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Specialists snapshot

(Sixth in a series of position snapshots leading into Patriots training camp, July 28.)

Specialists

PLACEKICKER: Stephen Gostkowski (rookie), Martin Gramatica (8th year)

PUNTER/HOLDER: Josh Miller (11th year)

LONG SNAPPER: Lonie Paxton (7th year), Jon Condo (1st year*)

2005 SPECIALISTS: Adam Vinatieri (kicker), Miller (punter/holder), Paxton (long snapper)

2006 ROSTER LOCKS: Gostkowski, Miller, Paxton

OUTLOOK: For the first time since 1996, there will be a spotlight shining on the Patriots’ placekicking situation in training camp. After a few early struggles that rookie year in '96, Adam Vinatieri was someone the team could count on in most situations, especially in the clutch. By investing a fourth-round pick in Stephen Gostkowski, the Patriots are surely hoping he’s a capable replacement. He had the strongest leg of any prospect and was considered the blue-chipper of the crop, having drawn strong pre-draft interest from kicker-needy teams (the Bears, Packers, Dolphins, Patriots and Cowboys all made visits to work him out). In the worst-case scenario for the Patriots, Gostkowski has a tough training camp and he’s kept on the roster solely for kickoffs and long field goals. It would be surprising if Gostkowski is outright released should he struggle in camp. Gramatica provides veteran insurance. Meanwhile, the punter, holder and long snapper positions remain solid with Miller and Paxton. Condo could be insurance for the future if Paxton suffers an injury, like what happened in 2004 when the Patriots went through multiple long snappers en route to their Super Bowl championship.

QUOTE OF NOTE: “It’s just exciting to think that I might be able to start in the NFL anywhere, and then to be able to replace a guy like Adam Vinatieri -- he’s the most respected guy in the NFL -- you can’t go in there expecting to do something somebody else did. You just have to go in there and bring what you can bring to the table, and hopefully you can win over the fans and win over your coaches and teammates by making a big kick.” –- Stephen Gostkowski (after being selected by the Patriots in the fourth round)

(* Condo is considered a first-year player because he was with the Cowboys in 2005 but not long enough to earn an accrued season toward free agency.)

The next snapshots will focus on the defense.