The Aguayo Situation
October 23rd, 2016
The Buccaneers are 3-3 and alive and well in the playoff hunt — with a very shaky rookie kicker.
It’s all smiles and daisies for the Bucs’ big win at San Francisco today, but Roberto Aguayo has morphed into a significant problem.
Even Ronde Barber couldn’t wear his pewter-colored glasses on the FOX broadcast. Aguayo struck his fourth-quarter, 50-yard attempt way wide to the right. The kick had no shot off his foot and Barber was aghast by how much the no-pressure attempt was missed.
There is no reason to be confident in Aguayo. None. His college resumé is worthless right now. Connor Barth made 29 of his last 32 college kicks at North Carolilna. Who cares, you ask? Exactly.
Joe thinks a team like the Bucs, one that’s earned its way to meaningful November football, deserves better than a shaky kicker who also rang the goal post on an extra point today. Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht know this. Team Glazer knows this. Every fan knows this.
So what are the Bucs going to do about it? Joe suspects absolutely nothing will be done beyond fingers getting crossed all around One Buc Palace.
Joe gets the mentality, but it can’t last forever.
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:53 pm
I’m confident in Aguayo as long as Jameis is. Think about the kind of confidence this kid will carry through his career if he knows that his teammates and his coaches will support him regardless of his abysmal rookie start. This guy is going to be the future in Tampa as long as Jameis is here and I’m all for it.
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:53 pm
That 50 yard miss…. Look at his body laugauge. It was careless
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:54 pm
The Joe(s) named a beer after Licht, so apparently all is good.
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:55 pm
@Joe
We don’t want to hear the ” playoff hunt”!!!! Just worry about next week!!!! Talk about how the Bucs are going to beat the Raiders!!!!!!!
This team is to young to talk “playoff hunt”!!!!!
as far as RA19 goes
“Kickers kick and coaches coach”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go America
And GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:55 pm
They’re playing with fire. He’s arguably cost them at least one game, which in his defense, kickers have been known to do. But even as an FSU alum, I can’t say I want him making the pressure kicks if the season is on the line. It is what it is though.
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:56 pm
I suspect we’re afraid to try and slip Aguayo onto the PS because somebody would claim him on waivers. If that’s the case we need to lean on him heavily and tell him he’s costing us bigtime. It’s time for a pulled hammy and IR…IF we can find another kicker.
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:57 pm
If he blows our playoff chances then they need to be crossing their fingers when they send out our season ticket renewal notices after the season!
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:58 pm
BTW How long before Aguayo runs onto the field at RayJay and gets loudly booed? Next week? What’s that going to do for his fragile psyche?
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:59 pm
GIve him a break. He missed 1 kick today and it was a 50 yarder. He’s a rookie. He’ll be fine. Bucs win.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:01 pm
“but Roberto Aguayo has morphed into a significant problem.”
Yes, yes he has. Im all for excusing his rookie year a little but he needs to tighten that sh!t up….BETTER TIGHTEN THAT SH!T UP!
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:02 pm
And he hit the crossbar on an extra point Shane, and almost shanked the first one,,a gimme
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:03 pm
He missed it badly, not just drifted, like kicked straight and Five yards off course
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:05 pm
Realist…exactly?
Playoffs? This season? Nope.
Back to life….back to reality.
We’re still in the developmental stages of a very young team with all the old men on it injured or not playing at all.
Props to McCoy for being disruptive today.
Long ways to go though before we see the Super Bowl next season.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:07 pm
I’m seeing missed kicks and FG all over the league.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Max…There is NO excuse for Aguayo!
He’s going to cost this team many, many wins if he’s not exterminated off the roster. The sooner the better.
Go NOLES and Go Bucs!
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:08 pm
DB…where are you seeing this?
From Connor Barth?
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:10 pm
@StPete … “It’s time for a pulled hammy and IR…IF we can find another kicker.” The only way Aguayo will get better is to kick his way through it StPete. Drafting a kicker in the 2nd round was a dumb move by Licht in my opinion, but that’s not on Aguayo. Obviously he’s got talent, but he also seems to have his head on backwards at the moment. Putting him on ice now isn’t the answer though. He either cuts the mustard or needs to be released.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Barth was an 82% FG kicker for the Bucs last season.
Now he’s dropped to around 75%….in windy Chicago.
What’s Aguayo now? 50%!
