It Matters (Some)
May 24th, 2017
Practice counts.
Yes, Bucs incumbent kicker Roberto Aguayo made news again yesterday for all the wrong reasons.
Sure, he was missing kicks at the “skinny posts” yesterday, which are maybe three yards wide. One miss hit the upright, which of would have been good at a standard set of goal posts.
Problem was, Aguayo’s adversary, Nick Folk, drilled each of his four kicks perfectly between the skinny uprights.
Of course, Joe is catching heck on Twitter because, in the immortal words of Allen Iverson, “It’s practice.” Sure it’s only just practice. It’s only OTAs. But how did things go last year with Aguayo in practice, training camp practice? Pretty lousy, which carried into the regular season.
Don’t try to push this ish on Joe that practices, even OTAs, don’t matter. If these practices didn’t matter, why would the Bucs filming every step? Why would the general manager take time out of his busy day to stand on the practice fields and watch? If they didn’t matter, why would NFL teams go through all the time, work, hassle and, yes, money, to even have them?
Sure, it’s just one practice, the first OTA practice, and that has to be put in perspective. No one is losing a job off the first OTA practice.
But to suggest Bucs movers and shakers didn’t take notice of Aguayo struggling (yet again) under zero pressure when his counterpart had no such issues, well, don’t fool yourself.
May 24th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
The way you practice determines the way you play……..(old adage)
May 24th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
He will not be on the roster for game 1 of the regular season.
May 24th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
When you’re Allen Iverson, you can say “it’s just practice.” When you’re a dude that consistently choked during games, you better believe you need to nail every kick in practice.
May 24th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
thank goodness they signed Folk…this disaster isn’t gonna end well…his head is screwed if he can’t get back on track…Love Licht but this blunder is a big blemish on the resume…
May 24th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Yip Yip Yip
Day 1 yips after months off to “get your head straight” don’t leave a very good impression on your employer or your psyche…
May 24th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
Aguayo is Goodbye-O
May 24th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
I understand the logic of locking up a kicker for the future but the mistake was horrible scouting on aguyao he wasn’t that guy. Maybe licht trusted people from fsu that helped him nail the Winston pick wonder if that’s what turned him off about picking cook.
May 24th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Yeah the scout job on aguayo was terrible. Just watched his 2015 cut ups and I’m wondering if the scouts just ignored it because it was visible that he struggled with 40+ yard kicks.
Hell he didn’t even make a 50 yarder that I saw. There was a 52 yard attempt he hit straight but came up short. I mean jesus. If you’re taking a guy that high he should make 50+ yard kicks better than anyone in recent history and Aguayo wasn’t even a decent performer there.
I guess the logic was thinking he’d be automatic from PAT but damn that was a bad pick lol
May 24th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
Good one! 🙂
May 24th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
He shouldn’t been drafted in the first place.
May 24th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Kinda like when John McKay declared:
Capece is Kaput….
May 24th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
just hasn’t been the same since his kick was blocked and housed by georgia tech. I was there
May 24th, 2017 at 1:55 pm
Yes, Capece is kaput…Aguayo esta acabado.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:06 pm
At this point, I don’t care anymore. My assumption is that Folk will be our kicker this year. It’s easier for my health if I just move on.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Rather than cut him, can he be traded? For something?
May 24th, 2017 at 2:16 pm
So practice matters for Roberto but Jameis doesn’t look sharp and we shouldn’t be worried he’s not progressing…
May 24th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
If he keeps falling apart in practice; he may not even be worth a food stamp.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Casual Observer you been casually observing! Snowball’s chance!
May 24th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
The only reason why Roberto is here is because he was perfect and he was brought here to be at least near perfect. Not only are we not getting that instead we’re getting a hope and a prayer on every kick no matter how close you line him up… big difference!
