Buccaneers training camp battle breakdowns: Placekicker

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Dirk Koetter talks with Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sideline during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Dirk Koetter talks with Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sideline during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 01: Brent Grimes
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 01: Brent Grimes

The Competition: Nick Folk

The Bucs brass indicated on more than one occasion that they would bring in competition for Aguayo and he has embraced it with grace. That competition comes from the veteran who has spent the last seven years in New York with the Jets. Nick Folk is in town, and will give Aguayo a run for his money. It will not be easy.

The Jets have gone through a massive salary dump this offseason, and this move works in the Bucs favor. Over the last four seasons, Folk hasn’t kicked for a lower FG percentage than 81%, with last year coming in at 87%. His career percentage is 81.3%, and his percentage with the Jets was 82%. He has also only missed two extra points in his entire career (337 attempts). Talk about being a model of consistency.

Folk has also been consistent in clutch situations, earning the moniker “Folk Hero” with Jets fans. He made kicks both during the regular season and the playoffs to win games. Folk looked big spots in the face and was up to the task. He has been doing this for a long time and is solid. So solid, in fact, that he is 10th on the active scoring list with 1,052 career points.

Roberto Aguayo has his work cut out for him.

Schedule