Saturday Training Camp News, Notes & Nuggets
August 4th, 2018
It was the Bucs’ fifth-consecutive day of practice and the energy was extra high thanks to the boisterous Training Camp Takeover day crowd.
The swelter was on under full sun before the team moved indoors. Joe’s got your need-to-know below.
*Some ugly stuff in punting/receiving work outdoors. Rookie RB Shaun Wilson drops his opportunity, followed by Bernard Reedy catching is opportunity but falling backwards and on to the turf. No, Joe did not see a fair catch called by Reedy. Thankfully, Adam Humphries soothed Joe’s nerves with a smooth catch.
*Training Camp Takeover day sure made a difference in the camp energy. The Stick Carriers were out early, very early, and chanting players names as they left One Buc Palace and headed to the practice fields to warm up. They clearly had a roster on hand because they fired up names of guys who won’t even make the roster.
*11-on-11 period kicks up and it’s just about all running plays — and it’s all Gerald McCoy early flashing, busting through the gut of the offensive line quickly, once he stopped Payton Barber, once he disrupted the play.
*Kwon Alexander with a good tackle on Barber for a short gain.
*Third year D-lineman DaVonte Lambert knifing in on Ronald Jones. … Yes, it’s defense, defense, defense here, but they sort of know what’s coming.
*Nice block by backup fullback Austin Johnson on rookie linebacker Jack Cichy. That frees Jones running off left tackle in second-team duty.
*Change of pace with a pass and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, hits undrafted rookie Sergio Bailey over the middle for about 15 yards.
*Full team of zebras is at practice and rookie guard Alex Cappa has a lot of questions for these guys.
*Caleb Benenoch is out injured, suffered on Friday, and is wearing a hoodie under the searing sun. Brent Grimes, out injured, as a t-shirt on, as usual.
*General manager Jason Licht spends a load of time talking to Buccaneers co-chairman Byran Glazer on the sidelines, and Licht spends plenty of 1-on-1 time with Ronde Barber watching practice.
*1-on-1 pass rush outdoors is more about technique versus beating the guy in front of you. Lots of quick whistles with coaches clearly focusing on the little details.
*Koetter is observing blitz/blitz pickup drills, and 1-on-1 blocking linebackers/tight ends, and running backs in the mix. Joe only sees about half those snaps but nothing really stands out too much. Kwon, though, is spotted holding undrafted tight end Jason Reese.
*Lively player is undrafted linebacker Shaheed Salmon.
*Practice moves indoors for 11-on-11 and more and the Training Camp Takeover day crowd, chanting inside long before the team came in, erupts in a frenzy. Their volume went in waves through the indoor session and after practice, Dirk Koetter said the noise and energy led to greater intensity and some of the player scuffles on the field. Action kicks off with Vinny Curry busting in fast on Ryan Fitzpatrick.
*Fitzpatrick bounces a throw.
*Run defense is tough.
*FLAG! Holding! Someone on the second or third team offensive line, it seems.
*Will Gholston takes Jacquizz Rodgers to the ground hard.
*Deeeep bomb down the left seam, Jameis to Bernard Reedy in double coverage.
*Sack for Vinny Curry rushing from the left side and chant of Vinny Curry begins. Those two syllable first and last names are so easy to chant together.
*Gerald McCoy dials up some pressure and Fitzpatrick throws an interception to Justin Evans playing center field, where he makes a leaping grab. Evans keeps running after the whistle and takes it to the house where he proceeds to punt the ball in the air.
*Ronald Jones is stopped near line of scrimmage and Riley Bullough, of Hard Knocks fame, enthusiastically jumps, punches the air and yells, “Yeah!”
*False start camp meat tackle Jerry Ugokwe.
*Cornerback Marko Myers picks QB Ryan Griffin on a pressured throw. Not a lot of pretty stuff from the Bucs offense today, even if Koetter said the defense won just 60-40. (See home page story)
*Vita Vea, wearing a giant boot, is walking briskly on it and he’s engaged. He was clearly going over fine points of hand positioning with fellow DT Beau Allen.
*In 1-on-1 pass rush/pass block work, Donovan Smith and Noah Spence go after it well after the whistle and Spence is hot and Smith and Spence need to be separated. It appeared to be a win for Spence in the drill. Smith was laughing at Spence as they separated. Smith takes the rematch.
