Andy Borregales went 2-for-5 from the field in the preseason tie against the Colts, missing three makeable kicks including attempts from 56, 55, and 49 yards. That's not a slump. That's a pattern. And Mike Vrabel made sure everyone in the building knows the kicker understands the assignment: make those kicks, or someone else will.
The message from the head coach was direct and warranted. In football, reliability at the kicker position isn't a luxury—it's foundational. You can survive a lot of offensive inconsistency in August, but you cannot survive a leg you don't trust when games matter. Three misses in five attempts, especially from distances that should be automatic for an NFL kicker, raises legitimate questions about whether Borregales has the mental fortitude or mechanics to handle live game pressure. Preseason is exactly when these doubts surface, and exactly when a coach needs to apply pressure.
The positive framing from Vrabel's camp—that Borregales "knows" the standard—suggests the organization isn't ready to panic. Fair enough. It's one game, and kickers can have off days just like anyone else. But there's no room for off days when your job security depends on consistency. If Borregales strings together another performance like this in the remaining exhibitions, we're looking at a real competition or a roster move.
On a lighter note, the injury report brings some relief: Ben Brown's ailment isn't deemed "too serious" pending further testing. That's the kind of cautious optimism you want to hear about your interior offensive line. Brown's availability matters more than most realize—guard/center depth gets exposed fast in the NFL, and losing a reliable lineman to a long-term injury early in the season can derail an entire year.
The Patriots are still in evaluation mode, but the message is crystal clear: execution standards don't lower just because the calendar says August. Borregales knows what's at stake. Now he has to prove it.