Aguayo Will Not Be Cut (In 2016)
August 24th, 2016
Joe is stunned by the freakout of Bucs fans over the recent struggles of rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo.
Yes, it was sad yesterday hearing the warchant and boos when Aguayo missed a kick, and a stinging Bronx-cheer-like standing-O when he made kicks.
It just tells Joe how much of an unpopular pick Aguayo was this spring. His struggles have roused the nutjobs, like the local radio @sswipe of an executive who erected billboards around town to run off former commander Greg Schiano. When the losses began to pile up, the lunatic fringe was unleashed. (Joe hopes that radio dirtbag is selling used cars in Paris, Ill. right now.)
(And stop with this screed saying Joe shouldn’t report what is seen and heard! If Aguayo is so mentally fragile he can’t handle freaks at an open practice, then how the hell is he going to hold up in a road game at New Orleans or Kansas City?)
The craziest thing Joe has heard — and heard it a lot — is that the Bucs should move on from Aguayo. Already if you can imagine! Calm the freak down! That is about as ludicrous and ridiculous of a notion that Joe can think of.
Aguayo has a two-year guaranteed contract. There is way too much invested in him, both financial and draft picks. There is just no way Aguayo is going to be cut. Nor should he.
As Joe pointed out yesterday, highly drafted kickers have had struggles as young NFL players.
No, Aguayo should not be cut. Nor will he be.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:05 am
I’m Dave Pear and I approve this message.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:06 am
Dear Roberto,
Make the stinkin kicks and all of this vanishes. We, the fans, promise to never bring it up again.
Sincerely,
All Bucs fans
August 24th, 2016 at 8:11 am
Of course he won’t be cut…..they would carry 2 kickers before they would outright cut him. And…..by the way, what are his regular season stats…..we here so much how preseason is meaningless.
Should we have traded up for him…..no……should we have waited until our 3rd round pick….perhaps…..we have had many, many draft picks that eventually didn’t work out……relax and let this play out.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:12 am
Here’s an idea. Have the medical staff prescribe him some Adderall.
“The drug is a central nervous system stimulant that is believed to improve attentiveness, organization,and performance in people who have trouble staying focused.”
Problem solved. And totally legal as long as it is prescribed.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:13 am
I have a hunch that most of the boo birds were wearing jorts
August 24th, 2016 at 8:13 am
Aguayo will work it out. Its a shame a kid has to go thru this.
@tmax, its another beautiful day in paradise!! don’t be mad bro… Pura Vida! lol
August 24th, 2016 at 8:18 am
@BRock – I think your theory has merit
I haven’t read everything on the topic, but I haven’t heard anyone saying he should be cut. What I continue to read/hear, and what I’m saying myself, is we should get a second kicker and park Aguayo on the bench for a year. Perhaps in the way of a fortuitous FA signing that happens right before an IR-worthy incident befalls Mr. Aguayo.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:24 am
@ Dave Pear
Are you really Dave Pear, or just using his name?
August 24th, 2016 at 8:28 am
“….Perhaps in the way of a fortuitous FA signing that happens right before an IR-worthy incident befalls Mr. Aguayo…..
Bingo! If things don’t improve, a “pulled hammy” will land him on IR and he has a year to figure this out. At least if he can’t get it together, we are a year removed from this potential huge mistake which will lessen the blow of having to release him.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:30 am
How are you “stunned” Joe?
You’ve been perpetuating it.
You want the kicker to get right mentally then stop scrutinizing every single kick and having entire articles on it.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:30 am
Joe. anyone that suggests that the Buc’s move on from him has zero football IQ.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:33 am
@BKNY,
Just using his name. The “Real” Dave Pear is not doing too well.
