Nick Folk’s New England Patriots reunion is the culmination of a months-long process.
Folk, the 35-year-old journeyman who helped stabilize the Patriots’ precarious kicking situation last season, first engaged in contract talks with the team in March, around the time he became an unrestricted free agent. But with the COVID-19 pandemic intensifying, he initially opted not to re-sign.
“In March, it was the beginning of some kind of crown pandemic, and we didn’t know what was going on,” Folk said Thursday. “My wife and I have four little children at home. So we were a little more worried on that front. And then we went to school at home. So we left (the discussions with the Patriots) on hold and just keep in touch.
While Folk remained at home in Dallas, the Patriots released Stephen Gostkowski and used a fifth-round pick over Marshall’s Justin Rohrser, making him the first kicker selected for the 2020 NFL Draft. It was an unforeseen choice (Rohrser was not considered one of the most sensitive clients in the pre-draft procedure) and until now seemed questionable.
Rohrwasser attempted an unusually small number of cash goals in the first week of the Patriots’ education camp when he had faced an unreleased injury, and his few chances to kick to date have not boosted confidence.
While the rookie was fighting, the Patriots and Folk, however, reached an agreement last weekend. The veteran made his official return to education on Monday, starting the first kicker education camp festival in New England since 2006.
“We talked to Nick at spring camp and even education, and things painted here last week,” Belichick said this week. “It’s wonderful to have him. In fact, he came here and did a smart task for us last year. But things didn’t work out until recently with Nick. I’m glad they did. I’m glad you’re here and we’re going to see how it goes. I don’t know.
But I’ve been talking to Nick since March, so it’s not something that just happened a few days ago. In fact, it’s been a verbal exchange that’s been going on for several months. “
Folk went 14 of 17 in cash attempts for the Patriots last season after replacing the useless Mike Nugent, who had succeeded the injured Gostkowski. One of Folk’s shooting failures occurred in a blocked kick, and his other two were more than 40 yards away by a storm. He also scored any of his basket attempts in the New England playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Folk said he continued to work out during the off-season and was still expecting to play this season.
“It made a little sense to come this week,” he said.
Since his return, Folk has given the impression of being the most capable kicker in the educational field and being considered the favorite for the position as the September 5 reduction deadline approaches.
“The competition, I think, brings out the most productive of all at any time of the year,” Folk said. “Whether it’s in camp, when you go out and exercise, when you’re just going to work out with other kickers, gamblers, things like that, I think it gets the most productive stuff all the time. (Rohrwasser) is doing pretty well, so I’m going to keep my head down, worry about my role and let it all work out on its own.”
With the pre-season cancelled due to COVID-19, neither Folk nor Rohrwasser will have the opportunity to start a game before the start of the normal season.
The Patriots plan to use Friday’s practice, which will take place inside Gillette Stadium than on adjacent educational grounds, as a “game simulation.”
“Well, as you know, it’s not a rare scenario for newbies,” Belichick said of this vital player war. “We can have countless examples of guys who arrive at the education camp as rookies and injured and can’t play in the preseason or can only play in the last preseason game or something. In those scenarios, you have to make a decision, just like we will this year, we will have to make a decision.
“This year, some staff regulations are a little different, so let’s keep that in mind. But at the end of the day, we’re going to have to make decisions and do what we think is most productive for the football team. So that’s what we’re going to do.”