I'm definitely a "Do kicker and punter talk on your own time" sort. I understand the value of having good ones - hence my push for Nick Folk to remain on the roster even after drafting Chad Ryland - but spending a lot of time discussing it ain't my thing. However, the Patriots' signing of Joey Slye on Thursday is worthy of a post.
Slye has a big, if sometimes wayward, right leg and a ton of NFL experience, logging 78 games since jumping into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He spent all of last season with the Jaguars after signing a one-year deal for $1.25 million (they released him after the draft). Slye went 19-of-24 on field goals last year (79.25), including 3-of-5 over from 50 yards, while also missing 3 of his 35 extra points. For his career, which also includes stops in Carolina, Houston, San Fran, and Washington, the 28-year-old is 20-of-32 from 50 yards and beyond.
Ryland was a 2023 4th-round draft choice — the highest Bill Belichick ever took a kicker. The Pats traded up to get their man, but he didn't reward them. Ryland's big leg proved even more scattershot than Slye last season, hitting just 64% of his field goals, dead last amongst 33 qualifying kickers in the NFL.
Ryland did have a significant moment in the Mile High City - drilling a 56-yard field goal to lift the Pats past the Broncos on Christmas Eve.
"Oftentimes, you find the greatest treasure in the darkest caves. And I've obviously been struggling a little bit this year," Ryland said after the game. "I was really, really fortunate to be surrounded by a team that believes in me. And that helps me to continue to move forward with my process, and then go ahead and knock the last one down."
In addition to Slye and Ryland, the Pats have invited 25-year-old kicker Vincent Blanchard to rookie mini-camp. He played college football in Canada.
*This post should remove me from further kicking discussion until sometime in August. Thank you for your understanding of this matter.*
Big Mike stays right
One other note from this week: Mike Onwenu spoke with reporters today and confirmed what we told you when he re-signed: he's playing right tackle.
"Through the whole process, we spoke about me playing tackle," he said. "And even after I signed, that was the same thing. In my mind, I'm still playing right tackle."
Considering the Pats' unanswered question about who plays tackle opposite Onwenu, he was asked if he thought he could make that switch at some point (I know some of you have been asking).
"This year? I wouldn't say so, but definitely, with the practice and trying it out, I definitely think I could."