Bucs’ Biggest Battle
July 25th, 2020
Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead.
Just about every position on the Bucs is all wrapped up as we anxiously await training camp next week.
All but three positions, that is.
We do not know the No. 3 receiver. Could be rookie Tyler Johnson. Could be Justin Watson. Could be Scotty Miller. But the Bucs are so top-heavy at receiver, this is really isn’t a big deal.
Then there is running back. Joe is guessing Ronald Jones starts. But then there is Ke’Shawn Vaughn. If he balls out in training camp, there’s no reason not to let him start.
But safety is a different story. Jelani Scott of NFL.com believes this is the best battle for the Bucs in training camp.
Most important position battle: Safety. Dang, Tampa. Back at it again with the subpar secondary? Many of the concerns from a year ago remain as the pass defense again underwhelmed, surrendering the second-most completions per game (25.5), third-most pass yards per game (270.1) and tying for the seventh-most pass touchdowns allowed (30). A strong second half from the cornerbacks provides some sense of optimism, and while promising options exist at safety, the competition for playing time at the position could be intense. Andrew Adams, Mike Edwards and Jordan Whitehead will return after combining for 18 pass deflections and two interceptions while seeing starting duty in 2019. Whitehead’s 25 career starts position him for first-team reps in a relatively inexperienced backend, but that’s not necessarily set in stone. Versatile rookie Antoine Winfield Jr., whom management is rightfully high on, will also be vying for playing time. The same goes for 2017 second-rounder Justin Evans — a starter in Years 1 and 2 who missed the 2019 season due to injury — and 2019 camp darling D’Cota Dixon, who also spent last season on injured reserve. Given all the moving parts, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will likely have some tough decisions to make when it comes to sorting things out at this position.
Joe will go out on a limb here and say that if healthy, Jordan Whitehead will start. That leaves one safety position open.
And here again, Joe is going say it is Antoine Winfield’s job to lose. This guy’s college highlights sure make him look like a baller.
The trick is, Winfield had no offseason with the Bucs. No OTAs. No rookie minicamp. No team minicamp. And it will be a soft training camp.
Can Winfield overcome all of those to lock up a starting job?
July 25th, 2020 at 1:03 am
Am I the only one who has worried about the secondary for years? I mean, it feels like a thousand premium picks have been used on the secondary the last couple of years. Can it finally be “fixed?”
July 25th, 2020 at 1:53 am
I forgot about D’Cota Dixon. That guy was playing lights out before his injury. He was showing good instincts and played with that same sense of urgency I love in J. Whitehead. I’m excited to see this young Bucs, backend talent come together this year.
July 25th, 2020 at 2:15 am
FS – A. Winfield Jr. | J. Evans. | A. Adams
SS- J. Whitehead. | M. Edwards | D. Dixon
Seems alright w Me I say we keep all 6 seeing that Winfield and Evans can play nickle.
Edwards can play dime LB too so we’d have versatility and special teams deth.
What you guys think?
July 25th, 2020 at 4:34 am
If Evans feet aren’t ready for camp cut bait already. IF Winfield doesn’t start, I’d be shocked, and disappointed. There was a lot of other talent available where we picked him, especially at RB. Considering the competition he’ll face, and where he was drafted, he better start.
July 25th, 2020 at 5:43 am
Without a proper offseason, I would be surprised if the Bucs threw Antoine Winfield into the NFL furnace wearing nothing but gasoline-soaked underwear. My guess is that Adams will start initially, with Winfield getting snaps to acclimate him to the speed, complexity, and power of the NFL game before he’s named a starter. But hey, just my guess, I’m no coach! GO BUCS!!!
July 25th, 2020 at 5:51 am
Where the fudge is Justin Evans?
July 25th, 2020 at 6:56 am
One of the best things you can have going for you as a professional athlete is to have a father who was a professional athlete. I think Winfield Jr. Will be fine.
July 25th, 2020 at 7:26 am
I asked a month or so ago about Justin Evans’ health…..the answer I got back is “He’s hurt”…….
