Kickers

ON THE RISE

STEPHENGOSTKOWSKI Patriots
New England's retooled offense will help keep the second-year kicker on aVinatieri-like pace.

ROBBIE GOULDBears
Grossman's offense tends to stall in the red zone, which is good news forGould.

JEFF WILKINSRams
St. Louis will be better than .500, and Wilkins, one of the NFL's mostaccurate, will benefit.

ON THE DECLINE

JASON ELAMBroncos
The 15-year veteran is not getting the high number of attempts he used to.

JEFF REEDSteelers
He's only as productive as Big Ben's attack, which didn't click in '06. Thatdoesn't explain Reed's worst kicking pct. in three seasons.

LAWRENCE TYNESGiants
RB Brandon Jacobs, a shoo-in near the goal line, will limit Tynes'schances.

SLEEPERS

ROB BIRONASTitans
True, he had only 33 points through eight games last year--but he had 64 in thelast eight.

OLINDO MARESaints
Two things he never had in Miami: an explosive offense and--hallelujah!--adome.

JUSTIN MEDLOCKChiefs
Larry Johnson and no competition in camp make the newcomer from UCLA the RookieKicker Most Likely to Succeed.

SI PLAYERRANKINGS FOR 2007 with 2006 stats

 	 	POINTS	POINTS/GAME	FG PCT.	XP PCT.	40-49 FGS	50-PLUS FGS	LONGEST FG	BYE WEEK
1.	Nate Kaeding, Chargers	136	8.5	89.7	100.0	7/9	1/1	54	7
2.	Adam Vinatieri, Colts	113	8.69	89.3	100.0	9/10	0/1	48	6
3.	Robbie Gould, Bears	143	8.94	88.9	100.0	12/14	0/0	49	9
4.	Neil Rackers, Cardinals	116	7.25	75.7	100.0	7/10	1/7	50	8
5.	Shayne Graham, Bengals	115	7.19	83.3	95.23	6/8	2/4	51	5
6.	Jeff Wilkins, Rams	131	8.19	86.5	100.0	11/16	3/3	53	9
7.	Josh Brown, Seahawks	111	6.94	80.6	100.0	7/9	3/5	54	8
8.	Matt Stover, Ravens	121	7.56	93.3	100.0	6/7	1/1	52	8
9.	David Akers, Eagles	102	6.38	78.3	100.0	6/8	0/0	47	5
10.	Olindo Mare, Saints	100	6.25	72.2	100.0	9/12	1/6	52	4
11.	Joe Nedney, 49ers	116	7.25	82.9	100.0	7/9	1/2	51	6
12.	John Kasay, Panthers	100	6.25	88.9	100.0	8/8	4/7	54	7
13.	Josh Scobee, Jaguars	119	7.44	81.2	100.0	14/18	0/1	48	4
14.	Stephen Gostkowski, Pats	103	6.44	76.9	97.7	2/4	1/1	52	10
15.	Jason Elam, Broncos	115	7.19	93.1	100.0	6/8	1/1	51	6
16.	Jason Hanson, Lions	117	7.31	87.9	100.0	7/8	3/6	53	6
17.	Mike Nugent, Jets	106	6.63	88.9	97.1	4/4	2/3	54	10
18.	Rob Bironas, Titans	98	6.13	78.6	100.0	4/8	1/2	60	4
19.	Jeff Reed, Steelers	101	6.31	74.1	100.0	4/7	1/1	50	6
20.	Jay Feely, Dolphins	107	6.69	85.2	100.0	6/8	0/1	47	9
21.	Rian Lindell, Bills	102	6.38	92.0	100.0	8/10	2/2	53	6
22.	Lawrence Tynes, Giants	107	6.69	77.4	97.2	7/10	2/4	53	9
23.	Justin Medlock, Chiefs +	113	8.69	87.5	100.0	5/8	2/2	51	8
24.	Phil Dawson, Browns	88	5.tk	72.4	100.0	6/12	1/1	51	7
25.	Ryan Longwell, Vikings	90	5.63	84.0	96.4	4/6	0/2	49	5
26.	Martin Gramatica, Cowboys	44	5.5	77.8	100.0	3/5	0/0	48	8
27.	Matt Bryant, Buccaneers	73	4.56	77.3	95.7	5/9	1/2	62	10
28.	Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders	70	4.38	72.0	100.0	3/3	3/7	55	5
29.	Dave Rayner, Packers	109	6.81	74.3	96.9	8/11	1/3	54	7
30.	Kris Brown, Texans	83	5.19	76.0	96.3	11/13	0/2	49	10
31.	Shaun Suisham, Redskins	41	5.13	81.8	100.0	1/1	1/2	52	4
32.	Mike Vanderjagt, free agent	72	7.2	72.2	100.0	1/4	1/1	50	—

+ College stats

PHOTO

DAVID BERGMAN (GOSTKOWSKI)

PHOTO

JOE MURPHY/WIREIMAGE.COM (BIRONAS)