Report: Patriots To Release Stephen Gostkowski

[Greg]

Read it adds 3.5M in cap space. Bring Folk back?

Probably that and through the draft. Have a kicker competition.

 

[captain stone]

He made a 52 yarder a year earlier, as a rookie.

In 2007, if you have a warm body dressed as your kicker, who's not injured, and you pass up a 48 yard first half attempt indoors on turf; you either wasted your time having him take up a roster spot, or you believe your special teams suck so bad that you'd rather drop your quarterback back (again) against a team whose only statistically positive quality is rushing the passer.

His career did not depend on that or any kick like that; but it did signal a fatal trend in Belichick's coaching which cost us the AFCCG in Denver years later.

I am convinced that the main (if not only) reason why Billy didn't send out the FG unit was because Gostkowski's 2nd-quarter kickoff, after the Pats scored their first TD, sailed OOB and gave the Vagiants excellent starting field position (not that they really did anything with it)...

...Billy then "punished" Gostkowski (sound familiar?) by trying to convert a 4th/12 (which actually should've happened: Welker was Wide Open in the right flat while Brady was eye-balling a well-covered Gaffney in the left corner of the EZ) instead of attempting a 48/49-yard FG in perfect conditions.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I wish gotskowski the best of luck and health in the future!

 

[Tottie]

He's had postseason issues for years now, dating back to the missed extra point in the AFC Championship in Denver. He did make a clutch FG in the last SB victory though.

 

[MainePatsFan26]

He's had postseason issues for years now, dating back to the missed extra point in the AFC Championship in Denver. He did make a clutch FG in the last SB victory though.

I don't think we'll need to worry about the postseason issues for at least a few years. We'll be lucky to go 6-10 with the brutal schedule this season, barring Stidham having a breakthrough year.

 

[Gronk]

I don't think we'll need to worry about the postseason issues for at least a few years. We'll be lucky to go 6-10 with the brutal schedule this season, barring Stidham having a breakthrough year.

In Aaron Rodgers first year as a starter he threw for over 4000 yds, and 28 tds/13 ints. That would have to be considered a YUGE win for Stidham if he could do that. The Packers went 6-10 that year. The good news is they won the SB 2 years later. The bad news is they haven’t been back. This is how the rest of the NFL lives. Welcome.

A lot of posters here **** on Aaron Rodgers routinely. He has been AMAZING basically from the get go. People are not ready for what’s coming. They’re talking about winning the division. Whole league is gunning for an undermanned Pats squad. They are going to be on the wrong side of some disturbing beatdowns. I’m fine with it, time to rebuild with TB gone and all that, but some tempered expectations are in order. Some of the stuff you read here is hilarious.

 

[mgteich]

In Aaron Rodgers first year as a starter he threw for over 4000 yds, and 28 tds/13 ints. That would have to be considered a YUGE win for Stidham if he could do that. The Packers went 6-10 that year. The good news is they won the SB 2 years later. The bad news is they haven’t been back. This is how the rest of the NFL lives. Welcome.

A lot of posters here **** on Aaron Rodgers routinely. He has been AMAZING basically from the get go. People are not ready for what’s coming. They’re talking about winning the division. Whole league is gunning for an undermanned Pats squad. They are going to be on the wrong side of some disturbing beatdowns. I’m fine with it, time to rebuild with TB gone and all that, but some tempered expectations are in order. Some of the stuff you read here is hilarious.

As do the bettors in Vegas, I think that the patriots will be competitive in the AFCE, and alternatively be competitive for one one of the wild card spots.

That being said, I don't think that we'll make to the playoffs with our current complement of quarterbacks: Stidham, Hoyer and Kessler.

 

[Chevrolet]

Gostkowski has been a class act his entire time here and from all appearances a great team mate. I get it that the Pats have to completely fix the cap situation and pay for cap sins of years past BUT, it is heartbreaking to see great guys like Brady, Harmon, Dorsett and Gostkowski leave the organization.

