, let's hope where there's smoke there's fire. Could Jerry and Bill be ready to land St. Vinatieri?