Colts training camp preview: Kicking

Now that we have moved through previews for the offense and defense, it’s time to do the same for the special teams units. We start with the kicking game.

Special teams can be the difference between winning and losing games. They are vitally important even if not everyone likes to talk about them. Heading into training camp, we take a look at the kicking game. It might not be as solid as some people think it is.

Adam Vinatieri is still the kicker in Indy. He has been as reliable as they come when it comes to making field goals. But last year, he had a bad showing at the end of the season, including some terrible kicks in Kansas City in their loss to the Chiefs in the Divisional round.

Vinatieri is the oldest player in the NFL and says he wants to keep kicking as long as the Colts want him. He was re-signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, so that might be it. He can’t kick forever, and the Colts will have to move on eventually.

Long snapper Luke Rhodes was re-signed as well and was made the highest paid long snapper in football. Having Rhoes, Vinatieri, and holder Rigoberto Sanchez all re-signed helps the continuity of the kicking unit. That is something that helps a lot.

Sanchez is still the kick-off man, not that there are too many kick-offs returned in the NFL these days. But he should keep those duties for quite awhile. The main thing to watch in training camp is how well Vinatieri performs and if there is any slip in his play.