The Bucs opened their 2022 coaching camp on the AdventHealth Coaching Heart beneath blue skies, temperatures within the 80s and breezy situations. Each participant on the roster reported for coaching camp, and Wednesday’s follow was held in helmets, jerseys and shorts. Full pads begin subsequent week.
No Godwin, No Jones As Bucs Open Camp
Bucs large receiver Chris Godwin handed his bodily and prevented being positioned on the PUP checklist (bodily unable to carry out). However the group is holding him off form till he’s totally wholesome.
“Chris has been working like loopy,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles stated. “He’s getting higher day-after-day. We don’t have a timetable but. However when he comes out we’ll be glad to have him. He’s a diligent employee and we’re happy with the place he’s.”
Bucs WR Julio Jones – Picture by: Scott Reynolds/PR
The explanation why he was not positioned on the PUP checklist is as a result of these gamers can’t have any interplay with fellow gamers or coaches whereas rehabbing their accidents. Godwin can partake in walk-thrus and particular person drills (when he’s prepared) as a result of he’s not on the PUP checklist.
New Bucs receiver Julio Jones was additionally not a participant at Wednesday’s follow. Jones flew in to Tampa late final evening and signed his contract Wednesday morning. He’s scheduled to take his bodily Wednesday afternoon and must be at Thursday’s follow.
“I believe it’s very essential to get on the identical web page because the quarterback,” Bowles stated. “We’ll see concerning the reps as he goes, however he can get on the identical web page, and I do know he’s a professional and he’s a heck of a man, simply speaking to him on the market and taking part in towards him. If we are able to get him on the identical web page, you don’t need to spell anyone. If Mike [Evans] and Chris come out and Russ [Gage] and Julio go in, or if we run three-wides or four-wides or no matter we do over there, it’s an added luxurious.
“And we nonetheless have younger guys that may nonetheless play that have gotten to compete, too, so now we have plenty of competitors this camp, most likely greater than we’ve had since I’ve been right here. Once you turn out to be a superb group, you’re going to have plenty of competitors so there’s going to be some powerful choices to be made.”
Brady Makes A Dazzling Debut
Quarterback Tom Brady is again – with a vengeance. Brady, who will quickly be turning 45, un-retired on the eve of free company, opting to play a twenty third season within the NFL. He got here out weapons blazing within the first a part of follow. It didn’t take him lengthy to dial up the primary spotlight reel play on Wednesday. Brady threw a wonderfully thrown deep bomb to Breshad Perriman. Brady’s throw was proper on the cash, hitting Perriman in stride as he blew previous free security Logan Ryan.
Bucs QB Tom Brady and WR Mike Evans – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Brady additionally threw a pleasant out path to Mike Evans. He additionally threw strikes to tight finish Cam Brate and large receivers Cyril Grayson, Jr. and Scotty Miller. The highest 4 receiver spots claimed by Evans, Godwin, Gage and Jones. Meaning the remaining 10 receivers on the roster are vying for the remaining two or three spots on the depth chart. The entire receivers shined early in follow, feeling the strain of the Jones signing.
The second-best spotlight worthy play behind the Brady-Perriman connection was a phenomenal TD catch by Grayson. Backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw an ideal strike within the pink zone. Grayson beat rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum to the ball within the again nook of the top zone the place he made a one-handed landing catch.
Within the 11-on-11 hurry up portion of follow it’s clear Brady has large belief in Brate. Focusing on him twice for completions. One in all which got here with three defenders in shut protection. Although the drive didn’t finish with the outcomes Brady was on the lookout for as he clocked the ball beneath strain from the ups beginning entrance seven.
Gabbert took the second-team reps, however second-year quarterback Kyle Trask might have gotten simply as many reps – albeit with the third group. One in all Trask’s greatest throws truly resulted in a dropped move from Kaylon Geiger, a rookie receiver out of Texas Tech. Geiger was large open down the sector and Trask’s 40-yard strike hit him proper within the palms earlier than hitting the bottom.
Protection Will Be Challenged To Play Higher
Bowles’ protection was beneath siege early in follow on Wednesday, however rebounded within the ultimate half-hour of follow. Linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David, who began at inside linebacker after rebounding from a Lisfranc foot damage, each broke up passes. Reserve linebacker Ok.J. Britt additionally appears to be like like he made strides from a 12 months in the past.
The Bucs depth at outdoors linebacker has been questioned all offseason however maybe Anthony Nelson, who’s coming off a profession 12 months, can put these considerations to relaxation. The fourth 12 months edge rusher picked up proper the place he left off with two would-be sacks on the day. Elijah Ponder additionally acquired into the combo with a possible sack as effectively if issues had been stay. All three got here towards the Bucs second unit offensive line and on Gabbert.
The Tampa Bay protection additionally made a number of performs on the ball. Ryan broke up a deep Brady move to Miller close to the aim line. Cornerback Carlton Davis III got here away with the interception off a deflection. Reserve security Troy Warner picked off Trask to finish follow. The No. 3 QB threw an ill-advised move into double protection.
The Bucs protection might want to play higher at first of follow on Thursday.
Punt Return Carousel
The Bucs are opening up the competitors for the punt return duties this 12 months. Jaelon Darden stays the present favourite to retain his job as Tampa Bay’s return specialist. Nevertheless it was clear the group wished so as to add extra candidates to the combo. Rookie operating again Rachaad White fielded punts, together with Geiger, Darden, Gage, Grayson, Kameron Brown, Deven Thompkins and Jerreth Sterns.
In what is going to certainly be an fascinating camp battle to observe, Ryan Succop was up first within the competitors for the Bucs kicking job. Succop was an ideal seven for seven on his kicks. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that not one of the kicks tried had been longer than 36 yards. Jose Borregales will probably get his alternative to showcase his leg and consistency in tomorrow’s session.
– J.C. Allen contributed to this report
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