If one watched the Bucs last season, they would know that their punting situation was a nightmare.
Tampa Bay went through different punters with each being less consistent than the last. It got to the point where everyone was crossing their fingers in hopes that the punt would not be a shank or a line drive that a returner would get in mere seconds before the Bucs could run down the field and cover.
This prompted the organization to go out and secure a reliable, experienced punter that can be reliable. They ended up with long-time veteran Riley Dixon, who is going into his 10th season. Dixon knows how to boot the football and also was sixth in the league last season with 33 punts inside the 20. He got off to a solid start in the Bucs’ first preseason game this year, giving head coach Todd Bowles peace of mind.
Bucs Have Much Better Punting Situation
“It’s a very good comfort knowing that you have a punter that can flip the field and change field position for you,” Todd Bowles said of Riley Dixon. “They’re not starting at midfield or anything like that. Obviously, we’ve got to cover, but he’s been a welcome addition. He places it right, he hangs it, and he puts it deep. That’s a big plus for us going forward. It’ll be a breath of fresh air for me this year.”
Bucs Punter Riley Dixon -Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
Dixon was intrigued by Tampa due to his relationship with special teams coach Thomas McGaughey. They worked together for several seasons when each were with the Giants. They reunite in Tampa Bay to give continuity to an unstable position.
“[I] spent four good years with [Special Teams Coordinator] ‘T-Mac’ (Thomas McGaughey) in New York, he is an awesome coach,” Dixon said. “[He] gets the guys to play – what I like most about him is he is an unbelievable person, he is a great guy to go to work with every day. He is positive and builds his players up and that’s a guy you want to be around and a guy you want to play for.”
The Bucs can boast a pretty good kicking tandem if Dixon continues to do what he’s done for his career with him and kicker Chase McLaughlin. Tampa Bay’s kicker has been nothing short of fantastic in his two seasons with the Bucs. He’s made clutch kicks from very far out and has been accurate for all areas. They’ll be working together on extra points and field goals this season. McLaughlin shared what it’s been like working with Dixon through camp.
“It has been great getting to know Riley [Dixon],” McLaughlin said. “From a football perspective, he is a true professional. He has done it for 10 years now, so he knows the ins and outs and the nuances of day-to-days. The confidence that brings me, of someone who has done it before, it gives me a little bit of peace.”
Bucs Kicker Chase McLaughlin and Punter Riley Dixon -Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
And in a true professional way, Dixon just wants to do what he came here for.
“I’m happy to be here,” Dixon said. “I have a job to do just like everybody else and I’m really looking forward to playing for this coach and this team and this organization and just putting my best foot forward.”
Riley Dixon Impressed With Bucs’ Leadership
What Riley Dixon has quickly admired is the level of leadership that the Bucs have. The captains of this team and other big name players have set the groundwork for why this team should be a winner again this season. But it’s who they are off the field that has truly brought this team success.
“The vets on this team are unbelievable, not only some of the greatest players I’ve been around, like you said, Baker [Mayfield], Mike [Evans], Lavonte [David], Vita [Vea], the list goes on,” Dixon said. “Again how I mentioned with [Special Teams Coordinator] ‘T-Mac’ (Thomas McGaughey).
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“They are great players but they are unbelievable people and the way that that builds a culture in a locker room is – it makes going to work easy because they’re guys who are always building people up and they will also let you know when it’s wrong, which is how the best teams are, they are led by the vets in the room. They do an unbelievable job, and I know I’m new here but I’m looking forward to seeing how they do that throughout the season.”
