Day 8 Training Camp Notes & Observations
August 9th, 2015
Your Bucs were back at it for their fourth consecutive day of training camp practice at One Buc Palace. The sun was broiling and Joe’s got a pile of his famous notes and observations.
Enjoy!
* So far, classic rock is the musical theme of the day. Thinking this is Rare Earth.
Your first team offensive line today (from left to right): Demar Dotson, Ali Marpet, Garrett Gilkey, Logan Mankins, Donovan Smith
*After lots of drills and special teams work, the Bucs open for the second day in a row working on power runs. Nobody is split wide. Lovie wants the Bucs to be able to run when everyone knows what’s coming.
*Martin up the gut. Stuffed.
*Rainey with a nice cutback for a TD with the second unit.
*Rookie linebacker hits Mike James in backfield.
*Ali Marpet appears to have a brief jawing session with Danny Lansanah on the field. This wasn’t a happy talk.
* Bama fans rise up: Lynyrd Skynrd’s Sweet Home Alabama” fills the air of One Buc Palace practice fields.
* Fans enjoy Muscle Hamster running up middle for TD.
* Rainey with a nice cutback run with the second team for a TD.
*Kwon Alexander drills Mike James in the backfield.
* ZZ Top.
* Gerald McCoy gets a day off today but can’t stop working. See Joe’s full post below.
* Evan (Diedrich) Smith also gets an off day and sports a floppy hat and does a lot of watching with arms folded.
*Fumble! Mike James on a clean hand off. Not the best training camp for James, one of Joe’s personal favorites.
*Led Zeppelin “Rock and Roll.”
* D.J. Swearinger would have beheaded Mike Glennon on a blitz save for orange jersey.
*D.J. Swearinger buries Mike James with a bonecrushing hit. It was a hit you could hear from Bradenton. Wow! Hit of training camp thus far. Keep in mind defenders are not supposed to tackle players to the ground.
* America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, mishandles a snap from your starting center today, Garrett Gilkey. That happened more than once.
* Jameis bomb down right sideline for Mike Evans as crowd roars its approval.
* Jameis find Robert Herron in a seam deep (20 yards) between two defenders. A low strike. Excellent blitz pickup by Charles Sims on that play.
*Love for the bottom of the roster: Guard Matthew Masifilo ( a defensive player last year) with a crushing block on linebacker Quinton Alston
* Perhaps the lamest Van Halen song, “Jump.” And Joe is a hardcore Van Halen nut.
*7-on-7 work starts: Jameis with a quick strike to tight end Cameron Brate.
*A leaping A+ grab by Austin Seferian-Jenkins in traffic. The guy has the skills.
*Rough day for Mike Glennon. Swearinger and Alexander each dropped picks Glennon throw right at them.
*It’s a double tight end set with Tim Wright and Seferian-Jenkins.
*Drop! Wright on quick route to left side. Looked like Jameis might have thrown it too soon.
*Drop! In the end zone by Tavarres King, from Glennon.
*Drop! Tight end Evan Rodriguez drops an easy one from Jameis.
*Drop! Doug Martin loses the handle on contact from linebacker Khaseem Greene.
*Fastball! Jameis to ASJ.
*Scary moment. Mike Evans tweaks his knee after appearing to trip on the pretend line of scrimmage mat that’s often laid down in 7-on-7 work. It’s a marker since there are no lineman. Evans was two steps into his route and tripped up. He was on the ground with trainers and, after practice — walked off the field like he had a rough day. Lovie Smith says the team has no significant injuries.
*Sweet hands by WR Adam Humphries in third-team duty.
*Fake field goal! Michael Koenen throws to Luke Stocker.
*11-on-11 resumes and ASJ gives a great effort on an incompletion in the end zone.
*Defensive end George Johnson is out for the second consecutive day.
*Dirk Koetter gives Glennon “five” after a tight session with his unit. A comeback of sorts for Glennon in this practice.
*Jameis overthrows King in the end zone.
