Specialists snapshot

July 21, 2007

With training camp set to begin July 27, we'll take a snapshot look at each position on the Patriots' roster, starting with a quick chart, then following that up with a list of each player at the position. The defensive line (Wednesday), offensive line (Thursday) and linebackers (Friday) have been covered. Today, we look at the specialists:

STRENGTH	Kickoffs. Stephen Gostkowski’s powerful leg resulted in 12 touchbacks last season, ranking fifth in the AFC.
WEAKNESS	Health. Last year’s starting punter, 37-year-old Josh Miller, is coming back from a shoulder injury that ended his 2006 season after 10 games.
TOP QUESTION	Will Josh Miller hold off a challenge from youngsters Danny Baugher and Tom Malone for the punting job?
FUTURE	The Patriots’ complete operation returns for a second straight year, with placekicker Stephen Gostkowski (contract through 2009), punter Josh Miller (2008) and long snapper Lonie Paxton (2007).

Specialists personnel:

Danny Baugher (1st year) -- Former University of Arizona punter spent part of last season on the team’s practice squad and was an All-NFL Europa selection this spring. He will vie with Josh Miller for the team’s punting/holding job.

Stephen Gostkowski (2nd year) -- Placekicker was 20 of 26 on field goals as a rookie, making 18 of his last 21 attempts. Unlike last year, he enters training camp as the lone kicker on the roster.

Tom Malone (1st year) -- Punter from USC spent part of last season on the team’s practice squad and was allocated to NFL Europa this spring. He is a longer shot to win the team’s punting job.

Josh Miller (12th year) -- Left-footed punter is adept at the directional punting -- with a focus on hang time -- that the Patriots often prefer. He also serves as a holder on field goals and helped ease the transition for Stephen Gostkowski last year.

Lonie Paxton (8th year) -- Long snapper has been a consistent presence since 2000, seldom delivering a bad snap on punts or a field goal. He is backed up by Russ Hochstein.

EXTRA POINTS: The Patriots have assigned linebacker Chad Brown jersey No. 98. That is the same number Brown wore in his first two stints with the Patriots. ... Wide receiver Jonathan Smith, who was waived by the Patriots on Thursday, has been claimed by the Bills. The Jets had also put in a waiver claim on Smith, but Smith was awarded to the Bills because they had priority (worse 2006 record).

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 08:00:32 AM | E-mail | Link

Specialists snapshot

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