Bucs Training Camp Notes (Practice No. 3)
July 29th, 2022
Reserve (starting?) center Nick Leverett gets coached up by Harold Goodwin at Bucs’ training camp practice Friday morning.
Today was the first practice in the possible post-Ryan Jensen era for the 2022 season. Despite this, Bucs franchise Tom Brady did not demand to practice and take snaps from possible starting center Robert Hainsey. You do the math here. Joe finds it interesting a workaholic like Brady wasn’t motivated to practice with Hainsey today.
Brady had the day off. It was a Vet Day awarded by Bucs coach Todd Bowles along with Mike Evans, Cam Brate and Lavonte David.
As always, caution to readers. Joe takes notes on plays that catch Joe’s attention. Joe rarely focuses on any one player. If a guy makes a play, Joe will type about him. And since Brady had the day off, Bucs backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask and Ryan Griffin got a good chunk of snaps.
Also please keep in mind this is underwear football. The pads are expected to come on Aug. 1. For those unaware, underwear football is flag football without the flags. No hitting and absolutely no tackling whatsoever.
* Early in 11-on-11s, Blaine Gabbert did not get off on the right foot. He gets “sacked.” No, there is no hitting, but he was mobbed by Bucs defenders and the whistle blew.
* Playoff Lenny didn’t get a vet day. But he did catch many passes today, the first from Gabbert to the left.
* USFL graduate Bug Howard makes an impact very quickly in his first Bucs practice. Now a tight end (he was a receiver in the USFL), Howard pulled in a pass from Griffin along the left side for about 15 yards. With that name alone he deserves to have a roster spot come September.
* Gabbert tries to connect with Kyle Rudolph on the right side but the pass was way short.
* Gabbert again tries to go left and — watch out! — Shaq Barrett breaks it up and should have had a pick. Shaq jumps up and down and clapped his hands in frustration. He thought he had a pick-six.
* Here comes the Gabbert Tease: He throws a perfect pass down the right seam hitting Scotty Miller in the numbers.
* Kyle Trask overthrows Breshad Perriman near the right sideline.
* Lovie Smith Special: On a slant pass from the left side, Trask connects with Tyler Johnson who races for paydirt.
* Joe Tryon-Shoyinka nearly picks a Trask offering.
* Gabbert this time connects with Rudolph along the left sideline.
* Giovani Bernard got a lot of targets today. This play, with Ko Kieft in motion, Bernard caught a short pass over the middle. Grant Stuart had a chance at a pick as he swiped at the ball but missed.
* Cam Gill came barreling around the corner and looked like he had a real shot at Gabbert (if there was hitting) but Gabbert got the pass away under pressure and the ball found its way into the arms of Jaelon Darden down the left sideline.
* Schiano Man: Griffin tried to get the ball to J.J. Howland and instead, linebacker Olakunie Fatukasi (Rutgers) broke up the pass.
* Playoff Lenny has two touchdowns in consecutive plays running up the middle in red zone offense.
* JTS with the pick! He took advantage of a tipped pass from Gabbert.
* Howland was open in the end zone running a crossing pattern/slant from the left side but Trask led him too much, incomplete.
* Trask gets the ball to Bernard on a short pass up the middle.
* Trask tried to get the ball to Cade Otton who was open in the end zone on the left side. Instead, Trask nailed Jamel Dean in the hands so squarely the ball likely bruised Dean’s hands. Dean then did a circus act by bobbling the ball for a good three steps as he tried to house the pass, but Dean couldn’t corral the ball and it fell incomplete.
* Griffin hits Miller in the far left side of the end zone with a pretty pass. Griffin put just enough of an arc on the ball to get it over the defenders and it landed right in Miller’s arms. Artistically, that was the pass of the day.
* Griffin to Otton over the middle for a score.
* This was fun. Griffin decided to run a keeper up the middle and as he got inside the 10, Nolan Turner would have blasted him if there was hitting as he had a direct beeline on Griffin. Turner would have splashed Griffin squarely, like a head-on train collision. But again, there is no hitting so Turner had to pull up. Instead, Griffin juked Turner with a fake pitch (no offensive teammate was near Griffin). It was just enough for Griffin to get past Turner and score.
