Parker Romo’s Prime-Time Performance Makes Patriots’ Kicker Pick Look Worse

Back in April, the New England Patriots — coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons — opted to use a draft pick to select kicker Andy Borregales out of Miami in the fifth round.

For a team with numerous holes on its roster, it was an eyebrow-raising pick at the time. And questions about the front office’s and coaching staff’s decision at the position aren’t going away.

Borregales missed the first two extra points on Sunday, though he later delivered a 53-yard field goal to give New England a six-point lead in the final minutes and was given a game ball by head coach Mike Vrabel in the winning locker room. However, immediately after hitting that big field goal, Borregales was penalized for missing the landing zone on the ensuing kickoff, giving the Dolphins the ball at their own 40-yard line for a potential game-winning drive.

It was Borregales’ second iffy performance in as many weeks, as he missed a 40-yard field goal attempt in Week 1’s loss to the Raiders.

Meanwhile, Parker Romo — the kicker who “lost” the training camp battle for the Patriots’ kicker job to Borregales — got picked up by the Falcons this week, after they had issues with Younghoe Koo. Romo made his debut for Atlanta on Sunday night against the Vikings, and he was perfect.

Romo was 5-for-5 on his field goal attempts, hitting from 29 yards, 33 yards (twice), 38 yards and 54 yards. He also hit his lone PAT, as he played a monumental role in the Falcons’ 22-6 win over the Vikings in Minnesota.

Romo played for those Vikings last year, hitting 11 of his 12 field goals and going 7-for-8 on PATs. So he appears to be on his way to a successful career as an NFL kicker.

Borregales may be on that path, too, but his first steps have certainly been a bit rocky. It wouldn’t be fair at this juncture to say the Patriots made the wrong choice with Borregales over Romo, but it’s a comparison to which many Patriots fans are certain to return if Borregales’ inconsistency continues throughout his rookie season.

More NFL: Mike Vrabel Calls Out Officiating Crew From Patriots-Dolphins Game