From the Hart: Role call! — Punter
Written by Andy Hart on July 28, 2010 – 1:38 pm -Training camp 2010 has the makings to be one of the most competitive in recent memory in New England. Endless roster spots, roles and starting jobs will be on the line this July and August on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. As we head toward the opening of training camp on July 29, PFW will take a closer look at some of the more competitive areas on the roster. We’ll map out the scenario and then offer our opinions on how the competition might play out. But, more importantly, we’ll open up debate to you, the reader. In the end, you make the call!
Today we break down the one-man race for the punting job in the wake of the Chris Hanson era.
On the roster: Zoltan Mesko
Why the competition?:
What competition? That’s the point at punter, there is no competition for the fifth-round pick Mesko.
Sure, he’s a high pick (for his position) and clearly the future at punter for New England.
But that was true for long snapper Jake Ingram a year ago and he still had to work through camp next to Nathan Hodel. Same for 2006 fourth-round pick Stephen Gostkowski, when Martin Gramatica was on hand to at least present the possibility that there was competition for the job at kicker. Hodel wasn’t released until Aug. 31. Gramatica on Aug. 23. But at least both were on the roster to open their respective training camps in 2006 and 2009.
Not this time, though. After Aussie David King was sent packing this spring, Mesko is all that’s left on the punter depth chart. No last-legs veteran. No journeyman. No fellow rookie. Nothing.
And Mesko didn’t exactly light things up in spring work, either in OTA action or mini-camp. He was utterly inconsistent as he appears to be tweaking his mechanics. He spent a lot of time punting on the move at Michigan. He won’t be doing that on Sundays. He’s clearly got the leg, but what we saw in the Spring was at least a two-to-one shank-to-bomb ratio.
Like any rookie, Mesko has a lot to learn. He’ll need to perfect his footwork, drops and overall mechanics. His situational work will be in the spotlight. But unlike most rookies, Mesko enters camp knowing that, at least on paper, the Patriots 2010 punting job is all his.
Are you OK going to camp with only Mesko at punter? Would you prefer some competition from a veteran, maybe even Hanson? Or is it good for Mesko to know the job is his from the very beginning?
Andy Hart says…
I’m a believer that competition is good for all involved. I’m surprised that Bill Belichick and Scott O’Brien appear to be simply handing the punting job to Mesko. I’d rather there be someone on hand to push the rookie to his limits. I know as a fifth-round draft pick he’d be likely to win the job either way, but the same could have been said for Gostkowski in 2006. He still had competition and Mesko should too, at least early in camp. I’m not big on just handing jobs to guys, especially rookies. If he can’t take the heat of training camp competition, then what’s he going to do in a key spot in a key game?
Erik Scalavino (our own former college kicker and resident special teams expert) says…
I’m slightly surprised there isn’t one other punter in camp to compete with Mesko. But in the end, as a fifth-round draft pick, he would have won the job anyway, so, I’m OK with giving him the added confidence of entering the season with job security. Besides, he has enough to worry about with the adjustment to his mechanics that we witnessed during spring practices. Now, that’s all he has to focus on this summer. That should help Mesko relax and make the necessary changes without simultaneously looking over his shoulder.
Paul Perillo says…
The bottom line here is the Patriots used a fifth-round pick on Mesko and he will be the guy. Unless he fails miserably during the season, I don’t see the team bringing in anyone to compete with him. He has a big leg and should settle in nicely once he gets more comfortable with the adjustments of kicking in the NFL.
Now that you’ve read the predictions from the PFW boys, give us your thoughts on the lack of competition at punter with a comment below!
Posted in General |
July 28th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Maybe they figure Mesko is motivated enough, he doesn’t need a ringer. Or, as you all point out, since he’s going to get the job anyway, maybe they figure bringing in someone else after David King is just another waste of a signing bonus.
July 28th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Mesko will be fine… I think this “strategy” of letting him know it’s his job to lose will ease his transition to the NFL, letting him focus on his punts and not other punters.
