Pats tag Gostkowski, still aim for long-term extension

The New England Patriots placed the franchise tag on kicker Stephen Gostkowski Tuesday, but their efforts for a multi-year deal are still ongoing.

The 31-year-old lead the league in field goal percentage and hit 51 extra points last season for the Pats, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process. It's the most successful season a New England kicker has ever posted, and it's reportedly the reason behind the team's continued effort to sign Gostkowski to an extension.

"Stephen has been extremely productive and a vital component to our success since joining our team in 2006," the team said in a statement Tuesday via the Boston Globe. "Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach an agreement, which is the goal."

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Gostkowski nearing Vinatieri's Patriots record

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Stephen Gostkowski is seven points away from becoming the second-most prolific points-scorer in the history of the New England Patriots franchise.

With 1,124 career points, he's about to pass Gino Cappelletti in that category. Then its on to the all-time franchise record, currently held by Adam Vinatieri and his 1,158 points with the Patriots.

Gostkowski will face off against the now-Indianapolis Colts kicker tonight--a guy Gostkowski obviously looks up to.

Gostkowski utilizes golf skills on 60-yard conversion

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

There wasn't much need for kicker Stephen Gostkowski in the New England Patriots' 30-7 win Friday. That didn't stop him from being bringing his A-game.

The veteran kicker was perfect in three attempts, including a 60-yarder with less than two minutes to go in the half, as Tom Brady and the Pats' offense shined against a Carolina team that stifled the squad in Week 11 last year.

After the game, even Brady -- who's been witness to some pretty significant field goals in his tenure -- was impressed with Gostkowski's performance.

Brady again bails on Pro Bowl, plus other changes

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Voting for Tom Brady for the Pro Bowl is starting to seem like a moot point.

The New England Patriots quarterback declined his invitation to Honolulu once again this season, making it a decade since he's actually appeared in the game.

The 36-year-old has participated in the event only twice in his 14-year career despite being awarded the honor nine times, pulling out the majority of the years for injury reasons or if the team was in the Super Bowl.

Whatever works: Gostkowski pregames with Enya

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has made some pretty clutch kicks this season, and with each one came a similar routine; just probably not the routine you'd expect.

According to the veteran, it starts with a little greatest hits video of some key conversions, tied to a favorite song in order hone in some positive energy. By game time, however, don't expect to hear Dropkick Murphys blaring from the headphones.

Quite the opposite, actually.

Belichick: Gostkowski all sorts of clutch lately

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The New England Patriots' offense hasn't been its reliable self of late, particularly when it comes to building a comfortable lead. All that seems to mean is that kicker Stephen Gostkowski gets a little bit more time in the spotlight.

The eight-year veteran has been calmly putting together his best season yet, a season that's been anything but under the radar. He's nailed 30 of 32 field goals thus far, with the last few coming under some pretty pressure-packed circumstances.

He's had a couple of pretty clutch weeks," coach Bill Belichick told reporters Tuesday, via patriots.com. "I think it would be hard to be much more clutch than that."

Unlike rest of East, Pats won't have camp kickoff

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

For those who missed it, the New England Patriots were the first of the four AFC East teams to cut its respective rookie kicker, releasing former Notre Dame standout David Ruffer late last week. (photo: Keith Allison, Flickr)

The move freed up a roster spot, but more importantly, it likely once again left veteran Stephen Gostkowski in a uncontested race for the starting job.

Now in his eighth NFL season, Gostkowski is getting paid accordingly — he's in the middle of a five-year deal signed back in 2010 worth north of $15 million. And while his make percentage wasn't jaw dropping in 2012 (82.9), his points made up for it, as he tallied the most in his career and nearly the most in franchise history with 153.

Gostkowski on 'second senior year' with Patriots

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Kicker Adam Vinatieri was a staple of the New England Patriots for so long that it seems like just yesterday he was splitting uprights in Foxborough.

Time flies. Vinatieri's successor, Stephen Gostkowski, isn't far behind in the Patriots' tenure-length sweepstakes. (photo: Keith Allison, Flickr)

Gostkowski is entering his eighth year with New England -- Vinatieri was a Patriot for a full decade.

For Kicks: Comparing, contrasting AFC East kickers

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's a slow news day. And since this is AFC East Daily and not SportsCenter, we won't try to create a story where there isn't one. We'll just pass the time.

So no news is good news -- for the kickers. The AFC East has a pretty good dynamic of boots, so it's only fair they get their annual 400(ish) words of fame.

Who better to start with than Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell? He made 88 percent of his attempts last season, going 21-of-24 without missing from 30 yards in. Short story shorter, by the numbers, Lindell is a well-above average field goal kicker.  (photo: Alan Kotok, Flickr)

Patriots' Gostkowski reflects on 'Oh, crap' moment

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a critical play Saturday, and it wasn't a kick.

Gostkowski saved a would-be third-quarter touchdown when Dolphins' kick returner Clyde Gates hit a hole and ran for daylight up the right side of the field. Gostkowski dove for the returner's feet in a last-gasp effort and brought him down.