Bucs cut kicker Connor Barth

Pat Yasinskas, ESPN Staff WriterAug 29, 2014, 03:26 PM ET
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- Previously covered NFC South for ESPN.com
- Covered Panthers for The Charlotte Observer from 1999-2008
- Began journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Buccaneers pulled a bit of a surprise on Friday afternoon by releasing kicker Connor Barth.

Presumably, the kicking job now belongs to Patrick Murray, who had a strong training camp. Barth had been with the Buccaneers since 2009. But he missed all of last season after tearing his Achilles tendon in a charity basketball game.

The decision also might have been influenced by economics. Barth was scheduled to earn $2 million in base salary. Plus, he was slated to earn $1.15 million in weekly bonuses if he made the 53-man roster. The Bucs take no cap hit for releasing Barth.

Murray is scheduled to make $420,000 this season.