Tag: Tampa Bay Bucs

Former UGA punter signs with Buffalo Bills

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Georgia Bulldogs punter Jake Camarda signs with the Buffalo Bills

Former Georgia Bulldogs punter Jake Camarda has signed a reserves/futures contract with the Buffalo Bills. Camarda, who last played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, is looking to re-establish himself as an NFL starting punter.

The Bucs cut Camarda midway during the 2024 NFL season in a surprising move. Tampa Bay invested heavily in Camarda, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Now, Camarda will get a fresh start with the Bills. Buffalo is in the middle of an NFL playoff run. Camarda will have a shot to compete for the Bills’ starting punter role in 2025.

Current Bills starting punter Sam Martin is a 12-year NFL veteran, but many of his statistics (including 46.7 yards per punt) rank in the bottom half of the NFL. Additionally, Martin is set to make $2.285 million in 2025, so the Bills, who have limited cap space, may want a cheaper option at punter.

Camarda averaged career-low numbers across the board in four games with the Bucs in 2024. However, if he can return to his 2022 and 2023 form, then he projects as one of the better punters in the NFL. In 2022 and 2023, Camarda averaged over 48 yards per punt and over 41 net yards per punt. He landed over 20 punts inside the 20 yard line both seasons.

Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Weekend features Marshon Lattimore vs. Mike Evans

Marshon Lattimore vs. Mike Evans is must-see TV.

Sunday will feature a huge matchup, and Dan Quinn expects the sports networks to make much of it.

That matchup is Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans and Washington Commanders’ cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

Commanders’ GM Adam Peters traded for Lattimore at the NFL trade deadline. Thus far, Lattimore has only provided his team with one full game vs the Saints. The following week, he injured a hamstring against the Eagles again and was unavailable the last two weeks in wins over the Falcons and Cowboys.

Yet, Quinn was positive in his outlook for Sunday’s playoff game:

“He’s hitting all the markers in a good space, so we will have a jog through practice today, and then we’ll be full speed back at it tomorrow,” Quinn said. So, he’s hit all the markers up to this point and I anticipate that trending through the week, but tomorrow and Friday, specifically tomorrow will be one that’s more speed.”

Lattimore and Evans have provided quite the entertainment in their past meetings as the two battled each other.

Quinn expressed Wednesday he knows it will be a big matchup but he was also quick to say there will be many big matchups in this game.

“There’s definitely matchups all over the field that make a difference in winning and losing,” he said. “And these are two elite competitors, and it’s honestly what makes coaching so much fun.”

Quinn even went as far as to imply that, yes, the television commenters will make much of this matchup, but he is not overlooking several matchups that will be fought Sunday night in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

“Those aren’t the only two that are going to be absolutely battling for it. It may be the only ones that the networks may show [laughs], but let me tell you, there’ll be a lot of guys that are really going to go for it. And it does make that part fun.”

Baker Mayfield torched the Commanders in the opener. He completed an impressive 24 of 30 attempts for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, averaging 9.6 yards per pass attempt.

Having a healthy Lattimore will help, but the Commanders will also need more (much more) pressure up front than in the first game when they only hit Mayfield four times, sacking him just once.

Bucs waive former Georgia Bulldog

Tampa Bay Buccaneers waive former Georgia Bulldogs, 2022 fourth-round NFL draft pick

On Tuesday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived a former fourth-round NFL draft pick, punter Jake Camarda. The former Georgia Bulldog specialist had been struggling this season.

Coach Todd Bowles released a statement on the decision via social media.

Camarda was averaging 45.3 yards per punt, which ranked a disappointing 31st in the league. He had only five punts that landed inside the 20, which was 29th. It was decision neither side wanted, but it seemed inevitable given the Buccaneers are looking to contend in the NFC. Tampa Bay has no room for error after it suffered multiple devastating injuries on Monday Night Football.

The former highly touted punter will look for a new NFL home. When he is on top of his game, he was one of the best punters throughout the league.

Camarda’s release seems rash based on the fact that he has a small sample size this season (13 punts) and averaged over 50 yards per punt in 2023.

