Training Camp Notes & Observations — Day 4
July 28th, 2014
It was another day of training camp for your favorite team, and Joe’s got all the sights and sounds of practice.
*Jeff Demps fumbles a kickoff. Ball security has plagued Demps since the spring.
*New guards with first team Matt Patchan and Kadeem Edwards.
*Patrick Omameh getting work at guard as well.
*In goal line drills, Doug Martin gets splashed by Lavonte David and Clinton McDonald.
*McDonald with another tackle for loss.
*Will Gholston from left defensive end swallows up a running back for a loss.
*9-on-7 drill in the red zone has turned up the intensity big time. Michael Johnson just totally stuffed Bobby Rainey and the defense went nuts, Twitters Bucs staff writer Scott Smith.
*Anthony Collins, Luke Stocker, Austin Seferian-Jenkins & Jorvorskie Lane leading a toss-sweep for Charles Sims. Now THAT is a jumbo package.
*Mike James flashes nifty balance with the third team and gest the edge in red zone run.
*Drop! Lavelle Hawkins, from Josh McCown.
*Skye Dawson loses Keith Tandy on a move for a score.
*Vincent Jackson draws cheers after catching a ball from McCown. Johnthan Banks has been holding his own vs. V-Jax in camp but this play, VJax got best of Banks on a slant for six.
*McCown now in the shotgun in the mysterious Jeff Tedford offense. Complete to Eric Page, while cornerback Mike Jenkins tries to violently strip the ball.
*Tampa-2 defense threaded by McCown to rookie Robert Herron, who made a juggling catch he probably didn’t have to juggle.
*Jeff Tedford has talked in past about getting the ball to people in space. That is so evident watching first team offense.
*Mike Glennon appears in 11-on-11 and promptly completes to Louis Murphy to the opposite flank. Also finding the soft spot in the zone. Next Glennon pass is short and complete to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is one massive human being.
*Next play, Glennon is lucky there’s no hitting the QB, as undrafted defensive end Chaz Sutton was through on a blitz. … Another would be sack on the next play.
*Austin Seferian-Jenkins shakes Lavonte David making a nice catch on a zippy pass from McCown.
*Demar Dotson shuts down Will Gholston in 1-on-1 pass rush/pass block drill. Next play. Offsides Gholston! Next play: Gholston wins.
*V-Jax in tight space 15 yards over the middle in stride from Glennon. Very much in sync there with a lot of zip on the throw. “The Cannon”
*Yes, Austin Seferian-Jenkins can split the defense deep down the middle.
*Anthony Gaitor’s return marked by an interception in third-team duty.
*Mason Foster takes a tumble and is slow getting up. He’s ok.
*Bad overthrow by McCown.
*Adrian Clayborn beats Dotson inside in drill work. Dotson gets a quick in-your-face coaching session.
*Bucs sure have lucked out with steady cloud cover through two-thirds od practice.
*Fake field goal! Michael Koenen with a short pass to Demar Dotson. Offense and defense wasn’t really going full speed, but Dotson made the catch and had no problem styling and high-stepping in the end zone. Highlight of practice.
*Perfect pooch punt by Connor Barth, downed inside the 1 yard line by Patrick Omameh.
*Stocker gets an assignment with the first-team offense! Double tight-end set with Tim Wright on a running play.
*Roll right dumpoff pass to Bobby Rainey from McCown.
*Gerald McCoy blows past Patrick Omameh (right guard).
*Eric Page gets some first-team work.
*With the second team, Charles Sims zig-zags through traffic in the backfield to run up middle for sweet gain.
*The first hard tackle of the day, except players aren’t supposed to be putting ball carriers to the ground. It was Will Gholston swallowing up Charles Sims after a three-yard gain.
*A Jeff Demps drop? Again? Argument ensues among Bucs media whether it was a drop or a bad pass by Glennon.
*Johnthan Banks slips covering Louis Murphy. Complete for 10-yard gain.
*Quick-count pitch from a jumbo package. The Rainey run left had blockers in front of him with first team. Praise — “way to go OL” — heard from coaches.
*Sharp slant connection V-Jax from McCown in stride. Mike Jenkins visibly unhappy he didn’t get his hands on the ball.
