It was announced today that the Colts veteran kicker, Adam Vinatieri is returning on a one year deal for 2018. It will be his 23rd NFL season. He spent his first 10 in New England and surprisingly even more years (12 going on 13) in Indianapolis. He entered the NFL in 1996 after a year in the World League of Amreican Football, which later became NFL Europe.
18 fun facts
In 1996:
- Peyton Manning was entering his junior year at Tennessee.
- Von Miller was 7 years old, Brandon McManus was 5.
- John Kasay (Carolina) led the NFL with 45 field goals.
- Cary Blanchard (Indianapolis) was the AP All Pro 1st team kicker
- The Broncos won the AFC West with a 13-3 record.
- Brett Favre, Reggie White and the Green Bay Packers beat the rookie and his New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
- Then Patriots coach Bill Parcells nearly cut him after starting 3/7 over his first 3 games, he finished the year going 24/28 and then 2/3 in the playoffs.
- Terrell Davis was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.
- Entering ’96, Jan Stenerud had the most Field Goals in NFL history with 373.
- Today, Morten Anderson has the record with 565, Stenerud is 13th and Vinatieri is 2nd with 559 and should easily pass Anderson in the ’18 season.
- Entering ’96, George Blanda had the most Extra Points kicked in NFL history with 943.
- Today, Blanda still owns the record, Vinatieri is 5th with 808.
- Entering ’96 Blanda had the most points scored in NFL history with 2002.
- Today, Anderson owns the record with 2,544, Blanda is 7th, and Vinatieri is 2nd with 2,487 and again should easily pass Anderson in the ’18 season.
- With 83.14% of FG made, Vinatieri is 13th in NFL history in FG accuracy. Justin Tucker (Baltimore) with 90.17% is the leader.
- In the post season that % drops to 82.4.
- AV is the NFL all time leader in post season points (227), Field Goals (56), and extra points (65).
- AV should have never kicked that game winning field goal vs. Oakland in the snow because Tom Brady fumbled and was bailed out by Walt Coleman misapplying the tuck rule #fytb #fyne.
Stats
Stats via:
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com
- https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/V/vinatada01.htm