Buccaneers’ Roberto Aguayo: Clutch Performer of the Week?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ kicker Roberto Aguayo was named “Clutch Performer of the Week” in the NFL.

clutch¹

kləCH/

"adjective US informal"

"(in sport) denoting or occurring in a critical situation in which the outcome of a game or competition is at stake.“they both are hard-nosed players who seem to thrive in clutch situations”"

This is the definition of “clutch”, which is exactly what Roberto Aguayo was named this week – over the likes of Tom Brady or Andrew Luck.

Now, I may be a bit cynical, but how can a guy kicking field goals at a 50% rate be clutch? How can a guy, who missed two field goals in the game to put them in a situation where they needed the last second kick, be clutch? How can a guy that virtually no one has the confidence that he can make a kick be considered clutch?

Well, as my dad always said; “Timing is everything.”

Roberto Aguayo is getting the claim of “clutch” because that is exactly what his kick to end Monday night was. The kick, not the player. That’s a difficult distinction to make, but it’s true. “But, how can what he did be clutch, but not him?” Quite simply, because he has been far from clutch all year long.

He put the Buccaneers in a hole against the Rams by missing a field goal and an extra point, dictating decisions to go for two point conversions after touchdowns, both having been unsuccessful. Now, had they had confidence in their kicker to do his job, you’re talking about a three point difference at the end of the game, not five, and the staff has confidence to kick a game tying field goal rather than being in a position to have to score a touchdown.

Do I hope this is the moment it all clicks for Berto and he gets it all together? Do I hope that, after making his most pressure filled kick that the yips and nerves will be gone? Of course, and every Bucs fan should as well. The last thing anyone should do is root for this kid to fail. That is just downright idiotic. Aguayo’s failures are the team’s failures just like his successes are the team’s successes.

Quit griping and whining and crying about where he was drafted. It’s over. It’s been over. He didn’t pick his draft position. Get over it.

I don’t think his struggles are over. I don’t think this is any kind of turning point for this season. I do, however, have hope that this proves Aguayo can come through in big spots. It gives me hope for his future. As for being a clutch player, though?

Next: Buccaneers Can't Afford Any Setbacks

To quote Inigo Montoya, “I do not think it means what you think it means.”