Vinatieri, Gould cross paths in Super Bowl XLI

Feb 1, 2007 - 4:23 PM By John Pezzullo PA SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Adam Vinatieri will play in his fifth Super Bowl in 11 years. Robbie Gould is 16 months removed from ripping out insulation in basements.

The tale of two kickers is a delightful storyline in Super Bowl XLI.

Vinatieri made the difference in three of the four Super Bowls he played with the New England Patriots before signing with the Indianapolis Colts last March. Gould, who made the Pro Bowl in his second year with the Chicago Bears, learned at the foot of the master in the summer of 2005.

After making just 39-of-61 field goals as a walk-on at Penn State, Gould signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent. He had about as much chance of taking the job away from Vinatieri as an "American Idol" reject has of bumping Beyonce off the top spot of Billboard.

But Gould took the time to soak in all he could from the clutchest kicker in NFL history.

"He (Vinatieri) was a great mentor to me," Gould said. "Just watching him prepare, mentally and physically, and his focus in game situations. He's just so focused. That's exactly what I wanted to take away from it."

Gould made an impression on Vinatieri and the Patriots' coaching staff.

"I told him (Gould) that he could kick in the NFL and there would be opportunities for him," Vinatieri said. "I know that (coach) Bill Belichick and (special teams coach) Brad (Seely) felt the same way about him."

Shortly after being cut by the Patriots, Gould signed with the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. He lasted with them for less than three weeks and didn't get another shot until the Bears called in October 2005. Chicago's regular kicker Doug Brien was struggling with back spasms and Gould was invited to a tryout against the likes of veterans Martin Gramatica and Steve Christie.

"I was working at M&S Contracting in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania when the Bears called," Gould said. "Hey I had to pay my bills. I didn't want my parents doing it because they picked up the bills for 23 years."

A week after the tryout, Gould was signed to replace Brien and made 21-of-27 field goals, including 18-of-19 inside 40 yards, in 13 games.

This season, Gould made his first 24 field-goal attempts. He finished 32-of-36, led all kickers with 143 points and was named to the Pro Bowl. In the postseason, Gould has made all five of his attempts, including a 49-yarder in overtime against Seattle.

"You want to have the opportunity to kick a game-winner, especially in the playoffs," Gould said. "Adam has kicked so many. For me, being in my first Super Bowl and having the opportunity to play against him is going to be fun for me."

Vinatieri has made a record 37 postseason field goals, including all 11 of his attempts with the Colts. He is best known for drilling a 48-yard field goal as time expired in New England's 20-17 victory over St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI and for kicking a 41-yarder with four seconds left in a 32-29 win over Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Vinatieri's 22-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter also turned out to be the difference in the Patriots' 24-21 victory over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX.

"I'm just fortunate to get another opportunity to play in a Super Bowl," Vinatieri said. "My first was back in 1996 with the Pats (against Green Bay). Now here I am with another team. I'm certainly fortunate to be a part of two great organizations."

And Gould was fortunate to spend some time with the best kicker in Super Bowl history.

"If you don't pick up something when you spend some time with Adam, you're foolish because he's happy to help," Colts special teams coach Russ Purnell said. "I saw that firsthand with (kicker) Shane Andrus in training camp. Shane wasn't afraid to ask Adam for tips and Adam was more than willing to help. So I'm sure he did the same with Robbie Gould."

The Bears are sure happy he did.