BelichickFan

Lost among the FG misses he had was the ridiculous kickoffs Gostkowski had this preseason.

Last year in the regular season he had 12 touchbacks in 81 kicks - 14.8%.
This preseason he had 9 touchbacks in 19 kicks - 47%.

At that 47% rate he would have had 38 touchbacks last year.

And in case anyone is thinking it's a preseason thing, either due to a more rested leg or lesser returners, last year he had 1 touchback in 23 kickoffs in the preseason.

Not sure it will mean much once it gets colder, etc, but he sure was kicking the hell out of the ball in August.

ctpatsfan77

(A) Gostkowski's kickoffs do, in fact, own.
(B) If the Pats' return coverage gets better, look for that touchback figure to go up from 14.8%.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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Gunnails

Didn't the NFL come out with a new ball last year for kicking, different from the every play ball.
I know college uses a different ball.

Crowpointer

Great stat. I'm guessing based on that 4 touchbacks out 9 Gostowski kickoffs this Sunday.

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Found on home sundays harassing the visiting radio announcers from my seats in sec 132

FreeTedWilliams

Yes, it is ingeniusly called the "K" ball. Apparently some kickers were "doctoring" some balls, softer balls are easier to kick (insert off-color jokes here).

The Cowboy fans are actually blaming the K ball for Romo hishandling it (and thus costing the Pats a few slots in the draft) on that last second filed goal in the playoffs.

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The Jets look like a Super Bowl contender right now about as much as Rosie O’Donnell looks like a threat for the Miss America crown. -NY Post 12/19/2011


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