Buccaneers rookie report as the 2019 class is starting to click

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tosses the game ball to a fan after running in a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Devin White #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tosses the game ball to a fan after running in a touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Matt Gay #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicks a 48-yard field goal to win the preseason game 16-14 against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Matt Gay #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicks a 48-yard field goal to win the preseason game 16-14 against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

By far the most controversial pick of the draft for the Bucs, kicker Matt Gay brought about flashbacks to Roberto Aguayo and drafting a kicker at all. This brought up immediate red flags for the Bucs and had many people calling for Jason Licht’s head that very night. Starting with that night it seemed as though perhaps Jason Light had lost his mind, but for now Licht is yet again off the hook as Matt Gay has been stellar despite one heartbreaking moment.

Gay started out the season strong before disaster hit. Early on in the season when the Bucs were playing the New York Giants Gay missed two extra points and one field goal. This field goal hurt even worse due to the fact that it came in the closing moments of the game and was a chance for the Bucs to win the game against a team that they dominated for nearly fifty of the sixty total minutes. This was another key moment in the season where it seemed as though the drafting of Gay was a mistake.

Fortunately for the Buccaneers, the tides turned yet again and the Matt Gay was able to find his stride. Since that game versus New York Gay has only missed one field goal and three extra points (all the extra points being in the same game). Gay is kicking at 88.5 percent on the season and is a breath of fresh air for the Buccaneers who have struggled with kickers historically. As of now Matt Gay is here to stay and Jason Licht is somehow yet again off the hook.

Schedule