SR’s Fab 5 is a group of reporting and evaluation on the Bucs from yours really, Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. Listed here are 4 issues that caught my consideration this week, plus some random tidbits in my Buc Photographs part on the finish. Get pleasure from!
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FAB 1. 5 Issues To Look For Bucs vs. Dolphins
After two joint practices with the Dolphins, Tampa Bay kicks off the preseason on Saturday night time by internet hosting Miami. Listed here are 5 issues to search for because the Bucs battle the Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium.
Touchdowns And No INTs From Trask
The final time we noticed third-string QB Kyle Trask in a preseason sport, he accomplished 85.7% of his passes (12-of-14) for 146 yards with one landing and no interceptions. That was within the preseason finale at Houston final yr. Can he choose up from the place he left off in opposition to the Dolphins on Saturday night time? It is a huge preseason for Trask and he’ll get nearly all of enjoying time within the three preseason video games. He may even get the beginning subsequent week in Tennessee to work with the first-team offense.
Trask has struggled in camp with interceptions. There have been too many, and never sufficient touchdowns to equal out the turnovers. Whereas Trask seems higher than he did a yr in the past as a rookie, Blaine Gabbert has been clearly higher in apply. He did keep away from interceptions in opposition to the Dolphins in apply, which was an encouraging signal. Maybe he turned a nook this week. We’ll see how he fares on Saturday night time.
Watch White On All 4 Downs
Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Rachaad White appears to be bettering every week in camp as he turns into extra conversant in the Bucs’ playbook and the pace of the NFL. He’s made some robust between-the-tackle runs in apply, together with in the course of the reside aim line durations. However the place he’s shined is catching the ball out of the backfield and on display screen passes. The guess right here is that he’ll play a good quantity of snaps within the preseason, beginning on Saturday in opposition to Miami.
However White is not only a runner and a receiver. As a rookie, he can even be an element on particular groups. He’s had some kick return alternatives in apply, and White can also be the backup private protector on punt groups. Giovani Bernard is the first-team private protector. That’s a trusted place, and it speaks volumes concerning the belief White has gained from the coaches.
Can McCollum Make Performs?
Cornerback Zyon McCollum has been on the verge of constructing performs in apply. However as an alternative, the rookie has appeared a step away from a cross breakup or an interception. McCollum, the crew’s fifth-round choose, has had his head swimming a bit this August. The NFL is a giant bounce from Sam Houston. McCollum has the dimensions, pace and athleticism to be a playmaker. He’s simply uncooked proper now.
However generally, issues occur below the lights. The sunshine swap activates in a sport surroundings the place it doesn’t initially in apply. McCollum wants to grasp that he’s making the crew and to make use of the preseason to not fear about making errors and simply attempt to make some performs. Use the Dolphins sport as a laboratory and experiment with taking some probabilities in protection to attempt to get some elusive cross breakups and perhaps an interception.
Is Britt Value Bragging About?
Bucs ILB KJ Britt – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Second-year inside linebacker Okay.J. Britt has gotten a lot of praise and hype this offseason. He realized the protection properly sufficient for Tampa Bay to not re-sign veteran Kevin Minter, who misplaced a step final yr. Britt didn’t miss a single OTA and is aware of the Mike and Mo linebacker spots and has had coaching camp on protection and on particular groups.
However Britt was a Day 3 choose for a purpose. He’s restricted athletically and performs a bit stiff. Britt is enjoying quicker this August as a result of he is aware of his project and has a greater understanding of the place the ball is on going frequently. However he’s actually a step beneath Devin White and Lavonte David. He is likely to be a greater model of Minter, however is that basically saying a lot? Let’s see if Britt can’t get uncovered and truly impress in opposition to the Dolphins.
First Swing At The Kicking Competitors
The Bucs are blessed to have two excellent kickers in camp. For a franchise that struggled for years to discover a competent kicker, each Ryan Succop and Jose Borregales have been distinctive in camp. It’s actually a coin flip proper now between the 2. Succop has the sting in relation to expertise, however he’s going to show 36 subsequent month. Borregales is getting into his second yr within the NFL after spending his rookie season on the apply squad. He’s youthful and has a stronger leg. Borregales may deal with kickoffs, which is one thing Succop can’t do.
Will Bowles give the primary sport to Borregales in relation to all further factors and discipline targets? Or will he trip inside all preseason video games between Succop and Borregales? The Bucs will in all probability need to give the less-proven Borregales extra alternatives to kick the ball in August.
