How is it possible that the Dallas Cowboys passed on Adam Vinatieri?

Of course, it's equally mysterious how the Patriots could have let him go via free agency to Indianapolis, a potential playoff opponent, deciding they could do just as well on the cheap with rookie Stephen Gostkowski, a 4th-round draft choice from Memphis who just two minutes ago missed a 36 yard field goal attempt which would've brought the Patriots to within four points at the end of the third quarter of what is now — as you read this — last night's Patriots v Colts battle of the world's two best quarterbacks.

But this isn't about the merits of Brady v Manning, it's about Vinatieri.

He's already acknowledged by most knowledgable football minds as the greatest clutch kicker in history (watch the final three minutes of Super Bowl 36 above to see why) and a lock to be voted into the Football Hall of Fame the first year he's eligible.

So why deep pockets Jerry Jones shelled out for T.O. yet decided to pick up last year's playoff clutch failure Mike Vanderjagt from the very same Indianapolis team that jumped at the chance to discard him in favor of the suddenly available Vinatieri, signing the great kicker as fast as they could get a contract into his hands, is a complete bafflement to moi.

And not just the Cowboys — the Redskins, saddled with retread Nick Novak, who blew a potential game-winner against the Cowboys yesterday late in the fourth quarter before getting a second chance and converting in what was one of the most exciting games of the season to date, could've had Vinatieri as well.

A great kicker is worth probably two games a year, which is the difference in many cases between going to the playoffs and going home.

When that kicker only gets greater as the stakes increase and the pressure mounts, well, you can't pay him enough.