Mike Herman
Footballguy
Q: It’s now a couple of weeks later (after the signing). How did it ever come to this?
A: Well, free agency went along for a while and Indianapolis stepped to the plate and showed me a lot of love. Not just financially, but obviously with the commitment that they wanted me to be on their team. They showed me a lot of love with the guys that were there. It just made sense for me. At this point, it was the best decision I could make when I weighed all the options.
Q: Are you disappointed the Pats didn’t match the (Indy) offer, or come in with the most competitive offer out there?
A: I didn’t give them an opportunity to match it. I told (competing teams) give me what made sense for them. I guess what I’m saying is that I just weighed all my options and Indianapolis was the best option at that point. I wanted a long-term deal and they offered me a long-term deal with a great team, a great organization that has a chance of winning a lot of football games and winning championships as easy as anyone. So I just felt that was my best option.
Q: Did the Patriots make a last-ditch effort for you? Did they come in with a later offer?
A: I don’t even want to get into all of that. They’ll be able to tell you what’s done and said. They were along with some other teams that were out there, too. But like I said, I was really happy with the offer and the love Indianapolis showed me.
Q: Have you spoken with Bill Belichick?
A: I have not yet. I’ve played phone tag. Mr. (Scott) Pioli called a couple of times and Mr. (Robert) Kraft. I plan on giving them all a call this week. Let the dust settle a little, I guess, and wish them all well and good luck and all that stuff.
Q: Back to the dome issue. Let’s say the Green Bay Packers, or the Buffalo Bills, had made you the best offer for you and your family. Is that where you would have gone, or did Indy get extra consideration because of the dome?
A: Well, obviously, I weighed all the options that were out there. And a dome was one of the things that appealed to me. That wasn’t the only deciding factor. The fact that Indianapolis is a championship-caliber team and they’ve got great players along with a dome and playing inside -- I weighed all my options and that seemed to be the best. (The dome) held certain merit to be sure.
Q: We’ve heard a lot about the agent issue (Vinatieri hired Gary Uberstine just days prior to signing with the Colts). Did you feel that your original agency (the Neil Cornrich firm, which has represented Belichick in the past) was trying to steer you back to the Patriots?
A: Let me clear that up. I didn’t hire and fire. I was not being represented by anybody at the beginning of it (Cornrich is under suspension by the NFLPA). I didn’t fire any agents. I didn’t fire Neil. I wasn’t officially with him. I just hired Gary Uberstine because I felt he was going to be the best for my career and give me the best options and push the hardest he could. It wasn’t a fire and a hire process. It was just hiring counsel to help me along the way.
Q: So it’s Sunday, Nov. 5. Indianapolis at New England. What’s that going to be like?
A: I haven’t marked it on my calendar yet, but I’m excited for the game. It should be fun. Two great organizations. Two great teams. It will be really strange being on the other sidelines, being over there. But I’m looking forward to it, it should be a lot of fun. Hey, I understand football is football, I don’t know if (fans) will give me a little cheer or a whole heck of a lot of boos. But I understand either way and respect that. And I just want to thank the fans and appreciate them.
link
A: Well, free agency went along for a while and Indianapolis stepped to the plate and showed me a lot of love. Not just financially, but obviously with the commitment that they wanted me to be on their team. They showed me a lot of love with the guys that were there. It just made sense for me. At this point, it was the best decision I could make when I weighed all the options.
Q: Are you disappointed the Pats didn’t match the (Indy) offer, or come in with the most competitive offer out there?
A: I didn’t give them an opportunity to match it. I told (competing teams) give me what made sense for them. I guess what I’m saying is that I just weighed all my options and Indianapolis was the best option at that point. I wanted a long-term deal and they offered me a long-term deal with a great team, a great organization that has a chance of winning a lot of football games and winning championships as easy as anyone. So I just felt that was my best option.
Q: Did the Patriots make a last-ditch effort for you? Did they come in with a later offer?
A: I don’t even want to get into all of that. They’ll be able to tell you what’s done and said. They were along with some other teams that were out there, too. But like I said, I was really happy with the offer and the love Indianapolis showed me.
Q: Have you spoken with Bill Belichick?
A: I have not yet. I’ve played phone tag. Mr. (Scott) Pioli called a couple of times and Mr. (Robert) Kraft. I plan on giving them all a call this week. Let the dust settle a little, I guess, and wish them all well and good luck and all that stuff.
Q: Back to the dome issue. Let’s say the Green Bay Packers, or the Buffalo Bills, had made you the best offer for you and your family. Is that where you would have gone, or did Indy get extra consideration because of the dome?
A: Well, obviously, I weighed all the options that were out there. And a dome was one of the things that appealed to me. That wasn’t the only deciding factor. The fact that Indianapolis is a championship-caliber team and they’ve got great players along with a dome and playing inside -- I weighed all my options and that seemed to be the best. (The dome) held certain merit to be sure.
Q: We’ve heard a lot about the agent issue (Vinatieri hired Gary Uberstine just days prior to signing with the Colts). Did you feel that your original agency (the Neil Cornrich firm, which has represented Belichick in the past) was trying to steer you back to the Patriots?
A: Let me clear that up. I didn’t hire and fire. I was not being represented by anybody at the beginning of it (Cornrich is under suspension by the NFLPA). I didn’t fire any agents. I didn’t fire Neil. I wasn’t officially with him. I just hired Gary Uberstine because I felt he was going to be the best for my career and give me the best options and push the hardest he could. It wasn’t a fire and a hire process. It was just hiring counsel to help me along the way.
Q: So it’s Sunday, Nov. 5. Indianapolis at New England. What’s that going to be like?
A: I haven’t marked it on my calendar yet, but I’m excited for the game. It should be fun. Two great organizations. Two great teams. It will be really strange being on the other sidelines, being over there. But I’m looking forward to it, it should be a lot of fun. Hey, I understand football is football, I don’t know if (fans) will give me a little cheer or a whole heck of a lot of boos. But I understand either way and respect that. And I just want to thank the fans and appreciate them.
link
I dont whine about players changing teams. I respect what Willie McGinest did for the Pats and felt the Pats treated him right over the years. I do not bugrudge David Givens. He was looking for #1 WR money and the prestige of being #1, something he couldnt get in NE.
By putting himself into a dome situation, AV probably made the right move for him.
By the way, I'm going to be 
