Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots say they remain confident in Andy Borregales, but the totality of Sunday suggested that, at least in the short term, they might’ve made the wrong decision at kicker.
The Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 33-27, but the win marked the continuation of kicking woes.
Borregales missed the extra point try on both of the Patriots’ first two scores. A 22-yard field goal with just under two minutes left in the first half was his first time putting points on the board. He came through later in a hugely important spot, knocking down a 53-yard field goal late in the fourth to put New England up by the deciding scoreline.
The rookie kicker was taken in the sixth round of the draft by the Patriots, but was fairly level in camp with veteran challenger Parker Romo. The Patriots, presumably because of the draft capital investment, went with Borregales, and Romo later landed on the Falcons’ practice squad.
With Younghoe Koo struggling for Atlanta in Week 1, the Falcons opted to scratch him for Week 2, bringing up Romo.
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The 28-year-old was nearly Atlanta’s entire source of points in a 22-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings, going 5-for-5. He hit kicks from 29, 33 (twice), 38 and 54 yards. Romo also hit his one extra point attempt.
Of course, a two-week sample size (one in Romo’s case), is hardly a representative sample size. But if there’s a position in the NFL that has a short leash, it’s kicker, so the Patriots would have been justified going in a different direction back in camp.
