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By Chick Ludwig And you thought Shayne Graham's right foot worked hard on Sunday. Well, his cell phone and personal computer worked even harder — overtime and overnight. After giving Baltimore the boot with a Bengals' single-game record seven field goals in Cincinnati's 21-7 victory, Graham got a kick out of the fans' reaction. "Between all the phone calls and text messages, people were congratulating me and thanking me for the fantasy league points," Graham said on Monday. "Some of the E-mails I got were kind of fun. No one told me they traded me (in fantasy leagues). It's been a couple weeks since we've had any field goals, so I guess if they were patient, it paid off for them."
Before Sunday, the Bengals hadn't tasted victory since their 38-31 triumph over the New York Jets on Oct. 21. "It's good we're all walking out of the locker room with smiles on our faces," Graham said, "That's something we haven't had in a while. and that's a nice feeling to have." Graham lives for kicking the football, and he's thankful to be part of Bengals' lore. He's converted 19 straight field goals, which is another club record, breaking his own mark of 17 set in 2006. Scoring 21 points in a game is a kicker's dream, and it's one he shares with his posse — long-snapper Brad St. Louis and holder Kyle Larson. "I was thinking about it on the plane ride home (Sunday) night," Graham said. "I didn't feel any glitch, any timing (problem) from Brad and Kyle that made me feel like anything was less than perfect. "We hope that we can get those kinds of opportunities to help our team out, and gain respect and confidence from your teammates, coaches and fans of all kinds. It's always good when you can get those. We'll take the points when we can get 'em." On the flip-side of Graham's star status was Adam Vinatieri's goat horns. He pushed a 29-yard field goal attempt in the Indianapolis Colts' 23-21 loss at San Diego. "It just goes to prove that every kick is important," Graham said. "It doesn't matter what you've done or what you can do or what you will do, Every kick is the most important kick at that time when you're kicking it. "We're all human. We're all going to make mistakes. Just because I hit these field goals doesn't insure anything for me in the future."
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