Bucs Training Camp 2024: Day 5 Practice Notes
July 29th, 2024
Full pads came on today!
More drama at One Buc Palace to liven up training camp today. The first piece was, of course, Randy Gregory not showing up. The second was Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs showing up but not walking on the practice fields of One Buc Palace for team drills as he hopes to give a jolt to his contract negotiations.
Otherwise, it was a fine day at One Buc Palace. The pads came on! Real football. So, here are notes from what Joe witnessed this morning.
* After position drills, the Bucs wasted no time giving fans what they want in the first padded practice of training camp: The Bucs went right away to red zone.
* Rachaad White runs left for a touchdown to begin the two-minute drills.
* Second-year running back Sean Tucker has been pretty much invisible in the first few practices. But with the pads on, he showed up. He had a strong run up the middle.
* With pads on, it just seemed more juice flowed with the players. Joe could hear what sounded like offensive coordinator Liam Coen doing a lot of hollering.
* Tucker runs to the left side and scores.
* Undrafted rookie RB D.J. Williams takes a pitch and runs up the left side.
* Touchdown! Williams runs off right tackle and houses the ball.
* Left guard Ben Bredeson jumps and the offense gets a false start penalty.
* We even have referees today!
* Ramon Jefferson is blown up two yards behind the line.
* Boy it sure is nice to hear the crack of pads, to see running backs have to work for production and gang-tackling for a change. Missed ya’, football.
11-on-11
* Cade Otton gets wide ass open in the right flat and Baker Mayfield hit him.
* Trey Palmer makes a nice catch of a Mayfield throw over the left side for maybe 10 yards.
* Sterling Shepard catches a Mayfield pass in the right flat and is immediately popped by Zyon McCollum.
* Mayfield throws an incomplete pass just before Anthony Nelson gets him. Outside of YaYa Diaby, the guy getting in the backfield the most on pass plays since camp opened up seems to be Nelson.
* Rookie receiver Jalen McMillan catches a Mayfield pass down the right seam.
* Joe loves how McMillan always tries to square his shoulders to the line when the ball is in the air. Strong fundamentals from the Washington product.
* Tucker breaks a couple of tackles for a nice gain.
* Rookie tight end Devin Culp and Kyle Trask cannot connect on a down-and-out on the right side. Looked to Joe like Culp was held.
* Williams is quick to the hole and gets about eight tough yards.
* Kameron Johnson gets the ball, runs to his right and his smacked by Kaevon Merriweather. The hit wasn’t severe. Merriweather wasn’t trying to blow up Johnson but the hit did knock Johnson backward.
More 11-on-11
* McMillan pulls in a Mayfield pass over the middle.
* White, for reasons unclear to Joe, logged quite a few snaps with the third team today. All of them were runs. White hasn’t run the ball a lot this camp. He has, however, caught a bunch of passes with the first team. Is this a sign for White to be a leader?
* McMillan catches a Mayfield pass on a crossing pattern from the right.
* Graham Barton is at center for the first team.
* Mayfield pumps and hits Chris Godwin over the middle for a big gain.
* There is a Rakim Jarrett sighting! Mayfield hits the Maryland product in the left flat and the receiver is met by Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield and Jordan Whitehead.
* Bucky Irving runs for eight tough yards up the middle.
* Kyle Trask tries for Johnson down the left seam and Christian Izien knocks the pass away. Izien had blanket coverage.
* Mayfield connects with Tucker on the left side. Really good downfield blocking helps Tucker avoid a couple of tackles and score.
* Not suggesting Tucker looks like Emmitt Smith, but he looks like a different running back now that the pads are on.
* Now this is interesting: White has one of the best runs up the middle Joe has seen from him. Right up the gut with authority and scores. The Bucs offense, at least the players not on the field, were congregated behind the offense, not on the sidelines. They had a big, positive reaction to White’s score. Read into that whatever you wish.
* On the touchdown run by White, Robert Hainsey destroyed Vita Vea.
* McMillan pulls in a pass from Mayfield in the front left corner of the end zone. Keenan Isaac was in coverage.
* Irving gets the ball down to the one-yard line on a run off right tackle. Somehow, tight end Payne Durham had his helmet knocked off on the play.
