The New England Patriots are gearing up for a kicker battle in training camp between Chad Ryland and Joey Slye. Last year, the Patriots used a fourth-round draft pick on Chad Ryland, but his performance was disappointing as he only made 16 out of 25 field goal attempts. This led to the Patriots finishing last in the NFL with a field goal success rate of 64.0 percent.
In an effort to address their kicking issues, the Patriots signed veteran kicker Joey Slye this offseason. According to Patriots.com, both Ryland and Slye will have a true competition during training camp, with the kicker who performs better ultimately winning the job.
During minicamp, Slye was more accurate than Ryland, although both kickers have struggled in the past. Slye, who previously played for the Commanders, made 19 out of 24 field goal attempts last year, ranking 29th out of 32 NFL teams in field goal accuracy. Additionally, Slye has a career extra point rate of just 88.5 percent, the lowest among kickers with at least 100 extra point attempts since he entered the NFL in 2019.
It is clear that the Patriots are facing a significant challenge with their kicking situation. With two kickers on the roster who have yet to prove themselves as reliable options, the team is hoping that one of them will step up during training camp and solidify the position.
The kicker position is crucial in the game of football, as it can often be the difference between winning and losing. A reliable kicker can be a game-changer in critical situations, such as last-second field goal attempts or extra points. The Patriots will need to carefully evaluate both Ryland and Slye during training camp to determine who gives them the best chance of success.
Ultimately, the competition between Ryland and Slye will be one to watch as the Patriots prepare for the upcoming season. The team’s success may very well hinge on the performance of their kicker, making this battle a key storyline to follow in the coming weeks.