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Buccaneers: Five players who must step up for a successful 2017 season

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) huddle up with teammates against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) huddle up with teammates against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) misses a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) misses a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Kicker

No, I don’t have a problem with Aguayo’s name. I am addressing this one by the position name simply because at this time, we don’t even know who it’s going to be.

We all know that this position has to improve. Jason Licht received a lot of criticism when making the move to get Aguayo, and in year one, the criticism proved to be justified. The most accurate kicker in football history was hardly that in rookie season in Tampa. Between missing nine field goals and two extra points, he left 29 points on the board. That simply isn’t going to work for any team, and especially on a team that already needed to IMPROVE at the kicker position.

Now the competition is on with veteran Nick Folk, and it may already be getting to Aguayo. If you haven’t heard by now, he went 1-4 on his kicks during the first day of OTA’s while Folk made all four of his attempts. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the competition is already tense:

"“The competition has definitely started. I know everybody feels it,” coach Dirk Koetter said. “There’s a little tension when we’re going through that. That’s a good thing. That’s a good thing. This is pro football, there’s supposed to be competition.”"

It’s not over for Aguayo yet, but it may be coming. No matter who comes out on top, Aguayo or Folk, the position must be better. Folk is a consistent, clutch kicker, but any kicker can have a bad season. He cannot if he wins the job. The kicker must step up if Bucs fans want to see January football.

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