SPECIAL TEAMS: C
If the Buccaneers can get Roberto Aguayo to build off his post bye-week numbers then they should have a pretty good field goal kicker for years to come.
Missing an early field goal in this match-up isn’t going to help matters much, but there still has to be some confidence in the way he’s been able to turn around is early efforts which were simply disastrous.
Bryan Anger kept up his stellar punting performances in this one pinning the Panthers offense inside their own 20-yard line twice in the first half.
If good punts don’t wet your special teams whistle then maybe Adam Humphries’ return on a missed field goal by Carolina kicker Graham Gano did the trick.
Of course, we’d all rather he took it back for a score, but the exciting return just adds to the potential Humphries has to impact the Bucs.
As mentioned earlier, Aguayo would go on to have a second kick go awry as it was blocked following a false start which set him back further than he was already.
It’s not the finish the rookie kicker wanted, but the win still stands, meaning this unit didn’t hurt the team as much as they could have helped them.
That’ll do it for the Buccaneers’ Week 17 win over the Panthers and our grades.
The Buccaneers finish 9-7 on the year and while they will not be heading to the post-season, they’ve given themselves and their fan base plenty to look forward to.
The Pewter Plank will be bringing you all kinds of off-season coverage, so keep coming back as we help you stay up to date on what the team is doing to prepare for a successful 2017 campaign.
Next: Yarcho's Pick Six: Bucs Sweep Panthers
Thanks as always for reading, and have a happy and healthy New Year!
What are your thoughts on the game today, and what grades would you give out? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter anytime!