Pats’ Staurovsky has safest job in camp

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Who’s the player with the most job security in the New England Patriots’ preseason training camp?

Placekicker Jason Staurovsky.

Thanks to Staurovsky leading the team with 67 points last year on 72 percent field goal accuracy (16 of 22) and 100 percent PAT accuracy (19-for-19), the Patriot management saw no reason to even invite another kicker to camp. Which is just fine with Staurovsky, as he enters his fourth season with New England.

“I used to stay after practice and watch the other guys kick, now I don’t have to do that,” said the fifth-year pro out of Tulsa. “Kickers are like vultures. We all watch each other and hope the other guy fails.”

Patriots head coach Dick MacPherson said the decision to stick with Staurovsky exclusively was born out of the coaching staff’s belief that looking at anyone else would be a waste of time and effort that could be put toward scrutinizing other positions, where the team needs help.

“We just determined in this case there was no one out there who could compete with him,” said MacPherson.

Staurovsky has hit 38 of 53 field goals in his career (71.7 percent), including a club record-tying 53-yarder last year against Seattle.

Holdout running back John Stephens’ agent has called a press conference Wednesday at Champion’s Bar in Boston. The 1 p.m. conference is expected to provide an update on the status of negotiations between Stevens, the fourth-year player out of Northwestern Louisiana and New England management. Stephens is asking for a reported $1.2 million a year. New England is countering with an offer of $850,000 a year. It was not expected Tuesday there will be an announcement of Stephens’ signing.

MacPherson let it be known in Tuesday’s press conference he wants injured safeties Tim Gordon (hamstring strain) and Roland James (groin strain) back on the field as soon as possible. Neither was available during last Saturday’s 28-7 exhibition loss to Green Bay and only James saw limited practice time Tuesday.

“Tim Gordon is a very big concern. We need him back. He’s a big part of our plans and we’re not getting enough looks at him. Roland James is in our plans. He needs some work. We’re looking at him real hard,” said MacPherson….

Former University of New Hampshire defensive end Ilia Jarostchuk, who suffered a torn left bicep in camp July 19, is hoping to get another shot with the Pats next year. Jarostchuk, a 1987 UNH grad, made the team and played in 12 games last year.

“This is the type of injury that takes a long time to come back from,” said Jarostchuk, who remembers fondly UNH’s competitive games with UMaine. “I’m done for this season. I just hope I can come back and play again here. I like playing in this area where my friends and family can see some of the games.”…

MacPherson is asking New England fans to support the team by showing up in droves for Saturday night’s home exhibition with Washington in Foxboro (7:30).

“I want the fans to come out, not so much for the club, but for our players. They need to know the fans are interested and behind us,” MacPherson said.