TAMPA, Fla. – Kicker Connor Barth practiced with the Bucs on Friday for the first time since signing with the team on Thursday. But Barth has been here before.
“We’re kind of back to where it was,’’ Barth said. “It almost feels like déjà vu from last year.’’
Barth, who was released by Denver earlier in the week, is in the exact same spot he was a year ago. He is competing with Patrick Murray for the kicking job. Murray won that battle last year and Barth ended up joining the Broncos. Prior to that, Barth spent four seasons as Tampa Bay’s kicker and missed his fifth season after tearing his Achilles tendon in a charity basketball game.
“It’s been crazy, but it’s the NFL,’’ Barth said. “It stands for not for long. That’s the way I look at it. It’s been a good ride and I’ve got to enjoy it now.’’
Although they’re competing for one job, Barth said he doesn’t view Murray as a rival.
“Pat and I are good friends,’’ Barth said. “I came in and we talked immediately, nothing about football, just about life and stuff. It’s very rare that one guy stays with a team for their whole career anymore. It’s a business. You’ve got to look at it like that.’’