Colts Daily Notebook: Adam Vinatieri Working To ‘Get Back On Track’

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2019
2,079
0
e6rjxgk9wnjy7myvgave


INDIANAPOLIS — In 24 seasons of kicking footballs in the National Football League, Adam Vinatieri, like any other player, has had his good days and bad days.


And when you’re the greatest player of all-time at your position, the good days — from solid performances in practice to game-winners in the Super Bowl — obviously far outweigh the bad ones.


In last Sunday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, though, Vinatieri simply wasn’t at his best. But there is good news: Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans gives Vinatieri and his teammates an ideal shot at redemption.


“I feel good,” Vinatieri told reporters on Thursday. “(It was) just a bad day, and the sun came up the next day and we’re back to work and trying to get back on the right track.”


Against the Chargers, Vinatieri missed three kicks in all, including two field goals and an extra point attempt. While he did connect on a 44-yard field goal and another extra-point try in the ballgame, those seven missed points in a tight contest — the Colts fell to the Chargers, 30-24, in overtime — stand out perhaps more than they usually would.


Vinatieri spent the long flight home from the West Coast evaluating what could’ve went wrong with his mechanics that led to the three misses; the first one went wide right, and the next two went wide left.


But he also knows how important it is to stay consistent in his approach.


“Yeah, obviously you go back and you re-evaluate and stuff,” Vinatieri said. “But we’re not re-inventing the wheel; we’re just kicking better.”


Vinatieri said he’s appreciated having the support of his fellow teammates this week, while his head coach, Frank Reich, has been crystal clear about his thoughts on the matter.


“Obviously, Adam didn’t have his best day, but I’ll just keep putting into context: this guy is an elite, elite player,” Reich said Monday. “Not just was. I see it every day in practice that he kicks. So I have watched him in pregame, I have seen him every day in practice. (I have) no concerns that there is any deteriorating of anything physically, and certainly not mentally. This guy is the toughest mental athlete I have ever been around. So, no worries.”
 
Top