FAB 2. 5 Bucs Inside Scoop And Professional Evaluation
Have questions on Ryan Jensen’s doable return? Confused concerning the Bucs depth chart? Apprehensive concerning the heart and tight finish positions? Pewter Report has the solutions and information to assist ease your considerations.
Bucs Nonetheless Hoping Jensen Would possibly Return This Season
It was a welcome signal to see injured Professional Bowl heart Ryan Jensen standing and watching apply on Thursday. Jensen returned to apply on Wednesday with a heavy brace on his left knee and watched from a golf cart. The subsequent day, he was standing for over half an hour watching his crew and the Dolphins go at it with out the help of crutches.
The Bucs haven’t positioned Jensen on injured reserve but and are holding out hope he can return later within the yr. He goes for extra testing in two weeks. Within the meantime, Tampa Bay has been happy with the play of Robert Hainsey, Jensen’s substitute. There is no such thing as a dialogue of bringing in a veteran free agent heart right now. If Hainsey holds up in the course of the preseason, he’ll be the starter in Dallas in Week 1.
It Makes Sense For Leverett To Emerge As LG
Bucs OL Nick Leverett – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
It’s three weeks into coaching camp and there’s no clear front-runner for the beginning left guard place. Veteran Aaron Stinnie has probably the most expertise and enjoying time, however that’s about all he affords. Second-round draft choose Luke Goedeke and former apply squader Brandon Walton provide extra measurement and energy. Walton is aware of the system after training in it final yr. A scarcity of expertise and reps, and a place change is what’s protecting Goedeke with the second string.
Regulate Nick Leverett. He began camp because the second-team proper guard, however shortly moved to the backup heart position when Ryan Jensen went down with a knee harm. Robert Hainsey seems poised to be the beginning heart except some calamity occurs within the preseason. Hainsey was within the combine at left guard, however he’s targeted solely on the middle place. That’s put Leverett again within the competitors for left guard.
It is sensible for Leverett to win the beginning left guard job for 3 causes. Thus far, he’s been simply pretty much as good bodily as Stinnie, Walton and Goedeke. The second purpose is that Leverett is one of the best communicator within the group. That’s a plus subsequent to a brand new heart in Hainsey. And third, getting him sport reps and expertise may come in useful if one thing have been to occur to Hainsey and Leverett needed to take over at heart in the course of the season.
Bucs Will Be Emphasizing The Floor Sport In 2022
Head coach Todd Bowles believes that the primary risk a protection has to get rid of on a weekly foundation is the operating sport. His Bucs protection is geared as much as cease the run first and make the offense one-dimensional by throwing the ball. Groups that may run the ball at will in opposition to their opponent can management possession and put on down the opposite crew bodily.
Bowles believes that the Bucs have been too one-dimensional in opposition to the Rams and Saints in current losses to these groups through the years. Consequently, Tom Brady has been hit and sacked too many occasions and the Rams and Saints cross rush has been efficient for all 4 quarters. The Bucs traded for run-blocking guard Shaq Mason and drafted a mauling guard in Luke Goedeke. Tampa Bay used two draft picks on two blocking tight ends in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft. And the crew gave Leonard Fournette $7 million per season. Tampa Bay has spent further time in apply getting higher at operating the ball, particularly to assist fight L.A. and New Orleans.
Bucs Depth Chart Points
Bucs CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis III – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
I’m not Bowles, however I’m unsure what he’s seeing in cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and operating again Ke’Shawn Vaughn proper now. The primary unofficial “official” depth chart got here out this week and Murphy-Bunting was beginning forward of Jamel Dean, regardless of Dean making extra performs on the ball in apply. And Vaughn was the No. 2 again forward of Giovani Bernard, who has seemed higher in apply, and rookie Rachaad White, who’s extra proficient.
I feel what Bowles is doing with each gamers is motivating them by giving them a well-liked spot on the depth chart and difficult them to hold on to it. Each Murphy-Bunting and Vaughn have had confidence points up to now. Placing SMB because the No. 3 CB and Vaughn as RB3 or RB4 and asking them to climb the depth chart in all probability wouldn’t convey one of the best out in both participant. I’m unsure if that is what’s occurring, however Bowles is sensible and a fantastic motivator. It’s the tactic I’d use with Murphy-Bunting and Vaughn to attempt to inspire them in August.
