Buccaneers’ Practice Notes & Nuggets (Tennessee Wednesday Edition)
August 17th, 2022
It’s Joe’s not-so world famous Bucs training camp notes and nuggets, fresh from the Tennessee Titans’ practice facility this afternoon.
Joe is changing things up today. The notes are about defense, defense and more defense, and a little offense, too.
*Running back Giovani Bernard is in street clothes, as are Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Bernard’s unknown injury happened Saturday. Evans has a hamstring and it looks like Godwin just got a day off. Working on the sidelines and training hard is receiver Russell Gage, seen being pushed with a little less intensity is receiver Breshad Perriman.
* Bucco Bruce Arians made the trip but his covered golf cart did not. Joe chats with the former head coach, who clearly has his head dialed into the intricacies of the club.
*DROP! Jaelon Darden in 1-on-1 drills with Titans rookie cornerback Roger McCreary in coverage.
*What a fun battle in 1-on-1s with Titans fifth-round pick receiver Kyle Phillips and Antoine Winfield, Jr. A win for each.
*Nice pass breakup by rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum. Soon after, veteran receiver Robert Woods is too much for McCollum to handle.
*Cornerback Dee Delaney left in the dust by a double move from Titans receiver Mason Kinsey.
*Corner Jamel Dean comes up strong against receiver Terry Goodwin.
*Camp meat cornerback Kyler McMichael flagged for pass interference.
*Man, what fun it was to see Devin White facing Derrick Henry in a pass-blocking/blitz-pickup drill.
*An 11-on-11 session begins and there’s not really tackling to the ground yet but it’s physical otherwise. After a Titans run left for a 3 or 4 yards, new Bucs defensive tackle Akiem Hicks bats down a Ryan Tannehill pass.
*Deep shot touchdown from Tannehill to rookie receiver Treylon Burks. It looked to Joe like it was Sean Murphy-Bunting in coverage, but it may have been Keanu Neal. Most Titans reporters were leaning Neal. Regardless, it wasn’t a good moment for the defense, and Neal left injured soon after (see home page).
*Another short run is followed by a Tannehill fake and rollout that seemed to catch edge rusher Carl Nassib off guard at left end — 11 yard gain.
*Camp meat linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi seems to be the responsible party after a Titans big run up the left gut.
*Titans wide receiver Racey McMath beats McCollum deep to the right side. McCollum holds his head in disbelief.
*Hicks breaks through and would have hammered Tannehill for a sack but lets up per practice rules. The pass rush continued on the next play with Elijah Ponder and Devin White getting through on a blitz; someone would have gotten the sack.
*And one more! In comes DL Benning Potoa’e for what would have been a sack, but play continued and backup safety Chris Cooper ended up with a pick of a Titans backup QB.
*Carl Nassib seen talking over and over again to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka on the sidelines.
*Titans Coach Mike Vrabel is one very involved dude, screaming at his guys during special teams/punt return work.
*And here come the big boys: Titans defensive linemen versus Bucs offensive linemen in pass rushing/pass blocking drills: First up is Tristan Wirfs and he is strong and dominant in his two reps.
*Then comes center Robert Hainsey. Rough pair against Kevin Strong.
*Left guard Aaron Stinnie also struggled with Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons, who shoved Stinnie after their first go which may have been a win for Stinnie.
*Donovan Smith looked as dominant as Tristan Wirfs.
*Bucs tackle Brandon Walton is working at multiple positions and punches the helmet off Naquan Jones. Hands to the face? LOL. Joe think Walton looks much better at tackle than guard.
*Simmons is hot — at Bucs left guard Nick Leverett. And Simmons wasn’t even facing him. He didn’t like Leverett’s approach. “What the F are you doing?” he screamed. Someone yelled, “Get back to the practice squad” as a little dustup ensued and a crowd gathered.
*Bucs camp-meat tackle Dylan Cook has slow hand and coaches are all over him. They’re also on guard Luke Goedeke about his feet and set in pass protections.
