Best-Ever Buccaneers Kicker
December 22nd, 2023
Chase McLaughlin
Stats can be deceiving, but that’s rarely the case among kickers.
It’s a pretty straight-forward evaluation. Sure, snaps can be bad and weather can be an issue, but ultimately kickers simply have to make their darn kicks. By late December, the sample size is large and the average Joe can assess a kicker.
Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin, a Dollar Store free agent signing in March, is having the best kicking season in Tampa Bay history. McLaughlin has nailed 92 percent of his field goal attempts, including 5-of-6 from 50 or more yards.
Ryan Succop and Martin Gramatica never had seasons like this in Tampa, neither did Matt Bryant or Steve Christie (for you old Bucs fans). And just to keep things extra fun, McLaughlin has drilled all 29 of his extra point attempts.
Stunning!
Joe applauds general manager Jason Licht for his second great kicker decision in a row. He picked the right time to boot Super Bowl kicker Ryan Succop (2020-2022) and bring in McLaughlin, who kicked for the Colts last season.
There will be lots of talk about the Bucs re-signing Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David when their contracts end after the season, but rest assured one man is a stone cold lock to return barring a historic meltdown to close this season. His name is McLaughlin.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Great pickup. How long is his contract? They have to make him a good offer.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:11 pm
His results speak for themselves!!!! A great addition to the Bucs!!
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Donald Igwebuike will always be the best kicker in Bucs history.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:15 pm
1) The new kicker is good
2) Wirfs is good at Left Tackle
Maybe change is not something to be afraid of? š¤
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Take this down and refrain from speaking his name in the future. If anyone asks about our kicker you say āyea we have a decent kicker, I forget his nameā and you leave it at that. What the hells the matter with you guys?
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
The downside is they only gave him a 1-year deal, and he’ll be in for quite the raise since they got him on the ultra-cheap, less than $1-mil deal.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Take it back. This will jinx us.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Nothing can stop us.
December 22nd, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Jason was bound to make a good kicker decision.
December 22nd, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Our GM deserves major kudos for this signing.
In other kicker news – I see that USF just signed Martin Gramatica’s son to a full scholarship…
Awesome to see that family tree continue to bear fruit.
December 22nd, 2023 at 4:28 pm
He has only missed two kicks all year…….and guess what?
The were both blocked.
Think we have the best kicker/punter combo in the league.
December 22nd, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Martin was pretty much my fav.
December 22nd, 2023 at 4:37 pm
George Yarno, best ever. Overall percentage, 100%
December 22nd, 2023 at 4:50 pm
Matt Gay was pretty solid
December 22nd, 2023 at 5:13 pm
I hope to God you knocked on wood as soon as you posted this!
December 22nd, 2023 at 5:13 pm
Neil oāDonnahue
December 22nd, 2023 at 5:47 pm
Chase hasn’t been there long enough to be my favorite…..
Connor Barth is my default favorite because he’s from my home town of Wilmington, NC.
December 22nd, 2023 at 5:53 pm
What about Iggy?
December 22nd, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Like this guys lot. Autimatica still my favorite.
December 22nd, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Derrick Brooks has an opinion on who’s the best ever. He paid tribute to Automatica in his HOF speech.
December 22nd, 2023 at 8:13 pm
I notice Matt Gay has been a good kicker.
Not that thereās anything wrong with that!
December 22nd, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Automatica Grammatica is my favorite. But if this guy keeps delivering……
December 22nd, 2023 at 9:26 pm
No mention of Como estas Husted? Ok
December 22nd, 2023 at 9:36 pm
Yeah, Husted was also darn good.
December 22nd, 2023 at 9:41 pm
What about Roberto Aguayo? š
December 22nd, 2023 at 10:36 pm
Fizzle pop crackle crabboud defeat-ay Jinx-ay
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:23 am
Jason licht is the best GM in the game and his scouts and front office are untouchable. They deserve more credit and eventually he will win executive of the year. Mark my words here first.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:53 am
ssshhhh joe ssshhh…
i’ve been wanting to talk about our kicker for the longest, but i’m trying to stay quiet…
once the kicker jinx kicks in, a dude is done…
all i’m going to say is we have the best kicking/punting duo in the league right now…
these 2 guys are insanely good…
but let’s stop talking about the best kept secret in town š
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:54 am
I recall an article about how good Matt Gay was in his rookie season the week before the last game. He faltered.
So, thank you for jinxing.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:56 am
truth be told, BA shoulda been patient with matt gay and we woulda probably had a kicker for the next 10-15 years…
but gay was in jinx mode, and thinks got pretty iffy for him at one point – then poof our highly drafted kicker was gone – in 60 seconds
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:59 am
joe this thread shoulda probably not been posted…
especially down the homestretch with 3 big games on tap…
if chase jinxes out – we’re coming for ya ! š
December 23rd, 2023 at 4:03 am
Capece is kaput.
December 23rd, 2023 at 5:12 am
2 words………….
garo
yepremian
š
December 23rd, 2023 at 6:24 am
See like 10 comments about who their favorite it. Donāt care. The subject is the best. Especially to those of you who got their la ties in a bunch over Succop leaving, even though he couldnāt kick a 50 yarder to save his families life. Chase is the best. And can line up from 60
December 23rd, 2023 at 8:08 am
Wow! Yes! Garo!
December 23rd, 2023 at 8:16 am
Statistically speaking Conor barth was the best kicker in Bucs history until McLaughlin came here , but Barth did not have Mclaughlins’ range.
My favorite of all time was Bill Capece , because without him McKay would have never delivered the “Capece is Kaput” line which was classic John McKay.
December 23rd, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Donāt forget about Camarda. Positionally (not overall value), Camarda, Winfield, and Wirfs are the teamās best players.