Former Michigan Punter Zoltan Mesko Should Be Guaranteed to Make Patriots’ Roster

FOXBORO, Mass. — Hopefully, you won’t mind hearing things like, “Don’t mess with the Zoltan,” because it’s going to get more exposure in New England than Dunkin' Donuts.

The Patriots took Michigan punter Zoltan Mesko with the 150th pick in the draft, and the Tom Brady fanatic couldn’t be more excited to be heading to New England.

Key Stats
The 6-foot-5, 231-pounder was the first special teamer in Michigan history to be named a team captain. He averaged 42.5 yards per punt over the course of his career, with 76 of his 243 punts landing inside the 20-yard line and 58 punts going for at least 50 yards.

Scouting Report
Rather than trying to get all William Shakespeare with this thing, let’s keep it simple. He’s a punter and got drafted, so he’s probably pretty good at what he does.

Roster Impact
Bill Belichick was asked during his pre-draft news conference about the possibility of selecting a punter. The head coach basically said if a specialist — meaning a kicker, punter or long snapper — was drafted, it would be with the expectation that the player makes the team. Things have worked out well with kicker Stephen Gostkowski and long snapper Jake Ingram, so it appears as though the first punter Belichick has ever drafted in New England will make the team.

Top Story
With that, it looks like the David King era is in its waning moments. The Patriots signed the former Aussie rules player earlier this month, and he’ll try to make his NFL debut elsewhere.

Quote
“It’s kind of weird to be known as a punter. Yeah, I have a weird name that’s easily recognizable or recallable. I’m just being myself, doing my thing. It’s just the fans kind of took to it. It wasn’t my doing in any way, shape or form. I was being myself. It kind of just happened on its own. I’m very thankful it happened because I’m accepting of all things that come my way.”
–Mesko, on his cult following in Michigan and (soon to be) New England. Mesko has been given a number of nicknames, and he says “The Space Emperor of Space” is his favorite.