The Patriots have made some special teams changes today.
First, with starting kicker Stephen Gostkowski banged up, the team has brought in 32-year-old kicker Shayne Graham, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. Graham will kick this week for the Patriots, and possibly beyond, as Gostkowski continues to recover from injury. Graham kicked in one game for the Giants this year after losing a training camp battle with Billy Cundiff in Baltimore. Prior to this year, Graham kicked seven years for the Bengals, where he established himself as one of the NFL's most accurate kickers, connecting on 85.2% of his kicks. Graham has a career long of 53, which he established last season. Not bad for a short-term replacement.
On the other hand, the Patriots have made a move that looks like it will be more long-term. After struggling with his snaps throughout most of the season, second year long snapper Jake Ingram has reportedly been released, with free agent Matt Katula signing a two year deal with the team. Katula, a Wisconsin product, spent the first five years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens before being released in August.
The Patriots will also have to make another roster move to create space for Graham.