The Buccaneers’ Roberto Aguayo arrived in Charlotte 1 for 3 in attempted field goals and looking to redeem himself. Man, did that rookie get his chance to do just that. On one of the biggest stages in sports, the second rounder finally received his moment to shine.
The kick is up… and its wide left. On his second field goal attempt of the night the Buccaneers‘ Roberto Aguayo once again shanked a kick wide. Buc Nation faithfuls across the globe were up in arms on why he was even given the chance, but it did not end there. The fourth kick of the night for Aguayo also bounced off the uprights no good.
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So far this season kicking Roberto Aguayo has been like playing a game of Russian Roulette with more than one live round. Luckily, with incredible play by a depleted defense, Jameis Winston and company were able to get the game winning drive they wanted. As the Bucs drove down the field with less than two minutes to go, it was almost a certain expectation that the game would be put back into the hands of the rookie kicker and it actually happened.
On came the 22-year-old second round pick to seal the game. With both his teammates and fans praying to the almighty, he delivered. The Bucs rushed the field and jumped with joy as their record improved to 2-3 with both wins being in the division.
When asked how close he felt he needed to get for that GW FG attempt, Dirk Koetter: "I wasn't comfortable. We couldn't get close enough."
— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) October 11, 2016
So was that game winning kick the confidence boost the youngster needed? That is yet to be seen… but he sure is not out of anyone’s dog house, especially his coach’s. A report after the game quoted Coach Dirk Koetter saying this when asked if that kick changed his mind.
"“I don’t know about that,” Koetter replied when asked if the game-winner eased any concern with his rookie kicker. I am happy that he made [the game-winner] and that is awesome that he made it but we can’t miss those field goals. What do you want me to say? We can’t miss those. That could have lost us the game.”"
How can you argue with that? The fact of the matter is one game winning kick doesn’t change the past… but it can change the future. If this does give Aguayo the confidence boost he needs, it could help lead him to his sky high potential. Statistically, Aguayo was one of the best EVER to kick in college football history and after five games its about time it starts to show.
If you do not believe the seriousness of this kicking issue for the Bucs, take a look at this.
The Bucs’ staff tearful at the end of the game? Does this include general manager Jason Licht? I believe it does. Jason Licht, although who had a home run of a draft in 2015, has also had his trouble with second rounders. A miss on Austin Seferian-Jenkins and then a gutsy move by trading up for a kicker in this past draft, that is enough to help sink a career.
In the moment I am sure the emotions may have taken control of Licht. For someone who has stuck his neck out for this kicker to finally have him pull through must feel great.
If you didn’t catch it… here is the kick again
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/785684313798881284
Next: Yarcho's Pick Six: Buccaneers Steal One Against Panthers
He saved his job this week, now let us all just pray that our rookie kicker’s confidence is back where it needs to be. Although, the mystery of the kicking situation is still not over. How Roberto performs from this point on will help decide his fate in Tampa. What do you think about Aguayo Buc Fans? With this be enough to pull him through?