BelichickFan

Reiss' blog has a list of stats the Pats are in the top ten for. But he forgets :

Gostkowski tied for 2nd-4th in the NFL in touchbacks with 6.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/stats/...1=5&_1:col_2=9

Last year we had 10 touchbacks in 81 kickoffs. This year we have 6 in 18 kickoffs. That's 33% this year vs. 12% last year. Of course, Gostkowki's % will come way down when he kicks in cold weather but his kickoffs have been very nice.

Now if we can just make a FG

PatsWickedPissah

I blame the coaches. With all the emphasis on kicking off deep obviously nobody told the kid he needed to make FGs.

Bella*chick

Well, I certainly hope Gostkowski doesn't expect praise for his FG kicking to date. I don't think he does, his forlorn look after the blown 48 yarder said it all. He just needs to work harder...he'd be criticized no matter what team he was on.

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PATSNUTme

As I posted last night the walking embarassment, Greg Dickerson, stated that he was embarrassed by The Ghost's FG attempts.

Bella*chick

Well, now "embarrassment" is going way too far. The kid obviously has a very strong leg, and except for that horrible shank, his FGs have look dead center to me. Someone needs some perspective!

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BelichickFan

LOL, the kick against Cincy was pretty bad but it was one kick and it was long. The other two were blocked. He's not exactly shanking every kick.

I actually meant for this thread to look at the upside of his booming kickoffs. Having the Bengals start every drive on the 20 instead of, what seemed like last year, the 30-35 ever drive is a big difference.

mavfan2390

The Ghost leads the NFL in kickoff average....the only reason he doesn't have more touchbacks is maybe because the ST coverage isn't getting down the field fast enough.

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George W. Bush

DaBruinz

Hmm.. I would have to say that you are wrong on this. Opposing teams are starting at the 21.2 yard line with an average return of 23.7 yards. Compared to them getting to the 29-30 yard line last year.

The 8-9 yard difference in starting field position for the opposing team iis having a very subtle be marked affect on the game. I think that its part of the reason the Patriots have been successful at the bend, don't break on defense.

rusH1023

Give him some time. Hey, he's scored more points than any rookie starter in the NFL including Maroney.

5 Rings for Brady!!

Every year we have had strong points and weak points.

Just counting superbowl seasons, in 2001 we were the jack of all trades, ace of none. In 2003, we had no run game or passing game. In 2004 we had average to bad pass protection but good run blocking, aided by a good running back. We also had very inconsistent kicking the year Adam hurt his back.

So this year we have an inconsistent kicking game again. I think that we can live with that if the secondary and passing attack gain consistency as the year goes on.