* Gabbert throws a screen pass up the middle to Bernard. That wasn’t what really caught Joe’s attention. What got Joe’s attention was little Deven Thompkins was brawling with Zyon McCollum to spring Bernard. Joe was impressed with Thompkins sticking his nose in there and not being afraid to mix it up with a defender. Most smallish guys like Thompkins (5-8, 155) shy away from physicality.
* As Gabbert was dropping back, he slipped and nearly fell planting his right foot. But he recovered to find Johnson wide-@ss open over the middle.
* Griffin drops a snap from shotgun, throws left and hits Jerreth Sterns right in the hands along the left sideline… and Sterns drops it.
Two-Minute Drill
* Gabbert connects with Darden along the left sideline. Sean Murphy-Bunting dove for the ball and missed.
* There was a penalty on the play (Joe wasn’t sure what it was about) and Joe thinks what followed came from offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich but Joe is not fully sure (Joe looked to where the hollering came from and saw Leftwich). A Bucs offensive assistant did yell, “What the [eff] are we doing?”
* Trask comes in and right away completes a pass to Thompkins.
* Pick! Joe isn’t sure who tipped the pass but Logan Ryan hauled the ball in near the five-yard line, his second pick in three days from a tipped pass. Maybe Ryan can work with Dean on catching picks?
* Trask tries to get the ball to Thompkins and Dean breaks up the pass.
* It seemed — and Joe could be wrong — Leftwich got ticked over an incomplete pass thrown by Trask. For whatever reason, Trask decided to throw the ball out of the end zone, well over anyone’s head. Joe believes Trask did this to try to kill the clock and not take a sack. Something seemed to tick off Leftwich as he quickly walked to Trask and began talking to Trask. At one point, Trask was headed to the huddle, and Leftwich followed him still talking to Trask. At that point Trask walked out of the huddle and appeared frustrated. Leftwich still followed him. Trask then went back to the huddle and Leftwich briefly followed him to the huddle before walking away when Trask began calling the play.
* Trask hits Thompkins who makes like Michael Jordan and hits the clouds to catch the pass over the middle for a gain of 20-yards-plus.
* Joe is just going to throw this out there right now: Joe has seen Deven Thompkins make as many if not more plays in the first three days of training camp than Jaelon Darden.
* Trask rifles the ball through traffic and links up with Kaylon Geiger for a score.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
Good stuff as always, Joe – thank you. You painted a picture of a not-so-crisp and precise practice, at least for the offense.
Thompkins, eh? Sounds like a scrappy lil dude. Hopefully he doesn’t get broke in two only weighing a buck and a half.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
‘Trash hits’–Freudian slip? I predict on purpose- (3rd to last bullet haha)
July 29th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
The third from last bullet. Was it Gabbert who threw the ball??
July 29th, 2022 at 2:04 pm
#8 – HA! I thought the same but am trying to be optimistic, LOL.
Love the Bug Howard note.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Kyle Trask will be ok in my opinion even Brady threw 2 picks yesterday and today from other reports.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for the notes as always Joe. I think a lot of us look forward to these all off season. As for Thompkins, I was hoping he’d be good. I was also hoping Jareth Stearns would be doing well but it doesn’t seem like he’s doing as much. But Thompkins sure seems like he’s taking advantage of this opportunity!
July 29th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
@Joe … ‘Trash hits Thompkins …’
Gotta get that spell-checker replaced Joe.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:20 pm
Hot take on Thompkins: If he impresses as a kick returner, he’ll make the roster.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
I really hope Licht doesn’t make us suffer by having Trask start next year
July 29th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Cool insights into Thompkins and Trask getting chewed out by Lefty. Never considered he had any edge to him. Love it. Thanks Joe!!
July 29th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Thompkins Mr 5’7” is my underdog of this season/camp !
July 29th, 2022 at 2:39 pm
So, even our practice squad should be pretty deep this season
July 29th, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Sounds like things are moving too fast for Trask. It’s hard for lots of young QBs early in training camp when so much install is going in and bullets are flying.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
“Trask rifles the ball through traffic and links up with Kaylon Geiger for a score.”
No, no, no, Joe! Rod Munch and Goatbutt have personally seen videos of Trask on YouTube and have assured us repeatedly that TRASK CAN’T THROW! So there is no way Trask “rifled a touchdown pass through traffic”. LOL.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
I agree Joe(s). Every person with a nickname deserves a roster spot. How about Johnny Football? How did that work out?
