The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a move many will be excited to see. Kicker Nick Folk was signed to compete with last year’s second round pick Roberto Aguayo.
Yes! This is what I wanted to see. The moment the Buccaneers announced they would bring in competition for Roberto Aguayo in the off-season, I wanted an established, veteran kicker to come in and truly make Aguayo earn it. That kicker has arrived.
According to Peter Schrager of FOX Sports and NFL Network, the Bucs have agreed to a deal for kicker Nick Folk;
News. A year after selecting K Roberto Aguayo in 2nd round, the Bucs are signing K Nick Folk. Let the competition begin. @gmfb @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 18, 2017
Folk has been in the NFL since 2007, with a career kicking percentage of 81.3% and an extra point success rate of 99.4%. Last season with the Jets, Folk went 27-of-31 on field goals and 24-of-26 on extra points. Of the four field goal attempts he missed, three of them were blocked;
Folk, an established veteran. Was 87% last year on field goals. Of the 4 missed FG's he had, 3 of them were blocked. @gmfb @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 18, 2017
If this is the competition the Bucs hope to put Aguayo over the top, it’s a good one. Folk is no slouch and he will make Aguayo earn that job, second round be damned.
Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter don’t care what you make or where you were drafted, if they can improve on a position they will and they can certainly improve on Aguayo’s wretched rookie campaign
As David Harrison and I discussed on the Walking The Plank podcast, I wanted legitimate competition for Aguayo. I mentioned Steven Hauschka, but the same principle applies to Folk; it has to be a guy that has had sustained success in this league. It can’t be some undrafted rookie free agent that “competes” with Aguayo. It has to be someone that has a real chance to win the job away from the 22-year old former Seminole.
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If Aguayo really beats out Folk then guess what – the Bucs will be okay at the kicker position. Now, if Folk beats out Aguayo and they cut ties with the youngster, then guess what – the Bucs will be okay at the kicker position.
Time to earn it, ‘Berto.