The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost on Sunday in devastating fashion as Matt Gay missed a 34-yard field goal that would have given them the win. Despite the loss, Bruce Arians defended his kicker following his last-second missed field goal against the New York Giants.
“He ain't goin' anywhere,” Arians said of Gay, who also missed an extra point and had another extra-point attempt blocked in the first quarter.
“The loss is 100 percent on me,” said Gay, who doesn't believe he hit the ball cleanly on his final kick. “I've got to live and learn from what I did, go back and make sure I learn from the mistakes I made … but look at going forward.”
While speaking to the media after the game, Arians said that he ‘purposely‘ took a delay of game penalty in the waning seconds. The veteran head coach stated that he believed the kick would be easier five yards back.
As questionable as Arians' decision was, the rookie kicker still has to be able to make that field goal. The Buccaneers have had 11 kickers come through the organization since 2009 (tied with the Los Angeles Chargers for most in that span).
Above all, Tampa Bay spent a fifth-round pick to select Gay to compete for the kicker position. Through three weeks this season, Gay has combined to miss four field goals and extra points.
The Utah product has struggled to kick the ball through the uprights in his rookie campaign, but the team still has confidence in him. Gay will get a chance to redeem himself against the undefeated Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
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