Bucs Are Positive At Tight Finish
Nobody goes to exchange Rob Gronkowski. Even at age 33, Gronkowski remains to be a formidable weapon on offense catching the ball and within the trenches as a blocker. The issue is, Gronk is retired and never on the Bucs roster – not less than not proper now. However Tampa Bay has been happy with the addition of veteran Kyle Rudolph and the fast progress of Otton and Kieft. For older Bucs followers, consider Rudolph in 2022 as being on par with former Bucs tight finish Ken Dilger in 2002.
Otton’s in-line blocking has been higher than anticipated. It would solely enhance as he positive factors energy and expertise. Kieft is a greater model of former tight finish/H-back Alan Cross. Primarily a blocking tight finish at Minnesota, Kieft has spent a while as an H-back and a fullback in Tampa Bay this summer time. Throw in Cam Brate, who nonetheless strikes properly and catches the ball at age 31, and this tight finish unit is greater than ok to roll with.
FAB 3. 5 Finest Bucs In Camp
True excellence is a behavior, not an occasion. We’ve consulted with our crew sources to compile this checklist of 5 Buccaneers who’ve had a superb begin to coaching camp to date.
QB Tom Brady
When he’s practiced, it seems like there’s no drop-off in Brady’s sport at age 45. His arm is as sturdy because it’s ever been, and his accuracy hasn’t diminished, both. Brady is coping with an unknown private problem this summer time. It’s precipitated him to overlook a number of practices, together with Thursday’s in opposition to Miami. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned that Brady could have one other excused absence via subsequent week’s Titans sport.
The excellent news is that Brady already has two years’ price of expertise on this offense and has already established some rapport with the brand new gamers. The season opener remains to be a month away, so there may be time to develop extra chemistry later this month. Brady hasn’t been in a jovial temper in any respect since camp began. And he was quick and appeared aggravated throughout his lone press convention. Right here’s hoping Brady will get via no matter private turmoil he’s enduring proper now.
DT Akiem Hicks
Bucs DT Akiem Hicks – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
For pretty much as good as Professional Bowl nostril sort out Vita Vea is, Hicks has truly been one of the best defensive lineman in camp thus far. Hicks is nearly as huge as Vea, however taller and longer. He’s practically as highly effective as Vea, however actually faster and extra agile. Having these two within the beginning lineup subsequent to Will Gholston will make it practically inconceivable for groups to run the ball on Tampa Bay.
Hicks has additionally been a fantastic mentor to rookie Logan Corridor in apply and within the assembly room. However he’s additionally proven nice worth in going up in opposition to Shaq Mason in cross rush conditions in addition to serving to get the crew’s younger inside linemen prepared. Breaking a brand new heart like Robert Hainsey and probably a brand new beginning guard in both Nick Leverett or Luke Goedeke by having them face Hicks in apply solely aids their growth.
CB Carlton Davis III
The Bucs have been thrilled with Davis’ camp thus far. After rewarding him with an enormous contract extension, Davis is greater than incomes his cash. He’s the clear-cut prime cornerback on the roster and seems motivated to show he’s well worth the huge contract. Davis has been engaged on his palms and has come away with a few interceptions in apply. He needs to be generally known as a Professional Bowl cornerback and is aware of he has to rack up INTs to get there.
Davis fared properly in opposition to Miami in apply, particularly when matching up in opposition to his nemesis, Tyreek Hill. He had a greater day on Wednesday, as he struggled a bit in opposition to Jaylen Waddle, one other ultra-fast receiver, on Thursday. Davis wins with nice method, physicality and savvy play. He’s not a pace service provider, however was artful sufficient to carry out properly versus the Dolphins quick receivers.
WR Julio Jones
Bucs WR Julio Jones – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs have been further cautious with Jones in apply. Hamstring accidents have plagued him in every of the final two years – each in Atlanta and Tennessee. The crew is avoiding him training on consecutive days proper now to attempt to forestall these accidents from reoccurring. It’s the good strategy for the 33-year-old extensive receiver.
However when Jones has been on the sphere, he’s merely dazzled. The massive, 6-foot-3, 220-pounder can nonetheless outleap defenders for the ball and make loopy, acrobatic catches in apply. And Jones nonetheless has sufficient juice to beat defenders both with pace or together with his agile cuts. If he can keep wholesome in 2022, the Bucs will really have a starting-caliber participant with star potential as WR4.
