Buccaneers coach explains reasoning behind unique UDFA signing
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin rookie minicamp on May 12 and one interesting name to look out for is that of former Arkansas kicker Jake Bates. The Buccaneers currently have an open competition for the starting placekicker position now that Ryan Succop is no longer in the picture. The team added Chase McLaughlin and Jake […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers begin rookie minicamp on May 12 and one interesting name to look out for is that of former Arkansas kicker Jake Bates.
The Buccaneers currently have an open competition for the starting placekicker position now that Ryan Succop is no longer in the picture. The team added Chase McLaughlin and Jake Verity before signing Bates after the 2023 NFL Draft concluded, so the position is currently undecided. But, don't expect Bates to be involved in that competition.
It's because Bates strictly handled kickoffs in college – he never attempted one field goal. And, NFL teams typically have their punter or placekicker handle kickoff duties – NFL rosters are too small to afford a single spot to a guy who only does kickoffs. Therefore, many are curious to see how Bates factors into the Buccaneers' offseason plans.
Special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong explained what Bates' role will be on Wednesday.
"A kickoff specialist," said Armstrong. "[He’s a] developmental guy. He gives you somebody, obviously, for rookie minicamp and then [is] a guy that can also be here during training camp to give us some things to work on, kickoff-return wise, and that type of stuff.”
Per Pro Football Focus, Jake Camarda averaged 65.9 yards per kickoff attempt, which ranked 24th out of 33 eligible kickers (min. 36 kickoff attempts) in 2022. On average, opponents started at the 26.9 yard line, which tied for the sixth-worst mark and they returned 47.4% of Camarda's kickoffs, which was seventh-worst. Opponents also averaged 23.8 yards per return, which was the eighth-highest rate among the same 33 qualifying kickers.
Now, that's obviously not all of Camarda's fault. The only thing he can fully control is the first stat, which is kickoff distance. The vast responsibility for the other stats relies on the Bucs' coverage team.
Fortunately, the Buccaneers signed/drafted plenty of players this offseason that have the ability to help improve those marks.
"We got younger, we got faster," said Armstrong. "I’m looking at the list and you have linebackers that are 4.5 and 4.6 [40-yard dash times] – and that’s what you’re looking for. We’ve got some good body types – that mid-sized guy: linebackers, running backs, safeties. So, you have some guys in that mid-range body type that can match up with a linebacker, can match up with a fast guy – because they can run.
"… When you look at all these rookies, they all run and hit. Good tacklers – getting guys on the ground. We have a good collection of guys that are physical.”
With Bates on board, the Bucs have a guy who can really help them hone in on the return game. He can angle kicks to certain areas of the field that allows the unit to practice covering kicks from all angles. He also allows Camarda to focus more on punting, with the ability to practice kickoffs whenever it's feasible, as well.
"If you think about it: preseason, there are no touchbacks – you’re trying not to kick touchbacks," explained Armstrong. "If a guy kicks a touchback, it’s actually by mistake because you’re trying to find out who can cover, so you’re kicking the ball in play. Then everybody’s game starts to develop because you’re getting better at blocking. So, you’ve got guys that are going to execute the single blocks and taking care of business there because you’re getting constant work at that – playing in space. So, if you don’t do it live, it’s hard to get good at.
"What you’re seeing is when you have all these touchbacks, what happens is you don’t have the opportunity to get good at kickoff return… So, [kicker Jake Bates] – the kickoff specialist – you also don’t see the live foot in practice or you’re going to wear your kicker out. So, if you bring a guy in that’s a young guy, that’s a kickoff specialist, he can come in and kick off and now that gives you a chance to develop on your kickoff return."
It's still not crystal-clear how this will all shake out, but it will be interesting to see how it does and it'll be even more interesting to see if it helps the Bucs' return unit in 2023.