Check out the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft hat

Grab your Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat:

The NFL has unveiled their annual line of hats that your new favorite player is set to wear on the stage at the 2024 NFL draft.

Check out the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft hat
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft hat (Fanatics)

SHOP: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat

Each year, the league releases a new customized lid for each team that is given to prospects who are selected at the event. Notably, the first-round picks are handed a jersey, that year’s draft hat, and go over and give a hug to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

There are four versions for each team’s hat that come in stretch fit, snapback and fitted varieties, with prices varying on each. On Monday, every team’s version was released… except the Houston Texans and New York Jets.

Sorry Texans and Jets fans, with those clubs releasing new uniforms soon there’s still a bit of waiting to do.

We’ll bring you those updates, but for the other 30 teams, check out your favorite team’s newest headgear and be the first fan in your friend group to own a 2024 NFL Draft hat by checking them all out at Fanatics.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy Tampa Bay Bucs 2024 NFL Draft Hat” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/PyQxgN”]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Touchdown Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Check out the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft hat

Grab your Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat:

The NFL has unveiled their annual line of hats that your new favorite player is set to wear on the stage at the 2024 NFL draft.

Check out the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat:

SHOP: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Draft Hat

Each year, the league releases a new customized lid for each team that is given to prospects who are selected at the event. Notably, the first-round picks are handed a jersey, that year’s draft hat, and go over and give a hug to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

There are four versions for each team’s hat that come in stretch fit, snapback and fitted varieties, with prices varying on each. On Monday, every team’s version was released… except the Houston Texans and New York Jets.

Sorry Texans and Jets fans, with those clubs releasing new uniforms soon there’s still a bit of waiting to do.

We’ll bring you those updates, but for the other 30 teams, check out your favorite team’s newest headgear and be the first fan in your friend group to own a 2024 NFL Draft hat by checking them all out at Fanatics.

[afflinkbutton text=”Buy Tampa Bay Bucs 2024 NFL Draft Hat” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/PyQxgN”]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Touchdown Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign former Georgia Bulldog defensive back

The Buccaneers waived former Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to make room on the roster for another former Bulldog

Former Georgia Bulldogs star safety Richard LeCounte has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. LeCounte’s signing comes shortly after the Los Angeles Rams waived him following preseason Week 1.

It did not take LeCounte long to find a new NFL home. He will compete with safeties Kaevon Merriweather, Nolan Turner, Kedrick Whitehead, Christian Izien and Avery Young to be a backup safety for Tampa Bay. Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal are expected to start at safety for the Buccaneers.

LeCounte had played in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns selected LeCounte with a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft. LeCounte played in 10 games and recorded three tackles during his time with Cleveland from 2021-2022.

The former Georgia standout was a playmaker in college. LeCounte finished his college career with 176 total tackles, eight interceptions and four forced fumbles.

LeCounte tallied four tackles in the Rams’ preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Buccaneers waived former Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to make room on the roster for LeCounte.

The official Tampa Bay Buccaneers website announced LeCounte’s signing via social media:

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Former Georgia RB Thomas Brown lines up two more NFL interviews

Los Angeles Rams assistant Thomas Brown has a pair of interviews for offensive coordinator openings

Former Georgia running back back and assistant coach Thomas Brown is scheduled to interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers for their open offensive coordinator positions. Brown plans to interview with Tampa Bay, for a second time, on Wednesday and with Carolina on Thursday.

Brown joins Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken as candidates to interview for the Bucs’ offensive coordinator job twice.

Brown is currently the tight ends coach and assistant head coach for the Los Angeles Rams. Brown helped the Rams win a Super Bowl last season. He’s gotten excellent experience under Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay.

Former Georgia running back Thomas Brown is a young, but well-respected NFL coach. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Here’s what Rams Wire said about Thomas Brown’s recently scheduled interviews:

Brown also interviewed for the Cowboys’ and Chargers’ offensive coordinator roles before they went in a different direction, hiring Brian Schottenheimer and Kellen Moore, respectively. Brown met with the Commanders about their OC job, too.