I was a season ticket holder in the inaugural seasons and Dave Pear was my
favorite player.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:39 am
@ DP
Yes, I’ve read about his health. Was going to wish you well if you were him. No doubt one of the most unheralded, yet best Buc players all-time
August 24th, 2016 at 8:41 am
Maybe he is so good he is just messing with everyone??? Or perhaps he just needs some time to adjust to the new hash marks, holder(s) and shoe(s). Which I am curious. Some guys get drafted just to be long snappers. Can we draft his old place holder and have him dig his old shoe out the trash???
August 24th, 2016 at 8:41 am
I agree with Dave. It’s an issue cause articles are being written and shared with the national media on every miss this kid makes. Leave him alone and he will be fine. Until he misses them in a real game I’m good.
First, the national media pulls its articles nowadays from social media, as evidenced by the first story on this yesterday on ProFootballTalk.com, aka NBC Sports. Second, the NFL wants fans to be totally engaged in practice. Yes, practice. That’s why they are open to the public. That’s why they have open WiFi at practice. That’s also why many NFL teams now open spring practices to fans, and why NFL teams spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each on personnel to cover their own practices for a team website. Wake up. It’s 2016. The NFL or any team can shut down the scrutiny. They don’t want to! –Joe
August 24th, 2016 at 8:42 am
@ dave Pear sorry to hear that,Football injuries?
August 24th, 2016 at 8:45 am
@BKNY,
Agreed. He also won me plenty of free drinks at bars.
I used to ask people who the first Buccaneers Pro Bowl player was and the
answer was always LeeRoy Selmon.
Free drink! 😎
August 24th, 2016 at 8:46 am
@ Bob
Yes. Dave Pear played two seasons with a broken neck, and helped win a Super Bowl for Raiders. Al Davis dumped him after the win when it was discovered and he needed surgery. Sad
August 24th, 2016 at 8:47 am
@ DP
Excellent Buc trivia question, no doubt
August 24th, 2016 at 8:47 am
@Bob,
Yes. All football related.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:48 am
I don’t think I took off my 76 jersey the entire 1st season. Loved Dave Pear.
Not to hijack the tread. Cutting Aguayo is just ridiculous.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:50 am
Dirk Koetter to Jameis: “Berto” is struggling right now,we need to
get more TD’s from the offense,yeah that’s the ticket.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:50 am
Going put there and booing him like a idiot is not gonna help Him mentally!!! But are really shocked Joe?? Typical buc fans around here, the first time a player makes a mistake….LET’S CUT OUR LOSSES!! just like “passthebuc” zero IQ. SMH give the kid sum time and he will come around. U don’t all of a sudden forget how to kick. I’m not pannicking one bit.
August 24th, 2016 at 8:51 am
Dave Pear, Dewey Selmon, we just need Mark Contney to join along with Spurrier.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:00 am
@dave pear
sorry to hear that but ,You represent well.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:00 am
Not saying to cut aguayo, but absolutely we should sign a kicker and start a fully fledged competition.
coaches always say that want competition at every roster spot. could be what pushes aguayo past his mental issues quicker. and then if aguayo loses out we can hold on to him for next year.
if we can waste a roster spot on the never to be used Ryan Griffin. then we can dump him and carry two kickers.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:01 am
with your posts,I mean.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:02 am
Hard to say if he will be cut or not untill the regular season starts. If he starts 1-6 theres a chance he is cut or put on ir. I hope it never happens. All it may take is a game winner over atlanta and the he plays solid.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:03 am
Forget Spurrier……..give Richard ” Batman” Woods or even Cecil Johnson!
August 24th, 2016 at 9:04 am
Hopefully JL learns not to eliminate competition for a player he has confidence in!
August 24th, 2016 at 9:24 am
Dave Pear Says
“Here’s an idea. Have the medical staff prescribe him some Adderall.”
I believe Adderall is a banned substance in the NFL. In fact…and someone correct me if I’m wrong here…wasn’t Adderall the substance that got Josh Freeman in trouble originally?
August 24th, 2016 at 9:26 am
From the article:
“Aguayo has a two-year guaranteed contract.”
I have a question on this, Joseph.
