Last week, we checked in on the Bucs’ special teams unit. In the team’s Week 1 in Dallas, they had a solid performance. This was a welcome change for fans who have seen this phase of Tampa Bay’s game struggle to keep up with what has been an elite offense and an inconsistent, but above-average defense.

Last week in New Orleans, the upward trend continued for coordinator Keith Armstrong’s unit. Let’s break down each part of the special teams play from Week 2.

Kickoffs

The game started with the Bucs kicking off, so it stands to reason we should as well. Punter Jake Camarda was tasked with kicking off five times in New Orleans. On three of those kickoffs, Camarda was able to induce touchbacks. On two other occasions, however, New Orleans kick returner Deonte Hardy was able to bring the ball out for a return.

On the first return, Hardy received the ball right at the goal line. For the coverage team, Bucs linebacker K.J. Britt was knocked to the ground by a good block, while tight end Cade Otton was unable to shed another. This provided enough room for Hardy to advance the ball past the 30 to the 33.

The second kick came on the ensuing New Orleans possession. This time, Camarda booted the ball two yards into the end zone and Hardy again opted to attempt a return. Hardy was able to find a seam as he cut his return to the left. This was due to linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi over-running the return and cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting getting caught turned around. The seam allowed Hardy to move up to the 32 before being pushed out of bounds by cornerback Dee Delaney.

Camarda has shown a knack for placing his kickoffs just shallow enough to induce returns. This gives the Bucs’ kick coverage unit a chance to pin opponents behind their own 25, where they would start in the event of a touchback. In Dallas, this worked to the unit’s advantage, thrice holding the Cowboys inside the 25.

In New Orleans however, the plan backfired each time it was attempted. This is something for all of us to keep an eye on going forward. In theory, with Camarda’s ability to place the ball, the Bucs can gain a real tangible field position advantage. But this is only going to work if the coverage unit can consistently perform its job well.

Overall, this area of the game was slightly below average in Week 2.

Punt/Punt Coverage

Last year, this was one of the most maligned facets of the Bucs’ play. With an injured Bradley Pinion and an inconsistent Sterling Hofrichter, the unit put the Bucs in poor field position more than anyone would have liked. On Sunday in New Orleans, Camarda showed why the Bucs drafted him in the fourth round of this year’s draft. And he showed that rookies aren’t perfect. It was a mixed bag of sorts.

For the game, Camarda launched six punts. His final tally on those only averaged 38.2 yards per punt. In a day and age where punters are booting the ball further and further, one could look at that average and call it a failed day for the rookie. One would be wrong, though.

Out of those six punts, three called for short boots with more touch than boom. On all three attempts, Camarda and his coverage unit were able to pin the Saints inside the 20. New Orleans was forced to start drives at their own 7, 16 and 10 due to his superior ball placement.

Bucs P Jake Camarda – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs also had two opportunities to flip field position on the day. The first was a resounding success when Camarda launched a 49-yard punt that included impressive hangtime. This allowed gunner Dee Delaney to arrive shortly after the ball and re-route Hardy backwards. Ultimately, Hardy lost six yards on his return for a net of 55 yards on the play.

On the second opportunity, Camarda shanked a punt only 26 yards to the New Orleans 45 right at the end of the third quarter. At the time, the score was still tied 3-3 and that miscue could have let the Saints take control of the game. If Camarda is to become a premier punter in the NFL, he will have to stop these maddening one-off mistakes that keep plaguing otherwise-great outings.

On his final punt of the game, Camarda again showed impressive hang time on a 41-yarder that put the Saints solidly in their own territory. The design of this play was to ensure the Saints did not return the ball and would have to drive a significant portion of the field. Mission accomplished.

The punt coverage unit on the day played extremely well. No penalties, no overruns. They held Hardy to negative six yards on his sole attempt to make a return. It was absolutely impressive all around. Camarda, on the other hand, was one bad punt off of having a great game. That’s disappointing.

Kickoff Returns

The Bucs had a single kickoff return in the game. It was on the opening play of the second half. Giovani Bernard took a low, short kickoff at the Tampa Bay 12 and advanced it to the 26-yard line. The return wasn’t much, and the angle placed him in a tough position to do much with it. The real loss on the play was of Bernard himself. He suffered an injury that sent him to injured reserve for the second time in as many seasons.

Punt Returns

Man, I tell you, people have trouble letting go of their priors. After a forgettable rookie season, many were calling for punt returner Jaelon Darden’s head. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret: This year, Darden has been low-key good. He ranks top-10 in yards per return thus far on the young season. And on Sunday, he made two good plays on two opportunities.

In addition to securing all of his fair catches cleanly, Darden had a 17-yard return in the first half that helped set up the Bucs with the ball at midfield. Darden found a lane along the right sideline and churned up-field for a good return.

His second return really wasn’t a return at all. It was a heads-up play by a guy starting to show he understands the position better. The Saints punter had knocked a ball that was bouncing out of bounds as it was still traveling further and further past the Bucs’ 20. Darden smartly grabbed the ball and scooted out of bounds to stop the ball’s forward progress and limit the excellent punt as much as he could. There was no opportunity for a return, so he minimized the damage while making sure that a speeding gunner would not pop the ball out of his hands. It was legitimately a great decision.

Field Goals

Bucs K Ryan Succop – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ryan Succop continues to be the guy the Bucs need him to be. He was perfect on the day, drilling both of his 47-yard field goal attempts along with both of his extra point tries. And here’s the interesting thing: In my opinion, watching the field goal tries, his leg might be stronger than it was last year.

Maybe it was the dome environment playing tricks on me, but it is something to monitor going forward. Do the Bucs trust him to go past 50 more this season? 55? Who knows. But for now, he has proven why the kicking competition in camp was always his to lose. And he also showed why he didn’t lose it.

There are three phases to the game of football. Two of them get significant fanfare. The third is usually only highlighted when something wonderful or terrible happens. Week 2 for the Bucs was a continuation of Week 1. Solid overall play mired by a single small blunder that ultimately did not affect the outcome. Armstrong and his crew will aim to eliminate the blunder while expanding on the overall performance as the Bucs host the Packers on Sunday afternoon.