*Bucs guard Shaq Mason gets bull rushed badly by Titans DL DeMarcus Walker.
*Hainsey continues to struggle.
*Simmons ripped a quick move inside Stinnie in their second go-round. Not even Kyler Murray would have escaped that would-be sack.
*Again, Smith and Wirfs dominate.
*11-on-11 is back and the Bucs allow an eight-yard run to Dontrell Hilliard.
*The next ball carrier is met in a crushing hurry by Will Gholston.
*The Titans complete a short throw followed by an offsides call on Tampa Bay. Hicks jumped first, recovered and then others jumped.
*Tannehill converts a quick out for 5 yards before he’s victimized by a drop.
*Fatukasi misses a tackle on a run and the Titans get 10 yards.
*Anthony Nelson with a sack on Malik Willis, pulling up on the rush under practice rules. And then rookie Andre Anthony gets one off the right edge on Tannehill. Back-to-back sacks.
*PICK!! Devin White sitting in zone coverage. Not much pressure on Tannehill. Just a bad mistake.
*Vita Vea hammers a running back in the hole. A Titans right tackle needs help off the field. Very physical play on both sides.
*Bucs’ zone coverage looks off on an easy Titans completion. Jamel Dean and K.J. Britt talking after the play.
*White and Lavonte David playing with the second team now. After playing with the first. Camp-meat cornerback Kyler McMichael loses and Titans WR Kyle Phillips gets a big gain on an out route.
*Ryan Succop is perfect through his dedicated special teams session — seven or eight kicks, with the final one from 50 yards.
*Julio Jones seen working with Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert during special teams/punt coverage work. Todd Bowles says after practice that Julio will not play in Saturday’s preseason game.
*11-on-11 is back and it’s a hurry-up version. The Titans get back-to-back, 6-yard completions, the second goes to tight end Austin Hooper with Devin White covering.
*Then they huddle and throw complete for six yards with Mike Edwards in coverage.
*Next is a dumpoff to Dontrell Hilliard while Devin White chases him down before the left sideline for a 2-yard gain.
*No catch! Pass defense on the sideline by Logan Ryan on Robert Woods.
*4th-and-short play is complete on Devin White. After a quick out for 2 yards, the Titans’ run is stuffed and they hustle up to complete would looks like a 52 yard field goal.
*Here come the Bucs in 11-on-11 in hurry-up. Blaine Gabbert is incomplete to the right side before an eight-yard completion to Cameron Brate over the middle. Aaron Stinnie holds up in pass protection, 1-on-1 against Simmons. Well done!
*First down Bucs with a short throw to Tyler Johnson over the middle. Then comes another completion to Brate in the left flat.
*BIG GAIN! Julio Jones breaks a tackle after roughly an eight-yard pass to the left sideline. Julio turns it into 20.
*Playoff Lenny with a run for a yard, and the Bucs spike the ball.
*Ryan Succop misses wide left from 40 yards.
*Titans ball and, man, Todd Bowles is visibly frustrated with his second-team defense (see home page). The Titans get two first downs.
*Titans rookie QB Malik Willis has some kind of rifle in his right arm. Damn. He fires complete over the middle with Bucs camp-meat cornerback Don Gardner in coverage. The next play is a nice pass breakup by Dee Delaney.
*Now it’s Kyle Trask’s turn at the hurry-up and he looks impressive, brimming with confidence.
*Trask fires to receiver Jerreth Sterns for eight yards to the right.
*Then it’s another hurry-up strike to Sterns for four yards. First down!
*Trask again with zip to Kaylon Geiger for nine yards.
*After a throwaway from Trask, he throws over the middle through the hands of running back Rachaad White but Devon Thompkins swoops in to catch the free ball.
