Is it time for the Indianapolis Colts to cut future Hall-of-Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri?
First you have to weigh all the factors. Most importantly, is there anyone out there that is better.
Since 2015 Vinatieri has the 10th lowest field-goal-percentage in the NFL at 91.8 percent. In the same time frame, he has missed 14 extra points — second most in the league. Worth noting — 2015 was the first year the extra point attempt was moved back to 33 yards.
It’s clear Vinatieri’s struggles go deeper than just this season, but 2019 has been a new kind of bad. He is a league-worst 14-of-20 (70 percent) on extra points.
Don’t tell me there’s not someone else out there better.
Missed field goals are going to happen, no kicker is perfect. However, missing extra points force your team to chase points. And unfortunately the Colts this season have had to chase points against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins — accumulating losses in three of the four games.
While Vinatieri knocked through a game-winning field goal against the Broncos, he missed a game-winner against the Steelers.
Remember, just 14-of-20 on extra points for the season.
Is there someone better? Colts General Manager is interested in finding out, because on Tuesday he brought in a group of free agent kickers to workout for the second time this season.
Now the question is will the Colts cut Vinatieri?
Ultimately that is up to Colts owner Jim Irsay. The man who cut Peyton Manning, fired Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell just two seasons removed from a 14-2 regular season and Super Bowl appearance, and the man who didn’t re-sign the franchise’s all-time leading rusher in Edgerrin James following a 1,548 yard and 13 touchdown season.
But, this is different. So much different. Vinatieri is the greatest kicker to ever live, and there’s no disputing that. And unlike Manning, he can physically still take the field and do his job.
Will Irsay pull the trigger?
My guess is there is a very slim chance.
Should he?
There’s not question. Adam, it’s time to hang it up. Father-time is here, and it’s time to wake up. Do you want to be remembered like Peyton Manning or Brett Favre?
Jared McMurry was born and raised in Montgomery County and is the Sports Editor of the Journal Review. He can be reached by phone at 765-918-8656 or by email at jmcmurry@jrpress.com
