3 Buccaneers veterans playing for their jobs in preseason opener
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers may have a new starting kicker
Ryan Succop’s seat heating up was not something most of us had on our offseason Bingo cards. The starting Buccaneer kicker was lights out for the majority of the 2020 season, and Succop’s resurgence so late in his career was a massive catalyst for the success in Tampa.
Gone were the years of mediocrity or worse on the special teams front. The Roberto Aguayo and Matt Gay jokes were subsiding for the first time in years, and Succop looked like a viable option for the future with a decent contract extension.
While Succop should remain the favorite to hold on to the starting job, Jose Borregales is not far behind.
Based on performances alone during camp so far, Borregales has been the better kicker. Borregales has been more consistent and hits kicks from further, which is everything the Buccaneers need in a starting kicker.
Sticking with Succop may sound like the safest decision for the Bucs, but the position is too fickle to grow complacent. An actual kicking competition is the only way to ensure the best man finishes with the job, and so far, that man has not been Ryan Succop.
Practice is one thing, but Borregales also has to win during games. Succop has a chance to win back some ground during the preseason games, but he has to be on top of his game starting this Saturday if he wants to keep his job.