Yes, I know you were kidding. Just had to throw your boy Johnny back at ya.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Let’s see … Yesterday Trask threw a “bomb” for a TD … Today Trask “rifled the ball through traffic” for a TD … Hey, I thought Rod Munch and Goatass told us Trask can’t throw? Bwahahahaha.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
“Oneilbuc Says:
Even Brady threw 2 picks yesterday and today from other reports.”
Yeah Joe would never report those. Doesn’t fit the narrative.
July 29th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
Trash?
July 29th, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Yes, Oneilbuc and Bucboy: Trask is every bit as good as Brady. 🙄
July 29th, 2022 at 3:17 pm
Some names I’m not hearing…….Gage, Grayson, Gronk
July 29th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
CHRIS GODWIN FULLY APPROVED FOR TRAINING CAMP.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
It sure seems like Todd’s no contact practices have a lot of contact. Maybe we can get half the O-Line on IR by the first preseason game.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
This may shock some people – Trask sucks.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Yes, Meatchicken Joe: Trask is horrible and you know this not from any NFL stats but from all his SEC passing records!
July 29th, 2022 at 3:31 pm
“Goatcrap Says:
Trask sucks.”
What grade are you in? 4th? You sound like a grade school moron who can hurl insults but can’t back them up with any facts.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:37 pm
“You do the math here.”
Brady is in mourning. Jensen’s loss puts the entire season in severe jeopardy now.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Thanks for the updates. Some posters are claiming Joe is hiding the fact that Brady threw a pick today? Joe reported that Brady wasn’t even present today. All QBs throw picks in camp. It’s no different than a game. Rodgers threw three picks in camp one time. You don’t have to manipulate facts to further your Trask agenda. Trask fanboys are ridiculous and apparently are incapable of reading if they’re asserting that Brady threw a pick today.
I’m more concerned that there was pressure from the DL with the first team OL. I wonder how the OL faired in practice. I’m more concerned with that than anything Trask does on the field.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:54 pm
ButtBoy – a 4th grader would be more objective than your love interest. Drop the jar of ointment and face reality. Don’t believe me. Look at how his QB coach and his OC deal with him.
July 29th, 2022 at 4:05 pm
How wants Darden to be cut so bad. Get over it, he’s guaranteed to make this roster.
July 29th, 2022 at 4:06 pm
Joe wants Darden to be cut so bad. Get over it, he’s guaranteed to make this roster.
July 29th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
I did not hear Tyler Johnson’s name mentioned?
July 29th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Buc Boy
Brady could throw 100 picks in training camp and it doesnt matter. Because hes Tom Brady and every one knows that week 1 hes going to preform.
July 29th, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Have there been any sightings of Jake Camarda? How has he been punting this offseason? I live in Buffalo and, according to the newspaper, the Punt God, Matt Araiza, is not getting as good of hang time as Matt Haack, who the locals trashed all last year.
July 29th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
The fact is that we have really no idea how good or how bad Kyle Trask is…..all we can do is speculate at this point.
I would say, the way the Bucs are handling him primarily by not making him the primary backup to Brady….is the root cause of the suspicion that he’s not up to the task.
So….the question is….Is Trask up to the task or is he trash?
July 29th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Trask like many college QBs, fools the average fan of minimal football awareness with stats. Johnny Manziel. Ryan Leaf. Tim Couch. Jamarcus Russel.
None of these failures had the intellectual acumen to process the speed of the nfl game.
Then there are guys like Danny Wuerrful who were physically disadvantaged but made up for it with sheer want to – making for a feel good story but no reward for fans or his teams.
Trask << Danny
ButtBoy – go buy Trask’s jersey and wear it proudly. You can be first. Well second, after his mom.
July 29th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
@belle
First play a “sack”, I thought DL just get to there gap and stop in underwear football…. Can’t believe these idiots keep trying to rush the passer
July 29th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Thanks for the camp notes, Joe.
July 29th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Hainsey has the height 6’4” @ 305
But in the video from camp today he looks like he doesn’t have the heavy frame to be a natural 305 pound football player
July 29th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
I’m not going to blame Trask if the bucs don’t develop him. This franchise has drafted Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks and quarterbacks that won national championships and the bucs couldn’t develop those guys. This franchise has never develop a quarterback in their entire history so how can yall blame him ? Maybe the quarterbacks wasn’t the problem maybe his the franchise . So until they develop a quarterback I’m going going to keep blaming the franchise and the coaches they bring in .
