Here's a bit of history that is bound to twist the knife into the hearts of Raider Nation _ Adam Vinatieri nearly didn't make it to the ``Tuck Rule'' game.
Vinatieri's 45-yard field goal in a snowstorm on Jan. 19, 2002 tied a game that the Raiders eventually lost in overtime to the New England Patriots. It was made possible by an obscure rule (since rescinded) that turned what appeared to be a Tom Brady lost fumble into an incomplete pass.According to New York radio host Mike Francesa, Vinatieri almost was cut in 1996 when Bill Parcells was the head coach, according to a story relayed by profootballtalk.