*Trask with a another throw away and it’s 4th and 1. Lined up wide left is White and he’s uncovered as the Titans bench goes nuts screaming at a defensive back to get in position. Trask’s throw to White at the sidelines (only 8 seconds on the clock at the Titans’ 40 yard line) and way off the mark.
*Here come the Titans again with their first team offense in hurry-up for the final time. He hits Robert Woods, who was nestled in zone coverage for a gain of about 25 yards — after Tannehill was flushed left from a left side blitz and threw sidearm. Nice play.
*Rookie Titans TE Chik Okonkwo catches an eight-yard pass with Mike Edwards in coverage. Edwards looks slow today.
*Titans set up for a 53-yard field goal. It’s good!
*Now it’s the Bucs’ first-team offense back in hurry-up. Blaine Gabbert throws slightly behind Darden but still through his hands on a crossing route.
*Drop or pass interference? Darden misses on squeezing another Gabbert throw over the middle. Good defense by Titans safety Kristian Fulton who flies in for the breakup.
*Darden redeems himself. Great pass protection for Gabbert who finds Darden in zone coverage for 15 yards.
*Gabbert rushes to spike the ball and Succop is good — from 52 yards!
*Last call for the second-teamers in hurry-up. Illegal contact call on cornerback Jamel Dean. (See home page story). Dee Delaney drops a sure interception.
*Kyle Trask breaks out his deep ball and hits Kaylon Geiger down the seam for over 20 yards. The Bucs rush in for the spike as the clock ticks down. Succop is good from 50 yards to end practice.
*After practice, Succop reveals that he got permission from Todd Bowles to stay at home with his wife and kids during the Bucs’ trip to Tennessee. Succop lives in the area in the offseason. Cool move from the Bucs to let Succop do his thing after practice and meetings. Succop’s eldest son skipped the first day of first grade to attend practice today — and catch passes from dad on the field afterwards.
Bucco Bruce Arians found a seat, uncovered, but ended up spending most of practice upright on the Titans’ practice fields.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Another good day for Trask, another bad day for Goathumper.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Imagine how cool that is, to skip school so you can watch your dad practice in the NFL. Awesome.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
The rest of it — not so much. Sounds like we sucked.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
That’s excellent reporting.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Great notes, Joe. Some good, some bad. That’s practice.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:35 pm
So it sounds like our interior oline got abused by their interior studs
But no worries. Our pass blocking is fine. Run blocking not needed cause well we are a one dimensional passing team 😂 And if you make a comment otherwise someone will set you straight “Wait you dont trust my word “😂
August 17th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
You’re world famous in Tampa Joe! Thanks a lot again. I see everybody is jumping on Trask band wagon, but is he really doing better than Gabbert? I mean Gabbert was 5 for 5 for 60 some yards in his 1 series against Miami., and seems to hold his own in practice.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Suh.
August 17th, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Sounds like we lost…….Devin White sounds impressive….Stearns making catches……Tackles good…..inside linemen struggling…
Thanks, Joe
August 17th, 2022 at 4:47 pm
Wow–sounds like a good practice–more learned from this then staying home against the same old guys. Sounds like we need a couple extra weeks of practice.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Didn’t Bowles say that he never saw Nassib fall for a bootleg? Guess he jinxed him. That was Nelson. –Joe
August 17th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Nassib not falling for a booted leg?
August 17th, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Nice reporting Joe. Injuries injuries if this keeps up the team will have to wrap the team in bubble wrap. Todays practice the first D sucked. Offense good at times? The Bucs kicker Succop not a bad day it seems. Will this team be a playoff team. Would be nice to see the main core of our top receivers out there but oh yes injuries. Thanks again Joe
August 17th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
GREAT practice notes Joes.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:43 pm
Great notes, thanks guys!
August 17th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Sounds like half our starters were out there. We don’t even have our starting QB on the field and the receivers. My biggest concern is Hainsey.
