The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished in the NFC South basement for the second straight year. Could the following five players help this team in 2019?
It’s now 11 straight seasons and counting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in terms of missing out on the playoffs. The franchise’s last postseason appearance came in 2007 when the club won the NFC South with a 9-7 record under the command of Jon Gruden. He would be gone after the ’08 season. Since then, Raheem Morris, Greg Schiano, Lovie Smith and Dirk Koetter have all taken a turn on the sidelines. Now after a one-year hiatus from coaching, it’s Bruce Arians’ turn to try and right the ship with this team.
As of this writing, the Buccaneers had some work to do in terms of the salary cap if the team was going to be a big-time player during free agency. Of course, as is the case with all 32 NFL teams, there’s a long way to go between now and March 13. Regardless, which five players could the organization put on its wish list for next month?
5. PK Matt Bryant (Released by Atlanta Falcons)
If any team chose, they could have the 15th-leading scorer in NFL history immediately. The Atlanta Falcons did a little early housecleaning this offseason and released the likes of cornerback Robert Alford, defensive end/linebacker Brooks Reed and veteran specialist Matt Bryant. The two aforementioned defenders have already signed on with the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, one of the NFL’s best kickers is looking for a new home after 10 seasons in Atlanta.
Bryant did miss three games in ’18. Still, he led the club in points scored (93) and connected on 20 of his 21 field goal attempts and had a pair of missed PATs. Still, this is a player that ranks 15th in league annals in points scored (1,717) and 11th in field goals made (388). And before joining the Falcons in 2009, the journeyman kicker Bryant was the Buccaneers’ kicker the previous four years after stints with the Giants, Colts and Dolphins.