One would think with all the media covering the Bucs someone would have interviewed Evans and asked him.
I mean….can he run….jog….trot….walk…..do the limbo…..the macarena?
We should know more than we know.
I guess we’ll find out next week. Maybe.
July 25th, 2020 at 8:00 am
Maybe Bucco Bruce can convince ole #33 Mark Cotney to come out of retirement?
July 25th, 2020 at 8:16 am
Javon Hagan will come in and compete! ( an Undrafted free agent )
July 25th, 2020 at 9:55 am
I’m thinking the Bucs biggest battle is how they will deal with BLM. It is not obvious the professional sports leagues either don’t know or don’t care that BLM has nothing to do with Blacks getting killed or their “protests” would be in Chicago at the very least, and against PPH at most. Margaret Sangsrer hated Blacks and wanted to cull them from society. Lastly, I urge rabid sports fans to go to BLM’s website. After you read that, will you seriously support this group? So, the Bucs biggest challenge has nothing to do with players and depth or talent. They jeopardize their already shaky fan base.
July 25th, 2020 at 11:09 am
FactTeller,
I agree, AWhitfield Jr n JWhitehead should be our starting safeties. Both have good instincts, tackles well, play aggressive., n r ball hawks. Whitehead is under rated.
July 25th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Jordan Whitehead brought absolutely nothing to the table playing safety. He would probably be better off playing RB like he did some in college. Just a guy.
Mike Edwards was poor in coverage last season, but much better in run support with good instincts in the box. He was out of position playing primarily FS last year. Now with Winfield who is a natural FS, we can move Edwards over to SS. Should be MUCH improved there.
July 25th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Dude can hit and he’s fairly physical.
In a league where tackling and physical play is a forgotten or frowned upon art, Joe thinks that’s a key attribute.
July 25th, 2020 at 7:15 pm
I’m hoping Winfield can start contributing midseason. Can’t see how you would any confidence throwing him into the fire Week 1 against Brees loll
Whitehead and Adams or maybe Whitehead and Edwards would be my bet. Still hoping Edwards can impress.
July 25th, 2020 at 7:57 pm
Forget about Jamal Adams. He’s been traded to Seattle.
July 25th, 2020 at 9:41 pm
The secondary has been plagued by bad coaching and scheme.Even last season the corners continued playing 15 yards off for the first 8 weeks.Once they started playing press and man coverage it allowed the safties the read the entire field ragher than worrying about the receivers as their primary responsibility with coverage rolling off to them.on every play by default. I have very little concern with the secondary. Top concern is left tackle. Beyond that is the playcalling and hoping the screen game is heavily incorporated. Third concern (which I would still stick with him) would be matt gay hitting big moment game savers. THEN….THEN I would worry about saftey.Our secondary will ball out this year
July 26th, 2020 at 12:07 am
My worry is lakc of practice time for this young secondary. They looked promising down the stretch but will have less effective practice time this off season
July 26th, 2020 at 10:58 am
Yeah, this jackass says it’s a subpar secondary, then mentions how well they played the second half AND how they have two big names coming in in AWII and Justin.
July 27th, 2020 at 12:21 am
Last year started with spoon feeding followed by hurlings (youngsters in a new system). They became solid young men in the second half.
This year The Band of Brothers will take further strides to a consistent solid NFL Unit!
Go Bucs!
In BA I Trust!
July 27th, 2020 at 12:28 am
Safety can quickly become a good position of depth IF…
Evans is healthy
The rookie is the real deal
Add them in with Whitehead and suddenly it is looking pretty good
July 27th, 2020 at 11:00 am
Whitehead is the best safety we have and a hard hitter. They better have got big picks if they traded Adams to Seattle. Rediculous. One year Adams had three interceptions. He is an important player and should never have been traded!
July 27th, 2020 at 11:06 am
Everybody kept calling for the Bucs to hire a Veteran Safety, but they didn’t need too when they had Adams because he is a Veteran Safety. Second reason it was crazy to trade him away. Licht should have known better by now! That was a boneheaded move. The Seahawks picked his pocket for a great player.