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PK Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots
HT: 6-2, WT: 210, Born: 1-28-1984, College: Memphis, Drafted: Round 4
2008 Projections
Best Case
After posting mediocre numbers during his first two years in college at Memphis, Stephen Gostkowski improved significantly during his final two years. As a junior he hit 20 of 24 (83.3%) field goals and 48 of 49 PATs. During his impressive senior year he hit 22 of 25 (88.0%) field goals, including 3 of 3 from 50+ yards, and was perfect on 35 PATs. During his rookie year in the NFL last year, he hit 3 of 5 on 40+ yard field goals, with a long of 52. Gostkowski's 65.5 yard average and 12 touchbacks on kickoffs were very good, especially for a rookie and his first year dealing with the K-ball.
Worst Case
After beating out Martin Gramatica in the preseason last year, Gostkowski did okay but times looked like a typical inconsistent rookie kicker. He missed some shorter kicks. He missed some medium range kicks. He went 20 of 26 (76.9%) on field goals and 43 of 44 on PATs, although two of the missed field goals and the missed PAT were blocked. His missed kicks were 29B, 37B, 48WR, 36WR, 49WL, 33WR, and extra point B.
Outlook
The Patriots finished 19th in kicker scoring in 2006 for the second straight year, after having been first in 2004. They once again scored 100+ kicking points. The last time they failed to do so was 1995. The 103 and 101 kicking points the last two years were a few steps down form the 121 points they averaged the four previous years. If signing free agent wide receivers is the key to success, then New England should be in great shape this year. Expectations are fairly high for their offense this year. If they do succeed, Gostkowski should see increased scoring opportunities.
