Special Teams Meltdown
December 9th, 2018
Joins the crappy kickers club.
Ah, the Tampa Bay area. It offers so much. Where does the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau begin?
“Come for the beaches… come for the weather… come for the beautiful women with limited clothing… come for the garbage NFL kicking!”
In the Bay area there are a few constants: death, taxes and rank place kicking. It’s really a kick in the nuts.
And today, new Bucs kicker Cairo Santos, who was perfect 3-for-3 on field goals entering the game after the Bucs jettisoned kicking stiff Chandler Catanzaro, went full-blown Roberto Aguayo missing makeable field goals from 46 and 40 yards.
Those points left on the field helped the Saints mount a 25-point rally in the second half for a 28-14 win at the Den of Depression.
It wasn’t just the missed field goals (one in the second quarter and one in the third). The special teams was special for its disgusting play.
Saints backup quarterback Taysom Hill — yes, you read that right — blocked a Bryan Anger punt early in the second half that directly led to the Saints’ first touchdown.
Take away the disgusting special teams play, and you are looking at a tie game.
But hey, the Bucs special teams is just another attraction for tourists to the area. Like a circus freak show in Sarasota.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Something isn’t right. Change the freakin holder and fire the special teams coach. Something more is wrong here than just the kicker.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
The bucs need to find that voodoo woman in South Tampa that put a curse on all Bucs kickers and pay her whatever she wants so she can lift the curse she placed on all bucs kickers cause this has now become ridiculous.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Not gonna give him to much sh!t for this. Been the best awful kicker in his play for the Bucs so far. At least he can make PAT. Wet day so I’m going to continue watching if he can improve or not.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
But hey, he made his XP’s!
Anywho I’d keep Santos around, he has a strong history of being a good kicker who kicked in bad weather conditions in the AFC West. Always bring in a legit challenger, but I’m not running him out of town for today.
But anywho don’t forget all those non-punt returns from Hump this year, or things where he’s constantly fumbling punt returns and putting the Bucs in bad field position.
One thing the Bucs need to do this offseason is get a real kick/punt returner, not just task the job as an afterthought to a depth WR.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Already done with this ass-wipe, Cairo. He could have actually made a difference today. He is no better than any of the others.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Did we have a punt blocked earlier in the season? If so, which team was it against?
December 9th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
And Chandler was 2/2 FGs and 2/2 extra points for The Panthers
December 9th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Defense and kicking…two years in a row. Fire the entire defensive and special teams staff. I can see firing Koetter too at this point (end of season). But I think they should keep Monken if they get a defensive head coach
December 9th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Of all of the crappy kickers we’ve had here since jettisoning Matt Byrant, Cairo Santos may be the best
December 9th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Why isn’t 6’6” Will Gholston a force on ST, especially FG. Why? The ST coach should’ve never returned for 2018 season
December 9th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
Changed the momentum of the game…especially the 40 yarder to start the 2nd half. The blocked punt sealed the deal. This is a mentally fragile team lead by mentally fragile head coach.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
NPRSageBoy, dude, Connor Barth was good…after Bryant.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
And evetytime we have a good return? Illegal block in the back!! Fantastic coaching.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
RayJay is on the site of an Indian Burial Ground.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
And also come for the garbage qb play..
December 9th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Winston and Barber should not have failed in the red zone so much relying on the kicker. Finish the drives. You know, like Manning and Marino.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Fire the entire Special Teams, Defensive Staff, the Offensive Line Coach, the Running Back Coach and maybe the Head Coach.
(I’m on the fence about Koetter)
December 9th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
Season Is Over Says
“Winston and Barber should not have failed in the red zone so much relying on the kicker. Finish the drives. You know, like Manning and Marino.”
Oh, stop.
Field Goals are okay (when we make them). Winston did throw touchdowns, in case you did not notice.
By the time we got the ball back at the end, there was no chance of winning. Monken called the same exact play, to the same player, to end the game. THAT was stupid.
We lost because of defense and the kicker. Period. Winston played well until the last few minutes.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:35 pm
I agree! I JUST CANT be all the kickers!! Look at the holders snappers special teams coach I mean COME ON!
December 9th, 2018 at 6:38 pm
Let’s not act like the coaches are playing the game. Firing every coach is not the solution. Players play coaches coach. The Saints have much better players than the Bucs. Here’s an idea, let’s get rid of the source of all our problems in Tampa Bay, Mr Jason Licht and bring in some better football players.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:39 pm
That last post from Bonzai is some of the most inane drivel ever posted on this site. To think that Winston didn’t fold in the entire second half with the lead and the season on the line is laughable. You are deluding yourself to think otherwise.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:40 pm
I’ve never seen a GM fumble a kicking situation for so long after it didn’t even need to be messed with in the first place. Don’t try to fix what’s not broken (In 2014)
December 9th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
I mean how much margin for error is this dude allowed? All this dude does it screw and he still has a job 5 years later cause he’s the Glazer’s puppet. Used to be a Licht guy but he should of been fired 2 years ago. #Loviesguy
December 9th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
I don’t believe for a moment that every kicker we sign misses routine kicks wide right. Something else is broken. I think Santos is just fine. Fix the real issues please.
