When Chad Ryland was chosen by the New England Patriots in the NFL Draft, expectations were high for the rookie kicker. Seen as the team's potential long-term solution at the position, Ryland’s tenure in New England was anticipated to be a bright one. However, after only one season, those high hopes have been dashed.
In his debut season, Ryland led the Patriots in scoring with 72 points. Despite this, his performance left much to be desired, converting just 64% of his field goals. Hitting merely 16 of 25 attempts placed him last in the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. Particularly troubling were his struggles from long distance, where he managed to convert only 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, succeeding on just 5 of 11 attempts.
To address the issues in the kicking game, the Patriots brought in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. With six years of NFL experience under his belt, Slye was a stark contrast to the young Ryland. Initially making his mark with the Carolina Panthers, Slye's career would take him through stints with the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders before arriving in New England. With the Patriots being his sixth team, Slye was eager to prove his worth.
During camp, Slye outperformed Ryland significantly. 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.” In longer attempts, Slye was even more impressive, converting eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards. In contrast, Ryland struggled, hitting just three of seven from the same range.
With these evident disparities in performance, the Patriots have made a decisive move. As reported by ESPN.com, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year." This decision underscores the coaching staff's confidence in Slye, hoping his camp performance can translate into the regular season.
Slye's journey in the NFL has been marked by perseverance and adaptability. After starting his career with the Panthers, he had to navigate through an ever-changing landscape with multiple team changes. In 2021 alone, Slye played for the Texans, 49ers, and Commanders, before settling in Washington for two-and-a-half seasons. Despite these transitions, Slye has managed to maintain his focus and aim, qualities the Patriots hope will bring stability to their special teams.
This turn of events is particularly noteworthy as it marks the end of an era for Bill Belichick, with Ryland being the final kicker drafted by the legendary coach. With the NFL season fast approaching, the spotlight will undoubtedly be on New England's special teams. The pressure will be on Slye to carry his training camp momentum into the regular season, providing the consistency and reliability that the Patriots need in their kicking game.
The decision to part ways with Ryland and put their faith in Slye is a testament to the Patriots' commitment to addressing their weaknesses head-on. As the team gears up for the new season, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing whether this latest move will pay off on the field.