How many starting kickers in the National Football League can you name? At least three; probably the kicker of your favorite team along with all-stars Mike Vanderjagt and Adam Vinatieri.

But maybe you don’t remember Vanderjagt and Vinatieri because they are all-stars. More likely you remember the name Vanderjagt for being the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history, yet missing the game-tying field goal in the playoffs against the Steelers. Vinatieri, despite not having the gaudy stats of Vanderjagt, is the icon, and it’s not because of his kicking range or accuracy, it’s because he is clutch.

With the weight of the world watching, Vinatieri is automatic – he won the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots in a final kick. Twice. That is the kind of player that is remembered forever, and it’s a rare find. It’s easy to find diamonds, they sparkle and have incredible value, but a championship franchise needs a Vinatieri.

These players don’t come around very often. In the late 80s Scott Norwood was considered the Adam Vinatieri of today, and we all know how that ended up. There are plenty of all-stars in the league, and sometimes we get mixed up proclaiming a player to be great without making him prove it in the clutch.

I have been simmering with this idea for years now with Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes. Sadly, A-Rod is everything that the Yankees have become, and I want Scott Brosius. Every single time the Yankees need a hit, somebody to drive in the tying or winning run, the strapping young third baseman from the Bronx steps up, and fails.

Pujols wouldn’t have failed.

Jeter wouldn’t have failed.

Big Papi would have not only hit a home run, but looked like a gigantic 50 Cent.

And I am so tired of watching the highest paid player in sports choke and then tell the reporters that next time will be different. Every once in a while, to get a point across, you have to step into the shoes of an average fan, and right now you can join me in my rant.

From the beginning of time, the Yankees have demanded that in every hotel they stay in there must be a red carpet for the team to walk in and out on. The thought of A-Rod sharing that red carpet kills me. He should be sneaking through the back entrance and taking the kitchen dumbwaiter up to his room.

Give the kicker a bat, and I’d have more trust in Adam Vinatieri with the bases loaded and two outs than A-Rod.

It’s a feeling. When Pujols is up in a walk-off situation you’re shocked when the game isn’t over. When Vinatieri is ready for a game winning kick the only question is the style of celebration. When Peyton Manning has the game on the line. Ah ha, found another. How much longer are we going to proclaim Manning as the best quarterback in the game when every year the Colts find a way to lose? Peyton might as well be wearing a Michigan jersey and calling a time out with none left.

Sports are full of them, All-Star chokes.

You don’t become clutch from preparation, repetition doesn’t change the outcome of the big game. These guys are born with ice in their veins and are worth their weight in diamonds. Give me a .280 batting average and 24 home runs in the regular season, but when I need that game winning RBI or rally starting walk, show me!

Ian Gold is a senior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].