Are you saying he has only a 2 year contract, but it is guaranteed? OR that he has a longer contract and two years of it is guaranteed?
I was just wondering because I thought 2nd round picks got 3-4 years normally (4?), and your comment made be wonder if that was different for kickers.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:27 am
no matter what school you went to…will someone kick Mr. Light for spending 2 high draft picks on a kicker. See where the top 3 kickers in the nfl were drafted for the last 5 years! . Completely dumb move!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 9:28 am
@Patrick in VA
I have seen many, many people say we should cut him. That he should not make the final roster.
I completely disagree with it, but there are some people saying it. A couple here. But most on other websites.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:28 am
@Buccaneer Bonzai,
You may be right. I didn’t think JFro was prescribed Adderall. I thought if you
were medically prescribed it you were good to go. But I’ve been wrong before.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:30 am
He is only getting a pass cause he is a second round pick. If he was a FA or late round pick, other kickers would have been brought into camp for some looksies. And this goes for all NFL teams. It is on him to make his kicks and have this madness to go away. The fans have a right to be outraged considering the great talent still on the board in the 2nd round of the draft.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:31 am
Can we put him on IR for psychological injuries?
August 24th, 2016 at 9:36 am
This is just a hypothetical question ( not advocating such a move just wondering) but if Roberto is sent to the practice squad and another team claims him and signs him will the bucs be awarded a comp pick in like 2018?
August 24th, 2016 at 9:38 am
It’s 2 preseason games and a couple of handfuls of practices, for God’ sake! Everybody Chill! When the kicks start to matter, then you can freak out.
We can debate all day long over whether using a 2nd round pick on a kicker was a wise use of resources ( I myself would NOT have…would have loved to see Braxton Miller in a Buc uniform), but let’s give this young man a chance to get his mechanics down and his confidence back, before we kick him ( no pun intended) to the curb!
August 24th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Again… College footballs are shaped different than NFL footballs. Aren’t the Goal posts at the practice field half the width of a regulation Goal posts? Missing at practice unless it’s a bad shank is necessarily a miss in a game.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:43 am
Here’s a news flash, people:
Put him on IR and he cannot work to improve his kicking while on IR.
Bring in another kicker, and that kicker will need all the reps, and Robert will progress even more slowly.
Best solution?
Ride with Robert.
It may not be the popular opinion, but going over the schedule pretty much paints a picture of doom in games 1-5, 11-12, 14 & 16. The potential to lose 10 games is present.
If we’re facing a losing season anyway, then keep the kid playing and get him through this.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:44 am
Hopefully we are tracking his practice kicks – if he continues to miss in practice (more often than what is normal for the standard kicker) hopefully we do something about it before the season starts. (phantom injury to get his issues right)
I don’t want to lose games while he figures it out. If he’s making them in practice and it is an in-game issue than we have to play him and live with it. (that’s what happens when you spend a high draft picks on a kicker)
I want to be mad at our GM but it’s moves like this that has given other really good players. So I guess I need to live with the bad draft decisions to get the really good ones.
August 24th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I just hope he gets it together within the next 2 weeks….GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 10:18 am
I support the guy. Im not gonna call for his head. Now if he does it all season, cya, but im gonna give him this fans leash lenghth for now
August 24th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Easier to repost from the last Aguayo article:
Pickgrin Says:
August 24th, 2016 at 9:54 am
The only thing to do right now is support Aguayo and let him work through this.
If he’s still blowing kicks after the 2nd or 3rd game of the season, then you have no choice but to bring in another kicker for this year and would probably have to carry 2 kickers on the 53 man roster unless there’s a way to get Aguayo on “IR”.
He won’t be cut or exposed to waivers this year – that I can pretty much guarantee.
