When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the organization pinned high hopes on him to serve as their kicker of the future. However, after just a single year, those aspirations have been dashed, marking a significant twist in the Patriots' special teams strategy.
Ryland's Struggles During Rookie Season
During his rookie season, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring, amassing a respectable 72 points. However, his overall performance left much to be desired. Ryland managed to convert only 64% of his field goals, making 16 out of his 25 attempts. This placed him at the bottom of the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. His struggles were particularly evident in longer-distance kicks, where he converted just 45.5% from beyond 45 yards, successfully hitting only 5 out of 11 attempts.
Arrival of Joey Slye
The Patriots decided to bring in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp to provide competition for Ryland. Slye, a kicker with six years of NFL experience, appeared to be everything that Ryland was not in his rookie season. Slye's journey in the NFL has been marked by brief tenures with five different teams, starting with the Carolina Panthers and moving through a busy 2021 season with the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. After two-and-a-half seasons with the Commanders, they opted to let him walk in free agency. The Patriots, then, became the sixth team to enlist Slye's kicking services.
Training Camp Showdown
In the intense environment of training camp, Slye demonstrated his value. According to 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, "Slye outkicked Ryland in camp by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to just 75.9% for Ryland." Such consistency and reliability were vital, especially when considering field goals from longer distances. Slye successfully converted eight out of nine attempts from between 50 and 59 yards, whereas Ryland struggled significantly, managing to hit just three of seven kicks from the same range.
A Difficult Decision
As the preseason progressed, the Patriots had to make a tough decision. Ryland's performance metrics painted a bleak picture. Consequently, the team opted to move on. ESPN.com reported, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year." This move underscores the unforgiving nature of the NFL where performance trumps potential.
Looking Ahead
With the NFL season fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can maintain his training camp momentum into the regular season. Ryland, being the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick, signifies the end of an era and introduces a new chapter with Slye. The Patriots’ decision reflects a recognition of the urgent need for consistency and reliability in their kicking game. Should Slye replicate his training camp performance in the regular season, this could prove to be a pivotal upgrade for a Patriots team looking to reclaim its competitive edge.
Only time will tell if the veteran kicker can rise to the occasion and provide the Patriots with the stability they seek. Nevertheless, the narrative of Ryland's short-lived tenure and Slye's subsequent opportunity encapsulates the high-stake dynamics that define professional sports, where every kick counts, and every season is a proving ground.