Really? A place kicker controversy in New England?

[Ive_Killed_People]

Seems to me people just root for Gostkowski because they like calling him Ghost nevermind that he is overpaid and underperforming. My vote is for Ruff Dog!

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I've never been a big fan of Gostkowski, but it's hard to think that anyone in the Pats picture right now is an upgrade. As I see it, he's got his contract and a year to show the Pats and their fans that he's a player in whom it's worth re-investing.

 

[mgteich]

The open question is how much a kicker is worth. You might ask some elder Buffalo or Florida State fans for inputs. As is the case with long snapper, championships are lost if you don't have a solid kicker.

That being said, if Belichick can find a reasonable replacement for less money and more years, he will certainly consider making a change.

Finally, similar statement can be made for at least half the team. Belichick is always looking for upgrades, especially for high cap players.

 

[Jimke]

Both Mesko and Gostkowski have Welker's agent. Time for a little payback by both Belichick and Kraft?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Reason #86 why the off-season makes me want to stick needles in my eyes:

Bleacher Report Dot Com is up to its old tricks creating a "controversy" that is no more than your usual camp competition for every job. But here you go - endless video of place kicks and photos of a worried Gostkowski.

Check it out: New England Patriots: Are the Pats Looking to Replace Kicker Stephen Gostkowski? | Bleacher Report

I say that I'm glad Gostkowski is getting competition. Ruffer might be better, who knows. Let em compete. Gostkowski hasn't exactly been trusted by BB in clutch playoff situations after all and he has missed a few big kicks lately.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Lol, True, but in Bleacher Report I believe they do

Editors actually change a lot of titles (again, per the comments there), but authors do provide the original ones.

 

[Ive_Killed_People]

I admittedly know jack squat about Ruff-Dog.
What I do know is that I do not feel confident when Gostkowski kicks.
Also it seems his touchbacks are fewer than you'd expect.
Add in his exorbitant(for a kicker) salary and it may be time to move on

 

[Bruins29]

I admittedly know jack squat about Ruff-Dog.
What I do know is that I do not feel confident when Gostkowski kicks.
Also it seems his touchbacks are fewer than you'd expect.
Add in his exorbitant(for a kicker) salary and it may be time to move on

His % is still pretty good. We were 5th in touchbacks last year I think.

Is it worth moving on for about a million or so? They could just as easily restructure or extend.

We were 3rd in return yards last year. Plus SG is on record setting pace for all time points in 8 seasons.

 

[JR4]

I vote to keep Gostkowski. He is pretty good over time. He's had a few
bad years but so haven't most kickers who kick for 8 years or more.
What's that saying "the Devil you know is better than the Devil you don't know."

Ok if it comes to a decision base on contract cost then that may be
a reason for finding another kicker. But at this point his production
shouldn't be the reason. IMO.

 

[Froob]

Gost is only making 2.5 mill, not going to spend the extra 2 anyways. I'd hate for the other kicker to win it because he's a bit cheaper. Whoever is deemed the better kick should stay. I'd rather keep Gost personally because he's been good for us aside from a couple of games, most being last season.

 

[Bruins29]

Gost is only making 2.5 mill, not going to spend the extra 2 anyways. .

What extra 2?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Shayne Graham was perfect kicking field goals if I remember correctly. So really Gost wasn't missed at all after he got hurt that season.


What people here forget so easily is that Belichick let the greatest glutch kicker of all time, who single handedly won one super bowl, a huge contributor on the second (frozen kick against Tenn anyone?) and nailed that pressure kick against the Panthers was showed the door for wanting too much money.

And he was replaced by a no-one who made minimum rookie wage - unproven - never even kicked a 4th quarter of OT winner in college.

Anyone who says "well this new kicker is an undrafted nobody" is making a joke becase most kickers are undrafted. In fact, the difference between drafting the best prospect in the 4th round any given year and any un-drafted camp invite is minimal considering only 2 are drafted. So for you not following, I can get the 3rd best kicker in the offseason for free.

This kid is a "nobody" in the sense Chris Koppellin was a nobody. Noone even picked him (David Ruffer) up last year after the 2012 draft.

1.) He was terrible his Senior Year.

