Bill Belichick Throws Slight Shade at Adam Vinatieri With Justin Tucker Comment

The undefeated New England Patriots will face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is always over the top with his praise when asked about opposing NFL players. But in complimenting one of his Week 9 opponents, he may have taken a subtle shot at one of his former players, Adam Vinatieri, while discussing talented Ravens' kicker Justin Tucker.

Belichick boldly proclaimed that Tucker is the best kicker in the history of the NFL and didn't mention Adam Vinatieri, who helped the Pats win three Super Bowls.

Vinatieri had a massive role in New England's three championship runs from 2001-2004 and is undoubtedly the greatest clutch kicker in the history of Football. Is Belichick really downplaying Vinatieri's greatness?

The answer is probably no. People shouldn't put a ton of stock into what Belichick says to the media, and we're fairly confident he meant no ill will towards his former special teams star.

However, there is a real case to be made for Tucker being the best kicker in NFL history.

Nobody is denying that Tucker is the best kicker currently in the NFL, but he has never made a kick as important as Vinatieri's two Super Bowl winning kicks or his kick in the Snow Bowl.

New England has struggled in the kicking game in 2019 following the loss of Stephen Gostkowski. They are already on their third kicker of the season after releasing Mike Nugent and adding Nick Folk. So, it's no surprise that Belichick is praising the one aspect of Sunday's game that the Ravens clearly have an advantage in.