The New England Patriots have made the surprising decision to part ways with kicker Chad Ryland after just one season. Drafted with the hope that he would be the team's kicker of the future, Ryland's tenure has come to an abrupt end following an underwhelming rookie year.
Challenges in Ryland’s Rookie Season
Ryland led the Patriots in scoring during his rookie year, amassing a total of 72 points. Despite this, his accuracy left much to be desired. He converted just 64% of his field goal attempts, successfully making 16 out of 25 attempts. This placed Ryland last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage.
Struggles from longer distances exacerbated his woes. From beyond 45 yards, Ryland managed to make only 45.5% of his attempts, converting just 5 of 11 kicks. These performance issues ultimately led the Patriots to explore other options during the off-season and training camp.
Introducing Joey Slye
This led to the acquisition of veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. With six years of NFL experience under his belt, Slye brought a wealth of knowledge and a reliable leg to the special teams unit. Interestingly, Slye has had a nomadic career, playing for five different teams before joining the Patriots. His professional journey includes stints with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders over the past six years.
Slye's experience clearly paid dividends during training camp. He showcased his kicking prowess by converting nearly 80% of his attempts, compared to Ryland's 75.9%. More impressively, Slye hit eight of nine kicks from between 50 and 59 yards. In contrast, Ryland only managed to convert three of seven kicks from that distance during camp.
A Decisive Training Camp
The competition clearly favored Slye, and his consistency was something the Patriots found hard to ignore. A source quoted on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston affirmed, "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland."
The decision to cut Ryland marks the departure of the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick, an additional sentimental layer to an already poignant story. ESPN.com succinctly noted the team’s decision, stating, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year."
Looking Forward
As the NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can carry forward his training camp momentum into the regular season. His performance will be crucial for a team that hopes to rebound from some inconsistent kicking in recent years, and his integration into the lineup will be closely monitored.
Slye's addition to the roster signals not just a change in personnel but a determined shift towards reliability and experience in the kicking game. The hope is that this strategic move will provide the Patriots with the consistency they have been searching for, as they aim to solidify their special teams unit for the upcoming season.