Pats Release Ryan Allen - Jake Bailey is the new punter

[Jackson 2]

I don't remember many people here feeling that way, at all. In fact, by 2013 some of us were already lamenting that Bill had wasted the 150th overall pick on a specialist who sucked at that point, eerily similar to the lousy long snapper from the previous year's draft. Then throughout TC & pre-season, it became obvious that the Zoltan - as well as he can do some things like speak several languages and study economics - was simply not as good an NFL punter as the 2X Ray Guy award winner, UDFA Ryan Allen. The choice was obvious.

We have differing recollections.

 

[Deus Irae]

These are the ones that stick out to fans... and understandably so:

Missed XP against Denver in AFCCG.
Missed XP against Atlanta in Super Bowl.
Miss against Philly in Super Bowl.
Miss against Rams in Super Bowl.

Gost's career postseason numbers are

39 for 44 on FGA (88.6%)
88 for 92 on XPA (95.7%)

It's ludicrous, not "understandable", to demand absolute perfection from any NFL kicker, be it regular season or playoffs. " OMG! We remember 2 of Gost's 4 FGA misses in his 44 playoff attempts! He should have competition and/or should go!" That's pathetic, and fans who use that argument should probably be barred from ever watching sports again.


And, to go back to Justin Tucker as the comparison, he missed a FG in the Ravens loss to the Chargers last year. In fact, his miss left the Chargers with a short field, and the Chargers drove for a TD. In a game that ended up being a 6 point Chargers win, that was a 10 point swing.

 

[patchick]

FWIW the 5th round is pretty standard for specialists. While Allen was a UDFA, Mesko and Cardona were drafted in the 5th, Gostkowski in the 4th.

@captain stone , I noticed you responded "sad" to the fact that the Patriots' specialists were all drafted on day 3. Does that mean you think it's a waste of draft picks? FWIW I think the opposite--those picks have an incredibly high hit rate, and they're the only positions where you get your pick of elite talent in the 5th round. They're good value.

If you look through any list of the top kickers and punters in the league, you'll find that about half were drafted and half went undrafted. If that sounds like even odds, it's not. This year 4 K & P were drafted, and 22 signed with teams as undrafted free agents. You can expect the same total number of quality players to come out of each group. Where would you rather place your bet?

 

[Angelpats]

There was a game last year where he couldn’t kick a touchback and the other team had good returns on all of them. We thought BB told him to do that, it may have been he didn’t have the leg to do it. Allen has a great super bowl, but to have a punter that can also kick field goals makes us less predictable and a better team.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I am torn. I think that it's MAYBE an upgrade, but since punting was already very strong for the team, I'm not sure how much it could possibly help.

It's like trading your hot girlfriend for another equally hot girlfriend who happens to cost a little less, because she has slightly cheaper tastes when it comes to eating out, or something like that.

 

[captain stone]

@captain stone , I noticed you responded "sad" to the fact that the Patriots' specialists were all drafted on day 3. Does that mean you think it's a waste of draft picks?

Yes.

 

[captain stone]

This seems relevant to this thread. What do we make of this news ... might be a tad cynical but perhaps we're feeling a bit less certain about Bailey at the moment?

Patriots wanted new Giants punter Johnny Townsend | Here is what they did instead

Of all the positions for which Bill had to place a waiver claim...Punter? Really?

 

[Patriot Missile]

Really liked Allen last year. Thought he played very well, especially in the Superbowl. He’ll definitely land somewhere and I’m glad the decision was made before final cuts so he can establish himself.

Coaches decision and I stand by it. In the short terms he’s going to have some rookie mistakes and a few fans and media will question the decision for sure. Or the long term I think Bailey will end up being one of the best punters in the league. He already has some pretty amazing skills that you can’t teach. He just needs consistency which will come in time.

 

[Lavictoire]

What is it with the posters here and the kicker position? Have you lost all understanding when it comes to that position?

Justin Tucker is almost universally considered the best kicker in the game. Let's look at his numbers over the last 2 seasons, compared to Gost, using Pro-Football-Reference for the data:

20-29: Tucker is 19 for 19, Gost is 27 for 27
30-39: Tucker is 20 for 20, Gost is 19 for 19
40-49: Tucker is 20 for 23, Gost is 12 for 17
50+: Tucker is 10 for 14, Gost is 6 for 9

So:

They're essentially the same from inside 40 yards, with both hitting 100% of those field goals.
From 40-49 yards, Tucker kicked 87%, while Gost kicked 71%
From 50+, they're basically the same, with Tucker hitting 71% and Gost hitting 67%

In other words, for all that this board occasionally gets to stupidly attacking Gost, we're looking at difference between Gost and the NFL's #1 kicker being a matter of only about 2-3 FG makes over the course of 2 seasons.

And, as for the XPs, Tucker is 75 of 76 while Gost is 94 of 97, which, again, is about 2 makes over the course of 2 seasons, with each kicker missing only one PAT last year.

The numbers look good you posted but there is a reason fans are not as confident in him as before. He leaves the impression he is going to miss or he barely makes it in when we really need the score. He seemed more automatic earlier on I think.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Allen was really good, but this was the second year in a row where he had to fight against rookie competition to keep his job. That must say something.

Bailey’s ability to handle kickoffs, and that booming free kick after the safety may have sealed the deal.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This was interesting from the moment they drafted Bailey. I wonder what they thought Allen lost last year.

My guess: The primary thing appears to be his willingness to stay at the $ the Pats were offering. He only signed a one year deal.

 

[Uptown]

Apologies if already posted:

 

[italian pat patriot]

It was expected...when you draft for a punt the future is 90% clear but now is the Moment to be grateful a lot to Allen and express our immense gratitude for his services and wins

Grazie Ryan
Buona fortuna

 

[supafly]

It's like trading your hot girlfriend for another equally hot girlfriend who happens to cost a little less, because she has slightly cheaper tastes when it comes to eating out, or something like that.

Something like that.

 

[farn]

Of all the positions for which Bill had to place a waiver claim...Punter? Really?

Both interesting and hilarious. BB’s love affair for STs has served us well in the past and it will continue to do so in the future.

 

[DarrylS]

Always thought BB was enamored with left footed punters?? Guess he is changing that philosophy as well, Bailey can also kick off which may prove interesting...

Releasing Allen now as opposed to two weeks from now gives him the opportunity to catch on with another team.. one of the ways the Pats do business, they are not cold hearted ba...rds..

 

[PittPatriot]

Jake Bailey

• Played at Santa Fe Christian (Calif.) and connected on 12-of-16 field goals – including 54-yarder – as a senior. Also made 26-of-27 extra points.
• Made three field goals of 50 or more yards and 40 touchbacks on 47 kickoffs as a senior

So you’re saying he’s a Jake of all trades and master of...

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

I can’t see Allen being unemployed for very long.

 

[Sicilian]

Thank you for the Super Bowl Ryan! As great as the defense was, you made their jobs a little bit easier and helped them keep a swagger that lasted all game. You kept the field position reasonable while we waited for the offense to figure it out. Best of luck on your next team!

This was a decision not just for this year, but the next 3 as well. Bailey is locked in at an affordable salary and has some tremendous upside to boot. My only concern is holding, as it's now an adjustment that Gost will have to make getting in rhythm with a new holder. But I feel like that will get better with time.

 

[PP2]

Not apologizing if reposting:





Slater and Allen were telepathically linked and just playing out of their minds in last year's superbowl.