Field Goal Defense Did Something Right
June 21st, 2026
Former Bucs special teams coach Thomas McGaughey.
Joe should have bought stock in a macrobrewery with his domestic headquarters based in St. Louis the way the Bucs’ special teams drove Joe to drink.
If not for star kicker Chase McLaughlin, Joe wouldn’t have much of a liver left. The special teams under Thomas
were just brutal. They probably lost two games for the Bucs last year.
Add to that the annual way KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles finds a way to lose two games each season, no wonder the Bucs missed the playoffs.
And as much as Joe hammered (deservedly) McGaughey, he was a standup man for taking full blame for his woeful special teams. And, believe it or not, McGaughey did something right.
Opponents’ field goal percentages were among the lowest in the league. This coming by way of noted stathead Warren Sharp.
Now what this does not measure or factor in is were the kickers the Bucs faced garbage? Or, where were the field goals attempted?
Maybe McGaughey used a certain formation in the middle that forced kickers to adjust? Maybe someone on the Bucs’ line scared other teams?
Regardless, the numbers are the numbers and at least in one respect, Joe doffs his cap to McGaughey, but is still glad he’s gone.