OLB Shaquil Barrett
A lot has been manufactured from the fast enchancment of second-year outdoors linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The quick, athletic edge rusher has impressed in camp and seems able to a breakout yr in 2022. However to ensure that Tryon-Shoyinka to have success as a younger defender, he’ll must have nice play reverse him from Barrett. Thus far in camp, Barrett seems prepared for his third Professional Bowl season in Tampa Bay.
Not solely has he been a power as a cross rusher from the left and the best facet in camp, he’s additionally been prime notch in opposition to the run. Regardless of his smallish 6-foot-2, 250-pound body, Barrett is a really efficient run defender and has made a number of stops behind the road of scrimmage, particularly in bottom pursuit. Barrett is tremendous good and instinctive. And he was the Buccaneer who fared finest in cross rush vs. the Dolphins in 1-on-1s in the course of the week.
FAB 4. 5 Bucs Camp Sleepers
These Bucs aren’t assured to make the 53-man roster in any respect. However they’ve not too long ago turned some heads in coaching camp and are making issues attention-grabbing. Can these 5 proceed to construct momentum because the preseason begins?
WR Kaylon Geiger
Veterans Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson have actually stepped up in camp, as has second-year receiver Jaelon Darden. The arrival of Julio Jones has basically made it to the place 10 receivers are preventing for 2 or three ultimate roster spots. The competitors has been fierce, together with among the many 4 undrafted free agent receivers.
Whereas Deven Thompkins and Jerreth Sterns have gotten some buzz in camp, Geiger has quietly made some huge catches too. He hasn’t gotten the fanfare as the opposite two have, however Geiger has been used typically on end-arounds and has proven he has some dependable palms, too. He had a pair of spectacular practices in opposition to the Dolphins. We’ll see how he fares when the lights come on within the preseason video games.
OLB Elijah Ponder
Bucs OLB Elijah Ponder – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Cam Gill has flashed at occasions as a cross rusher, he’s not as stout in opposition to the run to be trusted on something aside from nickel protection. That’s not the case with Ponder, who spent final yr on the apply squad. The previous Cincinnati Bearcats defensive sort out has misplaced about 35 kilos and reworked himself right into a modern, faster outdoors linebacker over the previous yr or two.
Ponder’s fashion of play remains to be like that of a defensive sort out in that he’s not afraid to cease the run. In truth, he relishes the physicality of run protection. His cross rush is coming alongside, as are his cross drops in apply. If Ponder makes strides within the preseason, beginning in opposition to Miami, he may beat out Gill for the fourth outdoors linebacker spot on the depth chart.
RB Kenjon Barner
Leonard Fournette is the clear-cut starter for the Bucs. However Tampa Bay is searching for a No. 2 operating again to exchange Ronald Jones II. Final yr, Giovani Bernard was relegated to the No. 3 spot, however is making a push for taking part in time with a fantastic camp. He’ll make the crew together with rookie Rachaad White and Ke’Shawn Vaughn. However the Bucs is likely to be compelled to maintain 5 operating backs if Barner can win the return specialist job.
Barner is healthier as a kick returner than he’s a punt returner, however he’ll must wrest that job away from Jaelon Darden within the preseason. However Barner has additionally impressed as a receiver out of the backfield and at occasions as a runner, too. He seems like a barely smaller model of Bernard. Barner is 5-foot-9, 195 kilos, whereas Bernard is 5-foot-9, 205. We’ll see if Barner can power his manner onto the roster with a fantastic preseason.
S Nolan Turner
Bucs S Nolan Turner, WR Scotty Miller and CB Kyler McMichael – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Turner, an undrafted free agent out of Clemson, has made a number of splash performs in apply. He’s had a few interceptions and in addition some cross breakups. Turner is a brilliant participant with good instincts on protection and he’s outshined Chris Cook dinner and Troy Warner at occasions.
Whether or not he makes the 53-man roster or not will come all the way down to how he performs on particular groups. The Bucs have already got 4 safeties assured of constructing the crew in Antoine Winfield Jr., Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal. Whether or not they maintain 5 will depend upon how Turner fares on particular groups within the preseason. After all, making some key stops and perhaps forcing a turnover or two would assist his trigger, too.
CB Rashard Robinson
Robinson had a gradual begin to camp and didn’t distinguish himself a lot early on. However in opposition to Miami, Robinson had some stable reps in apply. In truth, throughout Thursday’s apply, he had two cross breakups and a fantastic interception in 1-on-1 drills in opposition to the Dolphins. Is that an outlier or can that be extra of the norm? Can that carry over into Saturday’s sport?