*Pierre-Paul really coaching up Spence after that on technique. JPP is nearly always highly engaged in everything at practice. Dude sets a great example.
*Mitch Unrein drives back Ryan Jensen, but Jensen comes back with a W against Pierre-Paul.
*Demar Dotson wins against a Demone Harris.
*7-on-7 going on at the same time with Jameis taking most of the reps and opening with a pass to Payton Barber that he bobbles but hauls in.
*Jensen has a long chat with officials there and they’re going over a hand placement and pulling jerseys up. Great to see the refs coaching players up. Joe saw Justin Evans spending a lot of learning time, as well.
*Ali Marpet with a 1-on-1-work win against Gerald McCoy. And Smith handles JPP.
*More 11-on-11 and now the offense hums. Fitzpatrick hits Chris Godwin deep, where Godwin outmuscles Ryan Smith and he gets behind the defense. Another Godwin moment.
*Nice bat down by rookie Carlton Davis on a timing pass from Fitz to Justin Watson on the far sideline. Lotta love from his defensive teammates on that. (See video below)
*Late hit on Godwin on a late TD, and that drew a flag on someone in the secondary. Joe didn’t see it but Godwin sure didn’t appreciate it. A little jawing session broke out and many players joined in. Offensive line coach George Warhop freaked out for some reason when he saw one of his guys, rookie guard Ruben Holcomb, jump into the fray. Man, Warhop’s blood pressure must have busted 200. Bucs didn’t look like a “Discipline Driven” team today.
*Big cheering section for Jameis after practice on the outdoor field, after Jameis spent 25 minutes or so of extra work. He jogged over to sign some autographs while explaining that he had to go inside with the team. Jameis jogged off but then jogged back about 40 yards away from the crowd where there was a little kid alone yelling to him for an autograph. Jameis signed it and ran back toward team headquarters.
Part of center Ryan Jensen’s long educational chat with officials on hand placement/holding a fist-full of jersey.
August 4th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Proudly wore my Jameis jersey again today while shopping with my 2 daughters.
August 4th, 2018 at 3:07 pm
This is the year Donovan smith gets exposed as an average at best LT.
Just because we want him to be great doesn’t mean he is.
August 4th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
buc 87… Would you let Winston date your daughter??
August 4th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Buc1987, sometimes parents teach their children by being an abject lesson.
August 4th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Great Practice notes again Joe.
Hometown hero Shaheed Salmon from Land O’ Lakes HS c/o 14’.
Wish him the best of luck!
August 4th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Is there any such thing as too much camp meat?……seems like it sometimes.
Every practice that avoids a serious injury is a good practice.
August 4th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
” Another Godwin moment.”
I hope I am hearing that for another Ten Yrs with CG being a Buc!
August 4th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
What’s with the Benenoch injury?…..probably not much….but we are certainly not deep at Oline……
How’s Brian Anger doing against all the new competition at punter?…..Oh, that’s right we didn’t draft punters…..
August 4th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
Thanks joe keep em coming
August 4th, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Leave 87 alone. He can wear a Winston jersey if he wants to. Just because you feel a certain way doesn’t mean he does. You can’t live your life trying to please people. You do what you want and don’t give a F what anyone else says, 87!
August 4th, 2018 at 5:32 pm
To the small group of FSU homers that actually wanted Winston’s autograph, I wonder if he signed them “America’s Crotchgrabber And Liar, America’s Most Overrated QB And Glazer’s Huge Mistake J-Miss Winston”?
August 4th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Agreed SB! Godwin and Howard are gonna be tearing it up for this team for years! Studs.
@Joe thanks as always for the practice notes.
I have especially been enjoying all the notes about the 1-on-1 battles between the 2 lines. Good stuff! Have they made that portion more visible this year compared to years past, or does this camp seem tougher overall?
I just don’t remember as many notes about those in last training camps, but perhaps my memory is just failing me lol.
August 4th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
I don’t like the term “camp meat”….anyone that has gotten this far playing the game they love and is invited to a training camp deserves respect…
August 4th, 2018 at 6:44 pm
To the Winston haters: please go find a new NFL team, or learn the definition of loyalty. Guys not perfect, but he’s a buccaneer.
August 4th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Always wear my Jameis jersey proud
August 4th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
@GoBucs
“This is the year Donovan smith gets exposed as an average at best LT.
