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Patriots kicker under scrutiny

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One of the enduring memories from the Patriots' 17-14 Super Bowl loss is Bill Belichick eschewing a 49-yard field goal to go for it on fourth and 13. It was a rousing vote of no confidence in kicker Stephen Gostkowski. Now, in his third season, Gostkowski, who hit 21 of 24 field goals in 2007 but didn't make a kick longer than 45 yards, will be under the microscope.

Boston Globe

Stephen Gostkowski, Win McNamee/Getty Images Stephen Gostkowski, Win McNamee/Getty Images
July 24, 2008  07:44 AM ET

He is a GOOD Kicker. In fact, a top 7 Kicker. The Patriots chose not to kick field goals most of the season. That is Crap reporting.

July 24, 2008  07:46 AM ET

America's Legend,
Agreed.
Garbage reporting...and random timing.

Comment has been removed
July 24, 2008  08:01 AM ET

Fire him and put him on your camera surveillance crew.

July 24, 2008  08:22 AM ET

I agree with AL. The guy is a good kicker.

July 24, 2008  08:27 AM ET

There are about 25 teams hoping this guy is let go next season. It sucks to have a bad kicker.........Thank God K Nick Folk turned out to be a BEAST!

July 24, 2008  08:34 AM ET

America's Legend..Could not agree with you more. That decision was completely on Belichick, It would not have mattered who the kicker was. There is no better kicker out there to be had. The media let Belichick off the hook for that game decision and his game day coaching in general. His past successes have made him immune to second guessing it seems. They made no adjustments to protect their QB and left Burress one on one with a small corner when the game was on the line..That "jump ball"throw to Burress is the number one red zone offense pass they used all year....Anyone who watched the Giants at all knew that was coming...

July 24, 2008  08:49 AM ET

I have never understood the whole kicker situation...you would think there were at least 32 guys in the whole frreakin world that would be able to kick the crap out of a ball with some accuracy??? It is the same thing with college...ask FSU..

July 24, 2008  08:59 AM ET

While Gostkowski is a good kicker, he's no Adam Vinitari.

July 24, 2008  09:44 AM ET

This was one of the Super Bowls must enduring moments? Hey the man is no Fuad Reveiz!

July 24, 2008  09:48 AM ET

There were a number of 'enduring moments' in that SB, the 4th and 13 call was not one of them.

July 24, 2008  10:27 AM ET

Gostkowski is solid....Belichick just likes to run the scoreboard up and destroy his opponents.

July 24, 2008  10:43 AM ET

The Irony of it all: Coughlin lets Tynes kick a 47 yarder in Lambeau field at 10 degrees below zero in sudden death after the guy had missed two shorter ones in the fourth quarter. Field position would have been good for the Packers off a miss and next score wins.
Belichick does not have his kicker try a 49 yarder in perfect weather conditions with lots of time left to play in regualtion. A miss leaves about the same field position.
Seems to me one guy believed in his kicker and defense, and one guy did not.....

July 24, 2008  10:55 AM ET

Seems to me one guy believed in his kicker and defense, and one guy did not.....

50yearfan | 07/24/08, 10:43 AM

As I said earlier, Gostkowski is no Adam Vinitari.

July 24, 2008  11:09 AM ET

Definitely in the "who cares?" neck of the woods.

July 24, 2008  11:09 AM ET

This was one of the Super Bowls must enduring moments? Hey the man is no Fuad Reveiz!

the_crafty_righthander

But he could be the next Garo Yepremian.

July 24, 2008  11:23 AM ET

Well when you come from Vinitieri down to this guy it is almost a shock so I don't blame the Patriots at all.

July 24, 2008  11:31 AM ET

Yeah, right. Blame the kicker for losing that game. If there was any doubt that Bostonites are morphing into New Yorkers the last few years this story clinches it. Friggin' hilarious.

July 24, 2008  12:31 PM ET

No Pats fan that I know blames the kicker for the loss of that game, it was a team effort from the Coach on down.

 
July 24, 2008  12:44 PM ET

Give Belichik a break...it must've been difficult to make decisions not knowing what the Giants signals were

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