The Bucs returned to the AdventHealth Coaching Heart Tuesday morning for the fourth of their 9 OTA practices. In sweltering temperatures (regardless of the partly cloudy skies), Tampa Bay continued to place within the work as it really works its approach towards obligatory mini-camp, which will probably be held from June 16-18.
For now, although, this part of the offseason program stays voluntary. It’s laborious to inform that such is the case with the Bucs proper now, as Tuesday’s follow – which is the one one open to the media this week – featured robust attendance as soon as once more. The non-injury associated absences included Al-Quadin Muhammad, Christian Rozeboom and Vita Vea, however except for that trio, it appeared that everybody else was on the market.
There have been a number of injured Bucs who have been current for follow however understandably not collaborating. Amongst that group was JJ Roberts, DeMonte Capehart, Haggai Ndubuisi, Miles Killebrew, Dennis Houston, Eric Rivers Jr. and Bucky Irving. And whereas Antoine Winfield Jr. was initially holding a helmet early on in follow, he wound up watching from the aspect all through.
Bucs Ss JJ Roberts and Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Bailey Adams and Kat Beutel have been all readily available at One Buc Place for Tuesday’s follow. Listed here are their observations and takeaways from the day.
Benjamin Morrison And The Bucs Protection Rule The Day
After the Bucs offense obtained the higher of the Bucs protection throughout final Tuesday’s follow, it was the protection’s flip to flip the script this time round. That aspect of the ball set the tone early in 11-on-11 motion, with Rakeem Nunez-Roches blowing up the primary play and attending to Baer Mayfield for would-be sack earlier than Calijah Kancey and a number of defensive linemen have been in on a sort out for loss one play later.
Then, on the third play of the interval, it was takeaway time. Second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison performed excellent protection on Chris Godwin Jr., jumped Baker Mayfield’s go and picked it off, resulting in a complete lot of screaming and leaping round from Tampa Bay’s newly energized protection.
Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
That three-play stretch, highlighted by Morrison’s interception, obtained issues in movement for the Buccaneer protection. On the one hand, fifth-year nook Zyon McCollum stated after follow that Morrison’s huge play confirmed them that the work they’re placing in is, nicely, working.
“It just tells us that the work is working,” McCollum stated. “Me, him and Jacob (Parrish), we have a little bet going every week with interceptions and takeaways, so he’s one-up on us right now. Things like that and challenging each other to make those plays, that’s what’s going to raise the bar.”
For Godwin, who took the blame for that Mayfield interception after follow, it was one other show of simply how a lot Morrison has grown in confidence from final 12 months to this 12 months.
“While you’re a rookie, all the pieces is flying round so quick. You go from being one of many guys at your faculty, then you definately step up and now you must work out the best way to be one of many guys, additionally study an advanced scheme after which really feel assured to make your performs. I feel he was coming off an harm, too. There was a whole lot of issues coming at B-Mo.
“He made a great play. That was on me. I told him after the fact, that was a phenomenal play, like you broke with confidence and caught the ball in stride. That’s a pick-six because of the play that you made. On the other side, I’ve got to be better at that. And for us to be great as, we’ve got to have that kind of competition.”
Bucs WR Chris Godwin Jr. on Benjamin Morrison’s interception throughout 11v11 and his development headed into his sophomore season. pic.twitter.com/Gphwj9b6Ig
The protection solely continued to dominate the day from there. In 7-on-7 work, cornerback Kemon Corridor tipped a Jalon Daniels go to arrange an interception by undrafted rookie inside linebacker Caden Fordham.
Then, to complete off follow, the offense and protection squared off in an 11-on-11 interval down within the low crimson zone, working from in regards to the 2-yard line. On the primary play, Emeka Egbuka beat Benjamin Morrison inside… just for A’Shawn Robinson to get a hand as much as knock down Baker Mayfield’s go. On the second play, Mayfield couldn’t join with Jalen McMillan behind the top zone, with the third-year receiver operating out of room.
