Martin Gramatica
No. 7, 10, 1 | |||||||||||||||
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Position: | Kicker | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born: | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 27 November 1975||||||||||||||
Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight: | 170 lb (77 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school: | LaBelle (LaBelle, Florida) | ||||||||||||||
College: | Kansas State (1994–1998) | ||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1999 / Round: 3 / Pick: 80 | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Martin Gramatica (born 27 November 1975) is an Argentine-born former American football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats where he won the Lou Groza Award and was recognized twice as an All-American. He was selected by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.
Gramatica is currently the head coach of the Tampa Bay Strikers in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL).
Early years
Gramatica was born in
Gramatica started to play
College career
Gramatica accepted a football scholarship from Kansas State University. As a freshman in 1994, he ranked eighth in the Big Eight Conference with 57 scored points, making 6-of-9 field goals (66.7%) and 38-of-39 extra points (97.4%).[4]
As a sophomore in 1995, because of a very effective redzone offense, Gramatica saw his field goal opportunities reduced, connecting in 7-of-10 field goals (70%) and 43-of-46 extra points (93.5%).[4]
In 1996, Gramatica was granted a medical redshirt, after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament one week before the season opener.[citation needed]
As a junior in 1997, he posted 19-of-20 field goals (95%), 37-of-38 extra points (97.4%) and 94 scored points.[4] He converted all three of his over 50-yard field goal attempts. He received the Lou Groza Award.[5]
As a senior in 1998, he registered 22-of-31 field goals (71%) and 69-of-69 extra points (100%).
Gramática received his Bachelor of Science degree in social science from Kansas State in May 1999.
During his four seasons, he became the school's greatest placekicker. He made 54 out of 70 field goals and 187 of 192 point-after-touchdown attempts, gaining a school record of 349 points in four seasons. He set the single-season school record with 135 points and the longest field goal kicked from 65 yards.[3] Those achievements earned him the nickname Automatica because whenever he attempted a field goal, it was taken for granted that it would be good.[2]
In 2008, he was inducted into Kansas State's Ring of Honor.[8] In 2013, he was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.[9] In 2016, he was inducted into the Kansas State Athletics Hall of Fame.[10]
Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gramatica was selected by the
In 2000, he posted 28-of-34 field goals (82.4%), 42-of-42 extra points and scored 126 points (new franchise record). In the seventh game against the
In 2001, he scored 23-of-29 field goals (79.3%), 28-of-28 extra points (100%) and 97 points.
In 2002, he tallied 32-of-39 field goals (82.1%), 32-of-32 extra points (100%).
In 2003, Gramatica had a noticeable drop in accuracy in field goals of 40 yards or longer (4-of-11 for 36%). He collected 16-of-26 field goals (61.5%), 33-of-34 extra points and 81 points.[31] In the fifth game against the Washington Redskins, he converted 5-of-5 extra points.[32]
In 2004, his accuracy problems continued, registering 11-of-19 field goal (57.9%) and 21-of-22 extra points (95.5%) attempts.[33] He did not make a field goal longer than 22 yards after the fifth game against the New Orleans Saints. In the eleventh game against the Carolina Panthers, he missed three field goal attempts (one was blocked), contributing to a 14–21 loss.[34] He only connected on two of his last nine field goal attempts (22%). He was released two days later on 30 November and replaced with Jay Taylor.[35]
Indianapolis Colts (first stint)
On 8 December 2004, he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a kickoff specialist, to complement kicker Mike Vanderjagt who had a groin injury, while reuniting with his former head coach Tony Dungy.[36] He appeared in four games and averaged 61.8 yards per kickoff. He was not re-signed after the season.
