Christmas came days earlier for new England Patriots clearing kicker Jake Bailey.
Bailey’s house played “Call of Duty: Warzone” Monday with a high school friend when his phone rings. I had good news to share.
The Patriots’ head coach informed Bailey that he had decided to set up the AFC in pro bowl 2021, one of three New England players (along with cornerman Stephon Gilmore and Matthew Slater) to pass the cut.
Bailey left to hide his enthusiasm by remembering the moment two days later.
“He was excited on the moon,” Bailey said Wednesday in a video conference, with an ear-to-ear smile on his face. “. . . Coach Cam (Achord) was also in the game and they just said: Good job. And I was so, so happy. Actually, I don’t forget the rest of the phone call. I just didn’t forget the first “you did it, ” so I was excited. “
It’s the first nod to Bailey’s young Pro Bowl race, which began when the Patriots exchanged to pick him in the fifth circular of the 2019 NFL Draft. His teammates don’t think it’s the last.
“Jake shoots the ball incredibly well,” kicker Nick Folk said. “. . . You’ve done a wonderful task all year round. I’m satisfied with him. “I think this will be the first in a long series. “
Slater, now nine times Pro Bowler, praised Bailey as “the gambler in professional football. “
“I think I just needed a clearing (his rookie year) to say, “Wow, this guy is smart,” said Slater, who, along with Justin Bethel, the NFL’s most productive kick duo. “the ball comes out of his foot, the way he is able to deal with so many other situations, hit so many other clearings, his holding ability, which is an underestimated skill: Jake is a special child . . . Everywhere, you can’t say enough smart things about it.
“I am so pleased for him. I think he deserves more than this honor. It’ll only get better, in my mind. He’s in his year for now. When I was in my year at the moment, I was still looking to figure out how to tie my tacos. This guy does a lot of smart things for our football team. And I know other people don’t need to see the gambler enter the field, but when Jake Bailey enters the field, all eyes are on him. “
Bailey, a two-time AFC Special Team Week Player, leads the league on average in clearings (46. 1 yards consistent with pugoff) and ranks among the five most sensitive in the gross average of clearings and clearings in the 20. 40 kicks resulted in touchdowns, and allows a tiny 1. 15 yards consistent with cross kicks (46 in total). Stanford’s product also handles Patriots pitches, maintains cash goals and bonus points, and is the team’s replacement.
Slater and Belichick highlighted the role bailey’s consistent functionality played in Folk’s very good season. Folk, who said Bailey takes this facet of his game “as seriously as he takes clearing and kick-off” hasn’t missed a basket so far. week, with a 25-on-27 record this year.
“(Bailey) had a remarkable season,” Belichick said Tuesday. ” He does a wonderful task in everything: the pitches, the team, was also part of Nick’s consistency, and of course his clearing. He has the big leg and the ability, to replace the position on the field, but also the situation of the clearings . . . He does a lot of small things that are vital to the good fortune of our special team’s units, and he’s had an extraordinary year. The boat is obvious, but there are also many other little things for which it does a wonderful task. “
Given the Patriots’ widespread unrest on offense and defense this season, a valid case may be complex for Bailey as the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2020, who took his good fortune as a result.
“To be honest, I didn’t know if it was beyond the level of football in high school,” Bailey said. “Every day is just a blessing, and I’m very, very grateful to be here. “