After the Bucs 9-0 loss to the Saints, head coach Bruce Arians was particularly vocal about how his kickers performed in the game. That continued into his Monday afternoon presser, when he reiterated his displeasure with the kicking game saying they have, “to do a better job and be accountable.”
Arians touched on it again during his weekly Tuesday appearance on Bucs Total Access.
Bucs P Bradley Pinion – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Pinion did appear on the injury report last week with a right hip injury. But the punter was a full participant in practice and was given no injury designation for the game.
The topic continued into Wednesday’s press conference, where Arians was asked if he still has confidence in Succop.
Bucs K Ryan Succop – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Yeah,” Arians said. “I don’t like the missed extra points and those field goals. He’s better than that. So, hopefully it’s fixed.”
It wasn’t exactly a strong vote of confidence in his veteran kicker. Succop is 17-21 on the season, a year after he went 28-31. However, some of his misses have come in big spots that could have altered the trajectory of games. Succop has missed once from inside 40 yards this season. In reality, Succop is having a fine season. Arians’ discontentment is a little peculiar.
The Bucs have kept kicker Jose Borregales on the practice squad this season and have protected him each week. The former Lou Graza winner has a strong leg and impressed during training camp. If Arians remains unsatisfied in Succop, the kicker may find himself in competition for his job next season. But right now, there isn’t a lot of evidence to support a move at kicker.
J.C. Allen is one of PewterReport.com’s newest beat writers. As a New England transplant, he has closely followed Tom Brady’s entire career and first fell in love with the game during the Patriots 1996 Super Bowl run. J.C. is in his second year covering the team after spending a year with Bucs Report as a writer, producer and show host. Some of his other interests include barbecuing, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. His favorite Buccaneer of all time is Simeon Rice and believes he deserves a spot in Canton. Follow J.C. Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
