BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer
The Patriots media relations staff came up with an interesting note about kickers and Gillette Stadium. Since it opened in 2002, it has been one of the toughest stadiums for kickers to boot field goals. Except for Adam Vinatieri, of course.
Vinatieri has made 84.6 percent of his field goal tries at home during that span, versus 64.6 percent for opponents. That makes Gillette the second-toughest place for opponents to make field goals, trailing only Soldier Field (59 percent) in Chicago.
From 30 yards and beyond the numbers grow even wider. While Vinatieri has connected on 77.5 percent of his kicks from that range, opposing kickers are just 18 of 35 (51.4 percent) from beyond the 30-yard line since 2002.
Journal Sports Writer
The Patriots media relations staff came up with an interesting note about kickers and Gillette Stadium. Since it opened in 2002, it has been one of the toughest stadiums for kickers to boot field goals. Except for Adam Vinatieri, of course.
Vinatieri has made 84.6 percent of his field goal tries at home during that span, versus 64.6 percent for opponents. That makes Gillette the second-toughest place for opponents to make field goals, trailing only Soldier Field (59 percent) in Chicago.
From 30 yards and beyond the numbers grow even wider. While Vinatieri has connected on 77.5 percent of his kicks from that range, opposing kickers are just 18 of 35 (51.4 percent) from beyond the 30-yard line since 2002.
