Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10

I thought it was one of the most interesting training camp stories. The Patriots drafted punter Zoltan Mesko. He would be assimilated into New England’s special teams with second year long snapper Jake Ingram and fourth year kicker Stephen Gostkowski already in place.

Mesko would learn how to hold for Gostkowski, without previous experience for Mesko. I was curious to see the three learn to work together. Did they have to develop chemistry? How long does that take? How much instruction did Gostkowski give Mesko about how he likes the ball positioned? Did Ingram have to get a feel for where Mesko likes the ball catching for punts as opposed to catching for field goals? Does timing come into play?

It’s a story that can only be told with inside access. You’d have to talk to Gostkowski, Ingram, and Mesko to find out how much they have to adjust to each other, if at all.

But the story is not considered interesting to the media. When you’re a specialist, you’re not considered a true football player. You’re supposed to execute your job and not make noise when doing it right. They only say your name if you screw up or if you’re injured.

New England is two for two last week when Gostkowski was placed on injured reserve and Ingram was released. They are replaced by K Shayne Graham and LS Matt Katula.

Gostkowski’s loss is significant as he developed into an accurate kicker with a powerful leg. He was a 2008 Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection and he was on pace for another 100-point season and surpass his career high 30 touchbacks.

Unfortunately his season came to an end in Cleveland. What looked like a squib kick actually was his thigh tightening up. He sat for the remainder of the game as WR Wes Welker took over for Gostkowski for the rest of the game.

Thankfully Graham was still available. The 10^th-year veteran has experience kicking in bad weather, and he performed well in Heinz Field, home of Sunday’s opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That means a new kicker for Mesko to adjust to. Certainly they spent extra time working out the kinks for this upcoming game. Maybe Graham likes the ball held at a certain angle, a different angle than Gostkowski. Working on timing is critical too, but that can’t be done with just these two players.

Katula replaces Ingram because Jake’s snaps became errant. Ingram didn’t snap the ball over people’s heads or snap pigskins skimming across the ground. Ingram was just off center. These bad snaps didn’t lead to blocked punts or field goals, but one day something bad would happen since Ingram couldn’t fix is inaccuracy in time.

If all things work out, Katula and Graham finish the season without incident. Graham makes all critical kicks and Katula hits the button on all snaps, whether for field goals or punts.

At least the special teamers’ names were in the paper. I just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.

A few things I’ll be looking for:

Strike Clock 7: With C Maurkice Pouncey and LT Max Starks out of the lineup, the pass rush has an opportunity to get to Big Ben Roethlisberger and bring him down.

Anti-Bully: New England was pushed around on both sides of the ball last week. Don’t let Pittsburgh be the more physical team.

60 Minutes: Don’t let Mike Wallace break away downfield. He’s averaging 23 yards per reception and leads the team with five scores.

New England can’t shake that “can’t beat good teams on the road” label. It sticks around for another week as the Steelers keep the home field advantage.