May 24th, 2017 at 2:34 pm
I agree with Joe 100% on this one. Day 1 may only be a small part of the Aguayo/Folk decision, but don’t fool yourself. It’s still a part of it.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
It may not so much be that Aguayo is bad, but rather that Folk is that good. Those posts are ridiculously skinny, and if Folk is going 4 out of 4, that’s the bigger story than Aguayo going 1-4. It’s quite possible Aguayo is also 4-4 had he kicked on regular posts. However, the fact that Folk is that accurate is pretty amazing. He kicked in probably the hardest stadium in the league, and did a pretty good job. Kicking in Tampa is probably a breeze for this guy. I don’t see how anybody wouldn’t want a guy like that.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Damned straight Joe ! Keep up the good work !
May 24th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
Who’s the kicking coach? Draft this guy way too high and put all this pressure on him, he is doomed to fail. Sure he’s not good but Licht created cluster f. This will forever tarnish Licht.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
Feel free to point out where Aguayo has set an NFL record.
Are you this lonely that you need this much attention?
May 24th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Got something right! 🙂
May 24th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
Nice work joe. Great topic. I love the neutral Joe. One question Joe. If practice really matters y sign Baker who doesn’t like to practice??? I never played kicker (no kicking skills) so I really can’t judge Agsuyo. But this is scary that he is missing now than earlier in the year
May 24th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Licht made Aguayo go mental?
LOL.
Aguayo is weak mentally. Licht only blame here is picking him so high.
EVerything else is on Aguayo.
May 24th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
That’s a good question. To be fair, OTAs are voluntary, but yeah, the vast majority of players are at One Buc Palace. Keyshawn didn’t like OTAs either, which p!sses Sapp off to this day.
It’s not a good look. Or, as is the phrase of the day, it’s bad for optics.
May 24th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
If we could get Doug Martin to kick then we could combine columns and just roast one player at a time
May 24th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
If I was Aguyao I would have practiced every day at the end of the season until day one of the new season. I would kick 25 balls from the 20, 25 from the 30, 25 from the 40 and 25 from the 45. 100 kicks a day until it is more than automatic, it would be an instinctive reflex. But I am sure he did not do that.
I agree with many on here, he will not be on the team by final cuts.
May 24th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
I wish Aguayo all the best. I hope henone day makes all pro, but the Bucs can’t afford to wait for him to figure it out. Cut him in August and go with Folk. At least it’s not a 100% guarantee he will suck like Aguayo.
May 24th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
Pat Riley
May 24th, 2017 at 3:17 pm
I KNEW IT…..HE HAS TO GO!!!!!!!….I SAW THIS COMING LAST YEAR!!!!went to all open TC practices and he missed at least 1 every time I was there….when me and big bro went on a Saturday he missed 3….I was worried…big bro said, its cool…he’s a rookie…give him time, he’ll figure it out….and then the RAMS GAME!!!!….and we were present for that crazy a$$ game….Bro was yelling “off with his head”….had he made those kicks, we’re in the playoffs as a wild card team…..
if licht is serious about making the playoffs this year, he’ll let this bum go for the 1st preseason game….GO BUCS!!!!
May 24th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
813 exactly. It was painful to watch.
May 24th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
This sounds like overreacting. It’s one practice calm down. He has more then a few months to get it going. I can understand the angst because of how bad he was last year but I’m over that frustration. It’s a new year, so be willing to let it play out.
Not to mention we all should be rooting for Roberto cause he is a long-term answer while Folk is a patch.
May 24th, 2017 at 4:03 pm
Capece is Kaput
May 24th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
JimmyJack Says:
May 24th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Not to mention we all should be rooting for Roberto cause he is a long-term answer while Folk is a patch.
———
I don’t disagree with the part about rooting for Aguayo as he’s younger and more is invested, but Folk doesn’t have to be a patch. He can be a long-term solution too. Folk is 32. Morten Andersen kicked well into his 40s.
May 24th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
Could happen Ben. Not sure about lifespans of kickers and what the odds of kicking at 40. Also wonder then how strong Folks leg is and will be. 55 yarders come in handy
May 24th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
It matters because it shows he has done nothing to get ready for next season. He didn’t get his groove back. I had hoped he could get his head and leg right in the off season working with some trainers and really focus up on getting himself right working in non pressure atmospheres unlike at practice where 100 or more people are watching, or game day where a million or more people are watching. But it seems he is right where he left off. Terrible. It’s clear he hasn’t improved even though there is no reason he shouldn’t have. Maybe he doesn’t have the heart for this. Maybe he doesn’t give enough f*cks about football. I was really cheering for him. But he has let me down. I still hope he can redeem himself. But I certainly wouldn’t put money on that happening.
