New England Patriots cut Martin Gramatica
New England Patriots have released Martin Gramatica, who the team signed earlier this year after Adam Vinatieri left via free agency for Indianapolis Colts. Then in April Patriots drafter kicker Stephen Gostkowski in the fourth round, more or less assuring that Gramatica wouldn’t play for the Patriots in the regular season, as I guessed when they signed him:
Mr. Gramatica’s services won’t be needed by the end of training camp.
Gramatica may have revived his career, though, thanks to his reportedly strong pre-season camp and performance in his only pre-season game with New England.
Here’s what Bill Belichick had to say about Gramatica just hours before the team cut him:
Q: The way he’s kicking now, does he look like he’s near his prime now?
BB: I think he’s been very competitive in camp. I think he’s been very competitive. He’s accurate. He handles the elements well. He’s kicked in wind. I think that’s a strength for him. He gets the ball off quickly. I thought he kicked off pretty well against Atlanta. I think he’s very competitive. I’m not saying he’s the best kicker in camp. I’m not saying he’s not the best kicker in camp. I’m just saying that I think he’s very competitive and I’ve been around kickers for a long time. I think he’s a very competitive kicker in the National Football League at this point.
I hope I never have an evaluation where my boss starts off with “you’re very competitive.”
