DaBruinz

Special Teams:

Kicker – Martin Gramatica - It pains me to say this but Adam Vinatieri is gone. While he was the most clutch kicker in the NFL for the Pats during our 3 SB runs, he wasn’t without his misses or his problems. He missed 2 FGs during SB38 that nearly cost the Pats the game. He also missed a major FG against Denver that cost the Pats momentum and arguably, the game. His Kick-offs have been going down as well. Going to Indy will prolong Adam’s career, but, in the end, I think it will cost him the HOF because the HOF committee will see that he went to the dome.

That being said, I believe that, if healthy, Gramatica gives us a kicker who is extremely good on kick-offs and is only 1 step below Adam on field goals. Again, that is IF HE IS HEALTHY. I feel the Pats will bring in at least one other kicker, if not 2. I know I was against Connor Hughes before, but I did some more research and like the kid. Josh Huston has a great leg, but has very limited experience kicking. Steve Gostkowski also has a strong leg, but is somewhat erratic on his FGs.

Punter – Josh Miller - Was in the top 5 for Punt AVG, but the coverage teams let him down on the net. The Pats will probably bring in a young player again to help alleviate some of the work for Miller during the pre-season.

Long-Snapper - Lonnie Paxton, John Condo – Paxton is very solid player. Has only had one muffed snap (that I can remember anyways) in his years in with the Pats. Condo was brought in to help only during training camp. However, there are several players in the draft who could also do long-snapping duties. Players such as Jon Scott and, I believe, David Thomas.

arrellbee

Very good analysis. Thanks.

R_T26

I must say i dont like Gramatica at all and dont think he will be our kicker by the start of the year. But I love the signings of Mitchell and Tebuckey to help our special teams. Fast hard hitters who may block a field goal or two, and provide some big hits and potential turnovers. i'll be honest im not that sad to see Chatham go, he seemed to take bad penalties at the worst times on ST.

Jimke

In comparing Adam and Martin, the health issue should be of great concern.

Martin completed about 82 percent of his kicks from 1999 to 2002. In

2003 and 2004, his average dropped to about 60 percent.

I would be disappointed if the Pats don't draft a kicker and also sign

another free agent to cover their butts.

jczxohn1

This all you got?

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

DaBruinz

I guess you missed the Offense and Defense sections also, jczxohn.

BelichickFan

I think it's a virtual certainty that they'll bring in at least one more legitimate competitive kicker. Probably two.

jczxohn1

Talking about an off-season review of ST and just mentioning the Kicker, punter and long-snapper seems inadequate.

How is it we have had Automatic Adam, one of the five best punters in the league, and a long-snapper who's only had one muff in his pro career not to mention a ST coach widely recognized as top-notch, and still had a below average special teams unit in 2004 and a mediocre one last year?

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

AzPatsFan

I think the coverage units were populated with aging LB types who lost a step or three. It appears that BB is replacing them with faster and younger safety types. Its a shame that they could not resign Mike Stone but he wants a chance to start and I predict he won't find it elsewhere.

Meanwhile no one has discussed the skill position returners at KOR and PR. Each has a different talent requirement. KOR need speed and burst. PR need elusiveness to make a guy miss to get past the first wave. BJ who is a very good KOR, was hurting last season and the replacements were simply not as good at KOR.

Dwight did an adequate but not spectacular job at PR, but he is now gone. There is an opening on the roster for such a candidate. Thats' why I like Mo Drew from UCLA to be drafted on day 1 as a KF understudy; or Jeremy Bloom with a 6 or 7 on day 2 as a pure PR.

jczxohn1

I like Drew as well, I don't think CD's replacement is in the cards this yr. For PR, I like Skyler Green from LSU, who could also compete at WR. Agree about the loss of Stone. Maybe the kid from Fresno who was IR'd will step up.

One problem we had was ST penalties. In '04 Chatham and Davis were the worst offenders, but Davis did improve last yr, while Chatham did not. He'll be Mangini's problem now. When two of your ST leaders are also penalty leaders, you're going to have problems.

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''