5 Potential Surprises In Bucs Training Camp

The Bucs’ 2022 coaching camp kicks off on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. on the AdventHealth Coaching Heart. The most important change in Tampa Bay is Todd Bowles taking on as head coach for the retired Bruce Arians. But, Bowles will run camp in a really related method to how Arians did the previous three seasons. Anticipate a bit extra physicality and tackling intervals, and extra good-on-good motion in camp. Meaning extra first-team offense vs. first-team protection, particularly when the pads come on in August.

Whereas the established order is considerably anticipated, there could possibly be some potential surprises in coaching camp. Listed below are 5 issues we’ll be anticipating as soon as camp begins.

1. Trask vs. Gabbert For QB2

This offseason Bucs quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen stated that it’s possible going to be one other redshirt yr for Kyle Trask. Bowles stated, “Not so quick.” He plans on having Trask get a ton of reps in observe and within the preseason video games. Bowles and basic supervisor Jason Licht have to determine if Trask is a viable choice to be the starter in Tampa Bay after Tom Brady leaves.

That implies that the Bucs will likely be utilizing a pencil – not a pen – in the case of the quarterback depth chart. Blaine Gabbert, the No. 2 QB the final two seasons, will begin camp because the backup. However Trask will be given each alternative to push Gabbert for the suitable to again up Brady. Don’t be stunned if he wins the No. 2 job, both.

Trask will possible get many of the camp reps in opposition to Miami and Tennessee within the joint practices. And he’ll get many of the enjoying time within the preseason video games as properly. Trask remains to be an unknown commodity, and one of many Bucs’ targets in camp is to search out out if the previous second-round choose is future starter materials.

2. New Receivers On Bucs Depth Chart

Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson have been mainstays with the Bucs over the previous couple of seasons. Breshad Perriman spent all of 2019 and among the 2021 season in Tampa Bay. However these veterans will likely be pressed for roster spots in camp by Cyril Grayson Jr., who spent many of the previous three seasons on the observe squad, Jaelon Darden and undrafted free brokers Deven Thompkins and Jerreth Sterns.

Tampa Bay is about on the prime of the depth chart with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage. The subsequent three (or 4) spots will likely be decided by versatility and particular groups play. Darden, Thompkins, Sterns and Miller all took reps returning kicks and punts within the offseason. A type of receivers will make the crew because the return specialist, and Darden enters camp because the early favourite. Thompkins has electrical velocity and generated some pre-camp buzz within the offseason.

Perriman’s size-speed combo helps his trigger, whereas Johnson and Grayson have the power to play inside within the slot and outdoors. Grayson is likely one of the finest blocking receivers on the crew and can be one of many quickest. Don’t be stunned if just one receiver out of the trio of Perriman, Johnson and Miller survives roster cuts.

3. All 4 Prime Safeties Will Play

The Bucs’ security room is as gifted because it’s been underneath Bowles’ watch. Tampa Bay has a Professional Bowler in Antoine Winfield Jr. and a ball hawk in Mike Edwards, who’s coming into a contract yr with lots to show. He’ll get the primary probability at changing Jordan Whitehead within the beginning lineup.

However the Bucs additionally signed a pair of veterans in Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal. Each have loads of beginning expertise underneath their belts. Not like earlier years when reserve Andrew Adams was compelled into motion on account of harm or ineffectiveness, the Bucs can have higher security play than Adams delivered regardless of who’s on the sector.

Ryan and Neal didn’t signal with the Bucs to be backups. Bowles, who’s as inventive as they arrive in the case of designing defenses and utilizing personnel, will discover a method to get all of them on the sector. Possibly not all on the similar time, however who is aware of? Don’t rule out some three-safety seems to be in Tampa Bay this yr. Bowles may use Ryan, Winfield or Edwards as a slot cornerback, as all three have expertise enjoying there earlier than.

4. A Shake-Up At Cornerback?

Maybe no Bucs defender enters 2022 with extra to show than Sean Murphy-Bunting. Coming into a contract yr off of his worst season, Murphy-Bunting must hit the bottom working in camp. The previous second-round choose didn’t play properly final yr earlier than and after his dislocated elbow in a Week 1 win in opposition to Dallas.

After shedding the beginning exterior cornerback job to Jamel Dean final yr, Murphy-Bunting was relegated to solely enjoying inside on the slot place. Sad together with his play a yr in the past, the Bucs added the versatile Ryan to the combo this offseason. Both he, Winfield or Edwards may wind up seeing enjoying time inside at slot cornerback if Murphy-Bunting falters in camp.

And with Dee Delaney having one other spectacular offseason and rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum turning heads in OTAs, Murphy-Bunting may slide right down to the underside of the depth chart except he performs like he did within the 2020 postseason. It might be a giant shock, however Murphy-Bunting could possibly be reduce if different younger cornerbacks impress in camp and within the preseason.

5. A Actual Bucs Kicking Competitors

Veteran Ryan Succop has solidified Tampa Bay’s kicking duties in the case of discipline targets and further factors. Succop beat out Matt Homosexual in 2020 and set a brand new franchise report for probably the most factors in a single season with 136. However the NFL is a “What have you ever achieved for me currently?” league, and Succop turns 36 in September. He lacks the leg energy to reliably make kicks from past 40 yards.

After signing a three-year contract extension final yr, Succop was slated to be the Bucs’ kicker. Tampa Bay added undrafted kicker Jose Borregales final yr. The 2020 Lou Groza Award winner spent all of final yr protected on the observe squad. Now could be his probability to unseat Succop if he can. Borregales has a giant leg and will likely be given each alternative to win the job in camp and within the preseason.