2.) No team gave him a chance after the 2012 draft. He's been out of football for a year.

3.) In the 2012 draft, he was ranked the 9th best kicker (NFLdraftScout). If you aren't top 5, your NFL chances are close to none. Just like you say, only a couple get drafted, and only a few get picked up as UDFAs.

This guy is a camp leg, not competition for Gost.

 

[Ian]

Editors actually change a lot of titles (again, per the comments there), but authors do provide the original ones.

Interesting, I didn't realize editors really went over a lot of those. As I said, they've gotten better about who they do/don't let post for them. My one complaint also are the "Slideshow" articles, those drive me bonkers and I hate that format. However the ones like this one that actually provide decent insight and breakdowns are pretty good and interesting to read. It's always nice (especially this time of year) to get a different take on things

 

[Patjew]

Shouldn't talk about the AZ choke without talking about how clutch he was against the NYJ. I like the guy. Usually.

 

[Froob]

What extra 2?

Sorry ment if we cut Gost(not sure how much is guaranteed) and used a kicker who makes around 500kish we'd save like 2 million dollars. Unless you're Bob Kraft, it won't really matter that much this season.

 

[Bruins29]

Sorry ment if we cut Gost(not sure how much is guaranteed) and used a kicker who makes around 500kish we'd save like 2 million dollars. Unless you're Bob Kraft, it won't really matter that much this season.

It dosent really work that way. Dead cap money would be carried over and perhaps best case you could save about a million maybe? Is it worth saving a million to have a completely unproven and untested kicker as opposed to a guy who has been pretty much sold to great.

A guy you pay 500K is worth what you pay. Seems silly dosent it?

Considering the biggest games in this franchises history were won off a kickers foot you would think people would take the position more serious.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Sorry ment if we cut Gost(not sure how much is guaranteed) and used a kicker who makes around 500kish we'd save like 2 million dollars. Unless you're Bob Kraft, it won't really matter that much this season.

Not even that much; more like $1.4M according to Miguel.

 

[Froob]

Not even that much; more like $1.4M according to Miguel.

Wow. Yeah I agree with you bruins. I'm fine overpaying a guy if he's better than the alternative and we aren't going to spend to the cap anyways. If people want to cut him just on principle that they don't think he's worth the money, that's just silly imo. If you need to cut him to use a rookie kicker because we're in a bind then that's another matter.

 

[Bruins29]

Wow. Yeah I agree with you bruins. I'm fine overpaying a guy if he's better than the alternative and we aren't going to spend to the cap anyways. If people want to cut him just on principle that they don't think he's worth the money, that's just silly imo. If you need to cut him to use a rookie kicker because we're in a bind then that's another matter.

I dont think they are really overpaying him so I dont know where this started. The difference between him (3rd highest K salary) and the 10th highest is only about 300K. That really isnt much considering he is still young, technically entering his prime, and has shown that he is willing to get his hands dirty, make tackles, and grab fumbles.

Plus, as I mentioned he is extendable and would probably take a HT discount.

Also with regard the cap, you have mentioned this several times. They spend to the cap every year. And with them in pretty much "Win now" mode on I am sure it will be consistently tight to it.

If there are indeed people here who want to cut him on principle (and I am sure there are) then they are stupid. Of course people who want players gone and traded and preach how uncomfortable they are with player X never ever seem to have a good contingency plan. Its just more of the lets jump on ths bandwagon of the day, or pick on a certain player to pick on and point out flaws so they can sound like an expert..

I dont understand where posters constantly pointing out that DA is injury prone -which as been refuted, or RID is made of glass and will never work out, or Gronk should be traded, or any of the other negative nonsense makes these posters feel cool. It is just juvenile and pathetic and shows obvious projecting of one's own failures or jealously. BB is going to do what is best for the team so going all negative is a waste of energy, unless some people here know how to run a football team better.

And as far as getting in a bind I dont ever see that happening either nor is ever cutting a player like that in this situation a solution. This FO manages the cap impeccably.

 

[bresna]

Shouldn't talk about the AZ choke without talking about how clutch he was against the NYJ. I like the guy. Usually.

The Jets kick broke a tie. If he missed, the Patriots are still in it. Not apples to apples.