When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, they envisioned him as their kicker of the future. However, the team's confidence in Ryland has waned after just one season, leading to his release.
Ryland's Struggles
In his rookie season, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring with 72 points. Despite this, his performance left much to be desired. Ryland's field goal accuracy was a major concern, as he managed to convert only 16 out of 25 attempts, equating to a meager 64% success rate. This placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. From beyond 45 yards, Ryland fared no better, hitting just 45.5% of his kicks, making only 5 out of 11 attempts.
Bringing in Experience
To address these issues, the Patriots sought a more reliable option, bringing in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. With six years of NFL experience under his belt, Slye provided a seasoned alternative to the struggling rookie. Slye's NFL journey has been varied; initially spending two years with the Carolina Panthers, he went on to play for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders, before eventually signing with the Patriots. His tenure with the Commanders lasted two-and-a-half seasons until he was released into free agency.
Training Camp Showdown
The competition between Ryland and Slye during training camp was fierce. Slye demonstrated his proficiency by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks, significantly outperforming Ryland's 75.9%. Notably, Slye converted eight out of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland struggled in the same range, managing just three out of seven. The precision Slye exhibited in camp directly influenced the Patriots' decision to move on from Ryland.
The Future of the Patriots' Special Teams
With the NFL season approaching, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams unit to see if Slye can maintain his strong form from training camp into the regular season. The team's decision to rely on Slye speaks to their immediate need for consistency and reliability in the kicking game, elements that were lacking during Ryland's tenure.
This change marks a significant moment for the franchise, as Ryland is the last kicker drafted by Bill Belichick, an indicator of the high expectations initially placed on him. However, the Patriots have shown that performance will always take precedence over potential, a reality underscored by their swift decision to cut ties with Ryland.
The success of this move will ultimately be judged by Slye’s performance in high-pressure situations throughout the upcoming season. Patriots fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see if his experience can bring stability and reliability back to the kicking position, a role that has shown itself to be crucial time and again in the NFL.