INDIANAPOLIS — Adam Vinatieri still has it.
The 36-year-old kicker showed his old team Sunday night that age hasn’t sapped his distance, accuracy or proclivity for making big field goals. He hit a 52-yarder late in the game to give the Indianapolis Colts a desperately needed 18-15 victory over the New England Patriots — and Vinatieri a measure of revenge.
“I’ve got all the respect and admiration for that team,” said Vinatieri, who left New Eng-land as a free agent after the 2005 season. “I’ve still got a lot of good friends over there. I guess that’s why it’s that much sweeter when you have an opportunity to play well and help your current team beat your former team.”
The kick was Vinatieri’s longest since a 57-yarder at Chicago on Nov. 10, 2002, and it should have come as no surprise to the Patriots, who used Vinatieri’s right foot to win two Super Bowl titles.
But New England couldn’t blame Vinatieri for this loss.
Of their four time-consuming scoring drives, three resulted in field goals, and Jabar Gaffney dropped a sure touchdown pass late in the third quarter. Then there was tight end David Thomas, who drew a 15-yard dead ball penalty that pushed New England out of field-goal range with 4:45 to go in the game. It sealed the Patriots’ fate.
