Report: Bucs Cut Connor Barth

August 29th, 2014

connor barthConnor Barth is a darn good kicker, but he’ll be kicking for another team in 2014.

Per WDAE-AM 620, the Buccaneers’ flagship station, Barth has gotten the boot from the roster.

It seems undrafted, inexperienced Patrick Murray won the job — or Jason Licht has a move in store.

Barth, per ESPN, had a base salary of $2 million this season and could have earned up to $3.15 million via roster bonuses. Joe suspects an unemployed kicker would come significantly cheaper.

Former Pro Bowler Rob Bironas, who the Bucs worked out this month, made 25 of 29 field goals (86.2 percent) last year (2-for-3 from 50+ yards) and was perfect on extra points. Barth missed all of last season and is a 84.2 on field goals for his career.

91 Responses to “Report: Bucs Cut Connor Barth”

  1. Couch Fan Says:

    Wow… Did we not learn our lesson last year? I was one of the first who said we wouldn’t miss Barth much. I was wrong. Hope this doesnt come to bite us in the ass.

  2. Conner Says:

    This makes no sense to me, why would they cut him?

  3. BucDan Says:

    With Murray taking over FGs and presumably becoming our new KOS, how much longer do we continue to pay Koenen?

    I was very impressed with how Murray kicked in training camp and the preseason. Barth was nice, but Murray’s got the same, if not better, boot and at 1/4 the price.

  4. t-dub Says:

    UHHHHHHHHHHHHH…. I dont know what to say other than TRUST.

  5. Jeagan1999 Says:

    We could probably add Incognito for what Barth was making….maybe?

  6. Uncle Albert Says:

    I am usually on board with the moves Lovie and Licht make, not this time. I think this is a terrible decision. Barth is a damn good kicker, especially from beyond 40 yards. I guess only time will tell if Murray can be as clutch.

  7. scottbucs Says:

    I think we keep Koenen he is worth the money

  8. TopDoggie Says:

    This just in!!!! English kickball team short on petty cash. American football team dumps salary and sends over a new supply.

  9. Macabee Says:

    That Lovie is smart isn’t he? Had his presser early today before the real shots are being fired. Won’t have to explain it until the next presser. lol.

  10. Matt B Says:

    I hope this doesn’t cost us any games. I would be more comfortable with the proven player. We’ll see I guess.

  11. Josh P Says:

    Saving 2-3 million. Maybe there is another signing that’s about to happen and they’re being a little incognito about it.

  12. Mac Says:

    Mesage to all pro athletes making millions of dollars…

    If you injure yourself in a charity contest you are an idiot…

    Goodbye Connor you really let us down last year… I hope the charity game was a lot of fun for you…

  13. Matt B Says:

    Ahh, it didn’t take long for someone to bring up the nsame Incognito in this totally unrelated story.

  14. canadian bucsfan Says:

    Bring back Ryan Lindell!! JK really surprising move maybe they will bring Rob B back?

  15. Josh P Says:

    Matt, breath a little. This is just a sports blog.

  16. JBuc Says:

    Not sure why people are so worked up about this. Barth is coming off an injury that cost him an entire year meaning he is just as much a risk as Murray. In addition, these coaches see these guys kick every day in practice so I am sure they have a good feel as to who is the better kicker. I am sure if they thought this move was more likely to cost them even one game this move would not have been made. The bonus is the extra cash they pick up.

  17. Bill Says:

    Murray had a good camp. Plus, Bironas, likely Shayne Graham, Jay Feely are unemployed.

  18. Z-Buc Fan Says:

    This is absolutely horrible if true. I never worried when Barth came on the field. He’d make pretty much whatever kick you asked him to.

    Then came last year. And I’m pretty sure that some random hack free agent off the street, who may be cheaper, will cost us games at some point this year. Just like they did last year.

  19. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Ryan Lindell AND his wife….LMAO!

  20. lightningbuc Says:

    That will teach you to not play basketball in the off-season.

    Can only speculate he wasn’t very good in practice during camp.

  21. stratobuc Says:

    Great move by Licht. He may be the best GM this team has ever seen. Now sign Incognito!

  22. lightningbuc Says:

    Scotty,

    Actually I believe it was Lawrence Tynes who had the nasty wife.

  23. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Oops…you are right lightning.

  24. canadian bucsfan Says:

    @ stratobuc
    Are you proposing we bring in Incognito to be our kicker? If so I love it!

  25. canadian bucsfan Says:

    That pic that joe keeps posting with his leg in the air makes me confident he would be a good kicker.

  26. Jerseybucsfan Says:

    Smh..

  27. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    If you guys only knew how many NFL players played basketball in the offseason. How do you think these guys stay in shape – running on the treadmill? Sapp Brooks, Dunn, and a ton of others used to always play at the YMCA when I was in Tampa.