July 29th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Oneilbuc
That is some real screwy logic, actually it is the antithesis of logic and critical thinking
July 29th, 2022 at 5:34 pm
So, after a year in this offense Trask doesn’t look like is up to the task. Just saying. No bueno.
July 29th, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Oneilbuc. I’m hoping Trask succeeds. But that being said, he has some of the best coaching he possibly could. Moore… Arians… Christianson…. he has been able to sit a year behind the GOAT. He will have every opportunity any young QB could hope for. He will be playing behind an above average line with some of the greatest offensive weapons any QB has ever had. So if he doesn’t become a good QB, that is on him. He has had every advantage…. even more than Jameis, who I also thought had no excuse for not becoming a good NFL QB.
July 29th, 2022 at 5:47 pm
the money maker is Ryan Jensen and Bug Howard in week one preseason . playem! yes, im a degenerate so bad I play preseason DFS. U can make money if you keep tabs on what team are doing
July 29th, 2022 at 5:48 pm
correction QB Ryan, not the center
July 29th, 2022 at 6:06 pm
But at the same time he had one off day he’s been playing well since mine camp. And he done well since camp started. I will love to see him the starters then you can see what he really is but him going with the practice squad and scout team ain’t telling me nothing about how good he is.
July 29th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
When we signed UDFA, Deven Thompkins was one of the guys I checked out and posted about. Watching his tape, he reminds you a lot of D-Jax, he just plays a lot like him and for a small guy, he seems to have a lot flight, but also a lot moves and good speed. Now I have no idea who most of the teams were he was playing against, so it’s possible he just looks that way because of the competition, but he is someone to continue to keep an eye on. He looks like he should be a natural returner based on the way he moves, and that is something the Bucs desperately need.
July 29th, 2022 at 6:55 pm
Question – Is Trask showing good zip on the ball? Any difference from last year, does he look more natural trying to throw with velocity? Last preseason I thought he reverted to his college days when he got in trouble and would throw some soft slow balls that will be INTs if he wasn’t facing future McDonalds employees.
July 29th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Sounds….mundane.
July 29th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
One more comment… along with Tompkins, the other UDFA who stood out when watching some tape back after the draft was WR Kaylon Geiger. Has he done anything? Is he even on the team? His highlight film is amazing, reminded me of Devin Hester.
Again, the Bucs need a legit return guy, so I hope the small shifty guys are getting some practice time returning kicks.
July 29th, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Joe, I urge you to make Hainsey a primary focus of your reporting. Season rests on him. Unfortunately.
July 29th, 2022 at 9:24 pm
I’m sorry but…is Griffin better than Gabbert?
July 29th, 2022 at 10:27 pm
Doesn’t matter steele…..
Gabbert knows the system.
😂😂😂
Gabbert is garbage.
July 29th, 2022 at 11:16 pm
Dardung won’t even make the CFL. Trask will probably get beat out by both Griff and Goobert. Sad but true. Blame the player for sucking, not the observer for calling out the obvious.
July 30th, 2022 at 12:38 am
Trask knows the decision was made before the training camp that Gabbert to be qb2 which is stressful for any player. Trask has been trowing TD’s for the past two days vs. Gabbert with zero TD. Trask needs to be qb2 period.
July 30th, 2022 at 10:08 am
@Anonymous
Couldn’t agree more.
There appears to be certain unnamed animus within the Bucs organization to undermine KT. Clyde Christenson coming out and announcing that KT would once again be riding the pine (until overturned by HC TB) seemed grossly premature and presumptuous and makes one ask who supported such a pronouncement. Since he hasn’t even been given a fair shot yet to practice with the 1st teamers, is it possible that BA never strongly supported
KT’s drafting in the first place?
With no definitive statement from the bigwigs (read Licht or the Glazers) within the Bucs organization in strong support of KT, one begins to ask the question of whether the comments that have leaked out are rogue comments or designed comments to grease future decisions surrounding quarterback ascension after TB leaves.
July 30th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
“Rod Munch Says:
Question – Is Trask showing good zip on the ball?”
Pay attention. We all know it’s not what you want to hear, but Joe has posted here that this week Trask has thrown a “bomb” for a TD and “rifled a pass through traffic” for another TD. That requires “zip”. Sorry for the bad news.