Patriots: NE signing Nick Folk indicates team blew it with Justin Rohrwasser pick
By Jerry Trotta
The Patriots reportedly plan on signing veteran kicker Nick Folk.
The New England Patriots made an unsurprising move earlier this offseason when they parted ways with longtime kicker Stephen Gostkowski after 14 seasons. As they typically do, the Patriots didn’t wait long to find a replacement for the four-time Pro Bowler, selecting Marshall product Justin Rohrwasser in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The young kicker didn’t exactly enjoy what should have been the greatest week of his life, as word quickly spread about the “Three Percenters” tattoo on his right arm. After coming under a wave of criticism, he apologized publicly and had the ink removed.
That was pretty much the last we heard from Rohrwasser, who has been expected to be New England’s starter for quite a while now. However, their latest signing indicates that is anything but the case.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots brought veteran kicker Nick Folk in for a workout this weekend and are expected to sign him on Monday.
First on the field again this morning: Justin Rohrwasser. Patriots reportedly plan to bring in Nick Folk as competition for the rookie kicker. pic.twitter.com/ZfLaqFYlwZ
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) August 23, 2020
When you consider the sheer uncertainty regarding Rohrwasser’s health, this move shouldn’t come as a surprise. The 23-year-old hasn’t been spotted at practice after drilling three of his five field goal attempts last week. The fact that he isn’t healthy enough to even get some reps in doesn’t bode well for his chances to start come Week 1 of the regular season.
Rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser practiced some full-team field goals, which marked just the second time he has done so in front of the assembled media at camp. 2-of-4 to the skinny goal posts. He also kicked to the side. Sprayed it around a bit. Did not seem limited by injury.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 23, 2020
If he isn’t cleared by then, it might be time to starting asking if the Patriots blew it by drafting him. Not that they would have taken a surefire starter at that point in the Draft, but the selection isn’t looking too promising right now.
Justin Rohrwasser is kicking FGs during competitive 11-on-11s and just booted a few horrific shanks, plus more misses wide left.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 23, 2020
He's also struck from 45-50 yards and closer.
If he's injured, it's curious why he's kicking. If not, there's cause for concern.
New England wouldn’t waste cap space on a veteran like Folk, who performed well in seven games for the team in 2019 by converting on 14 of his 17 field goal attempts, if it didn’t have real concerns about the rookie’s status moving forward.
We’re not writing off Rohrwasser after just one injury and a few shanks, but Patriots Nation has every right to start to questioning if he was worth a fifth-round selection if he doesn’t return to the field soon.
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