When kicker Matt Gay missed a 34-yard game-winning field goal try as time expired for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, some fans were quick to blame a delay of game penalty taken right before the kick that backed the attempt up five yards. According to Bruce Arians, that penalty was by design.
Arians said after the game that the delay of game, which moved Gay back from what would have been a 29-yard attempt, was intentional. In Arians’ mind, Gay was more reliable from the longer distance, so they opted to set things up that way.
Bruce Arians says he took the delay penalty on purpose in final minute, thinking Matt Gay was better from a longer distance.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 22, 2019
Maybe this logic would work in another context, like if the Buccaneers wanted to make things easier or manipulate an angle if Gay had to kick from a hashmark. As you can see from the video, however, Gay’s kick couldn’t possibly have been more centered. Plus, given the late slice, the kick may well have been good from 29.
The ending: #Bucs rookie kicker Matt Gay misses a 34-yard game winning FG attempt. #Giants get their first win of the season.
Daniel Jones in his debut: 26/36, 336 yards, 2 passing TDs, 2 rushing TDs, 0 INTs.pic.twitter.com/GI65wAFov0
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019
Frankly, Gay should be making that kick regardless of whether it’s from 34 or 29. But considering that Gay had already missed two extra points from around the same distance, Arians’ logic is baffling. This may just be another sign that the Buccaneers haven’t reliably addressed their long-term kicking issue. Maybe they should try bringing in another medium.