*Bucs line up with five receivers. Touchdown Jameis to Vincent Jackson. Wide open in back of end zone.
* The “Benn’d Around” lives! Jameis hands off to Donteea Dye (No. 17) who puts ball on the ground.
* Jameis wide right to ASJ who barely got fingertip on ball.
* “Cat Scratch Fever” blares as Jameis fires to Rannell Hall for 20 yards.
* Beastie Boys!
* Sharp Jameis back this morning.
* Jameis is human! Picked in red zone. Alterraun Verner. It was a terribly wobbly throw that shouldn’t have been made. And another fumbled snap. Too many bobbled snaps today. not sure who the culprit is but fans might point at Gilkey, just because.
* More Led Zeppelin. “Black Dog.”
*Undrafted rookie Ryan Delair, defensive end, looks like a guy who could land on a practice squad. And Joe means that as a good thing. He’s having his way with right tackle Patrick Omameh.
* “Won’t Get Fooled Again” Thank you whoever selected this Who classic. (Joe is tapping his toe better than Mike Evans catching a pass along the sidelines.
* Robert Herron takes a misdirectio and his speed gets the left edge for a touchdown. Herron does a backflip in the end zone to the crowd’s delight.
* Wonderful breeze at One Buc Palace keeping things comfortable for fans on this sunny Sunday.
* AC/DC blaring. Anyone see Jason Licht headbanging?
* VJax wide open in right corner for Jameis as Lynyrd Skynrd blares. Mike Jenkins was trailing the play.
*Linebacker Larry Dean had a sure pick of Jameis, another bad red zone throw by Jameis.
* “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Stranglehold” — a good song for the defense.
* Jameis marching Bucs downfield in two-minute drill with “Immigrant Song” pounding the midday air. Jameis was six-for-six in this two-minute drill and spreading the ball around.
* Robert Herron getting a lot of work with ones, and performing well today.
* Another drop by Wright. Rough day.
*Logan Mankins leaves the practice field holding his left rib area. Joe is told it’s heat related. Whew!
August 9th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Like that O-line. Hope Gilkey keeps geting work at Center. With Practice together, I’m sure the center exchange will become more natural.
Hearing that Herron is playing well is great news. With Pamphile fighting for starting spot- last years draft is looking like a great one!
Great drafts are the first step to building consistently good teams
August 9th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
One of the first things coach Frazier mentioned after acquiring Swearinger was his innate ability to blitz,from these reports he seems to be a natural at that. And contact obviously is something he gets up for. When they signed him I told myself this guy is coming in to be a starter. I love the reports Joe,Swearinger will bring a swag and nastiness to this secondary. I also like Mongo not backing down to Lansanh,Duke quickly making a name for himself now that he is in the first team spot light. I love it.
August 9th, 2015 at 3:55 pm
It sounds like Winston and the passing game in general is very inconsistent… I hope this is a result of our defense playing great and not a result of a struggling QB and a pack of receivers that can’t catch…
August 9th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Yes keep don smith and marpet with the ones. If they going to play this year then they need all the reps they can get.
I’m so glad that we were so bad last year that we had first dibbs on the waiver wire that we were able to scoop up DJ swearinger. He’s been that enforcer we’ve been lacking since Lynch. Yes I’m aware we had the hawk and Barron but they were always out of position when the ball was in the air that their tackling abilities was a waste.
I hope we get sterling Moore some reps because he’s our second best corner (you’ll will see). He should be starting with Banks
August 9th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
kingsu I really like Moore as well, but i wouldn’t go as far to say he is better than Verner. Verner is a pretty darn good corner and i think year two for him will show big improvements. Especially being fully healthy this season.
You bring up a point though that i’ve been thinking. I really like Moore but I think he would fit best as an outside corner. I think Verner with his speed and intelligence would make a great nickel and would get Leonard “charred” Johnson off the field.
So why not in Nickel packages bring in Moore and move Verner to the inside?
