Training Camp Musings – Day 1
July 27th, 2012
After watching OTA days and minicamp, Joe was struck by how much slower the tempo was during training camp today. Things were definitely down a couple of notches.
Perhaps that’s because of the heat and the team is pacing itself? Perhaps some guys were tired after a second conditioning test this morning? Perhaps it was just a byproduct of “installations” and lots of coaching? Regardless, practice wasn’t at the likely unsustainable pace of the offseason.
Cody Grimm told Joe today’s opening practice was long and tough, guys cramped up and he’s sure it’s “going to be pretty cranked up here” real soon. Grimm said things might have moved slower as guys learn more about where to be on the field. Dallas Clark also talked about the grind of “all install” over the first few practices.
*Tiquan Underwood was a standout. He beat Eric Wright easily on a completed, 50-yard bomb, and he also drew a holding penalty on Aqib Talib late in practice. Underwood caught other balls and just seems to be working extraordinarily hard and has the fitness to sustain it. Joe gets the sense he fits the cliche “doing everything asked of him.”
*Regarding Talib, he was seen stretching on the ground during practice. And at one point Greg Schiano talked to him while he was stretching and Talib went in the building with training staff but returned within 10 minutes or so. When Talib held Underwood, blatant and called by practice referees, clearly Talib was gassed.
*Joe’s ready for pads to come on and guys to hit each other. Enough already with underwear and helmets football. On one play, Doug Martin caught a ball in the flat and was one-on-one with a closing Ronde Barber. Martin appeared to beat Barber inside and the crowd cheered, but there’s no way to tell if Barber makes the play when there’s no hitting allowed. Also, Barber did flush him inside, which is his job if he’s not going to make the tackle. It was just a great example of how it’s impossible to tell who will/can make plays without pads on.
*Joe saw some good things in pass coverage out of Jacob Cutrera (tipped pass) and Dakoda Watson. And some not so good things in pass coverage from Myron Lewis.
Joe will have more thoughts and interviews through the day and into tonight.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Myron Lewis sucks and should be cut…. Get rid of the bum!
July 27th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
“Joe was struck by how much slower the tempo was during training camp today.”
That’s funny, because Twitter comments were about how intense the session was.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
Sunday is going to be really crowded with it being the first day in pads. I think I’m going but will need to get there early to get a seat. Go Bucs.
July 27th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
How many players did we lose to the unnecessary sprints? I think Talib makes six.
That was a great idea.
How about one of those Japanese obstacle courses? That will make them toe the line!
July 27th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
Many other Buc reporters (Holder) or blogs are reporting that Martin has started camp as the #1.
Sorry Joe, I know this crushes your heart nearly as much as the thought of DomDom returning to the trading card business.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Hey, I’d rather they be getting cramps and dehydration in late July than in November. This will pay dividends down the road.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Miguel Who are these 6 players we lost directly due to unnecessary sprints? Talib was back on the field in less than an hour so that’s not in any way a loss.
Though upon saying that Schiano does try to use every minute of the day so maybe it is a great loss in his eyes.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
We should put Cutrera out there at CB, would probably be better than MyLew.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Miguel, how about players being in shape before the sprints…
July 27th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
BTW , I would be surprised if Biggers and Lewis make the team
July 27th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Miguel…conditioning tests are common among teams in the NFL…they are also conning in college, high school, and middle school. Weeds out the physical and mental weak.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Common*
July 27th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Myron Lewis does the team no good. Leonard Johnson looked to have a good day to me. He is built to cover and hit, wouldnt be suprised to see him make the 53-man. Cant wait to be there again tomorrow morning. It was awesome.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
How is a conditioning test unnecessary? Many teams do it, not just the Bucs.
July 27th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Biggers will make the roster, but Lewis I can’t see making it.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Thomass and Jockstrap Grande
The blog for feminine cramps is on a different site! Please act accordingly!
