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Adam Vinatieri is 45 years old, entering his 23rd NFL season and is one of the most decorated kickers in league history.

He also is not entertaining any thoughts of hanging up his kicking boots and calling it a career.

"I love it as much today as I had when I started 23 years ago," Vinatieri told Colts.com. "I'm not looking to hang them up anytime soon, unless something happens that needs to be that way. 

"I guess I’ll take these one year at a time and see where it ends up. I would anticipate if I can stay healthy and be productive, I can anticipate catching up to Morten (Andersen) midseason or thereabout, and I guess at the end of the year I’d be 46."

Morten Andersen, a 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, was in the NFL until he was 47 years old, which made him the second-oldest player in league history. The oldest, of course, was George Blanda, who was in the NFL until age 48. Vinatieri would have to play into the 2021 season in order to pass Blanda's extraordinary record.

Vinatieri is entering his 13th season with the Indianapolis Colts, a team he joined after 10 seasons with the New England Patriots. It's with the Patriots that Vinatieri earned most of his fame. After kicking the game-tying and winning field goals in the famous Tuck Rule game against the Oakland Raiders in the 2001 playoffs, Vinatieri made the game-winning field goals in both Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII. 

Vinatieri needs to make seven field goals this season to top Andersen for most career field goals made. He also needs 58 points to pass Andersen for most career points scored.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.

