Riley Patterson has an opportunity to provide some much-needed stability to Baltimore's kicking game. After bringing in Patterson and Harrison Mevis for workouts, the team has made its decision ahead of Monday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Baltimore brought both kickers in for workouts after Jake Moody did not make the 53-man roster. With the team needing to move quickly ahead of its next game, special teams coordinator Anthony Levine confirmed that Patterson will handle the kicking duties.
Asked whether the two kickers would compete throughout the week or if Patterson had already been selected, Levine made the decision clear.
“We're going into the game with Riley [Patterson] as our kicker. Riley is going to be kicking for us,”
Levine said.
Levine said both players had strong workouts and pointed to their experience making important kicks last season. Patterson connected on a 54-yard field goal against Pittsburgh in December, while Mevis made a significant kick in the divisional round against Chicago.
But Baltimore ultimately chose Patterson.
The team also has to consider more than field goals. Kickoffs and coverage are part of the job, particularly with limited practice time to get a new specialist comfortable with the operation. Patterson’s recent experience shows why that distinction matters. He made seven of nine field-goal attempts for Miami this season after converting 27 of 29 last year, but the Dolphins moved on following problems with his kickoff execution. Baltimore is evaluating the complete assignment, making the practice work with its coverage unit important alongside his timing on field goals and extra points.
Levine acknowledged that both kickers performed well in that area, but the priority remains making kicks and getting the entire operation working together.
The Ravens have had enough uncertainty this season, and the kicking situation is another area where they need a dependable answer. Patterson now has the opportunity to provide that stability, but there won't be much time to adjust.
With Monday night's game approaching, Baltimore needs him to be ready when his number is called.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens choose Riley Patterson to kick against the Chargers on Monday
