Pats Pulpit
Patriots training camp is set to begin on Wednesday, July 23.
New England Patriots rookies already reported back to Gillette Stadium for this year’s training camp with veterans set to join them soon. For the now Mike Vrabel-led Patriots, their first practice of the summer will begin on Wednesday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Before the players and coaches take the field, our preview series will conclude with New England’s special teams.
*Denotes player on the Pats Pulpit 53-man roster projection
Starters: K Andres Borregales*, P Bryce Baringer*, LS Julian Ashby* | Backups: K John Parker Romo*
After retaining special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer and assistant Tom Quinn, the Patriots got to work remodeling their specialists group this offseason.
That started at kicker, as veteran Joey Slye departed in free agency after connecting on just 26 of 33 field goals attempts last season. With Parker Romo remaining on the roster after joining the practice squad mid-season, New England then selected the first kicker in the draft taking Miami’s Andres Borregales in the sixth-round.
The draft did not stop there, as the Patriots surprisingly took long snapper Julian Ashby one round later. That led to the release of long-time long snapper Joe Cardona, who was the last remaining member of the Patriots 2018 Super Bowl squad.
The new additions left punter Bryce Baringer as the lone holdover in the special teams room. Coming off a strong sophomore season, Baringer will look to continue to ascend as he now is the veteran in the room.
Consistency has been the word used to describe Borregales from the Patriots coaching staff. That was on display during college as the big-legged kicker went 18-for-19 on field goals last season for the Hurricanes. Borregales then had an impressive spring connecting on 19 of 20 field goal attempts in five open practices. He is the runaway favorite to win the starting job, but must remain consistent both this summer and season.
Turning over 66 percent of the kicking operation, the chemistry between the three will be worth watching. That starts with Ashby at long snapper, whose added athleticism should also provide a boost covering kicks.