August 17th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Great info. Thanks.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:03 pm
@PatsBears
Yes this will be a playoff team. If it isn’t then we most likely lost TB to injury. Jesus folks talk about over reacting to practice notes. Where’s Alan Iverson when you need him.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:06 pm
Great to hear the secondary getting toasted by a bunch of nobody receivers. Sounds really promising.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Good job, Joe’s. Thanks keeping us..abreast
August 17th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
Practice! We talkin bout practice!! Not a game! We talkin bout practice man!!! Lol IrishTony
August 17th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
Very cool that they let Succup to stay at his home instead of with the team during Titans week.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
I think it shows the parity in the league, so what differentiates is coaching, game planning, ”want-to more than the other guy” , and who has the extra “it” factor to make the big play when it’s available.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:23 pm
Sounds like besides a play or 2, McCollum had a pretty rough day! Really hope he is not needed that much this season, as he has a long way to go. Remember, Kenny Bell had all the measurables and was fast, but just could not translate it for game day. I think he was a fifth rdpick as well. Another shocker, Brittle Neal already hurt, smh! Seemed like he was hurt all the time when he played for the Dixie Chicks.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:36 pm
I’m not feeling great about the guts of the team or the depth of the trenches.
BA brought juice.
Bowles is more like Dungy. These lads need to be fired up sometimes. A head coach may need to do that. I just don’t see Todd doing that.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Lynch, Barber, D Brooks. What did they all have in common?? They were rarely ever injured! Dinged up, sure, but I can’t remember a time any of them missed much, if any game time, And they played in a much rougher league. I just don’t get how it usually is the same dudes getting hurt over and over! Call it luck, genes, better technique. I just don’t get it!
August 17th, 2022 at 6:41 pm
And Ronde was prob the best tackling CB ever. Yet somehow never got hurt. He needs to be in the HOF yesterday!
August 17th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Just listened to some really good practice analysis on another site. Joe’s disclaimer. Training camp analysis is very challenging. First, no instant replay. Second, on a day like today, things are happening on two or three fields at once. Third, 1-on-1 drills can be highly deceiving. Fun, but deceiving. “Balling out” is tied to who you’re “balling out” against. –Joe The receivers apparently did really well; Geiger, Sterns, Darden, Grayson Johnson all balled out. Pass pro was good, running blocking questionable. Smith and Wirfs were dominate, Hainsey and Mason held there own. Stinnie and Leverett struggled.
August 17th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
I’m really taking a shine to Grayson. Didn’t realize how grimy he can get with his blocking.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Yeah IrishTony. Us having to possibly rely on Leverett and or Stinnie is very worrisome! There is no way we don’t bring someone else in, whether it’s after final cuts or some other FA. I get Brady gets the ball out as fast as anyone, but WTF are we going to do against the Rams or Saints???????????? We got killed on the inside with Ali and Ryan in there. Color me scared, and I’m sure TB is somewhat skeptical himself.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:19 pm
Is it too much expect to see or read about Logan Hall make a tackle or create a pressure or something? I watched him make zero impact against the Dolphins scrubbers and read nothing about him today against Tennessee.
I don’t think I’ve even seen him celebrate a play someone else made. We’ve got a lot of draft capital tied up in he and JTS, so the expected results are significant. Right now the Potatoe guy is showing more splash and impact than Hall.
C’mon, rook – time to get up to game speed.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:29 pm
Yeah goatfarmer, we better hope Hicks and Vea stay healthy this year. Def can’t rely on Logan being in there in a full time capacity, especially in this “all in” season.
August 17th, 2022 at 7:44 pm
MASH 4077
August 17th, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Bucs got abused today. Tennessee is a far superior and deeper team than the Bucs. It’s going to be a long season without Brady.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Kristian Fulton is a CB, but otherwise nice job on the Titans players.
August 17th, 2022 at 8:32 pm
Now i see why Brady is considering retiring again!! Would have been ok with Jensen … But sounds like he’s going to be on his back a lot this year at 45 … Not a good feeling if you’re Brady!!
