Special Teams: A-
The Patriots special teams had some uncharacteristic struggles in 2015 but none of them have to do with their kickers who are both outstanding. Stephen Gostkowski was rewarded this off-season with a new deal and is the highest paid kicker in the NFL. He should be; in a year where the extra point has become an adventure, he’s still automatic. He hasn’t missed a PAT since 2006; and missed just three FGs on the season while leading the league in points scored.
 Stephen Gostkowski is the best kicker in the NFL in 2015. (SBalestrieri/PatsFans Images) |
Ryan Allen had a very solid season as the team’s punter. He’s adept at pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line and has excellent hang time. Allen is steady and rarely in a bad spot with his punts. Rookie LS Joe Cardona had a good rookie season as we rarely heard his name called. Balancing the NFL with US Navy hasn’t been easy but he’s in the right place for that to happen.
The team didn’t have a great return game in 2015 and that was one of the issues that plagued them throughout the year as well as turning it over while punts. That issue cost them one game and nearly a few others. Coverage units were for the most part very solid except against the Eagles.
Matthew Slater and Brandon King have both been outstanding STs contributors this season. Slater is a team captain and perennial Pro-Bowler at STs and King we watched this summer get a ton of one-on-one coaching during training camp. So his ascension wasn’t a big stretch this fall.
Coaching: A
The defensive coaches especially DC Matt Patricia and Josh Boyer who’s come under fire in the past, get very high marks this season. Joe Judge took over from Scotty O’Brien as the special teams’ coach and although the unit had its issues, performed well.
Head coach Bill Belichick remains the gold standard against which other coaches are measured. While once again, he’ll get zero consideration for Coach of the Year, there is not a doubt who’s the best in the business. The Patriots led the league in man-games lost to injury and yet the team went 12-4, while others with less injuries floundered.
No one is better at re-inventing a team’s identity from week to week in game planning than Belichick. And in 2015, he was again a master at it. He gives great press conferences too…
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
