Kicking Fun
August 6th, 2019
New fan favorite?
Bucs fans have been kicked in the groin enough over the past five seasons because of kickers that just the mention of kickers reflexively makes Bucs fans fall to their knees in agony.
That may explain why yesterday morning, the biggest cheers Joe heard for the Bucs was not when America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, hit O.J. Howard on a red zone touchdown pass that looked too easy, and it was not when Chris Godwin raked up a low throw for a sweet catch along the right sideline.
No, it was when linebacker-sized Bucs rookie kicker Matt Gay boomed both a 54- and 59-yard field goals.
Joe heard the crowd rejoice. One fan, after Gay made his 54-yard field goal, rose from his seat and exclaimed, “Oh. My. God!”
Yes, Bucs fans are conditioned to see rotten kickers p!ss games away. Regularly.
Even Bucco Bruce Arians seems geeked at Gay and incumbent Cairo Santos.
“Normally, you’ve got to get to the 35 [for a decent shot at a field goal],” Arians said after Monday’s practice. “But with [Gay] it’s usually the 40 or 42. So, as long as he can consistently do that, he can be a weapon for us.
“That competition is pretty strong right now between he and Cairo [Santos].”
So this is something to look forward to in the first preseason game. How will the Bucs use two kickers and how many shots will both kickers get at Pittsburgh?
Santos is normally solid but not a long-range weapon. Gay hasn’t exactly been perfect with short kicks in training camp. But anything beyond the 40 seems to be in his wheelhouse.
August 6th, 2019 at 8:14 am
The ball sounds like a cannon going off his foot. When Gene says “Fire the cannons!” you could replace the cannon fire with the sound of the ball coming off of Gay’s foot and most wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
August 6th, 2019 at 8:39 am
It’s all about game situation and game production.
Just make it when it counts, period.
August 6th, 2019 at 8:52 am
I’ll believe it when I see it in a regular-season game.
August 6th, 2019 at 9:08 am
I’m looking forward to this preseason game. Feels odd to say. But there are so many young players and backups I want to see play, I’m going to be glued to the tv.
August 6th, 2019 at 9:36 am
We are so snake bit at kicker, I’d try to keep both, at least until JPP comes back.
Don’t trust our kickers anymore – even to make a lousy extra point.
August 6th, 2019 at 9:39 am
We should nickname Matt Gay. I’ve got one for consideration
Bring out the “Kracken”
August 6th, 2019 at 10:31 am
What Bonzai said.
August 6th, 2019 at 11:14 am
Sounds like Gay will have to choke in preseason to not keep the job.
The biggest surprises have been Cairo making some 50+ yarders. I thought he had a weak leg but he made a 58 yarder at some point I read. But you don’t want that guy kicking more than probably 50-52 yards in a game I’d think.
With Gay you can go for 65 yard FGs if you wanted. As long as he’s relatively close to Cario in short range accuracy I’m not sure how it’s not his job
August 6th, 2019 at 11:20 am
I want to know what coach Boniol thinks of Matt’s 3 step approach when kicking XP and FGs. Usually the kicker is told to move as soon as you see the ball coming out at the snap. Would Gay have to start his approach before the snap? Is that even legal? It would be a major mechanical change. He hasn’t changed it in camp. I’m not advocating they do that but it could lead to blocks from the side guys diving across.
August 6th, 2019 at 6:43 pm
“Kicking Fun.” It’s nice to see those words together. Usually “Kicking” is accompanied by another word starting with “F” and it’s not “fanstastic.”
As for how to use them. Gay is clearly the guy with the boot, and stakes given he was drafted. Use him for clutch plays to see how he responds to pressure, as that is the really the only question (for me anyway). Santos has done a good job, has kicked for other teams in this league, and needs a good shot at it. Use him for kicks that aren’t the “pressure” kicks. He’s been tested there and he just needs good recent film on him so someone else will pick him up.