August 17th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
While I’m sure the absence of Brady was a factor, they’re professionals so that isn’t an excuse. Motivation and execution is on the coaching staff.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:19 pm
And while the report on Hainsey seems mixed, the LG position sounds outright worrisome.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
Thanks Joe.
Loved this draft, except for Logan Hall.
Hope Im wrong- but expect him to disappoint.
Not physical or big enough for DT, to stiff for DE.
Still have hopes for Andre Anthony. Think he might be a pass rusher!
We have to pickup a starting Left Guard- or we are not going to be able to use our great passing game.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:47 pm
For a team with a single-season Super Bowl window, it would make a helluva lot of sense to sign Trey Flowers. If Logan Hall proves to be a non-factor, you’re covered. If Akiem Hicks gets injured, you’re covered. If JTS’ promise is but seldom kept, you’re covered.
Signing Trey Flowers makes too much sense, unless of course ownership isn’t all in.
August 17th, 2022 at 9:51 pm
Jeff with the usual mindless comments. Do you just do copy paste everyday? Between Joe’s reports and others it was a productive day of practice. That’s right, practice. Good Lord boy, take your ritilin already.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
Titans and Dolphins beat them where it counts, in the trenches.
Hainsey, Leverett and Stinnie struggle again. Is it a pattern yet? It doesn’t matter if they’re good guys who try really hard. They’re getting smoked. Hainsey is “smart” and technically clean, until he meets with nasty power full strength, then he gets worked.
If they really want to wait for Jensen, and won’t pull the plug on the Hainsey, who may be a full year premature, then please at least do something about LG, or Brady will be sent into retirement early.
The pass rush is still suspect. Logan Hall, nowhere to be found. Trey Flowers, Attaochu, someone, please.
August 17th, 2022 at 10:44 pm
Good stuff, thanks Joes.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:04 pm
@Steele. This OL is a liability. I’ve been shouting about it from the rooftops, and this was before Jensen got injured. Now it’s just plain below average. Our interior line must be upgraded before we hit the regular season. I can’t believe we’re supposed to be an all in team this season. We have all these shiny new offensive toys, yet we won’t be able to fully utilize them because the QB won’t have time to throw. They also struggled against the Dolphins in the trenches. This was according to National guys and Dolphins’ reporters. You would think that everything was just swell of you just paid attention to the local guys.
I don’t care about that Hainsey and Leverett are hard workers. They’re not up to the job on the field. Everyone wanted to just hand Stinnie the LG job because of a small sample size. He was average at best during the playoffs. Marpet was such a huge loss for us at LG.
Tom’s no idiot. He’s been in the league a long time and knows the key to this team winning a SB is having the ability to protect him. During his last presser, he was asked about Haisney and he had the chance to give him a vote of confidence. Instead, he said the organization has confidence him. He didn’t say HE had confidence. Tom is very deliberate with his words. He also added how it doesn’t matter how hard anyone works in the off-season if they can’t get the job done on the field. He was speaking generally, but all off-season we kept hearing about how hard Hainsey worked with AQ.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:33 pm
Great job Joes… BA looks serious.
August 17th, 2022 at 11:40 pm
Man you guys need 2relax. I watched the highlights of the Dolphins game and there were 4 or 5 times when Trask completed a pass that I thought no way he has that much time against a starting front line. At best Trask is maybe in Tannehill, Jones, Trabisky, type of guys. Don’t worry, Brady will make them look good
August 18th, 2022 at 12:00 am
Goatfarmer Says:
August 17th, 2022 at 7:19 pm
Is it too much expect to see or read about Logan Hall make a tackle or create a pressure or something?
