Pats Kicker

[Bpk]

Does anyone knwo how the Pats kicker situation is looking?

I figure the Phins' chance to win the AFC East this year hinges on the success/failure of the new Pats kicker to replace Vinatieri.

Is it the vet or the rookie that figures to start for them and how do they look?

B.

~Oct. 8th and Dec 10th we fight for the AFC East.~

 

[MR NFLFAN]

Right now they are both looking good and its about an even showing. Nothing will be decided until the final cuts after preseason but I wouldn't be suprised to see the rookie Gostkowski win this battle IMO. He is said to have a big leg which is what Vinatieri lacked, distance especially on his kick offs. All else being equal except for experience I'd take the kicker with the strongest leg.


This is the latest on the kickers from the Boston hearld.


http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=151335

 

[like2god]

I still think that the loss of Vinatieri is going to cost NE at least 1 game this season. The guy was clutch, he was a very good kicker. He might have been one of the most important kickers to play the game in recent memory. JMO

I also don't think that putting rookies in big spots is a very good gameplan. Yes they need the experience, but to me it is asking to much from too many rookies. Again JMO

.

 

[MR NFLFAN]

I still think that the loss of Vinatieri is going to cost NE at least 1 game this season. The guy was clutch, he was a very good kicker. He might have been one of the most important kickers to play the game in recent memory. JMO

I also don't think that putting rookies in big spots is a very good gameplan. Yes they need the experience, but to me it is asking to much from too many rookies. Again JMO

.

Well if I had to go with a rookie, kicker isn't the worst place to start one. I don't know about how Vinatieri's loss is going to effect this team but I have to go with Belichick's judgement on this one but he knows more about this than me and he's served this team very good so far. I suppose the only way to get good in pressure situations is to be put into them to kick, its not like you can practice that pressure of kicking the winning field goal in a super bowl on the practice field. Right now I'm more worried about getting Deion Branch into camp and fell not having him there will definately cost us.

 

[like2god]

Well if I had to go with a rookie, kicker isn't the worst place to start one. I don't know about how Vinatieri's loss is going to effect this team but I have to go with Belichick's judgement on this one but he knows more about this than me and he's served this team very good so far. I suppose the only way to get good in pressure situations is to be put into them to kick, its not like you can practice that pressure of kicking the winning field goal in a super bowl on the practice field. Right now I'm more worried about getting Deion Branch into camp and fell not having him there will definately cost us.

True, but it seems like the Pats are relying on too many rookies right now to step up and pick up the slack created by FA losses, trades and possible injuries. Maroney, Jackson and the kicker to name a few. I wouldn't be too comfortable right now as a Patriots fan with those type of question marks.

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[anditsgood]

True, but it seems like the Pats are relying on too many rookies right now to step up and pick up the slack created by FA losses, trades and possible injuries. Maroney, Jackson and the kicker to name a few. I wouldn't be too comfortable right now as a Patriots fan with those type of question marks.

.

i think the biggest qs the pats fans have is at the WR, LB and back up QB position right now


dillon isnt going to just give away his starting position without a fight (barring injury of course)

maroney will probably the starter next year

 

[like2god]

i think the biggest qs the pats fans have is at the WR, LB and back up QB position right now


dillon isnt going to just give away his starting position without a fight (barring injury of course)

maroney will probably the starter next year

When I said injury I was talking about Dillon. He is another year older and seems to be injured more than other RB's. I haven't seen too much of Maroney to have an opinion on what type of RB he will be in this league.

.

 

[anditsgood]

When I said injury I was talking about Dillon. He is another year older and seems to be injured more than other RB's. I haven't seen too much of Maroney to have an opinion on what type of RB he will be in this league.

.

yeah, you never know with rookies

but as far as the corey being injured, it was only last year and 03 when he was with cincy he was injured for a few games, otherwise hes a 1300 yard back

 

[MR NFLFAN]

True, but it seems like the Pats are relying on too many rookies right now to step up and pick up the slack created by FA losses, trades and possible injuries. Maroney, Jackson and the kicker to name a few. I wouldn't be too comfortable right now as a Patriots fan with those type of question marks.

