Vinatieri close to long-term deal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- When one watches Adam Vinatieri kick in bad weather conditions, it's understandable that the Patriots and Vinatieri are on track toward getting a long-term contract done. According to sources familiar with the situation, the sides are closing in on a long-term deal after prolonged talks, and one can understand that the Patriots wouldn't want to lose someone who can make field goals despite wind, rain, ice, and snow.
Vinatieri connected on field goals of 28, 29, and 26 yards in the Patriots' 23-7 win over the Jets yesterday in the wind at Giants Stadium, and barely missed one from 50 just before the half.
"I aimed that at the right post and I missed left," said Vinatieri, whose string of 23 consecutive field goals came to an end with the miss in the wind. With one game remaining, Vinatieri likely will fall short of the team record of 155 points set by Gino Cappelletti in 1964. Vinatieri blew past his own previous high of 127 points with his 11 yesterday, giving him 138 for the season.
The previous three weeks, Vinatieri had not attempted a field goal, but yesterday the kicker came out of hibernation, and into the elements he's become so accustomed to dealing with.
The kicker would not comment on a possible deal, indicating that all announcements must go through coach Bill Belichick.
Seymour hurts leg
Defensive end Richard Seymour suffered a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return. Seymour came off the field with some assistance and was walking with a slight limp after the game. Belichick said he had no update on Seymour, but added, "Hopefully, it won't be too bad." . . . Ty Law made the trip but didn't make it into the game. The All-Pro cornerback tried to cut during a passing drill and started to limp, ending the pregame audition in front of his coaches. Earthwind Moreland and Asante Samuel were the starters. The Patriots also briefly lost free safety Eugene Wilson, who had an interception, but he returned on the next series. Linebacker Don Davis was used for a few plays at safety . . . The Patriots re-signed Omare Lowe from their practice squad. Five players who did not make the trip were inactive: running back Kevin Faulk (knee), safety Dexter Reid (shoulder), linebacker Matt Chatham (hamstring), Bethel Johnson (thigh) and Randall Gay (arm). Jim Miller was the third quarterback. Also out was Ethan Kelley. Marquise Hill was activated for the first time but did not play. Also active but not getting any playing time was running back Cedric Cobbs.
Dillon does it
Corey Dillon's 89 yards gave him 1,519, a Patriots record. He also earned another $375,000 incentive by surpassing the 1,500-yard mark, and now has earned $1.875 million in incentives. He needs 81 yards in the final game (for 1,600) to make all $2.25 million in incentives in his contract . . . The Patriots paid tribute to defensive end Reggie White, who died of a heart attack over the weekend. Said Belichick: "My condolences go out to his family. Reggie was awesome. I coached against him in his prime when he was in the NFL with Philadelphia and Green Bay. I recruited him in Cleveland, when free agency was starting in 1993, and got a chance to meet he and his family. It is tragic for a person who is so young that has contributed that much, not only to football, but to all of his causes. He's a great person and a great human being." Rodney Harrison said, "He's a good Christian man who did a lot of good for people in his life. He will be sadly missed." . . . Troy Brown's 23-yard punt return was the longest by a Patriot this season . . . The Patriots are now 19-2 since 1993 when the temperature is 35 degrees or colder. Last year the Patriots played in and won all seven games under those conditions. It was 30 degrees when yesterday's game began, the coldest game the Patriots have played in this season . . . Curtis Martin called it the worst Jets game of the season. The former Patriots running back, who held the record that was smashed by Dillon, said, "This is the worst we've performed this year. A performance like this can't be tolerated."
