Patriots punter Ken Walter has been scarce. It was true when he led the AFC in net yardage (38.1) two seasons ago, and it has been true this season, the most trying and challenging of his professional career.
He knows the deal: Punters should be seen and not heard, so he rarely conducts interviews. If he's doing his job, you shouldn't be thinking about him.
But you are. You have been dwelling on him, at times, because in your mind he's one part of this New England team that worries you.
You haven't been afraid to tell him about it, either. In case you are wondering, he's heard you -- loud and clear.
"It's been a learning experience," said Walter yesterday. "It's been humbling. I have this strong sense of never making any excuses. It's been one of those years where you have a solid kick here, and one that wasn't so good there, and suddenly you develop this bad rap.
"I don't think anyone is going to know my true feelings about this until it's all over. I've had a lot of things bottled up inside me."
Walter has made some bad kicks at bad times. He averaged 37.7 yards a punt (a net of 33.6), but he never has staked his reputation on distance. He has lasted seven years in the NFL because of his ability to pin the ball inside the 20-yard line. The average fans are bound to miss the nuances of Walter's job (he's also the team's holder), and when they look to him for results, they want to know how far he boomed the ball.
Walter's struggles (he was actually waived after the Week 13 victory over Indianapolis, then re-signed 10 days later) left frustrated fans lying in wait, waiting to pounce on the next unsatisfactory performance.
"Some of the things that were said before I was released . . . it got to the point where I'd look at the schedule and say, `Good, we're away,' " Walter said. "I'm not a negative person by nature. I'm very passionate about my job, and I take a lot of pride in it.
"I've been around a long time, and I've seen a lot of things. To have this kind of roller coaster season, it affects you. If you have an ounce of competitive blood in you, it's going to affect you."
Walter said he has resisted responding to the barbs that have been levied at him in Gillette Stadium.
"You do that, and you're playing into their hands," he said. "You just wonder if they stop and think, `Is this really a home-field advantage when we're trying to take our own guy out?' Do they want me to do bad? You want to think, `Can I get a little support here?' "
He knows it doesn't work that way around here. When Antoine Walker missed 3-pointers and did the wiggle, he was booed. When Grady Little left Pedro Martinez in too long, he was banished. New England's fans are learned, passionate, and very often unforgiving.