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Well Maroney will back up Dillon and running back is another position easier to come into as a rookie and contribute as you saw on your own offense with Brown. Expect to see Dillon get the bulk of the carries. I've heard that Jackson has excellent hands and has been working during the offseason mini camps with Brady learning the routes but he's probably the most questionable rookie as far as being able to contirbute much to the team. It of course would make it easier for him if Branch was in camp. Other than the kicker I don't really know of to many other key rookies competing for starting jobs. We have 2nd yr Ellis Hobbs At the CB spot going into his second season and he did play well after taking over as a starter in the second half of the season. So I guess I'm not seeing all the rookie question marks you are. I don't see us any worse off than 95% of the teams bringing rookies into the 06 season.
Like i said the biggest question mark in most patriot fans minds is Deion Branch.

 

[like2god]

Do either of you guys know what the latest news is on Branch?

Not that I care or anything.............it's just that he is on my FF team.

:wink:

.

 

[Bpk]

Thanks, Mr. N.

Right now they are both looking good and its about an even showing. Nothing will be decided until the final cuts after preseason but I wouldn't be suprised to see the rookie Gostkowski win this battle IMO. He is said to have a big leg which is what Vinatieri lacked, distance especially on his kick offs. All else being equal except for experience I'd take the kicker with the strongest leg.


This is the latest on the kickers from the Boston hearld.


http://patriots.bostonherald.com/patriots/view.bg?articleid=151335

Good link. It sounds like Grammatica's accuracy is still better. I would also argue that most vets will perform better in a high pressure game situation than a rookie as well (the stress of lining up for a game winning or losing kick, being iced with a timeout, having snow and wind against you, oh and 275 pound dudes racing at you with their arms up). As of now, I'd use Grammatica if I were Belichick.

Maybe he'll thing long term, though and want to develop the kid. He could give Gostkowski the starting job in September and see if he improves enough by November to keep him there for the playoffs. If not, Belichick could always go to Grammatica in November to let him get into a rhythm before the playoffs.

I agree that the Branch situation is becoming a problem. Especially with Givens gone now (after losing Patten the previous year), you want to know Tom has time in camp and preseason to refresh that rhythm with the one big go-to-gut he already knows and trusts. Don't know much about the LB situation, excpet that, from the outside, it seems like there's been an attrition at hat position of people aging, getting injured more, and/or departing without being replaced. I admit to being very uninformed about what's really going on up there though, so please fill me in if I have the wrong idea re:LB.

As I understand it, the Pats are giving Cassel a chance to win the #2 job over the next few weeks and will pick up a veteran QB later in camp if necessary. With a number two who is a vet, I guess they have time to learn the playbook on the sidelines without time pressure. Also, vets usually learn it pretty fast. (Would Belichick ever call on Flutie in an emergency and ask him to return?)

Also, whatever happened to these guys? :

Mankins, Hobbs, Kaczur, Sanders and Claridge (2005 draft class).

How are they doing? Are they still with the team?

B.



This is fascinating to watch. I can't wait to play the Pats.

B.

 

[anditsgood]

Do either of you guys know what the latest news is on Branch?

Not that I care or anything.............it's just that he is on my FF team.

:wink:

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hes still holding out, i think its going to be similiar to what happened with seymour last year

they did offer him 6 mil a year though

 

[anditsgood]

Good link. It sounds like Grammatica's accuracy is still better. I would also argue that most vets will perform better in a high pressure game situation than a rookie as well (the stress of lining up for a game winning or losing kick, being iced with a timeout, having snow and wind against you, oh and 275 pound dudes racing at you with their arms up). As of now, I'd use Grammatica if I were Belichick.

Maybe he'll thing long term, though and want to develop the kid. He could give Gostkowski the starting job in September and see if he improves enough by November to keep him there for the playoffs. If not, Belichick could always go to Grammatica in November to let him get into a rhythm before the playoffs.

This is fascinating to watch. I can't wait to play the Pats.

B.

not sure if they would tie up two positions for a kicker, but they might keep automatica for fgs and gostkowski for kick offs

gostkowski was a high draft pick for a kicker, and i dont think the pats would just let him go

 

[like2god]

hes still holding out, i think its going to be similiar to what happened with seymour last year

they did offer him 6 mil a year though

I have to figure that he will have an amazing season this year. The depth is a little thin and Brady is very confident in him. To me that equals good fantasy football pick. :cooldude:

.

 

[anditsgood]

I have to figure that he will have an amazing season this year. The depth is a little thin and Brady is very confident in him. To me that equals good fantasy football pick. :cooldude:

.

well as long as he scores alot of points for your ff league, i good with it