Drama Returns To The Kicking Competition
August 7th, 2017
Not a smiley practice for Nick Folk (pictured) and Roberto Aguayo
All that kicking practice by Roberto Aguayo and Nick Folk was looking good for weeks — until today.
One might have thought after a Sunday off day the kickers would have been especially refreshed and ready this morning for a great practice. Heck, there was no rain, or wind to speak of.
But Aguayo and Folk had their worst practice of camp — four days before the first preseason game. (Hard Knocks finally got the break they were probably seeking!).
After practice, winning head coach Dirk Koetter, who often waves off chatter of a missed kick or two, acknowledged it was a lousy day for the kickers. And yes, it was about equally ugly between them, per Joe’s view.
“Whatever they ate for breakfast today? Off the menu,” Koetter quipped. “Neither one of them was very good today. … You’re a kicker in the NFL, inside 50 yards you got to make your kicks. I’m not being a hardass or anything. That’s just what it is.”
But this result is worse for Aguayo, Joe believes.
Bad days happen, but any evidence of mental struggle by Aguayo should set off alarm bells in One Buc Palace, big clanking cowbells. Because that’s exactly what bit Aguayo last year from August through the end of the season, with a few strong games mixed in.
Both kickers will shoot for a bounce-back day tomorrow when practice resumes.
As Joe once wondered on the Ira Kaufman Podcast; would Koetter actually consider intentionally setting up field goal situations in preseason just to help test his kickers? Joe absolutely could see that scenario play out in the second half on Friday in Cincinnati.
No, the Bucs won’t carry two kickers during the regular season. Stop that nonsense thought.
August 7th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
I think he crumbles during the game pressure. That high of a pick put added pressure on him. He may end up solving it n being a good kicker in years to come, just dont think its with the bucs. Alot of change handed to our folk hero. Go Bucs
August 7th, 2017 at 12:57 pm
@Joe can Agauyo be placed on the practice squad? We would risk losing him but until Agauyo starts kicking well in preseason I see this as Folks job, at least a 50/50 toss up. Just releasing Agauyo would be a waste and a mental hurdle can be overcome with the right mindset. But he shouldn’t be figuring that out during the season. I’d hate to see yet another Bucs second round pick wasted and I was anxious about the Bucs taking a kicker with a 2nd round pick. So hopefully he can be retained and at worst someone else takes him off our hands
August 7th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Hmmmmmmmm……easiest way to derail the Playoff Train…..distasteful to the Stick Carriers, no doubt.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
he gets the yips and cost us a playoffs spot, or we cut his @$$, everyone laughs at us, but give us mad props cause we made the playoffs with out him. I can’t take the chance of a playoff spots. I think Licht and Koetter hope Roberto chokes and makes the decision easy for them.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
I think this is perfect. Just two days ago, it was all about how Aguayo was on fire and seemed to be headed in a new direction. Today, for some reason, both kickers struggled. We need to see if Aguayo can rebound from a bad day of practice. Would rather test that now than when the games matter. I’m sure kickers have off days at practice. It’s just usually not so newsworthy, but understandably so in this case. GO BUCS!!
August 7th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
If the shrink didn’t fix Aguayo last year, it ain’t going to be fixed now. Period. Aguayo was hot and cold then too. And I will say his problem is his form as much as it is his accuracy. Those that go through, or don’t, have no pattern to them, and every approach to the ball is awkward…asymmetrical and twisted looking. I think this is Folks’ to lose.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:29 pm
i think in the second half of games we will see lots of situations where we opt to test out our RBs and run blockers instead of asking griffin to convert 3rd and medium or longer from inside the 35. if the bucs don’t convert they’ll trot a kicker out and see what he’s got
August 7th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
He is unfortunately a head case. All will go well until it doesn’t. Then it will be like when I shank a 7 iron during a really good stretch and am afraid of hitting the next shot, leading to a shankathon out of nowhere.
He lost me when he was shown before the Seattle game marking every divot on the field in his little notebook.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Do not be surprised if *neither* are a Buc in Miami.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Agree with Dr.Feelgood and Pick6
Better this happen now instead of later. And it’s the first real test of Aguayo’s nervous system. If he has a great week the rest of the week then perhaps he’s solved his mental issues. But any faltering now and it won’t matter how Roberto feels…DK can’t ask the rest of the team to fake it if they don’t believe in Ohnono.