* Tucker tried to run up the middle but there was simply way too much traffic to get back to the line. So Tucker simply side-stepped the mound of players, moving a step to the left, and ran in a touchdown.
* John Wolford overthrows Sterling Shepard. And Shepard isn’t happy about it as he claps his hands in frustration.
* Mayfield with a quick, short throw to McMillan down the right seam. It was more for self-preservation than a smart playcall as Antoine Winfield nearly got to Mayfield.
* YaYa Diaby, playing left outside linebacker, jumps offside.
* Mayfield tries for Mike Evans over the middle and cannot make the connection.
* Irving up the middle.
* Trask had a ball tipped throwing short left that was nearly picked. Joe was screened on the play and couldn’t get a number on who tipped the ball or who dove for the almost-pick.
* Trask to Durham down the right seam.
* Irving pulls in a pass from Mayfield short left.
* Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Diaby meet in the backfield as Mayfield tried to escape. The play was blown dead for a sack.
* Ryan Miller catches a Mayfield pass along the right sideline.
* Mayfield throws to Otton down the left seam. Good job by Barton locking up Greg Gaines.
* Tucker drops a pass in the left flat from Trask.
* Tight end David Wells is wide-ass open on the right side for Wolford for a touchdown.
* Raleigh Webb pulls in a pass from Wolford in the left corner of the end zone for a score. Nice job by The Citadel product.
* Mayfield tries for Otton down the right seam near the goal line but it was too high. Mayfield was double-covered with one being ol’ Lavonte David.
* White nearly made a circus catch on a Mayfield pass. White ran down the right sideline, beat his man and skied for the ball. But as he landed on the ground, landing on his back, he couldn’t hang on. Not sure why, but Coen turned around, looked at Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek, and raised an arm in the air in disgust.
* It’s Chris Godwin time: First Godwin catches a 10-yard pass from Mayfield along the left sideline and on the next play stretched out for a catch along the right sideline just across the goal line.
* Mayfield tries for Miller down the left seam near the end zone. UDFA cornerback Tyrek Funderburk (App State) and Miller collided at the five-yard line and both hit the turf. Miller did the Keyshawn Johnson routine where he throws an imaginary flag.
* Sweet play by Culp. Trask hits him perfectly straight down the middle in stride as Culp was near the end line. Not only did Culp do a nice job of getting both feet in bounds, he did an even better job of not slamming into the goal post standard at full speed, dodging it just to the left. Now that’s what you call forcing a missed tackle.
July 29th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Hainsey destroys Vea?!?! 😳
July 29th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Great updates Joe. Thank you!!!
Pads on = EXCITEMENT!!
July 29th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Great job Joe!Seems like baker too back the starting job today
July 29th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
I hope with so much emphasis on run blocking, the OL doesn’t digress in past protection.
July 29th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Offense cooking today
July 29th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
* pass
July 29th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
👏
July 29th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Sounds like Tucker’s hard work in the offseason is showing up on the field. I like it!
July 29th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
LOVE hearing that our RB room is actually you know, running the ball to daylight. Thanks for the updates Joe(s).
July 29th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Thanks Joe! It’s easy to hear how the offensive rookies are playing, but how about Braswell and Tykee?
July 29th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
This Irving kid is going to have a decent year. He gains something (according to Joe’s narrative) on every run or catch.
July 29th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
“Outside of YaYa Diaby, the guy getting in the backfield the most on pass plays since camp opened up seems to be Nelson.”
Motor doesn’t stop
July 29th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Won’t be long now!! 🔥
July 29th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Interesting RW nuggets.
🤔
July 29th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Good summary Joe.
Id love to see Tucker in the mix.
July 29th, 2024 at 2:39 pm
Coen hollering, Barton at center, Mayfield connections, Culp dodging the goal post, White skiing, and so much more. Great stuff! Thank you for bringing it all to us.
July 29th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
@Joe
How are the TE’s blocking? Are they contributing to the success of the run game? Also see Otton and Culp catching. Are Durham and Keift getting reps and if so , with what team.
July 29th, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Haven’t noticed Braswell yet. Smith has made a couple of plays. Do know he’s busting his arse when he had to be carried off the field after a practice.
July 29th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Jmac is going to be a real factor this fall!
