Dominant And Confident Chase McLaughlin
July 31st, 2023
Former Colts kickers Chase McLaughlin (right) and Rodrigo Blankenship are battling for the Bucs job.
Stop training camp. The Buccaneers’ new kicker is hot!
Joe’s referring to free agent signee Chase McLaughlin, the guy signed to replace Ryan Succop. He’s got a familiar challenger in camp, Rodrigo Blankenship. McLaughlin replaced Blankenship as the Colts’ kicker last year.
But change in Indianpolis set McLaughlin free, and now he didn’t missed a kick on Friday and Sunday — from various distances far and near.
Joe dared to jinx McLaughlin by asking him about his early success during a blogger-to-kicker chat yesterday.
“Yeah, it feels good, man. This is what we train for,” McLaughlin said. “But honestly, you put in the work either way and pray that it goes that direction.”
McLaughlin, 27, said he has yet to kick at The Licht House since signing with the Bucs in March, but he did kick there in past seasons. Regardless, McLaughlin said he’s acclimated very well largely because the heat has made him feel like he’s back where he grew up in the greater Houston area, and he added that the team camaraderie is excellent.
On the kicker competition, McLaughlin said it’s real but it doesn’t play out that way for him.
“It’s like the game of golf, you’re not playing against someone, you’re really competing against yourself and you’re competing against the course and trying to be the best you can be,” McLaughlin said.
Joe will stop typing now to not put a curse on this young man. Damn, how cool would it be for GM Jason Licht to follow up the great signing of Succop with a stable and strong-legged kicker?
July 31st, 2023 at 10:43 am
He is right….it is like golf in that you are competing to be the best you can be….you cannot help what the competition does….
Right attitude….
July 31st, 2023 at 11:03 am
I read an article from the Indy Press about Blankenship that noted his poor performance in game-winning kick attempts. To me, that’s the true test of a kicker. Does anyone have stats for both kickers game-winning %?
July 31st, 2023 at 11:38 am
Bucs will be happy with a good kicker who can actually make 50 yard field goals.
July 31st, 2023 at 11:38 am
Baker Mayfield is going to need a good kicker because his sorry as can’t score touchdowns
July 31st, 2023 at 12:24 pm
In this battle of great Hair vs Beard who will come out victorious?
July 31st, 2023 at 12:35 pm
We keep hearing team camaraderie is excellent and that is what excites me.
July 31st, 2023 at 2:36 pm
“Stop training camp. The Buccaneers’ new kicker is hot!” Dang – thought Joe was going to tell us Rachel Watson was the new kicker.
July 31st, 2023 at 2:54 pm
If he grew up in Houston, the weather shouldn’t be that big of an issue for him … you know, assuming he played a real position.
July 31st, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Why don’t we bring back George Yarno?
August 1st, 2023 at 1:29 am
“Fred McNei. Says:
July 31st, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Why don’t we bring back George Yarno?”
One of my all time favorite Bucs Fred.
And yes Yarno, an offensive lineman kicked a field goal for us… a PAT against the Lions in 1983. LOL
Go Bucs!