Bill Belichick Working Out Adam Vinatieri's Nephew for Kicker Vacancy
By Michael Luciano
Who knew South Dakota was such a fertile ground for kickers? Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots might end up looking to the heartland once again to find their next star kicker after the release of Stephen Gostkowski.
And they also might just keep it in the family.
The Patriots are reportedly considering drafting South Dakota State kicker Chase Vinatieri, the nephew of future Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri, who is still looking to play another NFL season at age 47 after 10 years with the Patriots and 14 years with the Indianapolis Colts.
Patriots could target Adam Vinatieri's nephew Chase in NFL Draft https://t.co/wwWNRpv9jS pic.twitter.com/nk3VIb78FV
— New York Post (@nypost) April 12, 2020
The younger Vinatieri had a painful final season in Brookings, making just nine of his 18 field goal attempts. However, he was one of the best kickers in the country during his standout sophomore season, missing just one field goal all year long while often times kicking in adverse conditions.
55-yard FG with plenty of room to spare for Chase Vinatieri. Looking like his uncle, @adamvinatieri ?
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 2, 2017
SDSU 13, UNI 7 2Q
? #FCSPlayoffs on ESPN3: https://t.co/mH2cX0MU60 pic.twitter.com/KmUqdOVjtG
The form, with his back hunched over at almost a 90 degree angle, is just like his uncle's.
If Chase makes the Patriots and Adam is back with the Colts, we might see the first uncle-nephew kicking tandem in NFL history that ended up playing against one another.