Because the first-team offense and protection subbed off, the warmth turned up as Calijah Kancey was seen jawing at Mayfield and loads of chirping was despatched McMillan’s approach from the defensive gamers on the sideline. Josh Hayes then broke up a go meant for Tez Johnson within the nook of the top zone when the second-team items got here in, and the ultimate play of follow was yet one more incompletion pressured by the protection… although there was nobody there to name an apparent defensive go interference penalty on security Marcus Banks.
Bucs GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Between the splash play from Morrison, the dominance from the protection all through and the newfound power displayed all around the discipline (however coming the loudest from A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches), it was a day that belonged to the protection. If you happen to’re the Bucs, who prioritized the protection and underwent fairly the overhaul this offseason, that needs to be a fairly promising growth.
Bucs Proceed To Put Heavy Emphasis On Particular Groups Work
Anybody who watched the Bucs in 2025 is aware of that particular groups play was a big downside. That’s why it was no shock when particular groups coordinator Thomas McGaughey was fired after the season, and it’s why the addition of former Steelers particular groups coordinator Danny Smith has reenergized that side of Tampa Bay’s sport already.
Though Smith is 72 years previous, his voice is likely one of the loudest on the follow fields on the AdventHealth Coaching Heart. And his voice might be heard a complete lot on Tuesday when the Bucs spent way more time on particular groups than they did throughout final Tuesday’s follow that was open to the media.
In truth, they spent a superb 8-10 minutes extra on particular groups this Tuesday than they did final Tuesday.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp, ILB Josiah Trotter and ST coordinator Danny Smith – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
One fascinating change to the Bucs’ particular groups durations was the absence of a JUGS machine. As a substitute, it was strictly reside punting from undrafted rookie Aidan Laros. Veteran punter Riley Dixon watched on, as did kicker Chase McLaughlin. The particular groups work extra closely featured Laros’ leg, instruction from Danny Smith and a few drills accomplished to follow downing bouncing punts contained in the 5-yard line.
Additionally of word was the rotation of gamers catching punts all through these durations. Kam Johnson, Tez Johnson and Garrett Greene have been all (predictably) again as returners, whereas Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan have been again there as nicely watching on. Eric Rivers Jr., who was not collaborating in follow because of harm, additionally watched carefully, whereas undrafted rookie operating again Kadarius Calloway obtained some return reps in as nicely.
Different Observations And Takeaways From Tuesday’s OTA Observe
Listed here are some quick-hitting observations and takeaways from the motion at One Buc Place on Tuesday:
The protection didn’t win each rep throughout Tuesday’s follow – simply most of them. Nonetheless, there was quite a bit to love from Kenny Gainwell, particularly within the display screen sport. His capability to catch the soccer out of the backfield and in addition line up within the slot ought to give offensive coordinator Zac Robinson some intriguing choices this 12 months, particularly within the Pony packages.
Backup quarterback Jake Browning appeared to have a well-established rapport with large receiver Kam Johnson, with the 2 linking up on back-to-back performs as soon as the second-team items took the sphere for 11-on-11s.
Throughout 7-on-7s, it was rookie Rueben Bain Jr. and second-year professional David Walker getting reps reasonably than veterans like Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson. It was an opportunity for Bain and Walker to get some work in with their drops, one thing the veterans clearly have loads of expertise with.
Bucs OLB David Walker – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Cade Otton had a pleasant catch and run on a display screen go throughout the 11-on-11 interval, whereas rookie tight finish Bauer Sharp later caught a landing within the nook of the top zone from Jake Browning.
Third-year tight finish Devin Culp left follow early with a coach and later returned as a spectator, sporting a sleeve on his left leg.
Luke Goedeke and Yaya Diaby have been each collaborating in follow after each have been absent final Tuesday.
Rookie defensive again Keionte Scott, who had offseason wrist surgical procedure and confirmed as much as rookie mini-camp in a solid, was in a position to take part in his first follow Tuesday.
The Bucs have two extra practices this week which can be closed to the media. Subsequent Tuesday’s follow is the ultimate one open to the media, then the workforce will wrap up OTAs Wednesday and Thursday of subsequent week. Then, obligatory mini-camp follows from June 16-18.
