“This Is Like The Best Start To A Camp That I’ve Been A Part Of”
August 13th, 2018
A couple of interesting nuggets dropped by Bucs Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans during a sitdown with local TV sportscaster Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV.
First, Evans declares what is in the headline, that this is the best training camp to date that he’s been a part of. It’s his fifth with the Bucs.
Asked about Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, being suspended and the resulting changes to practice and vibe because of that, Evans says it “seems normal, everything’s normal.” Joe’s not sure if that’s good or bad, since it appears that Jameis has stepped back from his typical leadership style and is much less out in front of the team — and he’s getting fewer reps with Evans.
As for the absence of Hard Knocks this summer, Evans seems relieved — as do many other Bucs who last year at this time said the HBO filming was no distraction at all.
There’s more. in the full video below. Enjoy!
August 13th, 2018 at 11:23 am
Optimism is setting in. Remember Dan & Mary Kay gushing with excitement about Deshone Kizer this time last year. Undeterred by the perfect season and one of the worst seasons by a QB that followed, drum banging for Mayfield already started.
Still, given that this is our least optimistic off season in a long time, I’ll take a little optimistism.
Practice with the Titans will be telling. Joint practices with Jags last year revealed our softness as reports of being mauled were shrugged off with “We got Jameis Winston; they got Blake Bortles.” That we would be bad on defense (worst) and they would be good (best) was ignored.
August 13th, 2018 at 11:38 am
The Bucs certainly looked better prepared in all phases for the first preseason game than is typical of what I have seen in recent years. All of the guys seemed to be focussed and to remain so until the end of the game.
The staff’s self-examination and critique after the end of last season seems to have paid dividends throughout the free agency period and the excellent draft during the early offseason.
I hope these impressions prove substantive are not merely delusions created by this fans hopes. The Koetter/Licht regime seems to be maturing and bringing the the team to a new level not seen in the previous decade.
Koetter’s willingness to turn over play calling duties to Monken and to focus on game management is refreshing. It will be a significant change if it carries into the regular season.
The difference between say a 6-10 and a 9-7 outcome will be because of the coaching this year in my opinion. I believe we have sufficient talent on both sides of the ball to meet the challenges of our tougher scheduled this year.
If a consistent pattern of improvement shows in Saturday’s game my expectations will be raised another notch.
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Go Bucs!!!!!
August 13th, 2018 at 11:42 am
Anyone who thought hard knocks wouldn’t be a distraction was fooling themselves. Now is that the primary reason we stunk last year? No, but it definitely was a contributing factor.
August 13th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Pretty hard to watch with Dan Lucas sounding like Charlie Brown’s teacher throughout the interview…
August 13th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Pickgrin. Spot on dude, hilarious.
August 13th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
Where are the the practice notes