My wife is opposed to our sons playing football. Soccer, basketball, and baseball are all okay, but she has a fear that they will damage their knees, spines or something far worse, their skulls. One look at Troy Aikmen's injuries confirms her worst fears. Concussions, back injuries, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, and elbow problems all plaqued the Cowboy star. He is lucky he even remembers his own name.
I can not promise her that they will never get hurt, but I can promise that if they become field goal kickers they can have a career that is almost as good as the young stallion who is put out to pasture to stud.
Adam Vinatieri, almost as hard to pronounce as it is to spell, is taking it easy during preseason so he can get some rest.
News: Vinatieri did not play in Thursday's preseason game and may sit out Indy's second preseason game as well as the Colts rest him for the regular season, the Indianapolis Star reports. Impact: Vinatieri isn't injured as the Colts don't want to take any chances with him and don't feel he needs the practice. Shane Andrus handled all kicking duties, although he's unlikely to make the final roster (but could be signed to the practice squad). (RotoWire)
Now don't get me wrong, you do rest your super stars, but even Peyton Manning is taking a series or two during the preseason. The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Vinatieri is resting up for the season. One question, what has he been doing the entire off season? Shouldn't he at least go out and kick a few extra points? I don't want the guy to get injured, but place kickers have it pretty safe. They are the last one to run down the field on the kick off. If the runner gets by the other ten players, he usually trips over himself making it look as if he is diving for the runner, and rarely takes a hit. What is Adam saving himself for? (Questioned answered in picture below)
A good place kicker is put in more situations to win games than any other person, but plays the least amount of time on the actual playing field. What other gig is so sweet? Next to the quality quarter back, the place kicker is in the limelight the most. He takes home all the glory when his winning field goal sails through the uprights. His team mates carry him off the field in glory, probably because it's too hard to walk in two different shoes, and the QB who made the winning drive pats him on the back like he did all the work. I need to have my wife read this article today and maybe my boys can still feel the comraderie of playing football, as a kicker.
SoCalSportsFan
*On a side note, do an image search for Adam and you might see a picture that shows his rippling muscles, maybe steroid enhanced. Also, I am heading to see the Chargers vs Seahawks today and will report on that game tomorrow.*
Your the first father I've ever heard say I want my son to grow up and be a kicker. Must be that SoCal mentality. Hope your kid dosen't turn into a ####. Good Luck.
I remember them doing a story about kickers on "Outside the Lines" once. One of the people they talked to was former Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery, and he said that he had the best year of his career when the team started him on a schedule where he practiced his kicking more often. Vinatieri shouldn't be resting, he should be getting his leg in shape for the season.
I wouldn't mind either,status or money that is. There are hundreds of Bill Gramaticas out there. Only one Vinatieri. Man up and tell your wife your kids are going to play football. And remember kickers are only glorified soccer players. Real kids want to be QB's & LB's.
Vinatieri is doing commercials in the off-season, like all Super Bowl laureates. Have to say, as a former high school linebacker whose neck pops when I brush my teeth, I have come to see the wisdom of my wife's active discouragement of football for my younger son, who has avoided serious injury playing baseball. May his knuckleball support me in my old age.
Are kickers athletes? Aren't they like golfers? Really? How much of a sweat do they break? I laughed my #### off when I saw Els and Woods at the conference with towels around their necks. Must have been hot walking up the fairway WITHOUT the clubs on your shoulders like your caddies. Oh the perks of the job.
Socal, I agree, can't imagine him not going out there for a little game time practice. i.e. two touchdowns, just two extra point attempts. Wow, is that crazy or what?
hey SoCal, didn't bother to catch much of Becks' commercials with Reggie Bush, but could he kick a football? He says he'll play a half tomorrow night. We'll see. It's about time, but his debut was exciting. I hung out with one of my favorites, Julie Foudy. If we had only signed Klinsmann, my predictions would have all come true. And my offer still stands. Sorry I haven't been in touch....Del Mar's been good to me.
sounds good....will be in touch...seeing Becks' first goal and the difference he makes was worth the price of my season tickets....you can reach me at reigsss2@aol.com
I have 2 daughters and no sons. I suppose if I had a son and he wanted to play football I would let him. I would live in complete terror though. I watched a kid die here after taking a hit that broke his neck. I'll never forget it. So when someone says "man-up" and tell your wife your kids are going to play football....to me they sound extremely ignorant. Football is a GAME and not worth the life of your child. You have the right idea socal. Keep him as a kicker!! I would tell that person to "man-up" and take responsibility as a father and protector.
SoCalSports'
So the wife doesn't want your boy playing football ? Now that's not cool but then again she could've told you that she wanted him to take up figure skating. Be thankful for each blessing you'll be given. Sequinned outfits on a guy just don't seem that masculine.
Check out my latest post titled Not Necessarily From Two Different Cultures But We Do Have Something Don't We ? It's my take on the fan's fervour for sports no matter what their origin.
tophatal
Last edited by tophatal on August 24th at 8:02 PM.
I remember my father didn't want me to even play flag football. My mother had to talk him into it. They made me play baseball (which I didn't get good at until 14) so my mom let me play football. I was too big to place kick, so I played off. and def. line. I found that my coaches were right, play hard and you won't get hurt. I do find it odd that Adam isn't doing any kicking in the preseason, but I guess that's up to Tony. Even Longwell of the Vikings is kicking, just like it's the regular season.
Speaking of the Vikings, Adrian Peterson is showing me something. He appears to have the power, agility and the speed as advertised. It was fun watching him make a few Jets miss last week. Hopefully he can avoid the injury bug that plagued him in college. The Vikings are deep at running back though, so he'll be sharing the load which should help with injuries. Sorry, couldn't help but put a plug in for my team here, lol.
Last edited by Johhnystorm on August 24th at 7:26 PM.
Hmmm...baseball, basketball or soccer? I think I would prefer my sons to play football. At least there is no fear of him being dinged in the head by a baseball, baseball bat, a goalie with cleats on without head protection, or being trampled by a 7'4'' player.
Pads, helmet vs, no helmet or pads. Football is much safer.
My wife is opposed to our sons playing football. Soccer, basketball, and baseball are all okay, but she has a fear that they will damage their knees, spines or something far worse, their skulls. One look at Troy Aikmen's injuries confirms her worst fears. Concussions, back injuries, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, and elbow problems all plaqued the Cowboy star. He is lucky he even remembers his own name. 
Adam Vinatieri, almost as hard to pronounce as it is to spell, is taking it easy during preseason so he can get some rest. 
A good place kicker is put in more situations to win games than any other person, but plays the least amount of time on the actual playing field. What other gig is so sweet? Next to the quality quarter back, the place kicker is in the limelight the most. He takes home all the glory when his winning field goal sails through the uprights. His team mates carry him off the field in glory, probably because it's too hard to walk in two different shoes, and the QB who made the winning drive pats him on the back like he did all the work. I need to have my wife read this article today and maybe my boys can still feel the comraderie of playing football, as a kicker.
