The Miami Dolphins are making a quick change at kicker coming off their Week 6 bye, and it’s a big one. Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report dropped the news: Miami is bringing back Zane Gonzalez for the role, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the team is releasing Riley Patterson. This isn’t just a minor tweak, folks, this is a full-on kicking overhaul mid-season.
Patterson’s Misses Force a Tough Call
You gotta look at the numbers here. Riley Patterson missed an extra point in their Week 5 loss to the Bengals, and that’s not all. He’d already shanked two field goals earlier in the season. When you’re talking NFL, every single point matters. Every kick is pressure, and when you’re leaving points on the field like that, especially in a loss, you know the coaching staff is going to be watching. It’s harsh, but that Week 5 XP miss might have been the final straw for Patterson. They’re trying to win games, and if the kicking isn’t reliable, you simply can’t afford to keep rolling with it.
Gonzalez Gets Another Shot in Miami
So, who’s Gonzalez? He’s 31, and get this, he was actually with the Dolphins during their offseason program and training camp. But then he got hit with the injury bug, placed on injured reserve in August, and released with an injury settlement on August 19. Talk about a full circle moment! Last season, when he was kicking for Atlanta, Gonzalez was solid. He nailed 19 of his 22 field goals and converted 17 of 18 extra points. Those are reliable numbers, and clearly, Miami saw enough during his previous stint and from his Atlanta tape to bring him back into the fold. They need a guy who can deliver, and his past performance suggests he’s that guy.
Miami is heading out on the road to face the Jets in Week 7. With a new kicker stepping in right after a bye, all eyes will be on Zane Gonzalez to see if he can immediately stabilize that crucial special teams spot. The season is still early enough that consistency can make a huge difference, and they’ll be hoping this move pays off right away.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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