Buccaneers placekicker Ryan Succop is no stranger to success. Succop finished his rookie season in 2009 tying an NFL record for rookie kicking percentage. As a member of the Chiefs, he passed the great Jan Stenerud for most field goals by a Kansas City rookie.
In college at South Carolina he would play for the “head ball coach”, Steve Spurrier and could be counted on to run out and make the big kicks for the Gamecocks.
When the Buccaneers brought him in to compete with Matt Gay this past off-season, the teams kicking was in disarray. Then the 6’2”, 218lb kid from Hickory, North Carolina did what he’s always done. Perform in the clutch.
On The Record
Making 25 of 27 field goals in 2020 puts Ryan Succop at 92.6% for the season. For those keeping track at home. Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth made 26 of 28 field goals in 2011, putting him at 92.9% that season. Succop is on pace to eclipse that mark and set a new Buccaneers record for field goal percentage in 2020.
Speaking of Buccaneers records. Succop sits at 117 points scored for the season. The current scoring record for Tampa Bay currently sits at 131 points. Scored by Matt Bryant back in 2008. As a result of being just 14 points shy of this mark. Ryan Succop has a chance to eclipse that number as well over the next two weeks.
Time To Kick It Into Gear
As a result of so many kicking woes for the Buccaneers over the last decade, consistency from this position has been warmly received. There are still Buccaneers fans who knock-on-wood, cover their eyes, and hold their breath every time the teams lines up for a kick.
Having a kicker of Succop’s ability has proven to be an integral part of the Buccaneers 9-5 record and upcoming journey to the playoffs. Cementing his name among those kickers of Buccaneers lore. O’Donahue, Iguibuike, Gramatica, and Bryant. Succop has in one season, found a place in Buccaneer kicking history.
Should he continue on current pace. He will not only find himself pushing to the top of some Buccaneers kicking records. He will also help the team keep a ‘leg-up’, going into the playoffs this season.
A steal at just over a million dollars this season. The team will need to address Succop’s contract for 2021 and beyond. Having just found the right guy for the job after years of searching. The Buccaneers will no doubt work very hard to keep the ‘Carolina kid’ for the foreseeable future.
You know. Just for kicks.
Find more from Ray Kennedy at Bucsreport.com