*Lots of helmets cracking when the third team is on the field. Guys desperate for an NFL paycheck and to impress with their limited reps.
*Tommy Streeter getting extended attention for painful cramps. Heat woes are setting in big-time. Jamon Meredith, who looked like he just got out of a swimming pool he was sweating so much, is heard asking a teammates, “We’re almost done, right?” with 15 minutes left in practice. Seferian-Jenkins also getting some hydration, cool-down relief from a trainer, but he’s back on the field quickly with the first team.
*Banks and Seferian-Jenkins continue to impress regularly.
*Mike Evans might have saved his best for last, with a nice catch over the middle.
*Glennon overthrows Skye Dawson.
*Not seen at practice are any of the jump ball passes to the “Dunkaneers.”
*Reserve LB Danny Lansanah picks off Glennon. Practice ends.
Stick with Joe through the afternoon and evening for all kinds of nuggets, news and interviews from Bucs camp.
July 28th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Thanks for the report.
I had Stocker pegged as gone. How many TEs will they keep?
July 28th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
with all these receivers by bobbling passes and what not the only took a matter of time for sure handed receiver like Eric page to make some waves
July 28th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Great notes, thanks as always.
July 28th, 2014 at 3:50 pm
a couple unheralded guards playing their way into the first team. i’m not sure if that’s good news or bad news. couldn’t help but notice the colts and 49ers have pretty dire RB situations already, depending on how badly they would want a guy like mike james or bobby rainey in camp maybe we can pry loose some interior OL quality in a trade and add some teeth to that competition
July 28th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Wait… Koenen is faking FGs and Barth is pooch-punting?
July 28th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Great camp notes, Joe! Sounds like there was a lot of what you would expect this early in training camp…some good, some bad and some ugly!! Nice to hear the O-line made some plays and that ASJ is getting some much needed reps!
July 28th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
I think all my posts have to be approved by admin. Nothing is showing up.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:15 pm
If they give Eric Page a real chance on offense you guys will love him. Admittedly I am the president of the Eric Page Fan Club. Just watch his highlights against Ohio State.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Good job Joe.
Love these camp notes… way better than the drama.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Loving this play by play recount.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
Love the notes Joe…..hard to tell when we play eachother if one guy wins because another fails or not….but love the play-by-play!!!
July 28th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Nice notes Joe, I just have to remember that you see Glennon thru jaded eyes thought.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Thanks for the great reporting Joe(s). I am very excited by the potential (I hate that word…) of ASJ. I think we might have a star there; of course that is my ‘hope’.
@Love and Warrick Dunn Says:
“…I had Stocker pegged as gone. How many TEs will they keep?”
I think typically 4, and if thats the case, Stoker should make it. But if its 3, no way. Personally, I’d keep just 3 at TE: Wright, ASJ and Myers so as to keep better talent at RB, WR, LB or CB (we seem to have some good projects their with potential). If we get hit by the injury bug at TE later on, I think we could pick up a replacement close to Stoker’s ability.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for braving the heat Joe.
July 28th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Good Stuff, much appreciated !
July 28th, 2014 at 4:45 pm
I was there, McCown looked very sharp much better than Glennon,vjax looked like the perrenial pro he is. Seffarian-jenkins is going to be special, better than jimmy graham watch
July 28th, 2014 at 4:59 pm
The absence of the Dunkaneers is for two reasons..
1) It’s a great way to get a guy hurt. Save it for the Red Zone when the games count.
2) Freeman is at home playing with his pet snakes.
July 28th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Joe, how much has Tedford been using shotgun, two-tailback sets, fullback? Just curious to see what kind of formations we’re rolling out
July 28th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Freeman definitely home playing with his snake! Offense is gonna be fun to watch this year!
July 28th, 2014 at 6:37 pm
“*Johnthan Banks slips covering Louis Murphy. Complete for 10-yard gain.”
@Joe
Who threw that pass, Joe? It would seem to be a good read and react response. So far, from what I’ve heard, Glennon is STILL holding onto the ball too long. If this was him it would be a hint of a good sign.
July 28th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
McCown finished 11-on-11s with 18 completions on 21 attempts. Glennon wrapped up practice with 9 completions on 16 attempts.
