kickers players?

After the recent comments of colts kicker vanderjhat about winning the age old question comes to mind. Are kickers players? They are part of the team and their kicking wins and loses games. If the NFL players have such a grudge against kickers considered players why is there such a position? Just ask any Vikings fan about the 98 season and they will tell you kickers make and break games. I am confident if Anderson makes his field goal against the falcons they had a good chance to take the broncos in the superbowl. Sure there was a lot of guilt put on the whole team for shanking that game, but why do coaches and players say the game shouldnt be decided by kickers, but then depend on them so much to score?