December 9th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
I really believe that all the kicking problems we have had here in Tampa the last few seasons belongs at the feet of Nate Kazcor & Carlos Polk (the Special Teams coaches). It can’t be that all the kickers we have had come onto this team over the last several season have sucked. Since these 2 have been coaching the kickers we have had – 1. Patrick Murray, 2. Kyle Brindza, 3. Connor Barth, 4. Roberto Aguayo, 5. Nick Folk, 6. Patrick Murray, 7. Chandler Catanazaro & 8. Cairo Santos kick for the Bucs. Nick Folk was a good kicker in Dallas & NY Jets, Catanazaro was good with Arizona & NY Jets and Santos was good with Kansas City & LA Rams but have problems here. I think Kazcor is teaching something that is getting in the heads of our kickers and we all know you can’t mess with the psyche of kickers.
December 9th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Exactly how many teams in the NFL would anybody in their right mind think 14 or 20 points is going to beat?
December 9th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
The real issue is the skinny AFL practice goal post at one Buc place. I would take those down immediately. It’s totally useless. Practice how you play Bucs.
December 9th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Cairo is money under 37 yds but doesn’t seem to have the leg for anything over that.
December 9th, 2018 at 8:51 pm
@waterboy…I saw him hitting 50 yard field goals with ease during his pre-game warm ups today so he definitely has the leg.
December 9th, 2018 at 9:12 pm
Is Tavecchio still available? If so sign him- get rid of Santos- killed us today. Though Dirk and Monken didn’t do him any favors, after the fumble recovery, we ran on first and second down- a total Dirk special after a TO.
December 9th, 2018 at 10:01 pm
He cost the Bucs. He sucks and should be cut.
December 9th, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Bring Roberto Back! FSU major league team. All Noles, and a few canes, some OL from the Midwest and bingo. A winner.
December 9th, 2018 at 10:04 pm
Connor Barth Sucked! Both times! I hope you read this Barth! Boooooo! You are a soft toed terrible kicker. Boooooo!
December 9th, 2018 at 10:22 pm
Rod Munch
“But anywho don’t forget all those non-punt returns from Hump this year, or things where he’s constantly fumbling punt returns and putting the Bucs in bad field position.”
Is it me or did Hump return a 109-yard kickoff in pre-season? Not trying to give you crap just wondering why isn’t he back there? Sounds like one of MANY Coach Koetter putting players in the wrong place.
December 9th, 2018 at 11:24 pm
Soebuc,
Doesn’t matter who is back the, zebras throw a flag on every return we have- kickoff and punt. Just sayin’
today we got a flag for a double team block, ever seen that before? I haven’t. Not saying it isn’t a rule, but I have never seen it called.
December 10th, 2018 at 3:13 am
bottom line, and no one is discussing it:
we were playing a step ahead of the saints, and brees was genuinely frustrated…then when santos missed the 2nd field goal, the bubble burst, the team lost steam, and subconsciously all the players heard that little voice in there head saying “not again johnny”…from that point on they were playing a step behind the saints for the rest of the game…that 2nd field goal completely drained this team of what they were building these past 2 and a half weeks…the missed kicks force them to mentally throw in the towel…and their bodies followed suit thereafter…this is a fragile group trying to turn the corner, and this lengthy ongoing kicking circus is eating the players up silently…every time a field goal is missed, they say to themselves “ok be supportive, next play, everything’s gonna be ok”…then they quietly plummet inside
December 10th, 2018 at 7:01 am
The holder is the problem?? LMAO. It’s the line and blocking scheme. Tastesome had a free run at the kicker on that block.
December 10th, 2018 at 7:05 am
Nm, I’m talking about the blocked punt. Brain fart.
December 10th, 2018 at 7:13 am
2 games, Bucs win first half 14-3, Saints over Bucs second half 25-0.
Who made the halftime adjustments? Koetter or Payton?
Whose special teams were special?
The Bucs just don’t show up when the opponent cranks up the pressure defensively. There were a few times where Jameis did have a clean pocket and stepped up into throws on deep ball that they just sailed. I’ve said it before but his mechanics still havn’t improved, he’s a thrower not a passer.
Dirk is a coordinator, not a HC. Licht has had years now of high draft picks to
build a physical team and add speed in RB and hasn’t done it. Such a wasted
4 years since they had the number one pick in the 2015 draft.
How could so many high draft picks turn into mediocre or sub-professional level NFL players? Too many questions, not enough answers. Time to change
the direction once again, ouch!
December 10th, 2018 at 7:19 am
rrsq says
“And Catanzaro was 2/2 XP’s and 2/2 FG’s for the Panthers”
———————
AGGGGGHHHHHH!!!! %^&&<%$#=/^^$$=##
(head explodes)
December 10th, 2018 at 7:23 am
rrsrq, sorry for the mistype
December 10th, 2018 at 7:35 am
Can Ryan Griffin be our place holder? He’s drawled a check for years and hasn’t done sh!t.
December 10th, 2018 at 8:32 am
The BUCS should do whatever the HELL they have to do to trade for Matt Bryant! Just to END this $%^&=##÷ curse.
December 10th, 2018 at 9:12 pm
I don’t understand how our special teams coach is still employed. He’s made NO kicker better, our returns haven’t been great. I don’t get why Koetter doesn’t think getting rid of coaches can actually approve things