Well, if you’re going to let go of the most accurate place kicker in NFL history (and in a lot of ways, good riddance), might as well replace him with Mr. Clutch:
Among the first to welcome Adam Vinatieri to Indianapolis this week was Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. The significance of a thoughtful phone call was not lost on the kicker, introduced Thursday at Union Federal Football Center as the heir apparent to Mike Vanderjagt. Later Thursday, Vanderjagt signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Yeah, that’s a good start. It’s cool when you get star quarterbacks calling the lowly kickers,” said Vinatieri, who won three Super Bowl rings with New England but departed via free agency for the long-term security of a five-year, $10 million contract with the Colts.
I know, I’m a week late on this one… it’s been a long week!
In other Colts news, Mathis signed a one-year, $2MM RFA tender.
And finally, the Colts will continue a couple recent trends next season: playing on the road in New England, and opening the season on the road – though this year’s opener will be a prime-time face-off of the brothers Manning, as the Colts will be visiting the New York Giants.