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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.
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.