Jalen McMillen Gets Two-Week Report Card, Seems To Be Current No. 3 WR
June 11th, 2024
Yeah, yeah, the Bucs had an underwear football practice today known as mandatory minicamp Day 1.
Joe’s much more interested in what’s been going on behind the scenes during many weeks of spring sessions known as OTAs.
Only a small percentage of those practices are open to media, so it’s largely a mystery to fans and the local media circus.
Today, head coach Todd Bowles was asked about rookie receiver Jalen McMillan, a Round 3 draft pick, and Bowles volunteered a broader assesssment than what he saw on the practice field this morning.
“He’s had a nice couple of week,” Bowles said of McMillan. “You know, he can catch the ball. We know that. He’s a good route runner. He’s very intelligent; that impressed me the most. Can’t wait to see him in pads.”
It didn’t end there. Bowles talked about how McMillan has handled whatever has been thrown at him. Then the head coach stunned Joe momentarily when he implied McMillan already is holding the No. 3 receiver gig.
“We got a couple of guys behind him,” Bowles said of McMillan. “Obviously, Trey and Rock and the rest of the guys can play, as well, but he fits in well with Chris and Mike.”
Whoa! The rookie must really be showing consistency and maturity. Throw in free agent veteran receiver Sterling Shepard, who was signed last week, and the Bucs are going to have a very competitive training camp.
June 11th, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Go Bucs
June 11th, 2024 at 2:04 pm
You watch his tape and you think? Oh my gosh this guy is smooth. How did he ever drop to the third round? If not coming off an injury, he’s just a late first rounder.
June 11th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Hell yeah, that’s awesome!
June 11th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Not surprised. I expected him to be the #3 guy with all the buzz around him
June 11th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
This is the deepest Bucs team in recent memory. 20 and 21 rosters were great but a lot of older guys who you didn’t necessarily want to rely on for many snaps if starters went down. This team is young and hungry, guys at almost every position waiting for their chance to step up. I hope McMillan is our stud #3 but I won’t write off Palmer yet. They will both play plenty I imagine and if Trey has cleaned up his ball security, learned this new playbook well, he’s gonna continue to be a stock trending up player for us.
June 11th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Great to hear! Fits in well with Evans and Godwin. There are gems in the 3rd round and Jalen McMillan is one of them. 92nd overall pick. Lucky us! Jason Licht did well.
June 11th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
Like what I’m hearing but still it’s underwear football. Let’s see what happens when the pads come on. When they do and he’s still shinning then hell yea Jason did it again stealing 3rd rd picks just like Godwin
June 11th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
AWESOME!
June 11th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Shepard seems a little washed up. But maybe there’s a little something left. Palmer is a lot faster and I expect him to beat out Shepard if not by game 1, then by game 8 or so.
June 11th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
I like when Bowles prefaced his praise for McMillan when he said, “I like to see him in pads”. Performance in OTAs don’t matter if McMillan is ineffective when pads come on, we’ve seen that in the past.
June 11th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Drafting Bucky, and JMac for my fantasy team this year.
June 11th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
The last 3 drafts have been fun to mull over. Really since 2020, imo, there’s been a heavy focus on character, IQ, and football junkies. Each year my friend and I have talked about the ever evolving competition, and athletes to compliment. We could be a defensive nightmare for teams, and if the Oline keeps progressing, as it sounds, look out!
June 11th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Learn the offense, avoid drops, and avoid fumbles. Have Win try to strip the WRs on every catch.
June 11th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Shepherd is also here in a mentor role.
Licht is the man. And Baker is a loyal friend. I am sure he lobbied for Sterling to come to town.
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
McMillan
Shepherd
Palmer
Wow!
Who will be number 6 and 7?
June 11th, 2024 at 5:11 pm
Hold your water. Same Superlatives were blown up Russell Gages arse. He was unstoppable. He was gonna be the greatest FA receiver ever. A week later he blew his hand and we know how that worked out. Just stop the typical hype. It’s not even preseason
June 11th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
McMillan is a home run like Godwin was in the same round. Bucs know how to draft WRs and to develop them if they a a WR. Bucs record with return specialists really is bad though.
June 11th, 2024 at 5:34 pm
I’m always cautious when Bowles has a favorite early on. Remember, he was high on Joe Tryon.
June 11th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Where are all the Baker haters ? You best hate early and often because by the 8th game, it will be silly to hate one of THE BEST QBs in the NFL.
June 11th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
Now if the O can learn and execute the new playbook! Then we may have something!
June 11th, 2024 at 7:44 pm
Kenny Bell was an underwear badass.
Jaylin does look smooth and I’m happy to hear the very early praise. If the line can block… watch out!
June 11th, 2024 at 9:02 pm
Chris out of Penn is an amazing draft pick! Hands! No fear in the danger zone! Like Mike is fantastic but so is Chris! Godwin! Dude is a stud! He’s the epitome of public enemy to the NFL…. 😂 A true champion! Class act! When you have a man like that in your locker room, ain’t nothing these new jacks can’t learn! Chris ain’t Mike and Mike ain’t Chris! But damn if they ain’t the dynamic duo! The very core of a Superbowl win! Thank U fellas. Tampa has waited so long for this… Baker!? Remember one thing! Brady turned pirate after being a patriot. The Mayfield has come to port
June 12th, 2024 at 12:45 am
Having a big case of the warms for this kid, for Jason and for the receivers room in general.
Jarrett is the one in jeopardy of following in Thompkins’ Footsteps.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:29 am
Joe is mind reading again yall. Bowles says lots of stuff Joe. Much of it is BS.
Lets pump the brakes on that one. Pads have not even been unpacked yet. Nor has the offense even been installed fully.
Lets also remember the great WR Kenny Bell who was first team All Pro of underwear football. I think he is credited with the Buccaneer hamstring curse as well.
Go Bucs!