July 28th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
I have to agree with Andy here. Even if they all knowq this is going to be the guy, make him at least show what he can do in a lil competition. I mean thats what he’s doing every Sunday right….competing? If every other player has to compete for their spot (Brady the exception), why not Mesko. Sounds to me he could use it if he is sloppy now. Might make him pick it up a lil.
July 28th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Erik !!!! Why don’t you go and give him a challenge !! You are a former kicker !! Its like riding a bike man !!! Ya never forget how to do it
I for one wanna see Erik out there kicking for his dinner and given Mesko a run for his money and pushing Mesko to be better !! haha Whats the worst that can happen Erik ?? Ya might stand to make one million dollars !!! AH AH AH ! *pinkie in the side of the mouth Dr evil style * !
July 28th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I am all for competion. lets hope he is not a Missin Sisson
July 28th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
He’s was the starter the day he got drafted. Don’t worry about bringing in competition for him just let him concentrate on gettings his mechanics down and getting comfortable holding for Gostkowski. If he doesn’t get it done in camp you know Bill will have someone else come in quickly.
July 28th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
The word on Mesko has always been that he’s a great competitor and team leader. He was voted at captain at Michigan for crying out loud. I highly doubt that you’ll be able to question his motivation once camp begins..he just doesn’t seem like that kind of guy. Zolt the Jolt is here to play.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Who are you ready to cut to give him camp competition? I hope there’s someone on staff who can boot a couple against him, but Welker on Active PUP, and no 2nd Punter gives you two extra spots for competition at more pressing needs. The back up plan is the same. If he flops you sign a veteran free agent who’s sitting at home right now.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
@ Thomas
Welker counts against the 80-man roster.
And there are a couple guys I could cut to add a vet punter. I won’t name them, though. That would be mean. And we all know how nice I am.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
@ Andy Hart
“If Welker is on the active/PUP list for more than a week, he won’t count against the 80-man training camp roster limit.” - Per Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald
How does this work? Will Welker no longer count towards the 80-man limit on the 7th day after being placed on the PUP list? Or is Karen wrong?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Yes, Andy, your sweetness is legendary.
As for Mesko: you guys(and some other sources) reported he looked way better during the OTAs. Unfortunately, Andy you came back later that week, so you only saw him holding that week. So you wrote an article what includes the early struggling. But thank’s to your “holiday special”, missed when he was really good at the end. 
July 28th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
The Zoltan seems to have alot of potential, but he needs work, I just hope the PAts have more patience than they did with Robbie Gould.
Who is out there that they could bring in for him to compete with?
July 28th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
He Has Competition From Vince Wilfork, DUH!
July 29th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Hopefully this season we won’t need to punt as much, we will be converting those 4th downs!!!
July 29th, 2010 at 8:28 am
with the rb they have your going to need a great punter.i hope you get that right.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:01 am
@ underwatercartooncat
I’ll be sure to watch Mesko closely in the first couple days of camp and report on it. If he’s turned the corner, I’ll say it.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:03 am
@ James
I need to look into that. I’ve never heard of that rule before. But the bottom line is that he counts on the roster for at least a week. Right? Then he might not? I’ll try to figure it out and get back to you.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Well, it’s probably best that Zoltan get as many reps as possible in camp since he won’t be needed much during the regular season. Gostkowski, OTOH, will be kicking off a lot.
We hope.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I think having another guy in camp for “competition” at punter might be overrated. The Patriots have a list of guys they could bring in tomorrow if Mesko doesn’t work out. He knows that is true, too. A punter doesn’t need to be integrated into the team to be effective, so use the roster spot for competition in some other area of the team.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
We Detroiters got to watch Mesko punt a LOT (unfortunately) last year at U of M. He’s a good athlete and will be fine…
-Where we (Pats fans) really need to sweat it is at OLB. ..sorry Crable couldn’t make it - he was great for U of M…. Still can’t believe we passed on Clay Matthews…