  28. Delson Says:

    Maybe it was his leg injury from last year that put doubts in lovie n lichts mind.

  29. Scott Says:

    Hopefully we sign K Dustin Hopkins the former FSU man aka golden boots.. If this cut was a salary move how come we still have our punter

  30. Mr. Mudge Says:

    Murray is cheaper and younger with equal accuracy and stronger leg. He can also punt. If Lovie feels confident in his reliability, then Barth only has the advantage of experience. Not too surprising.

  31. lurker Says:

    “Mesage to all pro athletes making millions of dollars…

    If you injure yourself in a charity contest you are an idiot…

    Goodbye Connor you really let us down last year… I hope the charity game was a lot of fun for you…”

    this is just a callous comment by an idiot…you just let down the team fanbase.

  32. stratobuc Says:

    “Are you proposing we bring in Incognito to be our kicker? If so I love it!”

    That only works in canada. Murray beat Barth in camp, and he’s 2.5 million cheaper. Big mystery there, eh?

  33. Jim Walker Says:

    Did not see this coming. This has to be a cap adjustment for another surprise. This new management is full of ‘gotchas’.

  34. BucfaninMi Says:

    I don’t like this. Unless,like you said Joe, maybe Licht has something planned already. It will suck if he ends up in the NFC south!

  35. D-Rome Says:

    I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear anything about the team finances and such. They are of little concern to me. What I am concerned about is the fact we have released a very good kicker for someone who has talent but is inexperienced.

    I could care less how much Barth costs the team. Experience matters and experience comes with a price. As I understand it the Bucs still have over $7 million in cap space.

  36. Mike10 Says:

    Hesitant as I am to say this, I trust them.

    As long as this isn’t another salary dump of a player from a previous regime – bc a lot of moves have felt like “my team, my choice of players”

  37. canadian bucsfan Says:

    We do have a lot of linemen kickers up here lol. I get that Murray beat Barth out and that he is a lot cheaper. It’s still worry some to trust in a guy who doesn’t have much NFL kicking experience over a guy who was very trust worthy when he lined up to kick the ball

  38. Stanglassman Says:

    It a risky move that can cost 1-3 games. What a mistake to save a few bucks. Conner has done it and come through big when it counts. Murray looked good at practice but who knows what will happen when the game is on the line.

    I can’t even began to explain to the idiot who begrudges Conner for getting injured raising money for a charity. What kind of a-hole do you have to be to even come up with that thought but less write it down. You just hope and prey that people like that don’t make decisions that can impact anyone else in this world.

  39. stvcl Says:

    Business decision…saving some bucks. Good luck Barth.

  40. meh Says:

    We aren’t making a move unless it is replacing Koenen too. Murray has looked great.

  41. meh Says:

    Barth can’t even do kickoffs, and was being paid way too much.

  42. Winepeddler Says:

    Didn’t anyone see the difference between the two of them kicking off? Barth rarely put it deep into or through the end zone and Murray always did. Differences in field goal accuracy and distance were pretty equal, but Murray will be just fine.

  43. meh Says:

    He was a great FG kicker though.

    Great.

  44. Tackleblockwin Says:

    Murray will need a nickname. All our kickers have nicknames…tradition. Hate to see Conner go.

  45. Macabee Says:

    I don’t know if you guys were listening, but Ronde Barber telegraphed this move from the booth last night. I heard him but dismissed it as booth chatter. He knew something was up.

  46. The_Buc_Realist Says:

    I think this means that GMC is now the longest current tenure with the Bucs. I hope that the Bucks don’t waste time of McCoy being in his prime. They need to make the Playoffs!

  47. JBuc Says:

    Gotta love the negativity from some of you. “risky move that could cost 1-3 games”. Really? How about a smart move that may win a few games? He appears to be just as accurate with a stronger leg which could result in a win from a longer attempted FG. In addition, with the additional cap room, maybe they are able to add another Guard or a player at another position of need which could result in a win. The inability of some people to see future upside is why some people continue to be losers.

  48. Orca Says:

    People love to complain.

  49. Newbucsfan!!! Says:

    bring back Nate Askew

  50. Snook Says:

    Doesn’t really mesh with Lovie’s statement to use all of this year’s cap…. unless a signing is coming.

  51. StAugBuc Says:

    Connor Barth equally as inexperienced when he became the starter. 🙂

  52. MegaDaveUK Says:

    This has raged me greatly. He was my one mr reliable next to healthy Geraldini. #bucrage

  53. sam Says:

    I liked Barth a lot, but I saw this coming.

  54. Andrew 1 Says:

    Well this one is a shocker. I dont like it, but then again none of us really know how good Patrick Murray is. He kind end up being better than Barth. And look on the bright side, we saved us some more $.

