When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the organization envisioned him as their kicker of the future. However, the tenure of the rookie kicker has been unexpectedly brief as the Patriots have chosen to part ways with Ryland after just one season.
The Rise and Fall of Ryland
During his rookie season, Ryland became the leading scorer for the Patriots, accumulating a total of 72 points. Despite this impressive tally, his performance revealed significant areas of concern. Ryland managed to convert only 64% of his field goal attempts, hitting just 16 out of 25 tries.
The main issues Ryland faced were his consistency and reliability, particularly from long distances. He made just 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, successfully converting only 5 out of 11 attempts. These struggles placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage, a statistic that proved crucial in the Patriots' decision to reassess their kicking options.
The Veteran Alternative: Joey Slye
In an effort to bolster their special teams, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. Slye, who boasts six years of NFL experience, quickly made his presence felt. His journey through the NFL has been a nomadic one, having played for five different teams over his career, including the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders.
Slye's performance in training camp highlighted a stark contrast with Ryland’s. In camp, Slye outkicked Ryland by converting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to Ryland's 75.9%. 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."
Slye's accuracy from long range was particularly impressive. During camp, he successfully converted eight out of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards. In comparison, Ryland managed to hit just three out of seven from the same range. This performance gap provided the Patriots coaching staff with a clear rationale for making the switch.
A New Chapter for Both Kickers
As the NFL season rapidly approaches, all eyes will be on the Patriots' special teams to see if Slye can carry his training camp momentum into the regular season. His tenure in Washington spanned two-and-a-half seasons before the Commanders decided to let him walk in free agency. Now with the Patriots, his sixth team, Slye is eager to establish stability in his kicking career.
On the other side, Chad Ryland leaves the Patriots as the final kicker drafted by Bill Belichick. Despite his initial promise, Ryland will now need to navigate the challenging waters of free agency to find a new team willing to give him another shot in the NFL. This experience offers him a fresh perspective on the demands and pressures of professional football.
While Ryland's rookie season did not pan out as the Patriots had hoped, the organization’s swift decision to cut ties demonstrates their resolute commitment to improving their special teams. Slye's addition brings a sense of renewed optimism, especially with his proven track record in training camp. Whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but for now, the Patriots have made their move with the hope that Slye can bring consistent performance and long-term stability to their kicking game.
As the Patriots gear up for the new season, the performance of Joey Slye will be under intense scrutiny. Success for Slye could validate the Patriots' decision and establish him as a reliable kicker for the foreseeable future, while failure might prompt the team to revisit their kicking options once again. The stakes are high, and the narrative will surely unfold as the season progresses.