May 24th, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Folk heals all kicking wounds.
We are good to go!
Go Bucs!!!
May 24th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
The entire team took notice….it mattered
May 24th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
Who knows, a few more practices like that and they may just cut him straight away and bring in better competition for Folk. At this point, the 2nd round pick is spent whether he’s here or not. The whole point is to improve the position, so waiting around hoping Aguayo gets it figured out is stupid. I’d go ahead and move on as soon as it becomes clear that Folk is an upgrade.
May 24th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
This sounds like overreacting. It’s one practice calm down. He has more then a few months to get it going….
the only problem with that is, its not “1” practice….he missed a bunch during TC practice last year which rolled over into the regular season….he never improved with his distance, accuracy and consistency from last year….I see a simple reaction to a garbage kicker….the so called over reaction is warranted…GO BUCS!!!
May 24th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Hahaha SC!
at least we got competition this year.
May 24th, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Your right 813. He is a garbage kicker at this point. But when fans are calling for him to be cut that is overacting. There is plenty of time in play here and the guy should be given an entire TC this year to see if he can regain the skill he showed in college.
Calling for his head after one practice is silly. I understand about last year but his problems we’re only mental(fixable) there’s no reason to have a kneejerk reaction . Roberto’s playing for a job here so why don’t we see who earns the first kick In A preseason game first?
May 24th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
“Sure, he was missing kicks at the “skinny posts” yesterday, which are maybe three yards wide. One miss hit the upright, which of would have been good at a standard set of goal posts.”
Joe didn’t mention this yesterday. Kind of important. So…my question is this:
Would all of his misses have made it through the regular sized posts?
I like the concept of moving the posts closer together. Did they do this for him last year in practices? If not, maybe it will help him become more accurate the more he practices.
Interesting though. It makes sense that he would struggle at first with it now.
May 24th, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Tampa Tony Says
“So practice matters for Roberto but Jameis doesn’t look sharp and we shouldn’t be worried he’s not progressing…”
That’s because Winston has proven that he will improve as time goes by. He’s been consistent. We’re talking day one of spring camp.
May 24th, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says
“It may not so much be that Aguayo is bad, but rather that Folk is that good. Those posts are ridiculously skinny, and if Folk is going 4 out of 4, that’s the bigger story than Aguayo going 1-4. It’s quite possible Aguayo is also 4-4 had he kicked on regular posts. However, the fact that Folk is that accurate is pretty amazing.”
I agree. And we cannot discount the possibility that Folk just had a very good day and may not always be that good.
Nor can we discount that Aguayo may be new to the 3′ posts and needs an adjustment period. If he gets acceptable at them by halfway through training camp, then regular posts should be a breeze, right?
May 24th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
GhostofTedford Says
“If I was Aguyao I would have practiced every day at the end of the season until day one of the new season…But I am sure he did not do that.”
I am halfway certain that I read that he had practiced and been mentored by a veteran, but I would not be able to track that down now.
Also, the 3′ posts could have been unexpected. I’m good with that being the case.
May 24th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Joe, basically, what I’m wondering is if the 3′ posts are like that every year? Or is it something new to help Aguayo become more accurate?
Is this something Folk suggested they try?
May 24th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Sorry Jason……I feel for you on this one. Everyone has to bite the bullet once in a while. Like Billacheat taught you….Cut your losses and move on.
May 24th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Skinny posts don’t matter squat if you kick the damn ball straight.
I had college kids kicking at a single pole 10 yards away in spring camp and as a daily warm-up during the season, the goal being you work until hitting it is almost second nature. That’s also help you keep your head down.
You work with that mental perspective and regular goalposts look as wide as Rosie O’Donnell’s butt.
May 24th, 2017 at 6:53 pm
never forget steve little-best kicker in okla history-no 1 draft pick-st louis football cardinals-sad yips-aloha (1980?)
