One would think that after a rookie-year performance that grew stronger with nearly every passing week, Stephen Gostkowski wouldn’t be hearing questions anymore.

Last year those questions focused on his replacement of local hero Adam Vinatieri, and whether he’d be able to handle the pressure of filling Vinatieri’s shoes.

The fourth-round draft pick passed every test thrown at him, beating out Martin Gramatica for the starting job in training camp, nailing his first regular-season field goal attempt, making all eight postseason attempts, including a 50-yarder and 31-yard game-winning kick in San Diego.

But after a shaky week last week, the questions are back.

Gostkowski missed a 33-yard field goal against the Titans on Friday, and a kickoff in the exhibition opener against Tampa Bay went out of bounds, drawing a penalty. During one day of practice, he went just 6-for-9 on field goal tries.

Bill Belichick isn’t about to worry about his kicker, however, and would not reveal if Gostkowski might be having a technical issue.

“We talked about what happened (against Tennessee) on the films. We’ve just got to do a better job; everybody’s got to do a better job,” Belichick said. “Nobody played a perfect game out there, or coached one.

“It’s the second preseason game. There are things that we all have to work on, every single guy on the team. Certainly, Steve has them and so does everybody else. I’m sure that he’s not happy about the way that kick went any more than the kickoff that went outof bounds last week in Tampa. Those are things that we’ve all got to work on and he’s certainly in that group.”

Gostkowski was 20-for-26 on field goal tries last year, making 21 of his last 23 attempts.

Blackmon impresses

Former Hendricken All-Stater Will Blackmon had an impressive performance in Green Bay’s second exhibition game Saturday night.

The Boston College graduate, taken by the Packers in the fourth round last year, had an 83-yard kickoff return late in Green Bay’s 48-13 win over Seattle. Coupled with an unnecessary roughness call against Seattle for Michael Boulware’s horse-collar takedown, the Pack had first-and-goal from the seven, and two plays later scored a touchdown.

After a rookie year lost to injuries, Blackmon is back to his old ways thus far this year. He is in the mix to be Green Bay’s third cornerback and at this point looks to the front-runner to win the job as punt and kick returner.

“Will’s done an excellent job,” coach Mike McCarthy said in quotes distributed by the team during the second half. “I think he’s really showing what he can do when the ball’s in his hands. We’re excited about Will Blackmon.”

Blackmon had two punt returns against the Seahawks, one for 16 yards, and also had three tackles and a forced fumble.

Regular season format

Now that training camp has been broken, the Patriots’ schedule during the week will revert to the one they typically use during the regular season. Belichick will hold a press conference with the media in the morning, and one practice session will be held in the early afternoon . . . Quarterback Tom Brady, who took several tough hits against the Titans and left Gillette Stadium without speaking to the media, may talk today.

smanza@projo.com