FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (Aug. 23, 2006) -- The New England Patriots released veteran Martin Gramatica, giving the place-kicking job to rookie Stephen Gostkowski.
The fourth-round draft choice from Memphis won the competition to replace Adam Vinatieri, who signed with Indianapolis as a free agent in the offseason. On Aug. 19 in a 30-3 preseason victory against Arizona, Gostkowski was 3-for-3 on field goals -- two covering 37 yards and another 33 -- while Gramatica didn't play.