SPORTSDAY

Posted by P @ 5:53 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

The real question is how is he from 22 yards. We already know Vanderscrub snuck that last one through. Was Gramatica the only kicker left on the market, or was he just the cheapest?

Posted by Brent @ 5:58 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Lets all pray that the Bears pick him up. We may need a kicker to help us beat the Bears in the NFC Championship; maybe Vandy IS the guy! He can help us win by shanking the Bears potential game winning kick.

Posted by Tom Morgan @ 6:01 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Gramatica?! What, were Scott Norwood and Lin Elliott busy or something?

Posted by DH @ 6:01 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Matt,
If Romeo keeps throwing kisses (and touchdowns) from opponents end zones, does it matter who the kicker is? Is George Blanda available?

Posted by Chuck H. @ 6:05 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Why??? I mean, why Gramatica??? Hell, 3/4 of the league despises the Gramatica brothers. The only thing I ever remember about the guy is how he would trash talk an opposing player while hiding behind the back of one of his much larger teammates.

Posted by Chris J. @ 6:05 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

At least we didn't get the other Gramatica (Bill) who injured himself celebrating when he made a field goal. *lol*

Posted by James Joyner @ 6:07 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

A real head-scratcher. Especially ironic since Billy Cundiff was out there until a couple days ago. Surely, there was a better option that Gramatica?!

Frankly, as aggravating as Vanderjagt was, there's no reason to think he's not going to get better. You have to ride it out with elite players. If nothing else, drop one the project-of-the-week guy at the bottom of the roster that Big Bill loves to churn and add a second kicker.

Posted by PH @ 6:15 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Gramatica revealed in an interview in September of 2005 with news-press.com that he believed the reason for his struggles was because of torn muscles in his lower abductor and lower abdomen, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason. However, Gramatica was not done with rehabilitation until after the season started, and did not sign with a team for the 2005 season.

Posted by John @ 6:16 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Man, what a good news/bad news story. That's like finding out that Jerry Jones is stepping down as Owner/GM but finding out that he's being replaced by Al Davis.

Posted by Agreen07 @ 6:23 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Matt...was Vandy hurt all year? It seemed like every kick went to the right, as if he were a golfer not being able to get through it. I imagine an experienced kicker could figure it out and overcorrect eventually. Do you know if he was hurt at all throughout the season?

Posted by Brick Tamland @ 6:26 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

So do we have to pay Vandersuck the rest of his contract, or just this year and the bonus? Also, I hear David Beckham is thinking about moving to the States.... could be an improvement on on Grammaritis. I love lamp.

Posted by S L @ 6:27 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

A coach! A coach! My kingdom for a coach? Whitherest Ben Agajanian?? Phone home!

Posted by JH in Four Points @ 6:28 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

I agree with everyone else who is pleased that VanderMiss is gone but freaking out that Martin Gramatica is our consolation prize. Any word on how long his contract is (week-to-week, maybe), or whether any other kickers were/are in the running to be picked up? Also, what do we know about the shape (mental and physical) that Gramatica is in? Details, please!

Posted by Aaron Layman @ 6:58 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Questionable. I know Vanderjagt is struggling, but they should have stuck with him anyways. Gramtica was awesome his rookie year, especially on kickoffs, but he was a big part of the Bucs' demise a few years ago. Besides, the coverage units are so good, Vanderjagt's weak kickoffs weren't hurting them that much anyways.

Posted by Louie @ 7:12 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Hey,I like your headlines. I still think they should have called Sweden and picked up Ola. Then you could have written "How Swede it is" remember he kicked a 65 yard FG for the Broncos but it didn't count as a record because it was during pre-season. Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on Mike afterall it does take talent to hit those goal posts from 40 plus yards out.

Posted by Dave @ 7:14 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

I'm surprised and happy that the team pulled the trigger. Vandy was not reliable and you need to know exactly what your can count on from your kicker even if that means he's only good for a 40 yard field goal.

The way I see it, the Cowboys have 5 games to figure out who'll be the kicker for the playoffs. Grammatika is only auditioning.

This brings up what I consider one of Parcells' big mistakes - letting Steve Hoffman go. I still don't know why he did that.

Posted by AmosM @ 7:16 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

You have to admire a guy who gets an NFL gig on his birthday. Gramatica's DOB: 11-27-75

Posted by Michael @ 7:18 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

This can't be good. There are two rules to always live by: a) Always know that there are no greener pastures on the other side of the fence...it's just that the other guy hides his brown spots better than you do, and b) Always stick with the devil you know...you know where he keeps his pitchfork and you can always plan around it.

Vandy was an idiot, but he was our idiot. Now we have to get used to a whole new idiot.

Posted by Scott @ 7:25 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

Signed by the Cowboys on his 31st birthday. What a present. Good thing Dallas has been effective getting touchdowns this year. May need a lot more of them.

Posted by Nate @ 7:54 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

If there wasn't a game Thursday, BP would have cut Vandershank last week after the two misses against Indy. Fortunately they won that one.

Posted by TrueFan @ 9:30 PM Mon, Nov 27, 2006

This move depends on if we get the bad post superbowl or the relatively good pre superbowl Grammy.

Posted by M. Martin @ 12:05 AM Tue, Nov 28, 2006

"I think 'Jagt' would of gotten better. I liked 'im."

Posted by Bean @ 8:41 AM Tue, Nov 28, 2006

Why no interest in trying to coach Vanderclank out of his problems? I guess if a problem can't be solved by yelling, then Parcells has no clue what to do. I bet Steve Hoffman could have fixed the problem by now, but the Tunaman ran him out of town.

Can we have a do-over on which coach goes to NO?

Posted by Luis @ 10:25 AM Tue, Nov 28, 2006

Not too disappointed with the Cowboys cutting Vandercrap, but I am very disappointed with who they chose to replace him. They should of gone back with Suisham, or even stay with Vanderjagt if they had Gramatica in mind. The Cowboys have still not improved this position, but have taken a step back...

Posted by MikeB @ 11:45 AM Tue, Nov 28, 2006

This move was a no-brainer: if Vanderjagt is not dependable at 30+ yards then you might as well get another guy who is also not dependable at 30+ yards but can do a better job kicking off.

Vanderjagt's 22 yarder would have missed if it had needed to go another five yards.

Posted by Rusty @ 11:59 AM Tue, Nov 28, 2006

Maybe Vander-jerk can now get "Liquored up" and talk about how this team will never go to the super bowl as long as they have Bill Parcells and Tony Romo in charge!