Patriots special teams ace continues domination over Dolphins special teams in Week 5
Besides the concerns about the Patriots offense coming into the 2024 season, there was a lot of conversation about getting the special teams on track and whether or not the new coordinator was fit for the job. Jeremy Springer had spent his NFL career with the Rams and didn't have a lot to show for it after the 2023 season, making him a questionable acquisition for the new Patriots staff.
Fortunately, the special teams unit has been far improved over the first four games of the season, and that continues in their matchup with the Dolphins in Week 5.
It was already apparent that they had a few aces up their sleeve with the selection of Bryce Baringer in last year's draft. Baringer was the punter the team needed since the fallout of Jake Bailey. He has been a consistent weapon and one of their best players, and he is now joined by kicker Joey Slye to make up a solid kicking group.
They also have Brenden Schooler, the special teamer mentored by Matthew Slater since he was drafted in 2022. Now that the 10-time Pro Bowler has hung up his cleats, he looks every bit like he could be their long-term option.
Schooler demonstrated that once again against the Dolphins in Week 5, as he blocked a punt, ironically by Jake Bailey, to give the Patriots offense a solid shot of adding more points to the scoreboard before halftime.
Special teams, special plays @SchoolerBrenden 👏
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/48lZeruTM5
This is becoming common for Schooler, who has had some of his best performances against the AFC East foe, which couldn't be a better opponent to really stand out. In the Patriots home game last season, he also blocked a field goal, so blocking a punt is just another accomplishment off the list for the young player.
Brenden Schooler at home vs. Miami, 2023: blocked field goal
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 6, 2024
Brenden Schooler at home vs. Miami, 2024: blocked punt
Unfortunately, however, the offense couldn't take advantage of the opportunity he gifted them this time, as Slye shockingly missed a 33-yard field goal to put the Patriots up 10-3. But the effort from Schooler is impressive, nonetheless.
Update:
He would have done it again!
Bad snap for the Dolphins on the field goal attempt. Schooler would've blocked the kick had Sanders kicked it.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) October 6, 2024
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