Bryant situation a delicate issue for Bucs

The Bucs are still reeling from the death of kicker Matt Bryant's infant son on Wednesday.

It was evident from the cracking in coach Jon Gruden's voice while announcing the news that the team indeed feels the family's pain.

But, even though typing these words feels absolutely awkward, Sunday's game will not wait. And so, the Bucs have a decision to make here.

Do they hold out for a couple days and see whether Bryant will be emotionally stable enough to kick on Sunday against the Packers? Or, do they go ahead and make a roster move and encourage Bryant to take some time away?

Most likely, the team has already started contacting kickers on its "emergency list," which is a list of free agents at each position who would be available in the event of an injury or unexpected circumstances, such as this. The Bucs probably have a kicker in mind already although they haven't signed one yet. They conceivably could wait until the last minute, then make a decision at that point.

Remember, if they opt to bring in a kicker temporarily, it will create another issue. The Bucs would have to release a player to make room on the active roster. And we know what the consequences of such a move could be after cornerback Marcus Hamilton was claimed off waivers by the Bears earlier this week.

Nothing is more important than family, a point that will not be lost on anyone involved in this situation. But the reality is, there could be some football fallout from this terrible, unspeakable tragedy.

Comments

[aaron]

release Garcia!

[brian]

Could Bidwell handle kicking duties on an emergency fill-in basis? I know it's been a long time, but I think he was also a placekicker in high school. And he does actually kick a football for a living.

[Valrico Rick]

There really should be a temporary roster exemption in the system that allows a team to give leave time in such circumstances without having to release a player to make room for somebody to fill in. I imagine that the last thing that Bryant would want to feel right now is that he is letting his team down. He needs to be able to take what time he needs without added pressure from the NFL, or the team, whether intential or not!

[bobbyd]

Yeah, I was just getting ready to say the same thing ValricoRick. It's a bit absurd to think that a player would have to be cut so that a team could bring in a temporary replacement for a player who is out on bereavement.

Stephen, is there any kind of precedent there? I wonder if the team has spoken to the league about that possibility.

[oar]

Brian it would not be a good idea for Bidwell to do kicks (even if he can) would be too much for one leg(punts, kicks, and kickoffs)

[aaron]

good idea rick, i cant believe there is not something like that in place already.

[JOE]

Valrico Rick...I could not agree more. This should be explored by the NFL front office.

[G. Michael Reynolds]

Uh...I'm pretty sure that when Bidwell was in high school Man had just recently first domesticated the dog.

[bob]

release dexter jackson! what a wasted pick!

[BuccanBobby]

I say "man up" and go for 2 on TD's and if we're close enough to kick a FG, once again, "man up" and go for a 1st down...then score...then go for 2. Besides, we don't want some out of work kicker coming in, we've seen what a rusty QB does...heaven forbid a rusty kicker. I hope that Matt comes back, plays and dedicates the game and rest of season to his Son.

[skp]

Valrico Rick, although such an exemption makes sense and could be enacted in good faith, we all know teams would abuse the heck out of it....kinda like those kids who request to postpone a test or get an extension on a paper "because their aunt\grandfather\etc died"...bad karma but it's done...i can already see belichick rubbing his hands together with a Mr. Burns-style "eeexcellent...." at the prospect of such a loophole.

[Leo In Canada]

Who is the regular emergency kicker for in game scenarios? Every team has to have one. I hope!

[STIXX]

Man horrible news. Matt needs all our prayers and mine certainly go out to him and his family. If something happened to my son I`m not sure I could make it for along time. It would shatter my little world. I don`t know how he feels, none of us do, its unimaginable to be sure. We love ya MATT.

[Larry]

Rick,
I also agree......if there is no provision already for this type of situation there needs to be immediately. I understand that football is a buisness but most all other buisnesses seem to have a policy that deals with this type of situation. It's not typical for a buisness to penalize one of it's franchises because they had a death in the family.

[Leo In Canada]

To answer my own question, apparently Sabby is the back up kicker on game days. This could be interesting!

[marcus]

aaron your a idiot why would they release garcia dont make sense.

[Chas]

BuccanBobby - I like the "man up" attitude but... how do we "man up" on a kick off?

[jay feeley]

i'll do it just release penn!

[Melissa]

I think that's too much pressure on him...let him take the time off and be with his family. No pressure. We're all rooting for your family Matt.