Just because we want him to be great doesn’t mean he is.”
And yet next year when we have to sign Jameis, Ali, and Kwon they’re gonna give Smith a nice deal cus they’ve said he’s continued to rise in his game each year. I haven’t seen a huge rise after his rookie year to deserve the money they will likely give.
August 4th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Love the coverage, Joe’s! Since I can’t be there in person, need to get all the info about the team before the first home game.
Sounds like my D fence signs will have meaning this season at the games!
August 4th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
@TBbucfan
“Every practice that avoids a serious injury is a good practice.”
And it really doesn’t seem like we’ve had any major things happen except for Vita but everyone and their mother knew it was gonna be hard for him coming to FL from Washington.
Past training camps seems like we’ve always had a lot of guys go down both serious and not so serious but this year (knock on wood) it hasn’t looked like that.
This indoor facility may be a God send from all day practices in 100 degree heat like in the past and keeping our guys healthier.
August 4th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
The Glazers read your post yesterday on how you haven’t seen them and today they show up. You got mad influence on this front office Joe.
August 4th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
Please remember: Jameis was never indicted, convicted nor admitted to any crime. The accusers and their attorneys made money with their accusations.
The truth is unknown to everyone but them.
August 4th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
@soebuc
Yea sportswriters and radio try and tell us Donovan Smith is really good. But my eyes must be old cause I don’t see it.
He’s average. I don’t care what the numbers say. Far far far from elite.
If I’m Jameis that’s the side of the o line I’m most worried about.
Seems lazy and slow to me.
August 4th, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Willy D
Under Arizona law, Winston could still face criminal charges there if the female Uber driver he groped wanted to file a complaint. However, she did not and there is no record anywhere that she accepted any money or compensation of any kind. Winston is very fortunate that she is the one that he chose to grope
August 4th, 2018 at 8:07 pm
I think part of the reason they have been high on d Smith is for his availability. Hasn’t missed a game yet, right? Pretty important for your left tackle.
In terms of his skills I do think his technique has improved but where he still lacks is his consistency. His effort / concentration is not always there and that leads to bad plays. Since it’s a contact year I expect his best performance yet.
August 4th, 2018 at 8:40 pm
D. Smith is YOUNG! Smith, Winston, Kwon, VH3? I think they all came out of school early. Granted Smith has trouble with speed rushers but he’s a mean run blocker and is strong enough to defend against bull rushes plus he’s a baby. If we can re-sign these guys the Bucs could be a powerhouse in 2-3 years. It’ll be Bucs v Titans for the Sb for years to come.
And who knew Justin Evans could ball? Wasn’t me but wtfdik
August 4th, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Great nuggets on training camp. I really look forward to seeing them every day. I’m in Milwaukee on business this weekend and I just got back to my hotel room and turned on the tv and what do I see is the Green Bay Packers night practice that they call Family Night being broadcast live onTV. The stands at Lambo Field are packed. It’s a special night!
Can someone explain to me why we don’t do this anymore?
August 4th, 2018 at 9:34 pm
I understand why a lot of you guys hate Winston, I get it. Because of his past he is automatically guilty. From my perspective, what he is accused of isn’t the worst thing in the world. Sexual Assault hits very close to me. Every day I wake up wishing that what Winston is accused of is the only thing that happened to my child. That’s not the case though. Just google or whatever the Ron Gorman sexual assault case from PA and GA. That’s the mindset I’m coming from. I’m not excusing anything that Winston may or may not have done, but when I look at it from my life experience, it’ could’ve a lot worse.
August 4th, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Zero explanation.
Miami and Seattle also have scrimmages at their stadiums.
The Bucs went from having a fanfest to a night practice to removing the covered bleachers with only six open practices during all of training camp. If Joe didn’t know better, he would think the Bucs are attempting to chase away fans.
(Oh, and it is “Lambeau Field” named after Hall of Fame coach and one of the founders of the Packers, Curly Lambeau.)
August 4th, 2018 at 10:17 pm
Left Tackle is one of the hardest positions to play in the NFL. Some and often many of DEs you face are super human. Maybe Smith isn’t a Joe Thomas but he holds his own for the most part. Everyone gets beat at times. You will also have off days. Everyone does. If Smith can’t do the job, they have a couple guys who I’m sure would take a shot. You can always put a TE over there as well. Much of the time a beating isn’t so if the middle holds up, the QB finds the pocket and the LT pushes him right past the play. This is where Jameis needs work. Finding that sweet spot and getting rid of the ball. Throw it away and fight another day. He has improve in this one area. The run game if solid should help. I believe this D line will help the O line improve as has been said by many. Go Bucs!