Dee Delaney has cooled off in camp, and Kyler McMichael hasn’t carried out sufficient to impress but. Robinson made some splash performs on particular groups final yr as a gunner, the place he used his blazing pace. If he makes the Bucs’ 53 he’ll must excel in protection as soon as once more. Making some performs on the third-team protection would additionally assist his trigger.
FAB 5. SR’s Buc Photographs
Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
• WHY IS BRADY ABSENT? It’s unclear if there’s a medical problem inside Tom Brady’s household that’s inflicting him to overlook time in coaching camp or if it’s a marital problem. Each of Brady’s mother and father are aged. His mom is a most cancers survivor and his father had a critical bout with COVID in 2020. Regardless, these absences have been deliberate previous to coaching camp – maybe as a stipulation for Brady un-retiring.
It must be one thing critical to drag Brady away from soccer in what could possibly be his ultimate season within the NFL. However any extended time to are likely to his household can solely actually occur in camp throughout August. As soon as the season begins in September, Brady needs to be laser-focused on the season, and he is aware of that. So, don’t be too involved about these absences. As soon as the common season begins, it must be enterprise as typical for TB12.
• BUCS WR ROOM AS DEEP AS EVER: Thursday’s apply in opposition to the Dolphins featured the worst-case state of affairs offensively. Tom Brady was absent and Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage and Julio Jones have been all out. Evans and Gage are recovering from slight hamstring accidents. Godwin was held out of crew participation as he recovers from his knee harm. Jones was given one other veteran relaxation day.
And but the Bucs nonetheless had sufficient weapons within the passing sport to be formidable in opposition to Miami’s protection. Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Jaelon Darden proceed to step up and made catches for Blaine Gabbert. Undrafted rookies Deven Thompkins, Jerreth Sterns and Kaylon Geiger proceed to impress and got here via for Kyle Trask. The depth at extensive receiver has by no means been higher in Tampa Bay.
THIS WEEK’S PEWTER REPORT PODCASTS
• BUCS-DOLPHINS CAMP COVERAGE ON THE PEWTER REPORT PODCAST: The Pewter Report Podcast is energized by CELSIUS and broadcasts 4 reside episodes every week. Bucs coaching camp kicked off this week and the Pewter Report employees was available to cowl all of the motion. Subsequent week’s schedule will function PR Podcasts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday because the Bucs journey to Tennessee to face the Titans. These can be adopted by a post-game podcast subsequent Saturday after the Bucs vs. Titans preseason sport.
***There can be a NEW Pewter Report Podcast this Saturday night time roughly 45 minutes following the Bucs vs. Dolphins preseason sport.
Matt Matera and Scott Reynolds bear in mind the late, nice Mark Cook dinner, a legendary Pewter Reporter, on Tuesday’s podcast.
Matera, Reynolds and Bailey Adams analyzed Wednesday’s joint apply between the Bucs and the Dolphins.
Matera, J.C. Allen and Kasey Hudson reviewed Thursday’s Bucs-Dolphins apply, as Miami fared significantly better.
Watch the Pewter Report Podcasts reside on our PewterReportTV channel on YouTube.com and please subscribe (it’s free) and add your feedback. We archive all Pewter Report Podcasts. So, you possibly can watch the recorded episodes if you happen to missed them reside.
There is no such thing as a higher time to take heed to or watch a brand new Pewter Report Podcast – energized by CELSIUS – than Friday afternoon on the best way house from work. Or early Saturday morning throughout your exercise or whereas operating errands.
The recognition of the Pewter Report Podcast continues to develop. Along with listening to the Pewter Report Podcasts on PewterReport.com, you too can subscribe to the free podcasts at PodBean by clicking here and on SoundCloud by clicking here. And naturally, the Pewter Report Podcast can also be obtainable on iTunes and YouTube. Be sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss a single episode.
FINAL VIDEO
• GEIGER’S GOT IT GOING ON: Bucs rookie Kaylon Geiger put up modest numbers at Texas Tech final yr. He caught simply 43 passes for 533 yards (12.4 avg.) and a landing after transferring from Troy. In his first two years with the Trojans, Geiger caught 141 passes for 1,625 yards (11.5 avg.) and eight TDs. He performs greater than his 5-foot-10, 180-pound measurement would point out.
