http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...oys/index.html
By Don Banks, SI.com
Mike Vanderjagt, who was not welcomed back to Indianapolis this offseason despite being the most accurate kicker in NFL history, has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys, an NFL source confirmed to SI.com.
Terms of the deal are not known, but Vanderjagt visited the Cowboys on Wednesday and agreed in principle to a contract that is expected to be completed and announced at some point Thursday.
Vanderjagt, who will be 36 on Friday, spent the past eight seasons in Indianapolis, and was 23-of-25 in field goal attempts in 2005, with a long of 48 yards. But that accuracy did not count for much in an AFC divisional playoff game against the Steelers when he badly missed a 46-yard attempt on the final drive. The Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl as the conference's No. 6 seed, while the top-seeded Colts, who started 13-0, dealt with another bitter playoff disappointment.
Vanderjagt is the second headline-name kicker to switch teams this week, following Adam Vinatieri's signing with the Colts. The former Patriots star became the league's highest paid kicker when he received a five-year deal to replace Vanderjagt. The contract calls for a $3.5 million signing bonus, and is worth $7.5 million in the first three years.
The acquisition of Vanderjagt ends the Cowboys' revolving door at kicker. Dallas had three kickers in 2005, and the 9-7 Cowboys lost three games by three points or fewer, narrowly missing the playoffs. Dallas kickers were just 20-of-28 overall last season, missing three from 38 yards or less.
By Don Banks, SI.com
Mike Vanderjagt, who was not welcomed back to Indianapolis this offseason despite being the most accurate kicker in NFL history, has agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys, an NFL source confirmed to SI.com.
Terms of the deal are not known, but Vanderjagt visited the Cowboys on Wednesday and agreed in principle to a contract that is expected to be completed and announced at some point Thursday.
Vanderjagt, who will be 36 on Friday, spent the past eight seasons in Indianapolis, and was 23-of-25 in field goal attempts in 2005, with a long of 48 yards. But that accuracy did not count for much in an AFC divisional playoff game against the Steelers when he badly missed a 46-yard attempt on the final drive. The Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl as the conference's No. 6 seed, while the top-seeded Colts, who started 13-0, dealt with another bitter playoff disappointment.
Vanderjagt is the second headline-name kicker to switch teams this week, following Adam Vinatieri's signing with the Colts. The former Patriots star became the league's highest paid kicker when he received a five-year deal to replace Vanderjagt. The contract calls for a $3.5 million signing bonus, and is worth $7.5 million in the first three years.
The acquisition of Vanderjagt ends the Cowboys' revolving door at kicker. Dallas had three kickers in 2005, and the 9-7 Cowboys lost three games by three points or fewer, narrowly missing the playoffs. Dallas kickers were just 20-of-28 overall last season, missing three from 38 yards or less.
Didn't realise he was that old. I know kickers can go on for a bit, but don't be shocked if he doesn't keep up his Indy form