August 4th, 2018 at 10:18 pm
And quick slants are a need for this team.
August 4th, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Winston an trump did the same thing.
August 4th, 2018 at 10:59 pm
Winston an trump did the same thing.
August 4th, 2018 at 11:07 pm
BrianBucs get over it. It never happened so stop talking about it. Men grab women’s butts all the time it doesn’t make it a sexual assault. When I was 17 I had a full grown woman grope me from behind in public when I was at work. I was angry and got over it quickly. This uber driver obviously did not think it was a crime nor did it destroy her life so she didn’t pursue prosecution. Why are you constantly bringing it up? Why are you more bothered about it than she was? Is it because the two “victims” are white??? You take this too too seriously. Do you hate our president as much who is an admitted sexual assaulter by your account??? It’s funny how a number of people up here and out in the world despise Jameis for what he did but give much respect to our prez and look past what he did.
August 4th, 2018 at 11:17 pm
Wear your Jaboo jersey or don’t…but for you to be PROUD to wear it is pretty odd. He has done nothing on the field and very little off the field for you to be PROUD to wear it.
August 4th, 2018 at 11:27 pm
Everybody get off ur high horse and just put Jameis in his place. Where a 23 yr old kid belongs. Nobody told you to buy his jersey, let alone wear it. Man Tampa has a whole bunch of self righteous people, racist and hypocritical fan base I have ever seen. And yes I have daughters and if they want to date a guy like Jameis, what in thee hell can I do about it.
August 5th, 2018 at 12:52 am
Gman…he’s done PLENTY on the field for me to wear it proudly.
Forgot to mention it was his FSU jersey!
I have his Bucs one too…thanks to Erik an old poster on here, but it’s ugly as F. The only thing good about it is the name on the back!
Anywho I wear it on PURPOSE. Cause I think you clowns that think he’s the anti-christ need to see that jersey being worn in your face and with pride.
The STUPID vitriol some of you BUCS fans have for this kid is insane. I don’t care if he punched your mom in the face or my mom for that matter. Just watch the effing game. Put it on a scale. Bucs on one side vs Dr Phil Me Too movement on the other. See which one you care about more and move on….it’s BEST for everyone. PICK a side!
Brian….YOU can’t take it can you.? It’s eating you alive that this (supposed horrible QB on the field)guy is still a Buc. WHY? How can this be? He does alllllllllll this off field stuff and it’s been into the 100’s I suppose. Why the hell are they even keeping him here? He’s no good on the field anyway right?
Brian…I AM a Bucs fan and I want to win at all costs. I see what he’s done. I’m not some knuckledragger. I for all his defense I did of him prior to the draft was against the Bucs taking him originally. I did research. I suggest you do the same and really think deep about this kid. I’m 48 yrs old. I’m a man. A man that’s LOVED SEX since I was 14. I mean hell no disrespect to women, I love the opposite sex, but some of us men can come on a little strong….Does that excuse what she said he did? Nope, but what’s the answer? He’s guilty should be gone according to the likes of you. CUT him now!!! Stop IT!
Like you said he’ll do his own self in. I guess it matters to YOU as a Bucs fan (at this point)who QB’s OUR team to victory as long as it’s NOT Jameis Winston. That IS clear to ALL by now. Even though he has not done anything wrong in the past 3 yrs since the Uber crap, that 10 yrs ago was nothing that YOU ever heard about, but happened.
Your hatred for this kid is well documented. If you’d like I can put together a montage of your posts for you. HATE!
I just want the Bucs to make a dent in the NFL. I WANT to thump my chest again GLAZERS. If Foles is the answer…then by all means go get the kid, yet I think Jameis IS the answer. I just want to raise my head up high as a Bucs fan again, and anything Jameis does or did “supposedly” off the field does NOT matter at this point to this Bucs fan.
Joe….it’s tough huh Mr Poll-man? I’m sure you’ve pondered polling the base. Do your thing. When YOU want to. I’m sure the poll will come down. I’ve wasted enough time already on this team. Hell it’s 10 to 1 in the morn.
