Having impossibly high expectations placed on you and getting berated for not meeting them is a tough thing to endure, just ask Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo.
The NFL world was shocked when the Buccaneers used a second-round pick to draft the talented FSU kicker, but Aguayo’s introduction to the NFL has been difficult thus far. He started off the preseason missing his first ever PAT attempt and has missed multiple kicks since. Aguayo’s admitted his performance needs to be better, but Tampa Bay fans are already sharpening their pitchforks.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports Buccaneers fans are taunting the 22-year-old with the Florida State War Chant and have been telling the kicker “you can do it.”
Roberto Aguayo just had one of the worst practice shanks I've ever seen followed by another miss. It's officially a thing. #Bucs #Browns
— Pat Donovan🎙 (@PatDonovanRadio) August 23, 2016
Aguayo is in a tough spot. He didn’t choose to be drafted so highly and with all the expectations placed on him, somewhat unfairly, he’s cracking under the pressure. Mentally, Aguayo is shook. He’s too good to be kicking this poorly. Unfortunately for him, the NFL doesn’t care about growing pains. Instant results, especially from highly drafted kickers, is expected.
It will take Aguayo time to figure things out and I wouldn’t expect his subpar performance to continue throughout his career. Fans taunting him won’t help a speedy recovery. Bucs fans need to be patient and let Aguayo adjust without being heckled.