OMGawd.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Looking closely at Aguayo’s form, he is all off. I kicked though high school, and played soccer for 7 years, and was always taught head down addressing the ball with the plant foot pointed toward the target. If you form is smooth the kicking foot follows through and the ball exactly where you want. While I am sure his coaches and Aguayo know this, the fact his kicks are random left and right off target tells me he’s got the yips. He has no form, is not going to get any form, and it’s a crap shoot here on out.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:12 pm
We don’t need 3 qbs, we need 2 kickers. Nuff said
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Did anyone expect anything less from a rookie kicker? Don’t blame Aguayo, Blame Licht for young a second round pick on a kicker. This team simply isn’t talented enough to leave points on the board and expect to compete for the playoffs. But again, Licht should have recognized that and drafted Sterling Shepard or really anyone but a kicker/punter.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:13 pm
That 50 harder was missed badly, but we were playing one of the two worst teams in the league, remember what we did to Chip Kelly’s Eagles in Philly last season? We Won! Enjoy it… If anyone really thought we were a playoff team back in preseason, it was wishful thinking. Aguayo’s a rookie, he’s gonna weather this……and be a pretty decent kicker for us…..starting NEXT season. He may cost us a game or two this season, but as long as it’s not against a division opponent, we’re okay. 3-3 and 2-0 in the division. I’m happy.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:14 pm
And do forget, he almost missed one FG, did miss another and almost missed a PAT….ALL in different places. And the one he missed from 50 would have missed from 25.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:18 pm
Sorry, that 50 yarder was missed before he kicked it. He was not lined up even close.
The ball went exactly where he aimed. His shoulders were NEVER square to the target.
His follow through sucked and he jerked his head up even before following through.
This is ridiculous.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:18 pm
@
Sko buc i agree with you and then some… His confidence is going to increase throughout the season
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Should have got Gould now he’s a Giant!!! Dumb ass light
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:22 pm
Dude played ok today. I’m ok with an occasional 50+ yard field goal miss.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:28 pm
Thank you Cobra for backing up my point.
Cobra’s our own JBF expert on FG kicking.
Hey ho Aguayo must go!
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:29 pm
it is all in his head.
But this is a second round mistake.
Put Aguay-no on IR with one of those mysterious injuries rookies get, sign a veteran to finish out the year and give him until next season to figure it out. Then cut him NEXT year if he still sucks
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:33 pm
I thought Licht was quick to get rid of mistakes he made in the draft that don’t work out. We’ll see I guess.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Im starting to feel you there 87! Unless he starts going on a streak of making those kicks….its time to cut the loss. Still hate the move even more now when we needed another WR and Safety at that point.
Its all good though, and Im with you on it being a build year. 2017 and 2018 is when we should be in playoff contention as long as JW3 is playing his part and the Coaches are scouting and scheming doing their part. We’ll get there.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:39 pm
This team is not playoff bound this season. I am ok with giving Aguayo this entire season to figure it out. But if he struggles the entire year and carries that poor performance into training camp next season, then the bucs better figure out plan B. 1 entire season is an extremely long leash for a kicker, if he can’t figure out in 1 calender year, then he probably never will.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:41 pm
I hated using those 2 picks to draft Aguayo.
But, I am a Bucs fan and I am pulling for him.
Go Bucs!!!
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:43 pm
This is getting really out of hand. Licht needs to realize he made the dumbest decision in the history of the draft and get someone else. Anyone else. They need to make the decision if they want to play good football and try for the playoffs or keep this guy that can barely make an extra point.
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I thought his record in college was too good. We had no idea how this guy handles adversity and if he can overcome it. Points are hard to come by in the nfl. I knew it would be like this if he started to miss. Confidence in himself and others in him is everything! If he loses 2 games you got to cut him and not look back
October 23rd, 2016 at 8:49 pm
Bucs need to look elsewhere for a kicker.
October 23rd, 2016 at 9:08 pm
It may have been well wide right…but at least it was short.
October 23rd, 2016 at 9:28 pm
“lightningbuc Says:
October 23rd, 2016 at 7:54 pm
The Joe(s) named a beer after Licht, so apparently all is good.”
Heh, yup.
October 23rd, 2016 at 9:39 pm
You guys are funny. Can’t believe so many of you are talking about being in the Playoffs again after these 2 wins. We beat 2 teams that ONLY had 1 win each when we played them. Let’s wait until we beat a team (or two) that’s worth talking about. Do you guys think we are going to beat Atlanta again? Don’t think our defense is as good as Seattle’s or San Diego’s to hold them under 30 points again. We have got a chance if Winston plays as good as he played today I guess, but that’s it. The Bucs don’t like to win at Home for some reason. We will see after the next 2 weeks though because we haven’t beaten a winning team yet this season. I thought we were going to go to the Playoffs too after the Atlanta win but we haven’t played that good again until today. And the win came against the sorry-ass 49’ers. Go BUCS!