 

[supafly]

I'm tired of seeing Billy waste draft capital on Specialists...Let him sign here as a UDFA, like the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Ks/Ps/LSs do...

True, but if we have the chance to pick up a cheap young kicker with a huge leg + experience in big game settings, I’m all for spending a 4th round pick. I’d like to see some continuity after losing Gost. Just my two cents.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Gostkowski has been a class act his entire time her and from all appearances a great team mate. I get it that the Pats have to completely fix the cap situation and pay for cap sins of years past BUT, it is heartbreaking to see great guys like Brady, Harmon and Gostkowski leave the organization.

The biggest sin of all (at least affecting the current cap) being an attempt to appease Brady. . . .

 

[ctpatsfan77]

True, but if we have the chance to pick up a cheap young kicker with a huge leg + experience in big game settings, I’m all for spending a 4th round pick. I’d like to see some continuity after losing Gost. Just my two cents.

That would be Blankenship.

Tyler Bass is smaller but may be better.

 

[mgteich]

True, but if we have the chance to pick up a cheap young kicker with a huge leg + experience in big game settings, I’m all for spending a 4th round pick. I’d like to see some continuity after losing Gost. Just my two cents.

Yup, the first pick of the 4th seems right. Our comp 3rds are a couple of picks away from that.

 

[Deus Irae]

The biggest sin of all (at least affecting the current cap) being an attempt to appease Brady. . . .

Actually, with regards to that, the biggest sin of all was the failure to work out a new deal before the old one voided.

 

[ALP]

Wow. Guess the team does not believe he is healthy nor worth what he’s going to be paid. I wonder how they’ll fix that hole.

Replaced AV. That’s quite a run. Thanks Gost.

let's hope we can get as lucky w/ the QB...

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

14 years. Amazing run. Such a length of time gets a bit underplayed thanks to Brady's 20yr run, but he's an all-time Patriot by any measure.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Satchboogie3]

He's had postseason issues for years now, dating back to the missed extra point in the AFC Championship in Denver. He did make a clutch FG in the last SB victory though.

!

Overall 39/44 (88.6%) FG and 88/92 (95.7%) in the playoffs. Vinatieri was 26/34 (76.5%) FG and Perfect xp. People want to crucify Gost but really, he only missed a couple extra points. 39/44 is pretty freaking great in the playoffs. He simply never was given opportunities to make legendary kicks like Vinatieri. Vinatieri did miss plenty though, people just like to forget them...

And of course this is aside from the fact Gost has a higher FG% (87.4% to 81.9%) AND XP% (98.3% to 98.1%), attempted and made way more 50+ yarders, than Vinatiera with the Pats, and thats in spite of attempting more FG and much more XP per season, while play a significant chunk with the XP pushed back, unlike Vinatiere.

Seriously, some fans have incredibly unrealistic expectations....

 

[DarrylS]

Sad to see the Pats moving on from Gostkowski, but all good things must end, he was a great asset to this team on and off the field ..

Gostowski was oft criticized and demeaned on this message board, I hope the relentless adoration ends quickly..

BB has a plan, is pretty much all I need to know..

 

[supafly]

Strap on the goggles. We’re going to select Blankenship next month in the draft.

True, but if we have the chance to pick up a cheap young kicker with a huge leg + experience in big game settings, I’m all for spending a 4th round pick. I’d like to see some continuity after losing Gost. Just my two cents.

That would be Blankenship.

Yes

 

[borisman]

Has there ever been an idea on here that someone wasn't trashing?

Of course not. Just like when the Pats traded for Sanu and I called out BB for making what could be one the worst trades in his tenure here and that Sanu was close to being washed up. I got double digit dislikes (edit: disagrees, not dislikes). One poster went so far as to say "wait and see what else the Pats get back in the trade". Like we were going to swap picks with Atlanta. And then called me a troll for saying it was a bad trade. So yeah, there's always opinions here and you can't change them even if you held a gun to their heads.

 

[long distance]

Releasing kicker is never about cap.