Buccaneers sign Connor Barth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed kicker Connor Barth for the third time in his career and the second time this year, the team announced. The veteran replaces Kyle Brindza, who had missed half his field goals and two extra points in four games after ironically beating out Barth and the injured Patrick Murray.

Barth has a long history with the Bucs, having played for them from 2009 through 2012 before tearing his Achilles in the 2013 offseason and being released heading into the 2014 season. He kicked for the Denver Broncos last year, but didn't make their roster because of his inability to consistently kick the ball deep on kickoffs. That's going to be an issue for the Bucs, too, who had Brindza handling both field goals and kickoffs -- but at this point they prefer an accurate kicker over one who produces touchbacks.

Barth has made 85.3% of his career field goals and has yet to miss an extra point, but in the eight kickoffs he had last year he averaged just 57 yards and produced zero touchbacks.