Tag: Jake Bailey

Patriots place second starter in two days on injured reserve

Another Patriots starter is headed to injured reserve

A day after placing standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore on injured reserve, the New England Patriots announced they had placed punter Jake Bailey on IR as well on Saturday.

Despite coming off a bye week, injuries have obviously still been an issue for the Patriots.

In a corresponding move, the team also announced they were signing veteran punter Michael Palardy to their 53-man roster. The change comes at a time when Bailey was clearly struggling.

There had been other punters brought in to workout with the team with hopes of seeing what else is out there and possibly even lighting a fire under the 25-year-old punter.

The Patriots showed good faith by making Bailey one of the highest-paid punters in the league. So far, things haven’t turned out the way they expected. Now, Palardy will have a legitimate opportunity to take the starting job with Bailey out for at least the next four games.

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Report: Patriots expected to look for replacement amid Jake Bailey punting struggles

Jake Bailey’s starting punting job could be in jeopardy

The drop-off for Jake Bailey has been steep.

Back in August, the New England Patriots made him one of the three highest-paid punters in the league, and now, they’re reportedly mulling over possible options to replace him.

It hasn’t been good this season, and opposing teams have benefitted from the great field position that has come from Bailey’s struggles. Combine that with the ongoing offensive issues and it has felt like death by a thousand papercuts for the Patriots.

But change could be coming sooner rather than later. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, the Patriots are expected to bring in a “handful of free agent punters” in an effort to improve at the position.

The mere thought of being replaced could be enough to light a fire under Bailey to play better, or it could lead to him being edged out as a starter if a better option emerges from the group of possible newcomers.

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Here are the contract terms for Jake Bailey’s extension

New England can feel good about solidifying the punter spot, which will help them control the field for years to come.

New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey signed a contract extension that runs through the 2025 season. The four-year deal is worth $13.5 million.

Bailey was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2020, and while he didn’t receive those honors in 2021, he was equally impressive. He simply attempted fewer punts, with New England’s offense growing more efficient in 2021 than it was in 2020. Still, Bailey logged his career-high average of 48.7 yards per punt in 2020. He finished 2021 at 47.3 yards per punt.

“I’m just so happy and blessed I get a few more years here,” Bailey told reporters this week. “I was just on the phone with my agent and I was like, ‘Alright, that’s it. We’re good with that,’ and it wasn’t like a crazy big moment. But it was fine and a huge milestone in my life and just thankful God put me in this position.”

So here’s a look at the terms of the deal.

While Bailey’s contract value is seventh in the NFL among punters, his average annual value (AAV) is third highest in the league at his position. That AAV is substantial, even if the salary cap hit on an annual level isn’t high. Ultimately, Punters don’t cost much and the difference between retaining Bailey and replacing him with a rookie isn’t that significant. New England can feel good about solidifying the punter spot, which will help them control the field for years to come.

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Report: Patriots and punter Jake Bailey agree to four-year extension

Jake Bailey and the Patriots agreed on a contract extension Monday.

The New England Patriots and punter Jake Bailey agreed to a contract extension on Monday morning, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The two sides agreed to a four-year $13.5 million contract with $6.5 million in fully guaranteed money.

The contract is slated to run through the 2025 season.

Bailey has been a consistent punter during his time with New England. Bailey had a career year in 2020. He made his first Pro Bowl and was a First-Team All-Pro. Bailey averaged 47.3 yards per punt last season. That was the second-highest average of his career.

Bailey was a fifth-round draft pick in 2019. His on-field performance combined with his accolades could certainly qualify him as a steal for that year’s draft class.

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Here’s what was on Nick Folk’s mind ahead of game-winning field goal vs. Texans

The Patriots knew what he had to do to mentally prepare.

Nick Folk was the New England Patriots’ MVP against the Houston Texans.

The 36-year-old’s game-winning field goal sealed the 25-22 win and his 13 total points on the day were instrumental. Folk hit two 52-yard field goals in the game, which is the longest distance he’s hit from since the 2015 season.

Mac Jones drove the Patriots down the field on their final drive while having the score tied up, leaving Folk with 20 seconds remaining and a chip shot to win the game. Folk drilled it and pushed the Patriots to a 2-3 record on the season.

What was he thinking ahead of the kick?

“Thinking of my routine, what I gotta do to be ready,” Folk said, transcribed by NESN.” … Get ready for a kick.”

He gave a ton of the credit to the offense for putting him in position.

“They just put a great drive together,” Folk said. “I just told them at the end, ‘Way to finish it.’ Cause that was all on them. They did a great job of finishing it. … Great way to end the game, seven-minute drive.”

The Patriots will have to score much more than field goals to get a victory against the Dallas Cowboys next week.

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Two Patriots players selected to All-NFL team for 2020 season

Jake Bailey and Gunner Olszewski were given postseason honors in what was a difficult year

In what was a difficult season for the New England Patriots, there were some positive aspects to it. The special-teams proved to be an asset for the Patriots, and now two players are getting recognition.

Punter Jake Bailey and punt returner Gunner Olszewski earned spots on the Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL and All-AFC teams. The teams were announced on Monday.

Bailey made a huge impact for the Patriots, as he often put opposing offenses in difficult field position. He averaged 45.6 yards per punt this season, which led the NFL. Bailey was also named to the Pro Bowl

Olszewski proved to be a major asset on punt returns, as he averaged 17.3 yards per run back, which was a franchise record.

Throughout the course of the entire season, special teams remained consistent even as other positional units were struggling. Heading into the 2021 season, both Bailey and Olszewski should figure to be important pieces of the team once again.

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Patriots’ Jake Bailey, Gunner Olszewski named First-Team All-Pros

The young and ascending players earned their first All-Pro honors.

New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey and punt returner Gunner Olszewski earned AP First-Team All-Pro honors for the 2020 season.

The Patriots’ strongest and most consistent group this season was the special teams unit and Bailey had a lot to do with it. Matthew Slater was the only other Patriot to earn the honors and he was named Second-Team All-Pro — his sixth time collecting these prestigious honors.

Bailey was the NFL-leading player in net yards per punt (45.6 yards) and punts inside the 20 percentage (56.4 percent). The Patriots allowed the second-fewest punt yards per return (71) and Bailey was fourth in gross punt average (48.7 yards).

Olszewski, who had an incredible season, led the NFL in punt return average (17.3 yards), punt returns (1) and punt return yards (346). His breakout game was against the Los Angeles Chargers — where he scored the punt return and his first receiving touchdown.

J.C. Jackson will widely be considered a snub, as he was with Pro Bowl honors.

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Jake Bailey among three Patriots to make 2021 Pro Bowl

The second-year punter is solidifying his status as one of the league’s best.

The New England Patriots are sending three players to the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl, with two special teamers included.

Punter Jake Bailey, special teams captain Matthew Slater and cornerback Stephon Gilmore earned the honor this season. Due to COVID-19, the Pro Bowl will be held as a week-long virtual event and the players won’t engage in any on-site activities.

Bailey’s in his second season in the league and he already began to prove his potential last season, after earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice. He leads the league this season with a net average of 46.1 yards per punt. He also leads the AFC with 24 punts downed within the opponents’ 20-yard line. Bailey has an extremely promising future ahead.

Slater is entering his ninth career Pro Bowl, which extends the record he already set for special teams players. He’s tied with Patriots’ legend John Hannah for second-most Pro Bowl selections in the franchise — sitting behind Tom Brady with 14. He has five special teams tackles this season and remains the glue for the roster.

Gilmore is earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod and his fourth overall. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal for the Patriots and he’s the rock that allows Bill Belichick to get creative on defense. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has 37 tackles, one interception, three passes deflected and a forced fumble this year.

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Is Jake Bailey the Patriots’ best player? Fans seems to believe so

Is he the best player on the team?

Similar to the New England Patriots’ last matchup against the Los Angeles Rams — it was full of punts and difficult to watch.

Except this time, the Rams had the upper hand and it was only the Patriots punting. Sean McVay’s Rams had a 8-4 record heading into the game and one of the league’s best defenses. Cam Newton began the game with a crucial pick-six and eventually was benched for Jarrett Stidham. Newton threw for less than 120 yards in the air for the third consecutive game and the rush attack was shut down.

This led to six punts for 310 yards and an average of 51.7 — with four of them inside the 20-yard line for Jake Bailey. Patriots fans justifiably asked the question, is he the best player on the team?

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WATCH: Cam Newton hilariously teaches Patriots punter how to correctly dab

The New England Patriots quarterback and Auburn legend was filmed trying to teach his punter Jake Bailey how to dab during the Pats blowout.

The New England Patriots demolished the Los Angeles Chargers, 45-0, on Sunday as Cam Newton threw for a touchdown and rushed for two more and Jarrett Stidham, in Newton’s relief, also put a touchdown pass on the board.

With a lot of free time on the sidelines during the blow out, Newton took it upon himself to teach the Patriots punter Jake Bailey the correct way to dab.

It’s good to see Newton enjoying himself on the sidelines again.