Bucs Bubbly About Barth
December 9th, 2013
Bucs kicker Rian Lindell nailed a 53-yard field goal yesterday. Hooray!
But Lindell is still having a below average season among his fellow NFL kickers.
Joe put on Twitter yesterday that Lindell is kicking now for his next job. Joe wasn’t just being a wise ass.
The Bucs are, in fact, fired up for the return of Connor Barth, who had performed at an elite level for multiple seasons. Barth blew out his Achilles this offseason playing basketball.
Speaking yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network before the bills game, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik said Barth “is kicking 50-yard field goals right now” and the team is excited about his return.
Per BSPN, Barth’s restructured contract for 2014 cut his base salary from $3.15 million to $2 million, but Barth can recoup the lost cash through a roster bonus that would pay him $71,875 per game.
It’s a well-deserved and happily-paid sum for a top flight kicker.
Joe wishes Lindell well with his next team.
December 9th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Stay off the basketball court, Connor, the Bucs will need you next season (and could have used you in the Saints game earlier this year).
December 9th, 2013 at 11:29 am
thegregwitul ,Jets game also.
December 9th, 2013 at 11:50 am
Jets game? No one missed a kick? Come on back Barth!
December 9th, 2013 at 11:57 am
There were a few times during the season where we didn’t even try a kick because we knew Lindell couldn’t make it. I knew when Barth got injured that it would cost us 2-3 games.
December 9th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Jon, didn’t the Bucs not kick once?? Pretty long? I have that thought in my pea brain from that game; may be wrong.
December 9th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Lindell hit the game winner but didn’t kick any others in that game. Now I have to figure how to check, either way happy that Barth sounds healthy
December 9th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
The Return of BarthVader!!!
December 9th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=330908020
Lindell was 1/1 in the Jets game.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/drivechart?gameId=330908020
Drive chart linked here shows that there was one drive where we could have attempted a 63 yarder, but even with Barth around that likely would not have happened.
December 9th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
I may have been thinking about the 3rd Q punt from the Jets’ 39.
December 9th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
JOE: Why is Lindell still kicking for us, performance based team he is worst player we have and helps stalling drives and momentum ..this guy affects what offense does cause you cant trust him kicking.
I would rather see our punter kick field goals, i believe he kicked long distance kicks for Atlanta as well as punt before coming her to tampa.
December 9th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Barth is a good citizen and an even better kicker. He and his brother Casey (who also kicks) are from my town in NC….he is involved with several charaties….but I think he won’t be playing any more charity basketball.
I really look forward to his return.
December 9th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I follow Barth on Twitter and the day he blew out his Achilles, he tweeted something like “On my way to charity basketball!” I was in Sam’s Club or something and I remember very specifically looking at the phone saying, “Why is the KICKER going to go play basketball?”
Hindsight.
December 9th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Adam L.
You were wondering why because he made a really dumb decision to play basketball while relying on the health of his right leg for his livelihood. It’s over now…I hope he can make it back to where he was before. 50 yards from a plastic holder is different than real game situations,however.
December 9th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
He can’t get back a moment too soon. Lindell’s kicks are some of the ugliest I’ve ever seen. Hooking right, hooking left- you’re never sure about them until the officials put their hands up.