October 23rd, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Again, Licht made a bad decision. But Aguayo missing is not what makes the decision bad. Most rookie kickers stink. But how can we call this a “loss”. If almost every rookie kicker stinks, then we do not yet know if this is a loss, as we don’t know what he will become. As much as it sucks, Licht is determined to have a franchise kicker on his team and cutting Aguayo for some guy on the street probably won’t provide much of an upgrade, unless Conor Barth is available.
Keeping Barth would have been best but now that we got Aguayo, we’re stuck with him until likely his third season.
October 23rd, 2016 at 10:53 pm
Largo
Barth has zero leg strength left. He was the worst kicker in NFL last year and is kicking horribly on Chicago the guy is not good anymore. I agree aguayo is a liability but Connor Barth is a washed up bum just like vjax and Murphy
October 23rd, 2016 at 11:18 pm
His problem is not mental, he is just not accurate. Even the kicks he makes are bad. The day is coming when he will miss 3-4 times in a game. I would sign someone if there is anyone available and sit RA. Tell RA to figure something out by next training camp or your done ! Because if we do get into a race for the playoffs and he blows it him and licht can hit the door.
October 23rd, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Original point still stands.
October 23rd, 2016 at 11:23 pm
He’s a rookie. He was drafted well above where kickers are normally drafted. He has heard criticism non stop. It’s not his fault he was drafted where he was. Do I excuse him missing “easy” kicks? No. But, for goodness sakes, he’s a rookie. If he is this inaccurate next year, he’s a bust. I think by the end of next season, few will remember his rookie struggles. He’s not going anywhere this year, so let’s try to be encouraging, as tough as that is.
October 24th, 2016 at 12:11 am
Can I just say I just wasted my time watching the most boring Sunday Night Football game of all time. After seeing the Cards and Seahawks play to a paltry 6-6- tie and watching 2 easy game winning kicks completely blown by each kicker, Aguayo is excellent.
October 24th, 2016 at 12:14 am
@Ace. He doinked in a PAT but made all the easy FG’s and missed one from about 50 yards. There wouldn’t be any controversy for any other team but Aguayo is a 2nd rd pick and not hitting a few kicks, so there is pandemonium. He hasn’t been good enough but I can’t attribute any loss to him. At least he hit the game winner against Carolina. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed on him.
October 24th, 2016 at 3:26 am
TMax talks out of his Asz so much it’s just ridiculous. I’ll never understand why someone that knows nothing of what they’re talking about feels the need to just make stuff up.
Conner was warming up the other day before the Texans game kicking 55 yarders with room to spare. You can see it on YouTube. My brother was at the game and told me the guy looked great. Conner is 84% career kicker thats around top ten in active kickers He’s made 7 of his last 8. Any time a kicker gets put n a roster mid season like he has the last two if takes a little time to get everything down with the snap and holder.
I didn’t want the Bucs to draft Aguayo because I thought Conner was a better kicker. I’m still rooting for Aguayo because I think they’ll have to stick with him but the kid didn’t kick well his last year at FSU. If he continues to struggle their only option is to fake an injury put him on ir and go shopping. After watching the Seahawks vs chiefs game tonight you know it’s slim pickins out there.
October 24th, 2016 at 4:30 am
Dont give up on him Buc nation. As an FSU alum that has watched him for years, he has the talent. Nothing has gotten tougher about his job in pro ball. He just needs support so he can kick up his confidents and shake off this weird rut. Having anyone else kick right now is a mistake. Bucs are still rebuilding. Focus on the other pieces for now. This one will sort itself out.
October 24th, 2016 at 5:22 am
What ever happen to admitting your mistakes and moving on from them, or was this to big of a f#@k up to admit you made it?
October 24th, 2016 at 11:31 am
I’d like to know how many of his misses have been wide right… Maybe it’s time to start kicking from the center hash; focus on drilling it down the middle instead of having to cut it every time. Worry about cuts when those situations come
October 24th, 2016 at 4:35 pm
his college resume is worthless????
Not really, he was 50% from 40 yards or more. Thats what he does.
Maybe the NFL will bring the xtra point back to the 2 yardline and help him out
October 24th, 2016 at 9:08 pm
Mr. Aguayo has my support, as long as he is Our kicker. I watched him in warm ups in the birdhouse, Yelled and screamed at him then, he made his kicks in warm ups. Yeah I know I do not have the voice of 50,000 or so non Mr. Aguayo fans in atl, sf, Phx, Tpa. But I do have a loud mouth, when I am in need of it. Mr. Aguayo hopefully heard all four of us in section 307. Practice makes perfect Mr. Aguayo.
Practice in games cost others as well as yourself. Keep on kicking it!
Go Bucs!