Brady Shines, Fournette Must Slim Down

The Bucs 2022 obligatory mini-camp started on Tuesday, June 7 on the AdventHealth Coaching Middle. Each Tampa Bay participant was in attendance except for rookie working again Rachaad White, and receiver Chris Godwin and linebacker Grant Stuard – each of whom are injured. White wasn’t on the facility on Monday and his absence was excused. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he’ll return to mini-camp on Wednesday.

Former Bucs head coach Bruce Arians was in attendance on Tuesday. Arians has stayed away in the course of the offseason, however was on the town for the mini-camp. He began the apply using round on his golf cart earlier than standing subsequent to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich to observe the remainder of it.

A number of Bucs gamers had been in attendance, however didn’t take part attributable to accidents. These gamers included security Antoine Winfield, Jr., outdoors linebacker Anthony Nelson, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Rashard Robinson, who was sporting a solid. On offense, receivers Scotty Miller, Russell Gage and Jerreth Sterns, tight finish Cade Otton weren’t practising.

Brady Shines In Return To Motion

The media received its first have a look at Bucs quarterback Tom Brady on Tuesday. Brady participated within the Section II a part of the offseason exercises final month, however skipped OTAs. He and backup Blaine Gabbert and second-year QB Kyle Trask all break up reps throughout apply.

Brady appeared notably sharp going 16-for-20 in combined 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. He had three incompletions together with a deep go that sailed over the pinnacle of Jaelon Darden. His different misfire got here on a go that was meant for Mike Evans that ended up within the palms of Mike Edwards for an INT. Our view of the purpose line performs was obstructed for many of that interval, however Brady appeared razor sharp for probably the most half.

With White lacking apply Ke’Shawn Vaughn was given extra of a chance to showcase his development. The third-year again didn’t disappoint. He made a number of catches from each Brady and Trask, together with an exquisite leaping catch from Trask in visitors.

The play of the day within the purpose line interval might need been Gabbert rolling to his proper and lofting a go up in the midst of the tip zone for 6-foot-6 tight finish Codey McElroy, who hauled it in. The landing got here on the expense of cornerback Dee Delaney, who has been sensational in the course of the offseason.

One other spotlight play got here early on from Mike Evans, who was making his apply debut. Coated down the left sideline by Dee Delaney, Brady threw in direction of Evans the place Delaney received a hand on it. However due to the peak benefit, Evans was capable of make a juggling catch on the deflected go and keep in bounds as each gamers fought for the ball and hit the bottom. The ref dominated it a catch and offensive gamers had been celebrating the accomplishment. It was a very nice play from Delaney, however a greater one from Evans. It simply confirmed why Evans is the best offensive participant of all time in Bucs historical past.

Fournette Should Shed Some Weight

The media received its first have a look at Bucs working again Leonard Fournette on Tuesday. Fournette skipped the OTAs, but it surely appeared like he hadn’t skipped any meals. The Bucs’ massive again appeared even greater – and admitted that he weighed “240-something” with some pudginess round his midsection.

Fournette mentioned we wished to get all the way down to 228-230 kilos, which is his optimum taking part in weight. He actually has loads of time as coaching camp doesn’t begin till late July and Tampa Bay doesn’t kick off the season in Dallas till September 11. If Fournette doesn’t get in higher form by then the Bucs have a pair of younger working backs in Vaughn and White who could be keen and capable of tackle a number of the workload.

There have been instances final 12 months when Fournette received a bit too heavy, which irked some on the teaching employees. After investing $7 million per season in Fournette with a brand new three-year deal, the Bucs can’t afford to have him off form by the point the season rolls round.

Hicks Is A Huge, Huge Man

Hicks is listed at 324 kilos on the roster on the workforce’s web site, however was listed at 352 on the roster the workforce handed out to the media earlier than apply. Requested the place he was at weight-wise and what weight he wished to play at, Hicks declined to remark after apply. He actually appears to be like nearer to 350 kilos than he does 324 although – but Hicks carries the load effectively. He’s only a large man.

Pairing Hicks subsequent to 350-plus-pound nostril sort out Vita Vea and 318-pound defensive finish Will Gholston would give the Bucs one of many largest defensive strains within the league. Hicks mentioned he’s actually wanting ahead to taking part in subsequent to Vea.

“I’ve been watching him for a pair years, and one of many issues that I really like that he does is push up the sector,” Hicks mentioned. “He disrupts that pocket fairly a bit. And it’s one thing that guys that play with energy – like myself – we admire.”

In line with Bowles, his coaching camp efficiency will determine whether or not Hicks is a reserve or a co-starter together with rookie Logan Corridor. For extra on what Hicks brings to the Bucs, try a few of his movie in Josh Queipo’s Grinding The Tape column.

A Few Bucs Defenders Step Up

Tampa Bay’s protection made a number of performs on the day and the gamers had been their regular chippy, vocal selves. Reserve nostril sort out Rakeem Nunez-Roches was lively and had a would-be sack on Trask. He additionally confirmed up within the run sport, as he often does.

Whereas Edwards received the primary interception of the season off Brady in 7-on-7’s. Delaney additionally had one more spectacular apply constructing upon his stellar OTAs. He performed excellent protection on Evans down the sideline placing himself into place to knock the ball away earlier than Evans made the miraculous catch. Delaney and Edwards drew reward from Bowles after apply.

Okay.J. Britt set to work with the entire starters with David out. Simply as importantly, it was an opportunity to play towards Brady and the remainder of the starters on offense. Bowles mentioned that Britt is taking part in two positions on the similar time with. He’s been a”Mike” linebacker, which he already is aware of of, and can also be studying “Mo” linebacker. He held his personal in that regard.