Originally Posted by quitesanemax

Vinitieri left of his own accord. He never had any intentions of coming back to the Patriots, and the Patriots knew that. He realizes that he would have a longer career if he played half his games in a dome. The Patriots franchised him two years in a row because they realized they were going to lose him if they didn't. My sources: a friend of mine does business with Vinitieri's sister. Okay, I know, its a secondary source, and he could have been lying to me. But I believe it. It makes sense to me.

I really don't believe Vinitieri was the difference maker in that playoff run. Thats just not the Colt's style. They would have gotten to and won the Superbowl with an average (as far as clutch goes)kicker this year.

When did Asante Samuel's agent come out and say that he would be insulted if he got the franchise tag? I missed that. A few weeks ago, I remember his agent saying that the franchise tag was a possibility, and he would deal with it. It seemed more like he realized thats just what happens in the NFL.

Has anyone who has gotten the franchise tag refused to play for the team that has franchised them in the past?