———–
If you EVER expect a rookie defensive lineman to do anything, 95% of the time you’re going to be disappointed. Rarely do rookies on the defensive line do much – and really the only position that is worse as a rookie is TE, where it’s like 96%. That’s part of the reason I really wanted the Bucs to take Devonte Wyatt when he shockingly was still available when they picked – that guy, I believe, is pro-ready and can step in day 1 and produce. Meanwhile, Logan Hall might end up being a great pick, but he’s coming from a small school and played 2nd tier college players, going from that to being productive in the NFL is a big leap in year 1. Not saying he can’t or won’t do it, you just shouldn’t expect it.
August 18th, 2022 at 4:14 am
Rod Munch … ‘If you EVER expect a rookie defensive lineman to do anything, 95% of the time you’re going to be disappointed. Rarely do rookies on the defensive line do much’.
Not sure about the 95% figure Rod, but in general rookie DLinemen do disappoint I think. But that’s mostly because of OUR expectations for high draft picks, not so much because of them. The majority of them it seems are still ‘growing into their bodies’ at 20, 21 or 22 years old, and aren’t nearly as strong as they’ll ultimately need to become to be successful. Most only have a few basic moves, and that’s not enough to make a big splash rookie year. Plus they’re learning a whole new defense with its own language, as well as learning how to ‘play faster’ & work with all new teammates. Put that all together & it doesn’t scream ‘Watch out NFL, here I come’.
In Logan Hall’s case, I agree with you about Wyatt but that’s water under the bridge. It’ll be interesting to see how Todd Bowles decides to use Hall in his defense. I still can’t see him as a 3-technique, at least for now (maybe later when he ‘fills out’). For now I kjnda see him in the role that Will Gholston used to have (until he beefed up & slid more inside). My expectations for Hall aren’t super-high this year, and that’s one of the reasons I still would love to see Suh back in the fold.
August 18th, 2022 at 4:25 am
Love today’s practice notes Joe; you’re on fire. One section literally jumped out at me with 5 telling recaps:
‘*They’re also on guard Luke Goedeke about his feet and set in pass protections.
*Bucs guard Shaq Mason gets bull rushed badly by Titans DL DeMarcus Walker.
*Hainsey continues to struggle.
*Simmons ripped a quick move inside Stinnie in their second go-round. Not even Kyler Murray would have escaped that would-be sack.
*Again, Smith and Wirfs dominate.’
After reading all those, it seems like the old adage ‘Size Matters’ still holds true.
August 18th, 2022 at 6:16 am
“SPARKY Says: I watched the highlights of the Dolphins game and there were times when Trask completed a pass that I thought no way he has that much time against a starting front line.”
When Brady and Gabbert have lots of time, do you have the same “thought”?
August 18th, 2022 at 6:25 am
“Goatfarmer Says: Sounds like we sucked.”
Not true. Read Joe’s notes on Trask.⬇⬇⬇
“Trask looks impressive, brimming with confidence”
“Trask fires to receiver Jerreth Sterns for eight yards”
“Then it’s another hurry-up strike to Sterns for four yards”
“Trask again with zip to Kaylon Geiger for nine yards”
“Trask throws over the middle through the hands of running back Rachaad White but Devon Thompkins swoops in to catch the free ball”
“Trask breaks out his deep ball and hits Kaylon Geiger down the seam for over 20 yards”
August 18th, 2022 at 9:26 am
Trask…what I take from this is that his confidence is getting stronger. That’s half the battle to developing into a good QB.
Succop is not going down without a fight. I don’t see him not making the team. Put it this way…game winning FG attempt in the playoffs…rookie or Succop?
That pretty much says it all.
This Saturday I expect to lose the game…I don’t really care. It’s preseason.
But I do care about injuries.
August 18th, 2022 at 10:08 am
It should be fun on Saturday! Can’t wait until Sept 11th!!
August 18th, 2022 at 10:48 am
Hey Joe’s, you clearly state that LT and RT were solid, which we can all agree is where we want the interior three to be. Yes, even in practice. But I’m curious if the LG and C position players were even holding up well enough to be considered a turnstile or were they worse than?