Specialists on Roster: Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, long snapper Jake Ingram, punter Zoltan Mesko
Key Statistic: Since entering the league in 2006, Gostkowski is tied for sixth with 103 made field goals and fifth in field-goal percentage (85.3) among kickers with at least 120 attempts. He is also second with 513 points scored over that span, and one of just six players in the NFL with at least 450 points over the last four seasons.
Position Battle to Watch: Gostkowski, Ingram and Mesko don’t have to worry about the unemployment line in 2010. Mesko briefly had competition from David King, but King was quickly released. Ingram beat out Nathan Hodel for the job in 2009, and he doesn’t have any competition this summer. And there might be some point when the Patriots sign a second kicker to spell Gostkowski's leg at practice, but it won't be for anything more than that.
Hot Topic: Mesko is the most interesting punter in the world, with a resume so sharp it could cut a diamond and so hot it could melt fire. He's also got a left boot that promises to propel the Patriots out of last place in net punting average and gross punting average, where they resided in both categories last season.
NESN.com broke down the Patriots by position.
Wednesday, July 28: Safeties