August 5th, 2018 at 1:27 am
“It’s funny how a number of people up here and out in the world despise Jameis for what he did but give much respect to our prez and look past what he did.”
Excellent David. Kind of good points except…do you know Brian is a Trump supporter enough to look past his admitted sexual transgressions?
I did NOT vote for Trump. I WOULD vote for Trump if the election was tomorrow, cause I DO see a vibrant economy despite the supposed “evil” of a man running the show. I JUST want to win. I don’t care what he say. I don’t want to BE poor anymore. Life is life. If Trump enables me to have a BETTER life…and he HAS..then I will vote for him to keep doing so.
Yet I will defend Jameis Winston for being a MAN and a QB of our team as long as I see that he might be the answer to making our team win again…consistently.
Bottom line. If Trump and Jameis groped women in the past, yet America is doing good and the Bucs are winning…I REALLY could care less what they did in their past. Sorry women. It is what it is. Do I hate you? HELL no, I love women!
August 5th, 2018 at 2:49 am
BrianBucs
It’s still just your naive opinion and a lack of evidence.
August 5th, 2018 at 2:51 am
Tampa Bay is so small market……….I can post a comment on the #1 NFL Bucs related site in the area and it takes over 3 HOURS for it to make it on the site.
Starting to give up on the weak!
August 5th, 2018 at 2:55 am
Willy…I went after Brian…the sites filters…filtered me out. It’s tough to deal with, but I guess we have to understand at this late hour. I can assure you one thing. I support Jameis Winston and PRESIDENT Trump!
August 5th, 2018 at 2:58 am
I surrender Joes……
Bye.
August 5th, 2018 at 7:57 am
And he’s still going to be signed long term.
August 5th, 2018 at 9:47 am
I feelnlike evans and godwin can be like moss and carter when they played together in minny. Barring a Winston meltodwn and he is resigned this could be a lot of fun to watch in the upcoming seasons!
Thanks as always Joe for the notes. Look forward to them everyday being that I live in PA!
August 5th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Lol 87 we already knew that. I’d be curious to know what drastic changes have happened in the last 18 months that are so different from the 3 – 4 years before that?
August 5th, 2018 at 11:25 am
You’re a dumba** for two reasons:
1. Being OK with sexual assault.
2. Claiming you “REALLY could care less”. It’s couldn’t care less. What you said basically means you can care less than you currently do
August 5th, 2018 at 12:35 pm
That first video is game loud!
August 5th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Gobucs Says
“This is the year Donovan smith gets exposed as an average at best LT.
Just because we want him to be great doesn’t mean he is.”
I guess some people just can’t help but make dire predictions…lol.
August 5th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
ben Says
“buc 87… Would you let Winston date your daughter??”
If his daughter is old enough to date Winston, 87 would not have a say in the matter.
And, btw, no one dating him has ever been assaulted.
August 5th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Gman Says
“Wear your Jaboo jersey or don’t…but for you to be PROUD to wear it is pretty odd. He has done nothing on the field and very little off the field for you to be PROUD to wear it.”
See? For you to even say that proves you don’t actually follow what the man does on or off the field.
On the field, he set records his first two years. On his third year (injured) he had a much improved statline outside of turnovers…which was the same number of turnovers as Matt Ryan.
Off the field, he contributes to multiple charities, has two of his own, and visits schools to speak with children…not to mention he supports the charities of other players.
So you see, your statement was completely devoid if fact.
August 5th, 2018 at 2:15 pm
I don’t want to add a non sequitor to this very passionate debate. I also don’t want to be insensitive. But I have to ask – is the “all gay cruise” advertisement banner to the right of the content the best marketing strategy for said company?
August 5th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Orange Dimwit Blob–will melt soon in Palm Beach. Back to Bucs. I’m looking forward to the preseason start next Thursday night. Hopefully, the radio broadcast will have the streaming kinks ironed out. Go Bucs!!
August 5th, 2018 at 3:23 pm
Joe is not seeing that but those ads are from a national advertising feed. Those ads are often based on your surfing history likely using the cookies placed on your web browser.
August 5th, 2018 at 8:45 pm
Lol @ brion
Blaming joe for your web browsing history. Its obvious you did not understand the cookies warning the web pages you visited were giving you. Now i am not judging you or your web searching preferences….to each their own. Everyone who has posted on this site knows that joe has a thing for rachel watson lol.