2018 NFL post-draft power rankings

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32. Colts (32): Did Chris Ballard pick optimal players
32. Colts (32): Did Chris Ballard pick optimal players after Quenton Nelson? Is Andrew Luck any closer to throwing? Questions still far exceed answers.  Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
31. Jets (30): Snagging Sam Darnold a stroke of good
31. Jets (30): Snagging Sam Darnold a stroke of good fortune this franchise rarely enjoys. But given state of roster, no reason to rush him into lineup.  Noah K. Murray, USA TODAY Sports
30. Bills (28): Quite a rankings tumble for playoff
30. Bills (28): Quite a rankings tumble for playoff team. But Buffalo booted its quarterback, saw its O-line decimated and is unproven in several key spots.  Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Spor
29. Dolphins (31): Virtually everything rides on Ryan
29. Dolphins (31): Virtually everything rides on Ryan Tannehill's ability to recalibrate to league, and offense to him. Suh-less defense remains mystery.  Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Spor
28. Browns (25): Their navigation of draft board open
28. Browns (25): Their navigation of draft board open to serious debate. That said, roster continues to rapidly improve for team that may approach 8-8.  Phil Long, AP
27. Seahawks (18): Didn't feel like they did enough
27. Seahawks (18): Didn't feel like they did enough to address pressing needs ... unless RB Rashaad Penny makes O-line shine, keeps defense off field.  Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
26. Raiders (23): Seems several of their rookies will
26. Raiders (23): Seems several of their rookies will need additional time to acclimate to NFL. Apropos since team, Gruden headed for adjustment period.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
25. Bears (24): GM Ryan Pace has had louder first-rate
25. Bears (24): GM Ryan Pace has had louder first-rate offseason, upgrading around Mitchell Trubisky. But like Bucs, can Bears compete in division yet?  Patrick Gorski, USA TODAY Sports
24. Buccaneers (26): GM Jason Licht has quietly had
24. Buccaneers (26): GM Jason Licht has quietly had potentially first-rate offseason, and his club looks far tougher. Will it translate in loaded NFC South?  Chris O'Meara, AP
23. Bengals (27): They've got talent, which seems upgraded
23. Bengals (27): They've got talent, which seems upgraded by draft class, to return to relevance quickly ... assuming Marvin Lewis can re-engineer DNA.  Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports
22. Lions (20): "Meh" is becoming ubiquitous ... but
22. Lions (20): "Meh" is becoming ubiquitous ... but it aptly describes Detroit, which feels 7-9-ish as team tries to adapt to rookie coach Matt Patricia.  Carlos Osorio, AP
21. Ravens (22): With one playoff appearance since
21. Ravens (22): With one playoff appearance since Super Bowl XLVII, it had become apparent reset was needed. Outgoing GM Ozzie Newsome evidently agreed.  Trevor Ruszkowski, USA TODAY Sports
20. Redskins (19): Upwardly mobile? Alex Smith could
20. Redskins (19): Upwardly mobile? Alex Smith could make 'em quickly forget about Captain Kirk. Allen and Payne could have dramatic effect from D-line.  Jose Luis Magana, AP
19. Cowboys (17): With Zeke and ever-better O-line,
19. Cowboys (17): With Zeke and ever better O-line, they're built to grind opponents. But passing game, questionable D mean trouble if they fall behind.  Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
18. Cardinals (21): Reminder -- they were 8-8 in 2017.
18. Cardinals (21): Reminder — they were 8-8 in 2017. Don't sleep on team with sixth-ranked D that gets David Johnson back now that QB issue is solved.  Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports
17. Giants (29): They got best player in draft, RB
17. Giants (29): They got best player in draft, RB Saquon Barkley, and arguably best overall rookie crop. With OBJ on mend, Big Blue primed for big boost.  Catalina Fragoso, USA TODAY Sports
16. 49ers (14): A full season in Kyle Shanahan's system
16. 49ers (14): A full season in Kyle Shanahan's system plus getting a full season out of Jimmy G fuel buzz. But do Niners have enough at skill positions?  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
15. Chiefs (16): All six of their draft picks were
15. Chiefs (16): All six of their draft picks were devoted to defensive side. Only thing this squad may lack is meaningful experience for QB Pat Mahomes.  Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports
14. Titans (15): Owners of second-easiest schedule,
14. Titans (15): Owners of second-easiest schedule, they could be nasty if receiving corps steps up and new coach Mike Vrabel has expected impact.  Wade Payne, AP
13. Panthers (12): They have new offensive coordinator
13. Panthers (12): They have new offensive coordinator but no traditional lead back. Thomas Davis suspensions hurts, and secondary still a question.  Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports
12. Texans (13): Deshaun Watson's on way back. J.J.
12. Texans (13): Deshaun Watson's on way back. J.J. Watt's on way back. Houston owns league's easiest schedule. Could be a force with sufficient blocking.  Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
11. Broncos (11): Bradley Chubb headlines what looks
11. Broncos (11): Bradley Chubb headlines what looks to be impact draft. New QB Case Keenum is apparently already winning over locker room. They're back.  Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports
10. Packers (10): Aaron Rodgers is back (and comfortably
10. Packers (10): Aaron Rodgers is back (and comfortably golfing). New GM Brian Gutekunst beefed up D. But Pack must overcome league's roughest schedule.  Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports
9. Steelers (7): Still look legit. But Pittsburgh hasn't
9. Steelers (7): Still look legit. But Pittsburgh hasn't been able to remotely address Ryan Shazier's absence, and Le'Veon Bell distraction drags on.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
8. Jaguars (6): They're going to leave a mark. A team
8. Jaguars (6): They're going to leave a mark. A team that was already rugged only got tougher and deeper during free agency and draft. AFC outlier.  Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
7. Saints (5): Riddle us this — if you're OK investing
7. Saints (5): Riddle us this — if you're OK investing two first rounders into a pass rusher, why not pursue a proven player like franchised Ziggy Ansah?  Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports
6. Chargers (9): Combo of pass rushers, corners and
6. Chargers (9): Combo of pass rushers, corners and first rounder Derwin James may comprise league's top nickel D. Bolts might finally be Lombardi-caliber.  Orlando Ramirez, USA TODAY Sports
5. Rams (4): Case to made they won offseason after
5. Rams (4): Case to be made they won offseason after trades for Cooks, Talib and Peters plus Suh signing. Yet "offseason champs" rarely win Super Bowl.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
4. Vikings (3): NFL's top-paid QB was ranked 94th-best
4. Vikings (3): NFL's top-paid QB was ranked 94th-best player by peers. Ouch. Good reminder that championship-caliber roster must adjust to Kirk Cousins.  Jim Mone, AP
3. Falcons (8): GM Thomas Dimitroff managed to draft
3. Falcons (8): GM Thomas Dimitroff managed to draft four studs onto roster that had few flaws. No team was closer to eliminating Eagles than this crew.  Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New England Patriots quarterback
2. Patriots (2): They won't admit drafting for need but picked replacements for Solder, Butler, Lewis, Amendola. Now they must replace TB12's doldrums.  Kim Klement, Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1. Eagles (1): TE Dallas Goedert was a nice draft pickup.
1. Eagles (1): TE Dallas Goedert was a nice draft pickup. Second-string D-line better than most top units. Now it's just down to Carson Wentz's recovery.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

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