FG is just too important in this league where the margin of wins is too frequently less than 3 points. Overall it was .01…the Pats had a 12 point margin tho.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Cobraboy you bring up an interesting question. Do we believe we are going to bring more kickers into camp?
August 7th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
I almost feel as much as I want the best for our ‘Draft Choice” I would prefer the not jittery experienced guy… can we place roberto on the prac squad or will get he snagged up? lol
August 7th, 2017 at 1:51 pm
@Stpetebucsfan: I suspect the Bucs excellent pro scouting department is looking deep into every kicker in every NFL Camp.
Remember how folks claimed kickers are a dime or dozen when Aguayo was drafted? We may see it.
But if neither inspire confidence look for the team to look outside. Last season was totally unacceptable in the kicking game.
I, for one, think Aguayo is a head case with poor, inconsistent mechanics. I was OK when he was drafted, but knowing something about the kicking game, was appalled with what I saw during last TC and the season.
I’d love to have a private, uncensored, “off the record” chat with Brian Anger.
August 7th, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Look at the data on kickers. Kicking consistency for most kickers changes each year due to factors within and outside of their control. The thing about Roberto is that he missed often and badly last year, oftentimes in perfect kicking conditions and from distances that should be close to automatic. He cannot handle the pressure.
Now look at where most kickers were drafted… oh wait, most were not drafted!
We whiffed on a draft pick, so what? Most teams do that year after year. Time to cut our losses. If Folk doesn’t stick around after this season, we can let 10 UDFA kickers compete for the job next season.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Sorry.. if these were misses on the Skinny Posts than this is nothing more than Fake News.. I like how you neglected to mention that.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Cobra
Id be very surprised if neither is on the team in miami. The bucs would be too i suspect. Havnt even gotten to the games yet, where its won n lost. A high pick and a bunch of money into 2 kickers, anyone should be surprised if neither makes the team. N no im not saying if they both blow one of them should still win it. Just dont see em both crappin during the preseason.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
They need to bring in 10 kickers to camp NOW! We cannot lose getting to the playoffs or a long playoff run because Aquayo or Folk cannot come through on a 45 yard kick in a 21 to 20 game during crunch time.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
@darin: I hope you’re right. But since it is clear management thinks “this is the year” I doubt “benefit of the doubt” goes to either if neither inspire confidence.
Frankly, I’m surprised the Bucs didn’t give Partick Murray another look after the Brindza debacle and his injury. He’d have been solid camp competition for Aguayo, and maybe we’d not be witness to the Aguayo train wreck.
IMO, the entire kicker saga going back to TC 2015 is a black spot on the Licht record.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Here’s to me hoping Aguayo still wins this thing and runs with it.
No kicker will ever be perfect. We see important kicks missed by solid vets all the time. Even the best kickers in the league (Tucker/Gostkowski/Viniterri) have still missed some big important kicks or an easy kick every once in a while.
No point in panicking right now. If both these guys are just completely shanking 30-40 yarders inaccurately throughout preseason then it’s time to freak out and talk aobut brining in more kickers imo. Throughout all of the practices I can only recall this article and one other about the kickers having a bad day.
It’s not like this has been a theme in terms of reports this offseason.. so I’m not going to treat it that way.
August 7th, 2017 at 2:48 pm
Totally agree this hurts Aguayo more. Folk has already proven himself as an NFL kicker. So a bad day at practice isn’t a big deal and not of a real concern. Aguayo, unproven and after last year’s results, a bad day is much worst for him and his future with the Bucs.
August 7th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
“You’re a kicker in the NFL, inside 50 yards you got to make your kicks. I’m not being a hardass or anything. That’s just what it is.”
Well said coach. More refreshing candor.
August 7th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
There is immense pressure on Aguayo because of his high draft pick and now fighting to keep his job. If it’s a tie…..Aguayo should get the job because he would have measured up when it counts.
A judgement can’t be made until the very last kick….
I do believe he can be put on the PS….and we may lose him to another team but I would rather keep him until that happens than simply let him go.
August 7th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
I am still behind you Roberto! Do what you do best and you will be fine!
August 7th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
I would have cut Aguayo after the third Miss last year!!!
August 7th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
darin Says
“I think he crumbles during the game pressure.”
You mean Folk, right? The guy who is behind in the competition? Or are you one of the haters?
August 8th, 2017 at 1:28 am
Say it ain’t so Joe! Are we gonna suck again? Special teams is so important to this game.
August 8th, 2017 at 1:30 am
Say it ain’t so Joe! Are we gonna suck again?