The New England Patriots released veteran Martin Gramatica

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- The New England Patriots released veteran Martin Gramatica on Wednesday, giving the place-kicking job to rookie Stephen Gostkowski.

The fourth-round draft choice from Memphis won the competition to replace Adam Vinatieri, who signed with Indianapolis as a free agent in the offseason. In Saturday's 30-3 exhibition win over Arizona, Gostkowski was 3-for-3 on field goals, two covering 37 yards and another 33, while Gramatica didn't play.

In the Patriots exhibition opener, a 26-23 loss at Atlanta, Gramatica was 2-for-2 and Gostkowski made his only attempt.

Gramatica, 30, didn't play last season after spending most of his career with Tampa Bay. About six hours before the team announced he had been released, coach Bill Belichick gave no indication the competition for Vinatieri's job was over,.

Asked if he planned to have one kicker for Saturday's exhibition game against Washington, Belichick said, "We haven't set our plans for this week yet. We'll take a look at that a little bit later as we get closer to game time. I don't have anything on that one now."

He also praised Gramatica's performance.

"I think he's been very competitive in camp," Belichick said. "He's accurate. He handles the elements well. He's kicked in wind. I think that's a strength for him. He gets the ball off quickly. I thought he kicked off pretty well against Atlanta.

"I'm not saying he's the best kicker in camp. I'm not saying he's not the best kicker in camp. Im just saying that I think he's very competitive."

Tampa Bay drafted Gramatica in the third round out of Kansas State in 1999. In each of his first four seasons with the Buccaneers, he converted at least 79 percent of his field goal attempts and made both of his tries when Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl in his fourth season.

But he struggled while battling injuries in 2003 and was released Nov. 30, 2004, after missing seven of his last nine field goal attempts. Indianapolis picked him up then released him after the 2004 season and no team signed him last year. He signed with the Patriots on April 6.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

And suprisingly the world continues to rotate despite this devastating blow to the Patriots organization.


He sucks anyhow.

Dr. Giganto

I always loved that little fairy...

Anyway, letting Vinatieri go was still stupid

B-Money

King of the Arcade

Didn't that little nerd injure himself while jumping around after hitting a meaningless field goal while he was on T.B.?

If I had the choice to NOT be anyone in the entire world it might be Martin Gramatica. Well, maybe A-Rod first, then Martin Gramatica. If I was him, I'd just go back to Guatelahara or whereve he's from and kick dog poop into my neighbor's yard. I don't know what that means.

B-Money

Dakstang

WC's Resident Redneck

The lonesome kicker.....

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

He tore his ACL celebrating a field goal.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I think that was his brother Bill

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

ya that was bill lol...