The former Georgia star running back also interviewed with the Houston Texans for their head coach job, but the Texans ended up hiring former San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

During Thomas Brown’s great career at Georgia, he rushed for 2,646 yards and 23 touchdowns on 529 touches. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news on Thomas Brown’s interviews via Twitter:

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Which Husker Made On3’s All-Time Transfer Team

Who are the best transfers at each position in the history of college football?

The transfer portal has changed the landscape of college football forever. But, no matter the tweaks or adjustments made to it, there’s no going back to the way things used to be. The offseason of 2022 will always be remembered as the offseason of change. Between the portal and Name, Image and Likeness, we saw two of the most significant changes to collegiate football in decades.

Even without the transfer portal, college football has always had transfers. On3 has put together a team (11 on offense, 11 on defense) of 22 players who they believe makeup “College Football’s All-Time All-Transfer Team. I can’t say that I agree with all of their selections, but it is interesting to look back and remember that some of the sport’s greatest players had to start their careers at a school different from the one they are known for.

One Cornhusker made the All-Transfer team. Scroll below and take a look.

What is Ndamukong Suh’s future in the NFL?

What does the NFL future hold for one of the all-time great Huskers?

A former Husker football legend is still unsure what his NFL future holds as we move closer and closer to the start of mandatory mini-camp. Ndamukong Suh has still not been signed by any 32 NFL teams. In the last week, reports have come out of the Tampa Bay front office that the team is not likely to resign Suh before the start of the season. A recent trip to Boston had sparked rumors that the Patriots were interested in the defensive lineman. However, that report was three weeks ago, and nothing new has come to the surface since then.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft has played for four teams (Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay) in his 12 seasons. He was the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 3x First-team All-Pro (2010, 2013, 2014), 2x Second-team All-Pro (2012, 2016), and a 5x Pro Bowl selection. Suh won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV in 2020.

(AP Photo/Amy Gutierrez)

In 2009, Suh had arguably the most remarkable season a defensive player ever had in college football. In 14 games, he had 85 tackles, 12.0 sacks, and 20.5 tackles for loss. Suh was a unanimous All-American, was the 2009 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, the 2009 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2009 AP Player of the Year, the first time a defensive player had ever won the award.

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Suh also won the Bednarik Award (best defensive player in college football), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player in college football), the Lombardi Award (best college football lineman of the year), and the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman in college football). His accolades culminated on December 14th, 2009, when Ndamukong Suh finished fourth for the Heisman Trophy, receiving 161 1st place votes and finishing behind Cold McCoy, Toby Gerhart, and winner Mark Ingram.

Heisman Trophy finalists from left, Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Alabama running back Mark Ingram, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Mandatory mini-camps will take place beginning in mid-June. Let’s see if Suh is signed before or after the mini-camp period. It’s looking like Suh may be viewed as an injury replacement at this stage in his career.

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Report: Byron Leftwich to remove himself from consideration for Jags’ HC job

The Jags’ head coaching search continues to be the biggest disappointment of Shad Khan’s tenure.

The Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching search has been nothing short of a mess, and it could be on the way to looking messier as a candidate is potentially taking his name out of the running. That candidate, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, is Tampa Bay Bucs coordinator Byron Leftwich.

The Jags first interviewed Leftwich on Jan. 7 and interviewed him a second time on Jan. 25. His interviews seemingly went well, but both sides hit a snag because Leftwich wanted to bring in Adrian Wilson as his general manager and wasn’t a fan of working with current general manager Trent Baalke.

Baalke has been an issue during the whole process due to his poor reputation dating back to his time with the San Francisco 49ers. He’s survived three coaching changes, two of which came with the 49ers (Jim Harbaugh and Jim Tomsula) and survived the firing of Urban Meyer as well (at least for now). With that being the case, the reluctance to work with Baalke makes sense.

Leftwich and his camp have been waiting nine days since his last interview, so it appears they’ve been more than patient. That said, many fans will be heavily anticipating a statement and press conference from owner Shad Khan as the Jags camp has been completely silent on this puzzling search.

With Leftwich out, the Jags are down to Doug Pederson and Rich Bisaccia, according to Stroud. Both candidates interviewed this week, as did former Minnesota Vikings executive Rick Spielman for a job in the front office that will make him a high-ranking member of the organization.