National Football League

Lindell wins Bucs kicking competition

Published Aug. 31, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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Alex Marvez

Rian Lindell has bettered Derek Dimke in Tampa Bay’s kicking competition, a source told FOX Sports.

Following his release by Buffalo earlier this month after 10 years there and 13 NFL seasons overall, Lindell was signed by the Buccaneers to press the untested Dimke during the preseason.

Lindell, 36, distanced himself from Dimke during Tampa Bay’s preseason finale against Washington. Dimke, a first-year player who hasn’t performed in a regular-season game, missed an extra point and 45-yard field goal attempt.

Lindell is the third kicking option for Tampa Bay since Connor Barth suffered a season-ending Achilles’ tendon injury during a July charity basketball game. The first replacement was former New York Giant Lawrence Tynes, who later became sidelined by a MRSA staph infection that has landed him on the non-football injury list.

Lindell could have a chance to face his former team Dec. 8, when the Buccaneers host Buffalo. He left the Bills as the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history at 83.3 percent, but Lindell’s salary and limited range led Buffalo to pursue other options. Leg strength isn’t as much of an issue in Tampa Bay. Punter Michael Koenen handles kickoffs and could attempt field goals outside of Lindell’s range. Lindell hasn’t made a field goal from beyond 51 yards since 2009.
 

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