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Mike Reiss
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Fast-hit ideas and notes across the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Borregales’ mentality: It might need been as a result of the second was quick and sudden, however College of Miami particular groups coach Danny Kalter pinpointed final season’s sport towards Virginia Tech as a major reflection of kicker Andy Borregales‘ mentality.
There have been 20 seconds remaining till halftime. Virginia Tech had simply prolonged its result in 24-14 on a 57-yard area aim. It appeared that it was time to go to the locker room and regroup.
However when the following kickoff was returned 34 yards close to midfield, Kalter seen he wasn’t alone. Borregales was already in his hip pocket.
“He is me, trying on the head coach. It might be 70 yards, and he would say, ‘I’ve it in me.’ That defines him to the core,” Kalter recalled. “No kick is simply too lengthy. No second is simply too huge.”
A go interference penalty moved the Hurricanes nearer, and Borregales drilled a 56-yarder because the half expired, crucial factors that finally helped Miami submit a 38-34 win.
The Patriots are hoping Borregales delivers related clutch outcomes for them after making him the primary kicker chosen within the 2025 NFL draft, tabbing him within the sixth spherical, No. 182 general.
The timing of the decide wasn’t a coincidence, with New England strategizing that the Ravens — who owned decide No. 186 — had been a robust risk to pick out a kicker given the uncertainty surrounding Justin Tucker. Baltimore selected Arizona’s Tyler Loop at 186 and later launched Tucker, who now faces a 10-week suspension for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage.
A robust kicking operation was a giant a part of the Patriots’ id once they received six Tremendous Bowl championships from 2001 to ’18 — led by Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame finalist Adam Vinatieri, then Stephen Gostkowski at kicker.
However since transferring on from Gostkowski in 2020, the Patriots have slipped. Their 84% area aim success price ranks twenty second within the NFL over that span, and a 92% point-after try price checks in at twenty seventh, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Moreover, they’re twentieth on area targets of 40 yards or extra (73%), 18th on area targets of fifty yards or extra (66%) and twentieth on area targets within the fourth quarter/time beyond regulation (83%).
Enter the 22-year-old Borregales, whose mother and father immigrated to South Florida from Venezuela when he was 2 and whose brother Jose additionally kicked for the Hurricanes in 2020.
“The Patriots aren’t simply getting a placekicker; they’re getting a soccer participant,” Kalter stated. “That is one thing Andy takes a variety of delight in, and he has from the second he stepped foot in Miami at 140 kilos and left at round 205 kilos and set the all-time factors report. How he carries himself on and off the sector, his work ethic, ardour for the sport, ardour for his teammates, and aggressive spirit is what makes him particular.”
Borregales capped off his four-year collegiate profession by making 18 of 19 area aim makes an attempt and all 62 of his PATs in 2024.
In a mirrored image of how he handles adversity — at all times a key take a look at for a kicker — he missed his first area aim try of the season from 45 yards vs. Florida and was excellent the rest of the season (the longest try was the 56-yarder vs. Virginia Tech). He had a rocky begin to his high-pressure exercise on the NFL mix, lacking a number of makes an attempt in entrance of the biggest assortment of coaches/scouts he’d ever labored out for, earlier than capping it off with a future of profitable kicks that culminated with a 58-yarder.
Kalter famous each as a mirrored image of Borregales’ mindset to take one kick at a time and self-diagnose after a miss with out over-thinking, which enhances his apparent leg energy.
As for Borregales’ capacity to deal with Northeast situations, Kalter believes he’ll rise to the event, partially due to his expertise on the windy just-off-the-ocean apply fields at Miami.
“In relation to climate within the kicking sport, it is extra wind points than snow. However, to me, it is simpler to kick within the snow than it’s within the rain. Andy has spent 18 of his summers kicking in South Florida, the place over the summer time it’ll be pouring down rain for 20 minutes after which it will get steamy and the wind picks up,” he stated.
“The snow issue, I feel, that is one thing he’s going to embrace. Andy is at all times in search of somebody to doubt him, some chip on his shoulder.”
2. UFL helps Patriots: Offensive deal with Yasir Durant, who signed a one-year cope with the Patriots final week, faces longer odds to earn a roster spot. However these odds would have been even steeper had he not performed for the DC Defenders of the United Soccer League this season.
“The longer you are out of the NFL, you are not getting tape, and the more durable it’s to get in. The UFL was instrumental in exhibiting he is continued to develop,” stated Erik Schmella, whose “The Familie” company represents Durant.
Durant’s historical past with the Patriots in 2021 (showing in eight video games), and likewise his time with the Saints in 2022 when present New England offensive line coach Doug Marrone was on the New Orleans Saints workers, additionally helped. Durant wasn’t with an NFL group in 2024.
Schmella highlighted different purchasers — similar to Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond and Steelers defensive deal with Domenique Davis — as those that have damaged via within the NFL with the assistance of publicity in spring leagues such because the UFL, USFL or XFL. The leagues may help these from smaller faculties or who might need sustained an harm in an NFL coaching camp.
“They’re an excellent choice to remain related, for gamers to indicate they’re in form, sturdy and might play ball,” he stated. “We have had success with them over the past 5 years as a result of we all know NFL groups are scouting them.”
3. Kraft’s motivation: Proprietor Robert Kraft stated on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” that he typically cites the Patriots’ time beyond regulation victory over the Falcons in Tremendous Bowl LI to workers in his non-football companies. It’s the largest comeback — down by 25 factors within the third quarter — in Tremendous Bowl historical past.
“When individuals consider one thing is unimaginable, I’m going ’28-3,'” he advised Schefter.
4. Kalter’s go to: The Patriots welcomed a number of faculty coaches to spring practices, and Miami’s Kalter was amongst them, alongside along with his two high assistants. The thought was broached when Patriots particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer attended the Hurricanes’ professional day earlier than the draft.
“We’re each very younger coordinators and we sort of bonded on that. The extra we talked, the extra related we appear to be, sharing philosophies,” Kalter stated.
The go to had already been confirmed earlier than the Patriots drafted Borregales.
“It labored out excellent. At any time when we are able to get round NFL groups — skilled improvement, and little method stuff you possibly can implement … and being up there to assist Andy, that was huge for us,” Kalter stated.
Commonplace to see faculty coaches at voluntary spring practices, and it seems to be just like the College of Miami has illustration right here (joined by particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer). pic.twitter.com/HrxrHbt3Ya
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) Could 20, 2025
5. Did You Know? The Patriots are the one NFL group that has drafted three kickers since 2020 — Justin Rohrwasser, Chad Ryland and Borregales — and all had been picks within the high 200. Since 2020, solely eight kickers have been drafted within the high 200 throughout the NFL.
