Blankenship was limited to five games in 2021 due to a hip injury. In those five games, he went 11-of-14 (78.6%) on field goals and 7-of-8 (87.5%) on extra points.

After finishing 2-for-3 and missing a potential 42-yard game-winning field goal in Indianapolis’ 2022 season opener, Blankenship was waived. He went on to Arizona, where he was 2-of-2 on field goals and 2-of-3 on extra point attempts before being waived with an injury settlement.

Bucs Going In New Kicker Direction

Blankenship finds himself on his third team. He’ll have a very direct shot at making Tampa Bay’s roster with only McLaughlin on the roster. The two of them should compete all summer long to win the job, unless the Bucs bring in someone else. Both kickers are known for having a big leg that can hit from over 50 yards out.

The Bucs have put an emphasis on hitting from further distance after their last kicker, Ryan Succop, struggled in that area. Succop, who won a Super Bowl with the Bucs was very accurate on extra points and inside 50 yards, but had a tough time the longer it got. This is a speciality of Blankenship and McLaughlin.

K Rodrigo Blankenship and P Jake Camarda – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Ryan was very efficient this year, but we’ve got to be able to kick longer field goals than we’ve kicked,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles had previously said. “I think we’ve got to get past 47 yards, be able to kick from 50, 55 yards as well.”

Georgia Connection Reunited At Holder And Kicker

There’s a long way to go, but Blankenship will have some familiarity with the person who will be holding his kicks. Punter Jake Camarda, who is going into his second season in the NFL, also comes from the University of Georgia just as Blankenship did. This would give two Bulldogs alumni responsible for every extra point and field goal.

Blankenship played for Georgia from 2016 to 2019, while Camarda played from 2018 to 2021. They overlapped and played two years together. Each will look for the same kind of success in Tampa.