August 9th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Not the last two days is hasn’t struggled.
August 9th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Nole- I also liked the Swearinger pickup. The Mongo nickname is pretty good!
August 9th, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Man! You put Demar and Donovan together- and they block out the Sun!
That is two Really big Men!! Hoping they are playing together, come opening day.
August 9th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
@ab snowman
I watched way more cowboys than bucs games last year because where I’m located geographically. When mo Claiborne went down Moore straight balled out. And Yes he’s definitely an outside corner because that’s where he played scandrick went inside at the nickel. But watch this year when the ball is in the air and compare him to verner and Jenkins then you will see the difference.
August 9th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
You’re correct Joe, “Jump” is VH’s lamest tune.
August 9th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
I feel you Dallas and I think I’m with snowman on the cb position. Moore is good but I’m telling you we’ve only scratch the surface with Verner man.
August 9th, 2015 at 4:50 pm
And @Joe
You are very childish for pointing out lovie’s commitment to the run and on the very next line you type martin up the gut. Stuffed. Hilarious bro that didn’t go unnoticed lol
August 9th, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Love the 6-6 2 minute drill. Jameis is special under pressure.
August 9th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
How did Donovan Smith do today? Does he still look like he thinks the DE is gonna drop back in coverage every play?
August 9th, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Per: Joe
“D.J. Swearinger buries Mike James with a bonecrushing hit. It was a hit you could hear from Bradenton. Wow! Hit of training camp thus far. Keep in mind defenders are not supposed to tackle players to the ground.”
Haha good stuff Joe
August 9th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
So over the last couple weeks we’ve heard them play…..
• Sam Cooke
• Otis Redding
• Frankie Beverly & Maze
• Boz Scaggs
• ACDC
• Zeppelin
• ZZ Top
• Rakim
• Schoolly D
• Brand Nubian
• De La Soul
• NWA
• DMX
What no respect for Hans Zimmer or Ramin Djawadi?
Geesh what bias bunch
August 9th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Nice recap! They should play music during regular games. I like the Who and Led Zeppelin, saw the Who at the Bayfront Center in St.Pete when they first came out, they were second billed to Hermans Hermits, Blues Magoos wrapped it up. No rock and roll was as good as in the 60’s, these players are too young to have experienced that era. People mostly prefer the music they grow up with.
August 9th, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Real good reporting Joe. Very excited about Marpet, Winston, and Swearingen’s progress this year. Just hope Smith can get up to speed and prove he is NFL ready to pass block at LT, but if not we can always move Dotson back to LT and give him a raise, and try Smith at RT where he does not have to face the top pass rusher. We need to sign a veteran backup center, maybe after the 53 man cut down with our first dibs at the waiver wire. Overall we can see the Offense will be a lot more explosive than last year, and the Defense is real deep and should start the season as a top ten defense, so we will be competitive this season if we don’t have to play sack magnet Glennon.
August 9th, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Nice, long break down, Joe!
Question. Is D. J. doing legal hitting, or will the refs be on him like they were with Goldson?
August 9th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Owlykat, everyone one of the veteren defensive players signed as free agents are injury prone. 14 of them. We are NOT deep on defense.
August 10th, 2015 at 12:20 am
I watched the HOF game and was saddened that we lost “The Gif”.
Great player and a credit to his profession. Thanks Frank..!!
The game was clearly played at 1/2 speed and without most of the starters for both teams. I’m not sure I enjoy the 1/2 speed action but I guess you have to save the vets for the RS.
I guess that’s why they offer DVR. Zzzzzzzzz..!!!
With regard to Swearinger, somebody has got to be “that guy” on every team.
During practice he’s there to remind you to stay alert on EVERY play.
August 10th, 2015 at 12:29 am
Isn’t Quinton Alston hurt? Your l-r first line looks r-l …
August 11th, 2015 at 6:57 pm
DRINK SOME PICKLE JUICE MANKINS AND GET OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!