Andres Borregales might be from Miami. But the rookie kicker, taken in the sixth-round by the Patriots Saturday, is well-versed in the team’s history.
Particularly, with a nod toward their kickers.
“I’m excited. All my life, I looked up to Adam Vinatieri”, Borregales said of the Patriots 3-time Super Bowl winner during a video call shortly after being selected. “(He’s) a legend, honestly, and especially all of those kicks in the snow, all of those clutch kicks in the snow.”
While there is some thought kickers who are used to operating in the warm weather don’t do as well in the cold, Borregales doesn’t buy that notion.
“I can’t wait to experience that,” he said. “I know a lot of people thought that, being from Miami, I can’t handle the cold. But I can prove people wrong about that.”
Borregales is aware of the long line of successful kickers in New England, starting with Vinatieri, and moving on to Stephen Gostkowski, and Nick Folk.
“I feel like the Patriots have, honestly, a good line of legendary kickers,” Borregales said. “I’m excited to one day be a part of that conversation, and contribute to this organization.”
Borregales, who was the first kicker taken in the draft, hit on 86% (74-of-86) of his field goal attempts over the last four seasons.
He had a 94.7% field goal percentage (18-of-19) last season at Miami. Distance-wise, he connected on 7-of-10 kicks from 50 yards or more during his collegiate career.
Borregales says as a kicker says he has a “one shot, one kill mentality” when it comes to making kicks.
The consensus top kicking prospect in the draft also indicated he was close with Patriots senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith, who was previously on the staff at Miami.
During the spring camps and training camp, Borregales will be competing with John Parker Romo for the starting job.
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