Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nate Kaeding - #3 - K
| Status | Active |
| Height/Weight | 6' 0"/ 187 lbs. |
| Birthday | 03/26/1982 |
| Birthplace | Iowa City, IA |
| College | Iowa |
| Years played | 10 |
| Drafted | 2004, 3rd round, 2nd pick by Chargers |
Bucs RB Blount can count on competition
Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount seems to be concerned that his days of having a firm hold on the featured-back job in Tampa could be limited.
Cowboys claim QB Carpenter
Dallas claimed QB Rudy Carpenter off waivers from Tampa Bay on Thursday. He'll square off with Stephen McGee for the team's No. 3 QB job.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers top three needs going into the draft, subject to any free-agent signings it may make before then.
NFC South draft needs
Alabama RB Trent Richardson could fill a primary need for the Buccaneers, as PFW's Dan Parr examines the top three draft needs for the Falcons, Panthers, Saints and Bucs.
Blount, Parker sign ERFA tenders
Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount and WR Preston Parker signed their exclusive-rights free-agent tender offers, the team announced.
Bucs sign OT Dotson
The Buccaneers signed OT Demar Dotson to a two-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Bucs seem content with Blount
Although they still have cap space to spend on free agents, the Buccaneers appear to be sticking with LeGarrette Blount as their featured back, according to NFC Whispers.
49ers add depth behind Smith, sign QB Johnson
Days after reaching a contract extension with QB Alex Smith, the 49ers signed ex-Buccaneers free-agent QB Josh Johnson.
Buccaneers sign OT Meredith, cut DEs Crowder, Reed
The Buccaneers signed free-agent OT Jamon Meredith to a two-year deal, and released DE Tim Crowder and DE Nick Reed.
Bucs re-sign CB Barber
After contemplating retirement, free-agent CB Ronde Barber has agreed to return to the Buccaneers for the 2012 season.
Bucs DE Bennett signs tender
Buccaneers DE Michael Bennett has signed his restricted free-agent tender, the team announced Monday.
Bucs' ownership changing perception
There were many skeptical fans in Tampa when Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer vowed in January to spend whatever it takes to win.
Bucs add QB Orlovsky
The Buccaneers signed QB Dan Orlovsky to a two-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
Bucs release C Faine
After spending big early in free agency, the Buccaneers have made a move to create more cap room, releasing veteran C Jeff Faine.
Bucs too willing to spend on interior offensive line
The Bucs are living large, and somewhat dangerously, in free agency, but they now boast one of the league's best guard tandems with Carl Nicks in tow.
PLAYER NEWS
Kaeding has signed with the Miami Dolphins, who placed kicker Dan Carpenter on injured reserve because of a right groin injury.|||||||
Kaeding is the most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history at 87 percent (180 of 207), and he made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2009. He had been a free agent since he was released from injured reserve by the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 30.
The San Diego Chargers have waived kicker Nate Kaeding after he passed a physical.|||||||
Kaeding was hurt in practice on Sept. 28, two days before a game at Kansas City. The Chargers signed Nick Novak that day. If Kaeding isn't claimed on waivers, the Chargers will owe him $1.1 million in termination pay. Kaeding was drafted in the third round in 2004 with one of the three picks the Chargers obtained along with Philip Rivers from the New York Giants in exchange for Eli Manning.
Kaeding, who entered the season as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, is out for the year after injuring his left knee during the season's opening kickoff.|||||||
Kaeding is believed to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament. Coach Norv Turner said only that the kicker tore ligaments and would have surgery.
Kaeding is scheduled to have an MRI exam Monday on what could be a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.|||||||
Kaeding was hurt during the opening kickoff Sunday, which Minnesota's Percy Harvin returned 103 yards for a touchdown. The Chargers rallied to win 24-17.
Kaeding missed his second straight practice Friday after spraining his ankle in a Wednesday practice. The Chargers kicker is listed as probable for Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game in Pittsburgh.|||||||
San Diego coach Norv Turner expressed worry, but Kaeding told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "I'll be ready." Turner told the Union-Tribune that punter Mike Scrifies, who attempted five field goals in college, is the backup kicker.