August 24th, 2016 at 10:47 am
Lol man really!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 10:55 am
Stunned by the boo birds? Our #2 Receiver is 34 years old and coming off a serious injury. We have a 5th round draft pick (2015 draft) that haven’t caught a pass in pads yet, and 5 UDFA’s receivers , another veteran receiver who’s coming off a season ending injury ( who have never played a full season) battling for 4 WR positions. Yet we didn’t sign NOT ONE receiver in free agency (even though there were many to choose from), but we did throw $35 million at a guard ( who is injured, and we don’t know when he will be available). To top things off, we waste a 3rd and 4th round pick on a damn KICKER, even though we had good experienced kickers on the roster. And you’re wondering why the fans are booing after he miss kicks in practice. SMH . They should be grateful that the fans waste their time and show up to support this PATHETIC FRANCHISE. We have a INCOMPETENT GM running the ship, who shouldn’t even be in the NFL.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:10 am
@LakeLandBuc
I would have preferred they sign a good FA WR this year…there were two good ones that were young out there, and either one would have been a long term fix. I would have preferred that over Sweezy. Kevin P seems capable of holding down his position for this year.
But it did not happen, and getting mad over it only hurts you, not them. Watch your heart health, fella.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:10 am
Ok..so this kid won’t be cut. I just hope all of you Buc fans completely understand..If this kid does not come out of his spell, his slump, HE could be the cause of us losing 2 to 4 games this season. If our Bucs play close to like we did last year, this means we will be in a lotta close games where a field goal decides our fate. So whomever Who-do witch doctor or Jinx master Aguayo has to consult..He’d better get it done…and Quick!! If not, he’s gonna be showered with insults and God knows what else if he causes us loses. This is the NFL kid. And rookie or not, rabid fans will have a feast on your A..!
August 24th, 2016 at 11:12 am
As to Jason Licht’s job riding on Aguayo, I don’t believe that for a second.
Every GM makes bad picks once in a while in the top few rounds. Licht may suck at FA, but he usually rocks the draft. After all the great picks he has made, he’s allowed a bust, if Aguayo turns out to be one (which I doubt).
August 24th, 2016 at 11:20 am
@Mike Johnson
The way I view it, is that Aguayo needs as many opportunities as possible to break out of his “spell”.
I just went over the first 5 games of the season. According to my figures, I give the Bucs the advantage of a win only against the Rams in game 3. I know…people here think we need and will win our first game…but I don’t believe that will happen (which I will explain when Joe asks for predictions).
So, in my eyes…we will likely lose 4 of our first 5 games even if Aguayo doesn’t have to kick a field goal.
So get him all the chances to kick as you can…get him in a groove and he might come out of this funk. All he needs is experience. He’ll eventually settle down, and the way to speed that up is opportunities to play.
If this happens, I think we’ll start seeing improvement in his game after the bye week (if not sooner) and that is around the same time the rest of the team will get its sea legs.
People may not agree with me, and that’s fine. But guess what? I don’t care. In fact, I hope I’m wrong and he instantly plays well from season start.
But I’m prepared emotionally for things to play out as I suggested.
August 24th, 2016 at 11:44 am
I disagree about Atlanta Bonzai. We have more talent than they do and the intimate knowledge of a good % of their players that Koetter and Mike Smith have is an advantage. Especially with so much time to prepare and have a good plan for that 1st game.
I expect a 2-3 start to the season. 3-2 or better would be awesome though.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
Buc Bonzai..Although I am the constant critic of my Bucs, I’m not giving up just yet on us winning initially at season’s start. If all of our starters are healthy the 1st few games, we got a shot at..shocking a few teams. To do this though, we gotta be firing on all cylinders. Good play, no penalties, jameis on target and..our field goal kicker..spot on. Wishful thinking huh? But it could happen. I do think Aguayo will be Ok eventually. But at this level, he’s gotta shake off his jitters real quick like. I’d hate to see us play those 1st few games close..Only to lose by a field goal. The margin of error is not much in this league. People here think I hate this new Buc team. I don’t Been a fan since inception and attended the 1st Buc game ever played! I’m just fed up with the Losing. And the scapegoats we find for the losing..other than the players.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:10 pm
In 2013 Aguayo was 95% on FG’s (possibly worthy of a 2nd round pick)
In 2014 Aguayo was 90% on FG’s (Still worthy I guess)
In 2015 Aguayo was 80% on FG’s…
Anyone see a trend here?
