Observations From Wednesday’s Practice
August 8th, 2012
Here are Joe’s thoughts and observations from the final Bucs practice open to the pen and mic club prior to Friday’s preseason game at Miami.
* Bulk of practice involved second- and third-teamers.
* Injured Aqib Talib (nagging hamstring) could be seen jogging on one of the far fields at One Buc Palace.
* Dallas Clark made a sweet catch from Dan Orlovsky in the back of the end zone. He had to turn back to grab the slightly underthrown pass.
* Tight end Danny Noble made a nice catch while double-teamed.
* Muscle Hamster made two nice plays in a row. First, he ran through the defense for a good gain, then caught the ball out of the backfield and ran left for what appeared to be another first down.
* Luke Stocker makes a big gain while on a crossing pattern while running left.
* After a bad snap from shotgun, Josh Freeman scoops up the ball and is still able to get the handoff to Mossis Madu.
* Tiquan Underwood has really been one of the standout receivers in training camp. But Wednesday Underwood showed he could block too. On a short pass to tight end Colin Franklin down the left sideline, Underwood raced in front of him, directing traffic.
* Orlovsky wasn’t able to get off a snap in time during a two-minute drill, which seemed to raise the blood pressure Greg Schiano. With whistle still in mouth, Schiano stared at Orlovsky for a moment before looking down and walking away, shaking his head.
* Tampa native and Florida International product Greg Ellingson made a sweet diving catch while surrounded by three defenders for a 20-yard gain.
* Keith Tandy uses hand-to-hand combat against a receiver to break up a would-be touchdown pass in the far left corner of the end zone.
* Armahd Lewis has a pass go just off his outstretched fingertips. It was ruled a fumble, scooped up by Cody Grimm. This may be the first play Joe can remember Grimm making in quite sometime.
* With the blaring simulated crowd noise starting, Schiano takes to his bullhorn. “Listen up! Situation: 1:22, no timeouts. We need a touchdown!”
* Vincent Jackson splits the defense for a good gain.
* Good thing Josh Freeman was wearing a no-contact jersey. The defense in the two-minute drill displayed a strong pass rush, including Eric Wright on a couple of blitzes. On one blitz, Ronde Barber joined Wright in the backfield at roughly the same time as Gerald McCoy. On another play, Wright came flying in from the right side untouched and as he ran past Freeman, he raised his right arm in celebration of the would-be sack.
* Leonard Johnson gets away with a hold on an incomplete pass aimed for Mike Williams.
* An Amobi Okoye sighting! The Bucs defensive tackle got to Freeman on a bullrush to record a faux sack.
August 8th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I’m ready for some football Friday night!!!
August 8th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
Nice observations and thanks for keeping us in the loop on all the practices throughout training camp.
On another note,
I attended a few practices last week and as I was getting Doug Martin’s autograph, I asked him if he liked the “muscle hamster” nickname. His response was “NOPE, you can call me anything else but that”. Not sure if this has already been addressed, but I think out of respect for him, you could come up with something else instead. He seems like a good guy and although some of your other nicknames for people are funny and enjoyed by many, this one can go. Just my 2 cents.
August 8th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Great read Joe! Read this whole thing twice! Also, very good information from JBUC24 in regards to the “muscle hamster” ~ nice to know those things. Thank you for sharing! PS, Great picture of Tiffany! Go Bucs!!! Tom in St Augustine =)
August 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
cant wait for friday go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I havent wanted to watch a preseason game so bad since I cant remember.wooooooooooooooo!!!
August 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
* Orlovsky wasn’t able to get off a snap in time during a two-minute drill, which seemed to raise the blood pressure Greg Schiano. With whistle still in mouth, Schiano stared at Orlovsky for a moment before looking down and walking away, shaking his head.
Ouch.
August 8th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@jbuc24
I agree maybe we should start doug martin off on the right foot in tampa and not call him the one name he doesnt like. lets take suggestions on nicknames for our future star running back!
@joe
other than the two min drill where you said the defense was coming off the ball good, do you these great plays and gains by our offense is more a result of our offense being upgraded or a result of how much our defense needs improvement.
August 8th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Rooks don’t get nicknames.
August 8th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@orlandobucfan: I think every time Doug Martin scores a TD they should play ‘Teach me how to Dougie!”
August 8th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Really happy to see Okoye is getting healthy. We need him to be up to speed so when he gives McCoy a rest there is no drop off in pressure.
August 8th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
I don’t think he nicknamed him…I believe that came from Boise State
August 8th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
ANYONE IN S FL GOING TO THE GAME?
August 8th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Nobody decides what there own nickname is lol. Sorry to say but whether he likes it or not I am pretty positive it will stick with him for a long time to come.
August 8th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Orlando:
Probably a little of both. Remember the Bucs are banged up in the secondary. Eric Wright finally getting back to full health and E.J. Biggers is going to be out a while.
August 8th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Aston Martin and Peterbilt Blount!!
Speed and power, Baby!
August 8th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Here’s my question: anyone figure out how Butch figures into all this?
August 8th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Just run over them using Blount Force or an Aston Martin. Either way should be great to watch.
August 8th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
ChrisFWC
WD-40? Thunder and lightning?
August 8th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Off topic but. Many thanks to the posters from PR that pointed me here. And thanks to Joe and this site at least this offseason did not seem 2 years long!!! 1 more day and—-” ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL”!!!
GO BUCS!!!
August 8th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Oar he’s a # and he is called Rook. You earn nicknames in the NFL. I would like to see him “Dougie” in the endzone though.
August 8th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Chris
WD-40 or thunder and lightning=Dunn and Alstott both were “Rooks” when those were applied!
August 8th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
No rule book on nicknames or NFL guidelines, please. Besides, nicknames are fun and are a way for fans to relate and/or become familar with the players.
BTW I guarantee, if any “rook” plays to expected potential, they get a nickname before their “rook” labeling expires.
August 8th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Nah. Rook is a rook. Now get your haircut and sing your alma mater.
August 8th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
lol, thanks for agree’ing chris! =)
August 8th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
“Orlovsky wasn’t able to get off a snap in time during a two-minute drill, which seemed to raise the blood pressure Greg Schiano. With whistle still in mouth, Schiano stared at Orlovsky for a moment before looking down and walking away, shaking his head.”
This reminds me of Dungy.
August 9th, 2012 at 11:06 am
I agree on dropping ‘muscle hamster’… It sounds stupid, the player hates it… Everyone gets a clean slate and a fresh start on Schiano’s team, why shouldn’t that apply here as well?! Let’s give Martin a clean slate and a chance to earn a much more studly nickname!