  55. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Barth is from my home town and I have met him at several charity events. He is a great guy and is very philanthropic.
    To suggest that he was cut or should have been cut because of his participation is absurd.
    It is possible that he lost some ability from it….but to me, it seems like simply business…supply & demand.
    I will surely miss him and wish him well!!!

  56. Niko Says:

    Bucs have a history of going with the young kicker with the long accurate leg. From bill capece, Iggy, Michael husted, Gramatica, they’ve always put thiosw guys ahead of the older accurate but no distance kickers (at the time) like Yepremian, ariri, Willis and Bryant. Yes I know Bryant kicked a 62, but by 2009 50+ FGs were iffy. Barth lost his power, couldn’t hit the boomers!

  57. Ernest T. Bass Says:

    We had Kai Forbath in camp one year and let him get away. Hopefully Murray does well like Kai.

  58. AM0621 Says:

    Murray looked pretty solid to me. Besides, every time I start to doubt, Light does something like bring in a All-Pro Guard. If freeing up the money from Barth allows Light to pull off a little more magic, so much the better.

    Not to mention that I was hoping Murray would get the job, if only because of his name. My last name is Murray and my son’s name is Patrick Murray… Looks like I’m going to have to buy another jersey. Lol

  59. StAugBuc Says:

    @ Niko:

    Love the Iggy reference. Don’t forget Obed.

  60. t-dub Says:

    dumping salary for GMC contract…

    plus Murray is very good and young and cheap.

    Another SMART move by L&L.

    Go Bucs!

  61. Soggybottom Says:

    I think L&L have been doing what is good for the teem so this must be good or maybe just what has to be done, I think maybe we can use the money to get more win now players.. Ya baby..

  62. owlykat Says:

    You can bet this was Licht’s idea. If he can find someone who can accomplish the same production or even more production for a fourth of the money, he is going to pull that trigger. That is smart management. I like Licht’s judgments on players with the exception of QBs. I just wish he would fill needs in the draft instead of going with best player available, but if he had not brought in our new TE, he wouldn’t have been able to deal Wright for a six time Pro Bowler either. I have a feeling that Licht probably is the one who got Lovie to realize not to buy Warhop’s advice on keeping Cousins as a starter. If that is true, I am really thrilled we have Licht on board to help guide Lovie on Offensive moves. I think he is going to use this cap space to get us a better Guard after Johnson did not look spectacular yesterday.

  63. David 54 Says:

    Conner, thanks for all you did for the team and the community. Best of luck in your next assignment (except against the Bucs). You can tell the fans appreciate your work!

  64. snook Says:

    Why are we keeping Bowers? No clue what he’s due to make but zero production isn’t worth anything.

    Worthless turd.

  65. Warren Says:

    Stupid stupid stupid,…we’ve NEVER had a better, more clutch kicker to my memory. Connor Barth is so underrated and underappreciated. This effing sucks!

  66. unbelievable Says:

    Value, people. Value.

    Barth was very very good for us, but obviously the young guy looked as good or better in camp. Let’s hope this kid doesn’t crumble in the regular season.

    Freeing up cash for GMC’s next payday. Smart.

  67. Mac Says:

    Connor Barth was slightly above average… you can call him solid or decent or even good but to call him great, awesome or excellent is silly…

    In other news the Philadelphia Eagles put A.Benn on IR today… another wasted Duminik 2nd round pick…

  68. Buddha Says:

    Murray was first team AP All American Kicker in 2012 with a long kick of 55 yards and kicked 25 of 30 attempts that included 4 of 6 from 50 yards plus and a long of 55 yards. Also, he averaged 46 yards on punts. Little guy; big foot.

  69. Kevin#1 Says:

    Hope this new guy doesn’t kick like our kicker last year whatever his name was….doesn’t matter he SUCKED!!!!! This could cost us some games. I sure hope not or I will be PISSED!!! Barth doesn’t miss very often. He doesn’t get nervous. Oh well water under the bridge now.

  70. Capt.Tim, back from Davies Jones's locker Says:

    “This has raged me greatly”
    Wow! You can get in a Rage over a Kicker? Really??
    Connor was a good Kicker. Thank you sir, and Good luck!
    They think Murray is special! And cheaper
    And May one day handle kicking and punting

    Which would allow us to keep an extra FOOTBALL player
    Pretty sure this kid has been kicking a football since he was 6. That’s enough experience for me
    Congrats Kid!

    Rage? {Yawn}

  71. Jerry Says:

    We’ll keep Koenen because the Bucs know we will likely be punting quite a bit, especially initially.

  72. BK Says:

    New regime…new rules with L&L. Its a given in the NFL when the new staff comes in…the players know there is no loyalty to players from (old staff) the Dominic – Schiano staff.

    Connor was getting paid too much for a 84% FG rate.
    Murray showed enough this preseason to win him the job.
    I was not aware of the college stats –thanks Buddha–but that is promising. Its college though…NFL lights can be bright. I think he will do well.

  73. Michael Duggan Says:

    For you fans that think the Bucs are cheap, he got injured on his time and the Bucs paid his salary last year.

  74. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Ryan Lindell literally cost us games last season with his poor kicking. Barth was a great kicker, the only logical explanation is that he was unable to kick well after his injury and Murray was perfect.

    I just really hope this doesn’t turn out like it did with Matt Bryant. Barth was a helluva kicker.

  75. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Mr. Mudge Says
    “Murray is cheaper and younger with equal accuracy and stronger leg.”

    Agree with all but the “equal accuracy” point. We won’t know if he is equal or better until the end of the season.

    I don’t like this at all. Reminds me of the release of our oline. Lovie must think kickers grow on trees. He hasn’t been here for our multiple kicker searches.

    Murray is a big gamble. I’m not saying he cannot work out. I just think putting him on the PS would have been the smarter way to go.

    If Lovie and Licht say this isn’t about money, they are lying to our faces.

  76. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Some of us kept asking Joe for updates ob Barth all thru training camp. Never got them. “It’s just kicking” is all we got.

    Maybe if we had heard some news we would have seen this coming.

  77. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    @Capt.Tim, back from Davies Jones’s locker

    How would Murray handle both kicking and punting? Has he done it before?

  78. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    I’ve been waiting for an NFL team to have one guy do both kicking and punting. I’m shocked it hasn’t happened yet. It gives you an extra roster spot. I don’t think it will happen this year, but I wouldn’t doubt it in the near future.

  79. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Question. Didnt a team lose their kicker this week? Did Licht miss out on a trade? Barth would have been 3rd round material at least.

  80. HolyBuc Says:

    Trade…LMAO! Rob Bironas, Jay Feeley, and looks like soon to be Alex Henery from Philly. These are just a few names of kickers on the street. Supply and demand advanced metrics have shown most kickers who make to the NFL pretty much make the same percentage of kicks. Barth missed kicks too, he was fortunate most of his misses didn’t come at the end of games. An early miss can lose a game also, fans just don’t complain as much about those.

  81. Orca Says:

    I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Koenen is switched out for a punter off the waiver wire by early next week.

  82. feelthepewterpower Says:

    if it’s a close game…and a playoff game spot is on the line and we miss a makeable field goal…I think I’ll Barth! ;(

  83. BringBucsBack Says:

    Little doubt about the physical abilities of Murray however, does he have the mental mettle to kick a game-winning 48 yarder with 3 seconds left? We always hear that the pro games are 80-90% mental. We know that Barth is reliable, he has done it. Taking a chance on an unproven rookie to save money may cost us games, especially early in the season.

    If this move is to save cash, how has Koenan’s salary not made him a liability?

  84. feelthepewterpower Says:

    Is this a win now move??

  85. Orca Says:

    I wouldn’t assume it was just to save cash. I think Murray outperformed Barth and has more leg. Sure, they don’t know if he’ll be cool in clutch situations, but I think it’s a calculated risk. They look at everything and I’m sure they have a sense that he has the right mental makeup.

  86. Tank4Jameis Says:

    Has anyone seen Murray’s career stats at Fordham? They are substandard for a college kicker. Shocked he even got an audition with those stats.

  87. Capt.Tim,Back From Davie Jones's Locker Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzi
    Here is an Exerpt from a Rick Stroud Column, posted in “The Tampa Tribune”

    “Murray, the undrafted free agent from Fordham, won the job based on his toughness and versality. He was an All-America punter and place-kicker at Fordham two years ago.”

    Yes, voted All American as a Punter, and as A place Kicker.
    L&L are looking to save Money- and Hopefully an even more valuable Roster spot!

  88. Capt.Tim,Back From Davie Jones's Locker Says:

    tankforJameis.

    Yeah nothing like being an all American at two different positions, to cue the world in to the fact that you are an underachiever.

    Why do I bother with some of you!

  89. stratobuc Says:

    When you retain a quality player and save 2.5 million to sign others to help this team win, I would say yes, this is a win now move.

  90. P'cola Buc Says:

    Funny, last year we were lamenting Barth’s loss due to injury, crying for his return….. What a difference a year makes!

  91. feelthepewterpower Says:

    When you retain a quality player and save 2.5 million to sign others to help this team win, I would say yes, this is a win now move.

    ——————————————-
    and if we miss a crucial kick or two? I hope not…but I felt a lot more confident with Barth. 2.5 million in nfl salary is nothing really.