In September 2005, Gramatica revealed in an interview with The News-Press of Fort Myers, that he believed the reason for his struggles the previous two seasons was because of torn muscles in his lower adductor and lower abdomen, which he had surgically repaired during the offseason. However, his rehabilitation was not completed until after the 2005 season started, and he remained out of football while rehabbing.[37]
New England Patriots
On 6 April 2006, the New England Patriots signed him as a possible replacement for veteran Adam Vinatieri, who signed as a free agent with the Indianapolis Colts.[38] Gramática competed with rookie fourth-round draft pick Stephen Gostkowski for the position. He made his only two preseason attempts against the Atlanta Falcons. He was released on 23 August.[39]
Indianapolis Colts (second stint)
On 22 September, Gramatica returned to the Colts for depth purposes, after Adam Vinatieri suffered a groin injury.[40] He appeared in three games, making one field goal of 20 yards and three extra points against the New York Jets. He was released on 9 October.[41]
Dallas Cowboys
On 27 November 2006, Gramatica was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, after the team released veteran Mike Vanderjagt.[42] On 3 December, in his debut with the team, he kicked the game-winning 46-yard field goal against the New York Giants.[43]
In the 20–21 Wild Card Round loss against the Seattle Seahawks, he made 2-of-2 field goals and 2-of-2 extra points. He also became part of Cowboys lore on fourth-and-one with 1:19 left in the game, Gramatica was going to attempt a 19-yard field goal for the go ahead score, when starter Tony Romo the holder for the kick, fumbled the snap, recovered the ball and attempted to run it for either a touchdown or a first down, but was tackled short of the first down marker, and turned the ball over on the Seattle 2-yard line.[44]
On 5 March 2007, Gramática signed a two-year extension with the Cowboys. He was passed on the depth chart by rookie Nick Folk during the preseason. After being placed on injured reserve with a strained right hamstring on 1 September, he was released on 25 September.[45][46]
New Orleans Saints
On 12 December 2007, Gramatica was signed by the New Orleans Saints to handle the kicking duties for the final three games, after kicker Olindo Mare was injured.[47] On 23 December, he matched his personal long field goal mark of 55 yards just before halftime in a pivotal game against the Philadelphia Eagles.[48] He made 5-of-5 field goal (100%) and 8-of-8 extra points (100%) attempts.[49]
In the 2008 preseason, he was challenged by sixth-round draft pick
Personal life
His younger brother,
References
- ^ Kent, Andy (17 November 2000). "Gramatica stands out". The Ledger. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Una historia bien argentina". Clarín. 25 January 2003.
- ^ a b c "The end". Olé. 11 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Martin Gramatica College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Lou Groza Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Michael Bishop, Martin Gramatica, Kendra Wecker, Steve Anson included in latest K-State athletics hall of fame class". The Topeka Capital-Journal. 29 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ Fritchen, D. Scott (2 May 2020). "Impressive feats: Remembering Martin Gramatica's 65 yarder". GoPowercat.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Ring of Honor Feature: Martin Gramatica". Kansas State Wildcats Athletics. 22 August 2008. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ Markham, Shelbi (10 July 2013). "Kansas Sports Hall of Fame to induct award-winning former K-State kicker". The Collegian. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Martin Gramatica Hall of Fame bio". Kansas State Wildcats Athletics. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "1999 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 21st, 1999". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "1999 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "NFL Players of the Month". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Martín Gramática 1999 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "1999 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 19th, 2000". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "2000 NFL Week 15 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "2000 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Martin Gramática 2001 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Brief history of strange moments for kickers, punters". ESPN.com. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "2001 NFL Week 12 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – December 23rd, 2001". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Gramática injures hamstring kicking extra point". SEC Sports. 23 December 2001. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Wild Card – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles – January 12th, 2002". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Martin Gramática 2002 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – October 27th, 2002". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "2002 NFL Week 8 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "2002 NFL Week 17 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders – January 26th, 2003". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Martín Gramática 2003 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins – October 12th, 2003". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Martín Gramática 2004 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – November 28th, 2004". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ "Buccaneers release kicker Gramática". Chicago Tribune. 1 December 2004. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Colts sign Gramatica for kickoffs". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 9 December 2004. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "There Is Always Something". Dallas Cowboys. 28 November 2006. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (6 April 2006). "Still automatica? Gramatica signs with Patriots". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ Reiss, Mike (24 August 2006). "Gramatica has both feet out door as he is released by Patriots". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (22 September 2006). "Colts pick up veteran kicker Gramatica as insurance". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ James, Tom (11 October 2006). "Critics not impressed by Colts' 5–0 start". Tribune Star. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys kick Vanderjagt to curb, sign Gramatica". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 27 November 2006. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – December 3rd, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ Archer, Todd (4 January 2019). "Tony Romo's bobbled hold reminds Cowboys of what's at stake vs. Seahawks". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys cut CB Glenn, put Gramatica on IR". NFL.com. Associated Press. 1 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys drop Gramatica from injured reserve". NFL.com. Associated Press. 25 September 2007. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ Martel, Brett (12 December 2007). "Saints sign K Gramatica, place Mare on injured reserve". USA Today. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints – December 23rd, 2007". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Martín Gramática 2007 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Saints put kicker Gramatica on IR, re-sign rookie Mehlhaff". NFL.com. 8 October 2008. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Martín Gramática 2008 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "News: Tampa Bay Strikers Announce Martin Gramatica as Head Coach". Tampa Bay Strikers. 25 July 2022. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
Notes
- ^ Kicked without tee
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Pro Football Reference