May 24th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Joe, basically, what I’m wondering is if the 3′ posts are like that every year? Or is it something new to help Aguayo become more accurate?
Been there on the practice feild since i have been going to traing camp
May 24th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Folk is that good. This really shouldn’t be much of a competition at all.
Roberto is a walking dead man. He’s pulling the old Mike Vanderjagt. Vanderjagt had that season with the Colts where he could not miss a kick, and then when he finally missed one it just snow balled and he never regained his confidence.
May 24th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Joe mentioned this in detail on Twitter.
The “skinny posts” have been there for years. There are two goal posts on the practice fields: One skinny, one regulation.
Can tell you Folk drilled his kicks dead-center through the skinny uprights.
May 24th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Thanks joe for that response
Definitely bad for optics. Bad pick. I actally liked the pick when it happen cuz of the rule changes for extra points. We just picked MAYBE the wrong kicker.
May 24th, 2017 at 10:01 pm
If a guy kicked practice field goals from multiple distances every day after last season until the first day of OTAS, his frickin’ leg would fall off. There is wear and tear on a kickers’ leg. I guess because kicker is the least macho position on a football team that some fans think it means he can go all-out for over a 100 days to perfect his craft. Who knows, maybe Aguayo tried and that’s a reason he is struggling? Honestly though, Aguayo needs to practice smarter not harder. He needs to watch film of himself attempting kicks and compare his technique on good kicks to the technique on his misses before he ever gets on a field and kicks again, right? If he has already gone through this process and is still off then maybe he needs a good sports psychologist.
May 24th, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Sure!
May 25th, 2017 at 12:16 am
@Swaggy: a kicker can kick & punt every day with no fall off. Unless, of course, his leg is out of shape.
Aguayo’s issue is mental weakness.
May 25th, 2017 at 1:15 am
All you buffoons sticking up for Oh-Bye-Oh remind me of little mini-Dominiks. Hoping against hope, ignoring the evidence right in front of your damn nearsighted eyes, hanging onto a guy way too long when it’s obvious he can’t cut it, and talking yourself into a mindset that is totally disconnected from reality just because you “hope” something works out.
Dominik would’ve already given this guy a contract extension and forced the coach to make him the starter because of his draft status. Folk would’ve never even been signed in the first place. It would’ve been some stiff that was even worse than Oh-Bye-Oh in order to manufacture some sort of sham “competition”. Those days are long gone.
I am SO glad the Bucs have Licht now. If Oh-Bye-Oh isn’t performing like he should he won’t make it past the preseason. Might not even make it past training camp. Cut your losses quickly, admit your mistake and move forward from the learning experience and don’t repeat it. So all you mini-Dominiks can take your amateur understanding of things and shove it.
May 25th, 2017 at 1:21 am
By the way, PR reported that even with regulation width goalposts Oh-Bye-Oh would’ve still only been 2-for-4 on his kicks. And that was from a distance of only 35-40 yards. Folk, on the other hand, would’ve hit a single damn post in the middle all 4 times.
Who is mentally stronger? Folk. Who actually performs in a superior way on the field? Folk. You can call the result of this “competition” even before it’s over. Folk wins, hands down. Oh-Bye-Oh likely won’t even make it to the preseason. My prediction is Oh-Bye-Oh is cut before preseason and another kicker brought in to actually, you know, compete with Folk.
May 25th, 2017 at 6:34 am
The problem with him is not taking him in the 2nd round, it’s the fact that at FSU the previous year he wasn’t even good. He never made a clutch kick and against Ga Tech with the game on the line from 50 yards he hit it low, kick was blocked and returned for TD game over. They were 6-0 at the time and never recovered. . 2nd round would have been fine if he was good. It was bad scouting.
May 25th, 2017 at 10:54 am
Can you imagine depending on this guy to kick a game winning 40 yarder in a playoff game?! @#%& that! Time to cut our losses. Maybe someone would give a 6th or 7th for him based on potential and a clean slate?
May 25th, 2017 at 12:18 pm
FLBoyInDALLAS – “FOLK would’ve hit a single post down the middle”, inspiring stuff!!!
I’m pulling for Folk, Roberto scares the piss out of me.