July 28th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
@Joe
In your opinion, is Demps doing well at catching the ball in the passing game? I’m wondering if kick returns just are not his gig. I know he has been a RB before, but WR might be better for him if he is catching passes.
July 28th, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Thanks Joe! Savage heat or not, I wish I could be there.
July 28th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Wow now that is a thorough report!
Great job joe.
July 28th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
BucFanInArkansas Says:
July 28th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Wait… Koenen is faking FGs and Barth is pooch-punting?
—– Keonen is the holder for Barth. Field goal kickers being trotted out for a pooch punt has been used before in the past as other teams get so focused on personnel packages gives you a chance to have the ball downed deep….even if you are using your offensive linemen to chase it down.
The_Buc_Realist Says:
July 28th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Nice notes Joe, I just have to remember that you see Glennon thru jaded eyes thought.
Joe’s analysis seems to be the consensus out at camp with those who have been attending. I agree. Both QB’s have had their upsides and downsides (good and bad plays). Can’t focus on one interception here or there though. But overall, McCown seems to be leading the pack (And the team). Seems pretty comfortable with adjustments at the line (including blocking assignments) already which is impressive. Certainly throws on the move significantly better than Glennon. That could be key if we are getting pressure up the middle.
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
July 28th, 2014 at 6:58 pm
@Joe
In your opinion, is Demps doing well at catching the ball in the passing game? I’m wondering if kick returns just are not his gig. I know he has been a RB before, but WR might be better for him if he is catching passes.
In my opinion he really seems to be hit and miss. Sometimes you can tell he is too anxious to start running with it before he has the rock. I havn’t seen him miss a catch from a fear of contact (unless that’s why he is looking away from the ball early), like I have others at times. Lethal weapon he can be, but only if he has the ammunition on board to deliver a death blow. The hardware (his wheels and just enough wiggle) is there for sure.
July 28th, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Loved these notes, gracias
July 28th, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Deputy Buc, thanks 🙂
July 28th, 2014 at 10:56 pm
You are welcome Banzai. I’m no Joe, (maybe a little Joey). Just a passionate Bucs fan trying to be impartial and relaying what my untrained eyes see (when not on the verge of blacking out from a heat stroke.)
Joe’s coverage has been pretty spot on. There isn’t much he’s missed from all my time out there. Being out their all day, I still can’t wait to get back home after an hour drive and read the daily training camp notes to see what I missed.
July 28th, 2014 at 11:41 pm
All sorts. Not much use for fullbacks however, which explains why they have only two on the roster, and may not keep one.
July 28th, 2014 at 11:48 pm
Demps still has some ball security issues but he has made some splash plays. If he stays, he will be a running back. The guy who has impressed Joe the most is Tommy Streeter. He was totally off of Joe’s radar and each practice, he has made catch after catch and made big play after big play.
While Demps has had more splash plays (Streeter had one on Saturday, which Joe wrote about), Streeter has been very consistent.
We are only through 3 1/2 practices, but if the 53-man roster had to be chosen today, Joe’s could easily see Streeter on the roster over Louis Murphy.
Again, only 3 1/2 practices. Final 53 cut is a month away. Lot can and will change.
July 28th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Thanks for the kind words guys.
July 28th, 2014 at 11:50 pm
Deputy,
McCown’s ability to throw on the move is exactly why the Cannon is the QOF-FN.
As in For Now.
July 29th, 2014 at 9:51 am
Likely musings from the MGM’ers……
*Mike Glennon appears in 11-on-11 and promptly completes to Louis Murphy to the opposite flank. Also finding the soft spot in the zone. Next Glennon pass is short and complete to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is one massive human being.
“THE PASSES WERE EVERYTHING! LONG LIVE MG8!”
*Next play, Glennon is lucky there’s no hitting the QB, as undrafted defensive end Chaz Sutton was through on a blitz. … Another would be sack on the next play.
“JOSH MCCOWN OBVIOUSLY PAID THE LINE NOT TO BLOCK THAT PLAY IN A CONSPIRACY TO MAKE MG8 LOOK BAD”
*Glennon overthrows Skye Dawson.
“SKYE DAWSON MUST BE SLOW. I HATE SKYE DAWSON. CUT HIM IMMEDIATELY”
SINCERELY,
EVERY MEMBER OF MGM EVER