When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, the organization signaled their belief in the young kicker's potential to secure their special teams' future. Less than a year later, the Patriots have decided to move in a different direction, cutting ties with Ryland after a challenging rookie season.
Ryland, despite leading the Patriots in scoring with 72 points, struggled with consistency throughout his debut season. He converted only 64% of his field goal attempts, making 16 out of 25 attempts. This performance placed him last in the NFL in field goal percentage, an unenviable position for any kicker. Particularly notable was his difficulty with longer kicks, managing to convert just 45.5% (5 of 11) of his attempts from beyond 45 yards.
Enter Joey Slye. The veteran kicker, brought in during training camp, proved to be a formidable competitor. Slye boasts six years of NFL experience, including stints with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders. His journey has seen him don the uniform of five different teams before his current engagement with the Patriots, making New England his sixth NFL team.
Throughout training camp, Slye's seasoned presence and accurate kicking made a significant impression. He converted nearly 80% of his kicks, compared to Ryland’s 75.9%. What truly set Slye apart was his ability to connect on long-range attempts. He made eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards, while Ryland managed just three of seven in the same range.
The decision to part ways with Ryland is steeped in the brutal reality of professional sports, where performance metrics often dictate players' futures. As detailed by ESPN, "The Patriots have decided to cut ties with Ryland after just one year." This development underscores the team's urgent need for reliability in a position often deciding games' outcomes.
Slye's path to New England began with two years in Carolina, where he initially showcased his talent. His subsequent moves reflected the transient nature of an NFL career, playing for three teams in 2021 alone. Finally finding some stability with the Commanders, Slye spent two-and-a-half seasons in Washington until the team opted to let him enter free agency.
For the Patriots, the decision to bring Slye into the fold is a calculated move aimed at fortifying their special teams unit. The veteran kicker's recent performances in camp, coupled with his proven track record, offer a glimmer of hope that he can provide the consistency the team sorely needs. As observed 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."
With the regular NFL season on the horizon, the Patriots' special teams face heightened scrutiny. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Slye can translate his training camp success into game-day performance. His journey through six NFL teams and his resilience in the face of fluctuating fortunes could make him the seasoned stabilizer the Patriots need.
As the sands of time shift and a new season dawns, the Patriots hope that their investment in veteran experience over rookie potential will pay dividends. The pressure is on, but with Joey Slye's leg poised for action, New England might just have found the stability they seek.