Patriots fans will never forget Adam Vinatieri.
How could they, after what he did during the team's amazing run of Super Bowl victories?
But Stephen Gostkowskihas done everything he can, thus far, to ease the pain of his predecessor's departure.
On Friday, Gostkowski, who was already headed to Hawaii next month as the AFC's Pro Bowl kicker, was voted a 2008 All-Pro by the Associated Press.
The Patriots third-year kicker received 28 votes, 15 more than the New York Giants' John Carney. He was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in October and finished the 2008 season 36-of-40 on field goal attempts. He also made all 40 of his extra point attempts. His 148 points led all NFL scorers this year.
Gostkowski was the only Patriot who made this year's All-Pro team, but he wasn't the only Patriot who garnered votes.
Wide receiver Wes Welker, who's also a Pro Bowler this season, received six All-Pro votes, good for fourth behind Andre Johnsonof Houston, Larry Fitzgeraldof Arizona, and Carolina's Steve Smith. New England's Randy Mossreceived one All-Pro vote.
At guard, last year's Pro Bowler Logan Mankinsmanaged four All-Pro votes this year, narrowly missing out to Alan Fanecaof the Jets, who got 7 votes. Charger Kris Dielman's10 votes won him the other All-Pro guard spot in the AFC.
And at inside linebacker, New England's Jerod Mayo, recently named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year, received one vote for the All-Pro squad. Raven Ray Lewiswas the top vote-getter in that category with 39.
Former Patriot Asante Samuel(whom the AP mistakenly listed as still being with New England) garnered three votes at the cornerback position, but was beaten out by NFC rivals Charles Woodsonof Green Bay and Antoine Winfieldof Minnesota.
