Snubbed Pro Bowl pick kicks around comments about Gramatica

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- When Green Bay Packers kicker Ryan Longwell was snubbed for the Pro Bowl in favor of Tampa Bay's Martin Gramatica, he didn't hide his displeasure.

"I think we rated ahead of him in a more difficult place to kick," Longwell said. "Like I've said many times, I don't think it's a mere coincidence that a Pro Bowl kicker and punter are from Florida and Arizona, the two best places to kick."

So, isn't Longwell relishing the thought of seeing the colorful Gramatica kick in the swirling winds, scattered snow and single digits Sunday at Lambeau Field when the Buccaneers (10-5) visit the Packers (8-7)?

Actually, no.

"I think he'll do fine," Longwell said. "I think he's had a great year and will finish out the year strong. The ball just doesn't go as far. That's something he'll have to get used to. But I expect him to do very well."

Longwell might not be as flamboyant as Gramatica, but his numbers are a bit flashier.

Longwell, a fourth-year pro, has made 32 of 35 attempts this season (91.4 percent). Gramatica, a second-year pro, has made 26 of 31 (83.8 percent).

Longwell's 126 points are the most by a kicker in the NFC, six ahead of Gramatica. Longwell's longest field goal was a 52-yarder and Gramatica's a 55-yarder.

And this year, Longwell became the most accurate kicker in league history.

So, in his heart of hearts, doesn't Longwell want to see Gramatica falter in the freezing conditions?

"No, I don't wish that," Longwell insisted. "Like I said when I was competing against Brett Conway, I didn't want to win the job because he was injured. I wanted to win the job because I was the better kicker, and I wanted him to kick his best just to prove that I was better.

"And so I expect Martin to come up here and have a great game because you like to do it when the two guys are at their best, not when someone's faltering or because of the weather," Longwell said. "You'd like to do it when you're both hitting the ball well and one is going better."

Besides, Longwell said he'll be too busy relishing his own experience to worry about Gramatica's.

This could be Longwell's last game in Green Bay because he'll become a free agent after the season.

"We really hope not, but my wife, Sarah, and I have talked about kind of enjoying this week just to make it extra special and try to remember everything, the last drive to the stadium and stuff like that," Longwell said. "But hopefully it will just be the end of year four and nothing more than that."

Even though Longwell prefers to stay with the Packers, Mike Vanderjagt's recent contract extension with Indianapolis complicates matters. Vanderjagt deal worth up to $7.75 million over five years with a $1.5 million signing bonus makes him the league's highest-paid kicker.