Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a Kicker Competition

by JScott on May 27, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in News

Something to keep an eye on this off-season is the Kicker competition. Head Coach Raheem Morris has labeled it the simplest competition to determine:

"You line up the ball, you snap it, you tee it up and you let them kick. Whoever gets the ball between those two yellow bars the most wins." – Head Coach Raheem Morris per the Pewter Report

I guess it is that simple when you really think about it. Pedigree has to go into a little bit as well, meaning Bryant has gotten the job done in pressure situations (62 yarder against the Eagles in ‘06) in the past and so that can’t be overlooked. But you’re not going to keep a guy around who bombs in the Pre-Season based on his past successes. I just hope if Nugent were to win, his success in the off-season wouldn’t be an illusion much like Major League Baseball players who rake in Spring Training and then tank when real action begins, because Matt Bryant will get picked up if released. For their careers they are very comparable in completion percentage on their kicks: Bryant (82.1% on 168 attempts) and Nugent (82.4% on 92 attempts).

Poll

Who do you think will win the Kicker Competition?

Matt Bryant

132 votes

Mike Nugent

119 votes

251 votes | Poll has closed

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kickers have had their struggles. Bryant’s leg seems to be dying down, although if he is accurate from 50 and in, I’ve go tno issue with him. Nugent was/is talented, but anytime a kicker has leg problems (2008), it makes you wonder what he has left. Not sure A) he’d last a full season and B) that any pre-season success will carry forward.

by Buc Wild on May 27, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

I loved that 62 yarder Vs Phily....But...

I dont recall him making one over 45 since! Seems like any time we need a distance kick like 48 yards it misses. Mind you, not one kick of his misses by very much. Look at each miss, its about a few feet either way. No shanks like Gramatica used to (other wise known as FUAT by the British Buc Fans in the UK. Email me if you want to know what that stands for, not suitable for family entertainment!

Just think, last year if we would have gotten Brett Favre, maybe WE would have lost 4 of last 5 games of the season like the Jets.....DOH!!!

by Niko Houllis on May 27, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Nugent definitely has Bryant beat

in leg strength. Accuracy, Bryant is pretty solid. Honestly, I would take accuracy over strength. I want a guy who is solid from 40 and under since the vast majority of FG’s are attempted from that range. He was perfect in short – midrange attempts last season. Bryant also has the experience.

What does Nugent have that Bryant doesn’t? Youth and Strength. Really depends which one the Bucs place more of a importance on. Nugent is 10% better on 41+ fg’s.

I also gotta say that I was endeared to Bryant last season. He was a true competitor and thats what I want on my team. However, I am also glad the Bucs don’t look at holding onto people just because of their character….which is important, but football skills trump good guy teammates every time.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on May 28, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions