“We’re Going To Get A Penalty!”
October 13th, 2016
Teammates behind him.
Really cool story from a really cool guy, Alex Marvez of The Sporting News, about the inner-workings of the game-winning kick Monday night by Bucs embattled kicker Roberto Aguayo.
Whether you still lay awake at night in anger over Aguayo’s selection in the second round, or you rest in comfort with his selection, it’s a really cool read of what was said on the field at the time of the kick. Teammates rallied to Aguayo on the field and in the locker room.
A couple of excerpts:
First, the man referred to as the “Jameis of the Defense,” middle linebacker Kwon Alexander, came up to Aguayo and demonstrated for outsiders by way of Marvez’s watchful eyes, what a team leader Alexander has become.
After leaving the postgame media swarm to sit at his locker, Roberto Aguayo received some encouraging words from one of his Tampa Bay teammates located a few stalls away inside Bank of America Stadium.
“I would have bet my life that you would have made it,” Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander said.
Later, on the field, Bucs teammates erupted in glee so much, it spooked Aguayo.
“All I remember is everyone around me,” Aguayo said. “For some reason, I was telling everyone, ‘Relax, relax, relax! We’re going to get a penalty!’
Look, Aguayo is struggling, no question. This just in: Rookie kickers struggle. Just look up the stats for Sebastian Janikowski or Mike Nugent. Hell, even Chucky on Monday Night Football admitted he tried to run off Sea Bass he was so frustrated with his misses as a rookie.
Good thing Al Davis and Bruce Allen didn’t listen to Chucky, eh?
This is just going to be a roller coaster of a ride with Aguayo this season. Buckle up and load up on Maalox.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:20 am
We (read: GM Jason Licht) selected yet another high round lemon. The excuses and downplaying of this fact is lame and disturbing.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:29 am
It’s really hard to have patience with a high pick who is a kicker because they affect games….
Any other 2nd round pick could sit on the bench (while developing) every other game and no one would complain.
We know this problem is between the ears….he will solve it. Monday night is a good start.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:42 am
putting together a team that played hard nosed football and won with UFA
and unknown players is unprecedented in Buc History.We played without two starting defensive ends,two starting defensive tackles,a starting tight end and
a running back.Jason licht is trying to change the culture of the team.
As for Aguayo ,hope he gets a fair chance to kick his way through this rookie slump.If he doesn’t then he will probably be gone next year.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:48 am
he’s going to turn it around a be fine. You can never say the pick was smart, it was dumb but thats on Jason, not aguayo
October 13th, 2016 at 9:04 am
Nothing to do with listening to Chucky, All to do with him making the last 58 yard FG chucky gave him out of desperation before cutting him lol. And none of them started this awful going all the way back to their preseasons. But it’s is what it is. There was no bigger supporter of the pick than me, but I have no problem calling it as I see it and till now the pick looks awful. So he’s bought himself another game but I have little doubt he would be here still had he shanked that last kick and I doubt he has any other multiple miss mulligans available to his name.
October 13th, 2016 at 9:07 am
@DallasBuc … “GM Jason Licht selected yet another high round lemon.” High round? Yes. Lemon? Not so fast. Granted the kid’s only 4-for-8 at this point, but one of those was a game-winner. He’s obviously got the potential to turn into a top kicker, but it’s going to take some patience like Tampabaybucfan said. The fact that the Bucs took him in the 2nd round isn’t on him … it’s on Jason Licht. Drafting BPA is a luxury sometimes when you have glaring holes like the Bucs do. Safety? WR? Another DE or DT or CB? Maybe even a RB or OLineman? We had LOTS of needs that were much greater than our need for a kicker. Giving up 3rd AND 4th round picks for a kicker still blows my mind, and it has nothing to do with Roberto. Licht’s done a very good job overall far as I’m concerned, but not in this case.
October 13th, 2016 at 9:36 am
I felt certain Aguayo would make the winning kick. Not bet my life certain, but to miss that kick would have unleashed total misery for fans. I think Aguayo hangs tough.
October 13th, 2016 at 10:12 am
I liked the way he bounced back for the game winner….still has to become more consistent….we’ll see if dirk makes a bold move like that again in a similar situation….letting the game rest on Jameis’ arm or Roberto’s foot….GO BUCS!!!
October 13th, 2016 at 10:51 am
I know that we don’t want to continue to tear down the kid. He’s not going anywhere. But, any way you slice it, 50% is not good enough.
I hope the game-winner boosted his confidence and he continues to improve.
October 13th, 2016 at 10:59 am
I hated the pick!!!
I root for the Aguayo and for the Bucs!
October 13th, 2016 at 11:16 am
NFL footballs are a little big bigger and heavier than a college football. Some guys transition easily, others slowly and some never quite get the hang of it. How many QBs have you seen throw lasers in college throw wobbly in the pros? We have to give the young guys a chance to adjust or we will drive ourselves crazy looking for the guy who is an instant hit.
October 13th, 2016 at 11:18 am
And, I should add, that kickers take time to adjust as well. But it seems since they are typically cheaper than QBs, teams will sign and discard until they find one who will work. Kickers are like grass, or so the saying goes.
October 13th, 2016 at 11:30 am
…or he can’t cut it in the pros.
Enough with the excuses for AguaOh,no and the mediocre GM that drafted him in the 2nd freaking round. It’s just as laughable as it is sad.
October 13th, 2016 at 11:31 am
Yeah Janikowski became a great kicker.
But the raiders haven’t made the playoffs since they played us in that super bowl.
Shows the value of a “great kicker”.
October 13th, 2016 at 11:53 am
I was still nervous he wouldn’t make that last kick even with the 15yd personal foul penalty the Panthers got and shortened the kick by 15 yards.
BTW had he made the two he missed there would have been no need for the “game winning kick”.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
This just shows where the kids head is. How are you going to get a penalty when the game is over? His mind is fragile. And I have little faith in any kick over 50 yards.
October 13th, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Eric, it’s only what Ive been yelling that since he’s been picked. It started the trend of bad Raider drafting. With the holes this team has, it’s criminal he drafted a kicker anywhere before the fifth round. He was afraid someone else would get him? So what. Wasn’t like the time the Vikings moved ahead of us to take Randy Moss. How is it any of you are defending such a horrible pick? Ahhh you’re mostly FSU fans. Any pick from that school is safe with you guys.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
I’m an FSU fan Chris, read my post above yours.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Roberto Aguayo is a nominee for the Castrol EDGE Clutch Performer of the Week on NFL.com (along with Tom Brady, Tevin Coleman, and Andrew Luck). How many of you will vote for him?
October 13th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
I did say mostly Dewey
October 13th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
If Aguayo were cut how long do you think it would take a more patient team to snatch him up. I am guessing maybe 2 days tops.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Crying over spilled milk, and complaining about the draft, is senseless. Aguayo is here, see my above post.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
@OAR
If the Panthers had run instead of pass AND Aguayo made the 2 kicks we lose 21 to 20.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Better question is how quickly would it take them to release him again l
October 13th, 2016 at 4:29 pm
I mean to say the Panthers left 10 points on the field. We left 6.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
He’s on a short leash and a very hot seat.
Can’t have another multiple miss game or it’s hasta la vista Berto
October 13th, 2016 at 4:31 pm
He would be on a practice squad in hours and a starter next year for a team like the Steelers.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:33 pm
The only decision more questionable than drafting a kicker that high is cutting him before mid-season his rookie year.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Good for them.
I imagine he would make his way to quiste a few teams as he gets his mind right. That’s what happens with kickers who aren’t able to get it done.
They can deal with his 50% FG rate
October 13th, 2016 at 4:37 pm
I was a huge propenent of grabbing the kid but somewhere in the process it became too big a stage for him in his mind. And quite frankly no coach in coach k’s shoes would keep him much longer if he continues this pattern.
October 13th, 2016 at 6:30 pm
All I care about right now is that he made his last kick which won us a game. I expect him to start making his kicks and all will be fine. One thing we have learned in the past two seasons is how important kickers are. That’s why it is not a bad idea to draft a kicker if you need one. If he can become consistent kick her that he was touted as then it will be a fine pick. End of story
October 13th, 2016 at 10:15 pm
I’m pulling for the kid. Why you ask? Because he plays for my Bucs. Who really cares when and where he was drafted. These things happen every year. Honestly it goes along with being a Bucs fan. It seems to happen every year and sadly will continue in the future. I guess I’m just used to the disappointment. There is always next year. Lol