FOXBORO, Mass. — Like any kicker, New England's Shayne Graham appreciates everything Adam Vinatieri has done for the position.
Now, as the Patriots head into the playoffs, Graham is hoping for his chance to have a Vinatieri moment. Vinatieri, of course, was a postseason superhero during the Patriots' three Super Bowl runs, and he became the first player in history to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter.
"There can’t really be anyone who watches football who hasn't seen any of his game-winners in the Super Bowl and other times," Graham said. "Obviously, he has had a great career, and he had a great career here. We all want to have success. We all want to have those opportunities."
Graham made all 12 of his field-goal attempts this season, the most makes without a miss in the NFL in 2010, but he knows a kicker's legacy is constructed in the postseason. And if he performs well under playoff pressure, he won't be lost in free agency next season — the way he was for much of 2010 — once Stephen Gostkowski returns from injury.
Graham has been an excellent regular-season kicker during his 10-year career, with his 85.95 conversion percentage ranking third all-time. Yet, he's only made 1 of 3 field goals in two career playoff games, and he was 0-for-2 last year when his Bengals had a nightmarish effort in a loss to the Jets. Graham's only postseason field goal came five years ago in Cincinnati's playoff loss to the Steelers — a game most famously remembered for quarterback Carson Palmer's career-altering knee injury.
So, Graham should be eager to write a new chapter in his playoff history when the Patriots return to the field next week.
"I think anytime you have success, you build your confidence from that, but that means nothing at this point," Graham said of the regular season. "I could have had any other kind of performance and still prepared the same way. None of those kicks are going to make the kicks for me in the future. I was glad I could help the team, but hopefully I have more opportunities to help the team from this point out."
