When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the organization had high hopes that he would be their kicker of the future. However, those aspirations were short-lived, as the team decided to part ways with Ryland after just one year.
Rookie Season Struggles
During his rookie campaign, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring with 72 points. Yet, his performance was inconsistent. He converted only 64% of his field goals, hitting just 16 out of 25 attempts. This subpar performance placed him at the bottom of the NFL in terms of field goal percentage.
Ryland particularly struggled with longer-range kicks. From distances beyond 45 yards, he managed to make only 45.5%, successfully converting 5 out of 11 attempts. This performance raised concerns within the Patriots' coaching staff about his reliability in critical situations.
Competition and Decision
To address their kicking woes, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye for training camp. Slye, with six years of NFL experience, quickly demonstrated his prowess. According to 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland."
During camp, Slye's precision was evident. He successfully converted eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, whereas Ryland hit just three out of seven in the same range. This disparity in performance made the decision clear for the Patriots' coaching staff.
ESPN.com reported, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year," underscoring the team's commitment to refining their special teams unit before the onset of the NFL season.
Slye's NFL Journey
Slye, who began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, has had an eventful journey. In 2021, he played for three different teams: the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His tenure in Washington lasted two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders let him walk in free agency. Now, the Patriots mark the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year professional career.
Looking Ahead
As the NFL season fast approaches, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can maintain his impressive training camp form into the regular season. Ryland, who holds the distinction of being the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick, departs after a challenging rookie year, leaving Slye with the opportunity to solidify the kicking game for New England.
The Patriots' decision to bring in Slye reflects their ongoing efforts to bolster their squad with reliable talent. With his extensive experience and recent camp performance, Slye appears well-positioned to take on the mantle as the Patriots' new kicker.
For fans and analysts alike, the upcoming games will be closely watched to determine if the veteran’s consistency can indeed translate into on-field success. In a league where every point counts, the role of the kicker is as critical as ever, and the Patriots hope that Slye can deliver when it matters the most.