When the New England Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the NFL Draft, they envisioned him as the cornerstone of their future kicking game. However, the team's decision to cut ties with Ryland after just one year in the league has sparked conversation among fans and analysts alike.
Short-Lived Tenure
During his rookie season, Ryland was responsible for leading the Patriots in scoring, amassing 72 points. Despite this, his performance left much to be desired, especially in field goal accuracy. He managed to convert only 64% of his field goals, making just 16 out of 25 attempts. This put him at the bottom of the NFL in terms of field goal percentage. His struggles were even more evident from long range, hitting just 45.5% of his kicks from beyond 45 yards, converting only 5 of 11 attempts.
The Patriots did not waste time in searching for a more reliable option, bringing in veteran kicker Joey Slye during training camp. Slye, who has six years of NFL experience, quickly demonstrated his superior consistency compared to Ryland.
Slye's Summer Surge
Slye's track record made him a compelling candidate. Over his career, he had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Washington Commanders before signing with the Patriots. During training camp, Slye outshone Ryland by hitting nearly 80% of his kicks, compared to Ryland's 75.9%. His prowess was particularly notable from long range, converting eight of nine kicks between 50 and 59 yards. In contrast, Ryland hit just three of seven attempts from the same distance.
Given Slye's more consistent performance, it was perhaps unsurprising that the Patriots decided to part ways with Ryland. His training camp performance solidified his position, and the Patriots will now look to Slye to carry this momentum into the regular season.
Slye: A Seasoned Pro
Joey Slye's journey in the NFL has been marked by constant movement. After spending his first two years with the Carolina Panthers, he played for three different teams in 2021: the Texans, 49ers, and Commanders. His tenure in Washington lasted for two-and-a-half seasons until the Commanders opted not to re-sign him, making him a free agent. The Patriots are the sixth team Slye has joined in his six-year career, highlighting the volatile nature of employment for NFL kickers.
This decision also marks an end of an era in another way. Chad Ryland is the final kicker to be drafted by Bill Belichick, adding a bittersweet note to Ryland's abrupt departure.
With the NFL season fast approaching, the Patriots' special teams unit will be under scrutiny. Fans and analysts will keep a close eye on Slye to see if he can maintain the impressive form he displayed during camp. The pressure will be on Slye to prove that the team's decision to part ways with Ryland was the right call.
In the highly competitive world of professional football, the margin for error is slim, especially for kickers. The Patriots' quick pivot from one kicker to another underscores the constant search for consistency and reliability in every facet of the game. As New England prepares for the season ahead, the story of Chad Ryland and Joey Slye reminds us of the relentless pace and unforgiving nature of the NFL.