August 24th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
@bonzai says…”As to Jason Licht’s job riding on Aguayo, I don’t believe that for a second.”….
maybe not aguayo in particular but as @Lakeland pointed out it would be a combination of things….from not signing or drafting a wr to giving up picks for a kicker and giving a boat load of money to an injured FA olinemen….
if we start out 1-4 and its not because of aguayo, then dirk, mike smith and licht have a serious problem on their hands because it doesn’t get any easier…we still would have to play oak, atl(again)chi, kc, sea, N.O(twice) and car…losing 5 of any of those 8 would be very disappointing with the talent we currently have….
why wait for joe….explain why you think we lose 4 of our first 5 games….what do you think the final record will be?….GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
The pessimism absolutely kills me on this site (as far as the commenters)…
August 24th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
@Pickgrin…I agree…I think we go 3-2 beating atl, la rams and Denver….I think we go 10-6 losing to the arz, car(twice), chi, kc(November), sea(November)….GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Lakeland Buc:
It’s not Aguayo’s fault that he was a 2nd round pick, and he is working to improve. So your rationale of booing the player for the GM’s decision is just ignorant and counterproductive.
I was not shocked that the same booing fans yesterday also mocked the Warchant (even though it’s the QB’s team). There’s a lot of Gators in this fan base and many of them can’t handle I when the Bucs draft Noles (as evidenced by the eruptions after the Jameis pick).
Support your players, or find a different team. The fans embarrassed us yesterday. Period.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
813 – this regime has a minimum of 2 full years to be evaluated and show progress in the WINS dept.
Even minimal progress – say 6-10 this year and 8-8 next year would get Koetter a 3rd year as long as his offense didn’t suck.
I believe the Glazers are set on giving Koetter at least 3 years to orchestrate a turnaround of this franchise’s fortunes and as long as Jason Licht keeps finding starting talent in the draft – he’s not going anywhere.
Its not going to take that long anyway. The Bucs may not be world beaters in 2016 – but with Jameis Winston at QB and Jason Licht’s demonstrated ability to draft talented players – The Buccaneers are going to be winners much sooner than later.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000688951/article/week-2-preseason-grades-nfc-dak-prescott-pj-williams-shine. Lists his contract details and a accurate grade of him that I can’t help but agree with.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
@bonzai… all 2nd rounders have 4 yr contracts…. but Roberto only has garunteed money in the first 2 years.
August 24th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
@pickgrin…I so what agree with your statement…I do believe dirk has 3 years…but if he finishes 6-10 this year he better get us to the playoffs in year2…he has more talent this year than the previous staff…a regression within the first 2 years would be disappointing…licht has shown the ability to draft well which is very important but some of his FA signings have held us back….im looking for a playoff win in 2017…but for the most part your right….GO BUCS!!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Quite a few fans yesterday said the boos were not aimed at Roberto..There’s even videos of what happened..it was simple, the Browns passed my the so called booers and that’s what happened..
Many people tried to correct Jenna from BSPN, and with the evidence in front of her, she still hasn’t redacted her story..
Again the booing was NOT aimed at Roberto..
August 24th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Can’t correct a story that was correct to begin with. Joe was there, sitting in the stands himself. Curious the boos were not directed at Aguayo when the boos happened when he missed his kicks. Odd timing, no?
August 24th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
@Life…that makes sense…BSPN throwing dirt on bucs fans….GO BUCS!!!
August 24th, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Dick Butkiss Says:
August 24th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
“The pessimism absolutely kills me on this site (as far as the commenters)…”
REALLY? Just us? The Joe’s are some of the most pessimistic dudes I’ve ever encountered.
Ha that’s right Joe.