When the New England Patriots drafted Chad Ryland, they envisioned him as the cornerstone kicker for their future. After a promising college career, expectations were high for the young kicker. However, Ryland's tenure with the Patriots lasted just one season, as the organization decided to cut ties with him following a challenging rookie campaign.
Ryland's inaugural season in the NFL was a mixed bag. He managed to lead the Patriots in scoring, tallying up 72 points over the course of the year. However, his accuracy left much to be desired. Ryland converted only 64% of his field goal attempts, hitting just 16 out of 25. This lackluster performance placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage, a statistic that likely played a significant role in the Patriots' decision to move on.
Perhaps most concerning was Ryland's performance on longer kicks. From distances beyond 45 yards, Ryland successfully converted just five out of 11 attempts, a meager 45.5%. The Patriots, a team that often finds itself in close games where every point is crucial, could not afford to continue with such inconsistency in critical moments.
Turn to Experience
In search of reliability, the Patriots turned to veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. Slye, who brings six years of NFL experience, quickly demonstrated why he has been able to stick around in the league. Throughout camp, Slye displayed a level of consistency that Ryland struggled to match, hitting nearly 80% of his kicks compared to Ryland’s 75.9%.
Slye's performance was particularly impressive on long-distance attempts. He successfully converted eight out of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, a stark contrast to Ryland, who managed only three out of seven from the same range. This proficiency from beyond 50 yards not only highlighted Slye's reliability but also underscored Ryland's shortcomings.
Journeyman Kicker Finds New Home
Slye's journey to the Patriots has been anything but linear. He began his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, spending his first two seasons with the team. In 2021, Slye experienced a whirlwind year, playing for three different franchises: the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. Despite the constant movement, Slye managed to maintain a level of performance that kept him on the radar of NFL teams.
His longest tenure came with the Commanders, lasting two-and-a-half seasons before they decided to let him go in free agency. Now, with the Patriots being his sixth team in six years, Slye looks to stabilize his career and provide the consistency New England desperately needs in their kicking game.
Changing of the Guard
With Ryland's departure, a noteworthy chapter closes for the Patriots. Ryland was the final kicker drafted by the legendary Bill Belichick, a coach known for his meticulous approach to building a roster. Unfortunately for Ryland, his performance did not live up to the high standards set by Belichick and the Patriots organization.
Slye, now stepping into the spotlight, carries the weight of expectations that come with succeeding a drafted talent. His strong showing in training camp has set the stage for him to prove his worth once the regular season arrives. As noted by 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."
The Road Ahead
The Patriots' decision to cut ties with Ryland and bring in Slye signals a clear emphasis on immediate performance and consistency. With the NFL season fast approaching, the focus will be on the special teams unit to see if Slye can translate his camp success into game-day reliability. Every kick will be scrutinized, and every point will matter as the Patriots look to Slye to deliver under pressure.
As ESPN.com reported, “The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year.” This move, while difficult, aligns with the harsh realities of professional sports, where performance is paramount and every decision can impact the season’s outcome.
The Patriots' special teams unit, now led by the experienced foot of Joey Slye, will be one to watch as the season unfolds. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if Slye can live up to the promise he showed in training camp and provide New England with the stability they seek from their kicking position.