Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kicker Connor Barth Tears Achilles Tendon
By Bryan Rose
While losing your kicker might not be as significant as losing your quarterback, it’s still a tough pill to swallow – one that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to know all too well this season.
According to the Bucs Twitter feed, kicker Connor Barth will miss the 2013 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during a pick-up basketball game – the type of pick-up game that is almost always banned in player contracts.
Per the Bucs’ Twitter:
"Breaking news from One Buc Place: K Connor Barth will miss the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Bucs have signed K Lawrence Tynes."
Barth, an undrafted five year veteran has molded himself into one of the more consistent legs in the league, especially the last two seasons where Barth hit 93% and 85% of his kicks respectively.
To replace Barth, as mentioned above, the Bucs will turn to former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes who hasn’t been nearly as effective. Tynes, during his past three seasons has converted on 84%, 79% and 82% of his kicks and lacks some range in comparison to Barth.