Thursday’s Practice Notes & Observations
June 8th, 2017
Mike Evans and the Bucs were on the practice field today
The rain came down all kinds of ways at One Buc Palace today during the final spring practice of “OTAs.” Joe was there juggling an umbrella, writing tools, a camera and more for your Thursday afternoon enjoyment. It’s Joe’s nearly world famous Bucs practice notes and highlights.
*Mandatory three-day minicamp starts Tuesday. So perhaps big-name, big-money free agents Chris Baker and DeSean Jackson will return then.
*Kwon breaks up a hard-thrown dumpoff pass by America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, to Jacquizz Rodgers. Nobody was open.
*Linebackers coach Mark Duffner is screaming at his second-unit, “Talk! Talk! Talk!’
*It’s 11-on-11 and Cameron Brate has a DROP! on a 15-yard crossing route.
*Jameis overthrows Mike Evans way high. Didn’t seem like a throwaway on the right sideline.
*Jameis complete to Evans for 10 yards on the left side. Cornerback Ryan Smith wants a flag on the play for an Evans pushoff. Joe would need the replay. Somebody pushed off a bit.
*Ryan Fitzpatrick hands off to Jacquizz Rodgers and it’s a touchdown as the entire line sweeps to the right. Of course, there’s no blocking allowed in spring practice.
*Fitzpatrick throws 12 yards complete to Donteea Dye, the misplaced Calgary Stampeder. Cornerback Jonathan Moxey covering. Dye continues to look good this spring (in practices visible to media.)
*Fitzpatrick to Brate. DROP! Tough catch deep over the middle, about 22 yards in traffic, but Brate was turned back to the QB and had two hands on the ball.
*Jameis hits Evans in stride on a crossing route for 12 yards.
*Jameis with a very dangerous pass to seemingly nobody.
*Javien Elliott makes a circus interception skying high for a pick and securing the ball just before hitting the left sideline. (Joe can’t confirm it was a Jameis throw. Joe won’t guess.)
*DROP! Tough but catchable ball from Fitzpatrick to CFL newcomer receiver Derel Walker.
*7-on-7 is back and Jameis fires a slant to Bernard Reedy, followed by a short crossing ball to Freddie Martino. (Joe forwards video to the velvet-lined lounge at the Vero Beach Ramada Inn.).
*Man, Mike Evans goes all out on a very deep route. No diva here. Evans’ grunting/breathing could be heard over the Led Zeppelin in the background. The ball wasn’t thrown to Evans.
*Jameis with a beautiful touch pass to Humphries for 15 yards between two defenders on the left sideline.
*Ryan Griffin to Tevin Westbrook. Nice catch on a ball behind him.
*Jameis fires a slant to Evans. Big time zip on that ball.
*Fitzpatrick threads a TD throw to O.J. Howard over the middle in traffic. Reedy is very quick to congratulate Howard. Bucs fans are drooling to see Howard do that this season. Howard is having a nice practice, maybe the best of his embryonic NFL career. Earlier, he hauled in a pass from Jameis over the middle in traffic for six points.
*Full report on the kicking battle between Nick Folk and Roberto Aguayo is on the JoeBucsFan.com home page. It’s still amazing to Joe how the entire roster is riveted by this battle. It’s so quiet when they kick.
*Jameis fires deep (40 yards?) to Reedy over the middle. Gotta catch that, Reedy, if you want to make the team. Tough ball, though. Jameis grabs his helmet with two hands after the incompletion.
*Fitzgerald with a deep corner touchdown to Chris Godwin. Great focus and body control with tight coverage from Moxey. Godwin tipped it to himself and held on. (That probably shows up later on Buccaneers.com).
June 8th, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Thanks Joe! you are the best.
June 8th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Good stuff Joe. Makes me pine more and more for football season!
June 8th, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Great info Joe, thanks!
FYI:
– Did you mean Ryan Smith wanted a flag against Evans’ push off? You said Ryan Evans.
– Last note, you said Fitzgerald… we know you meant Fitzpatrick.
June 8th, 2017 at 3:57 pm
GOOD STUFF….GO BUCS!!!
June 8th, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Thanks Joes!
At the risk of annoying you with the question, has McNichols aka McWeapon stood out at all?
June 8th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
It’s interesting to me that the only guys (as far as it’s being reported in this post) not showing up for the voluntary workouts, are the new guys
I think that speaks to the culture being developed in Tampa, that the guys that have been here want to be out there getting better
June 8th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Creamsickle, I was thinking exactly the same thing. I know that guys like DJax & Baker are seasoned veterans and are getting somewhat long-in-the-tooth, but this would’ve been the perfect time to bond with some of the present Bucs. Also a good opportunity to get better acclimated to the Florida climate, especially since there’s a long layoff coming up before preseason starts. But oh well, these were voluntary practices as I’m sure Todd Monken would attest.
June 8th, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Joe
Nearly world famous is a travesty….these quality nuggets should BE WORLD FAMOUS.
June 8th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
I always enjoy this segment. Thanks JoeBucsFan
June 8th, 2017 at 7:27 pm
Personally, I have no issue with guys skipping “voluntary” workouts. I’m just impressed with the participation level and think it speaks very highly of the culture being cultivated by this current corp of young leaders. It’s just something the new guys haven’t experienced yet
June 8th, 2017 at 7:57 pm
They were playing Led Zeppelin!!?? it’s got to be good out there listening to Zep and having OUR Bucs on the field!
Koetter needs to cue up The Immigrant Song and away we go!
Thanks Joe for these tasty bits..
Can’t wait to see what happens from Tuesday on..
And guys and whatever gal is on here ( besides me)..Don’t sleep on Godwin!! That man is the read deal, the sleeper hit coming in to dominate..he ain’t playing around..
Chris Godwin will be a star! I said now..