Nice to hear Culp has shown up ready to compete for a TE slot. High ceiling if he can be developed.
Encouraged on both sides of the ball really. I’m beginning to think the additions to the 2nd and 3rd levels on defense (Thomas, Tykee, Whitehead, Braswell) can be real difference makers. Some head hunters in there. Pass defense between the 20s should be improved imo and we need that!
Biggest thing that’s giving me good vibes is the attitude of ALL the players. Listening to interviews with a lot of guys and they seem so locked in and TEAM oriented/motivated.
The talking heads that pick us to be mediocre or to suck just don’t get it. The next couple years are going to be fun if we can stay relatively healthy and “keep the band together”.
Bucs 2024 🏈🔥
July 29th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
“Keep it coming Joe, keep it coming now. Don’t stop it now, don’t stop it now don’t stop it no.” signed KC.
July 29th, 2024 at 3:16 pm
LEARN THE NAME … Kameron Johnson
Barton College’s first NFL hopeful, UDFA Kameron Johnson is LEGIT. Fast and shifty. He creates separation (Look it up on X).
KJ recorded 2316 rec yards and 19 TD LAST SEASON. WHOA!!!!
July 29th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Joe….. just wondering, are these practices setup for the Offense to have its way or does the Defense have equal chance to shine….. because today it sounds like the Offense had its way, even without Wirfs.
July 29th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Hainsey didn’t destroy anyone all year last year and I’m supposed to believe he destroyed one of the best nose tackles in the NFL. Maybe Vea bent down to tie his shoe and they quick snapped him and Hainsey fell on top of him.
July 29th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
With the exception of sacks, equal.
July 29th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Joe! It seems like the run game is progressing better than last year. Is that what you see Joe?
July 29th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Thanks for the great reporting Joe.
Loved reading about the run game!
Hainsey destroyed Via? Maybe Hainsey developed some pop. Sean Tucker was especially pleasing to hear about. Last year had to be tough for him.
I’m figuring Bowles is gonna tighten up that run defense tomorrow.
July 29th, 2024 at 6:09 pm
As always, awesome notes, thanks Joe!
Question – Is anyone new or unexpected standing out in terms of pop/speed/explosiveness? Like, for examples, does Bucky stand out at all at this point – in terms of being notably quicker or more agile than the other RBs? Just wondering – I know it’s just one real practice.
July 29th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Glad to see our defense staying primed for their WAO (Wide Ass Open) defense, ya know- just incase the Bucs have a lead going into the last 4 minutes of a ball game.
The most curious entry has to be; “… Not sure why, but Coen turned around, looked at Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek, and raised an arm in the air in disgust.” It sounds like their was an RB in the draft he coveted or he’s pinning for Trask. 😉 Any idea, Joe?
July 29th, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Joe I thought your coverage was particularly. well done.
July 29th, 2024 at 8:18 pm
was it definitely disgust?
July 29th, 2024 at 9:38 pm
Well, seems kinda harsh if Coen was peeved at White because White made a helluva play for the ball. Just couldn’t hang on when he landed on the ground with his back. That would have knocked the wind out of most people.
It wasn’t a bad throw from Mayfield either.
Who knows? Someone could have missed a block or another receiver ran the wrong route.
July 29th, 2024 at 9:41 pm
Antoine Winfield for whatever reason has surprised Joe how explosive he is on blitzes. Have seen him blitz umpteen times before but don’t remember him being a blur.
July 29th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Joe I would enjoy these recaps after every game too! They really are great to read. Thank you!
July 29th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Don’t know. Unfortunately, if Joe focuses on one position on a given play, Joe misses the entire play. So Joe has to follow the ball.
July 29th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Joe Says:
Antoine Winfield for whatever reason has surprised Joe how explosive he is on blitzes. Have seen him blitz umpteen times before but don’t remember him being a blur.
———-
Oh man, if Winfield gets even better he’s going to be Defensive MVP caliber – that would be remarkable at safety.
July 30th, 2024 at 7:45 pm
as usual great coverage joe! You still don’t suck !
July 30th, 2024 at 9:05 pm
Put Hainsey at LG, stop f*cking around.
July 30th, 2024 at 9:33 pm
Yep. Coen is pining for Trask.
LOLOLOL
Farting in bathtubs, laughing your arse off.