July 27th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Nothing feminine about having a complete and primary RB for the first time in years. The new Free, Muscle Hamp and VJ may just light it up.
Blount can be our designated corner hurdler once or twice a game.
July 27th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
If Lewis can’t do it this preseason, he probably never will. The opportunity is right there for someone to step up.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
i agree a thousand percent about conditioning tests weeding out the weak. look no further than Albert Haynesworth flunking 3 times in Washington….that proved to Shanahan that Fat Albert didn’t have the desire to get himself into peak physical condition. he played 8 more games for the Skins. he then moved on to New England for half a season, here for half a season, and now can’t find a job….despite turning just 31 years old last month.
of course it’s exhausting and of course it’s a challenge….but it helps coaches see who can push through the pain and who has the desire to be the very best.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
can they please just try moving Myron Lewis to safety already? Dominik said when he drafted him that Lewis did have the size to move inside, but that he would be a CB here. CLEARLY that is not going to happen as imagined, so why not give it a shot? sometimes a position change can do wonders for a guy. Antrel Rolle (athough he was a top 10 draft pick) was very ineffective as a corner. Arizona moved him to FS, and now he has become one of the better safeties in the league. give it a whirl
July 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I can not believe people are actually bitching because Schiano is forcing his players to be in shape before camp by making them do some sprints before they can practice. Schiano is finding out right now who is cut out to be on his team, no more free rides like the previous regime.
Vince Lombardi is sitting up in his grave and applauding Schiano for this and some Tampa Bay fans are curled up on the floor crying over it. Really? Get a clue.
July 27th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@gotbbucs
“I can not believe people are actually bitching because Schiano is forcing his players to be in shape before camp by making them do some sprints before they can practice. Schiano is finding out right now who is cut out to be on his team, no more free rides like the previous regime.”
I’ll quote you on opening day when Dotsen or a player to be named later, is the starting LT and Freeman gets sacked 6 times.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
no way Dotsen gives up 6 sacks ! lol
July 27th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Dotson spent a good amount of time with the tight ends today. He’s very athletic with a long wingspan. I wonder if he’ll be used in that capacity. He was eligible often last year but olson never called his number.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
@ miguel
Penn got injured before he even showed up for camp so I’m not sure exactly what your point is? Either way, if these guys can’t handle running then they shouldn’t be out there. What should they do, wrap these guys up in bubble wrap until game time and then see if they’re in good enough shape to do it? Please.
July 27th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Myron Lewis – voted most likely to get cut…
July 27th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@Espo Didn’t Dotson start a game at TE? I’m pretty sure it was one of the Saints game. He’s not in that position to catch passes, its to block.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@Espo Didn’t Dotson start a game at TE? I’m pretty sure it was one of the Saints game. He’s not in that position to catch passes, its to block.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Credible article out today that they were pre-draft red flags on Price. Apparently Dom, scapegoated (the rag treatment) errrrrrr had fired a west coast scout for not uncovering this info.
Sorry Joe, DomDom whiffs again. Speaking of Karlos Pena, even Pena has a better average than Dommy!
July 27th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Thomas:
LOL Joe welcomes a link to such a “credible article.”
If anyone can provide a link that predicted Brian Price would have debilitating injury his rookie year in training camp, please don’t hold back.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Credible article….sure there was. Notice you posted the link and everything it was so ‘credible’.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
You beat me to it Joe but I thought the same thing. Thomas believes anything he hears on the internet. Probably somebody said something in a comment on the Falcon’s blog site. I still think Thomas is Roddy White.
July 27th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
OAR lol
July 27th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Who threw the 50 yard bomb? From what I hear on TV Freeman was not on the field. It was Orvloski (sp?) that threw it.
Great coverage. Better than PR ever was!!! Or ever will be!!!
July 27th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Joe here,
@BucFan20 – It was definitely Freeman on the long pass.
July 27th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
He can talk about the hurdle but he ALWAYS forgets to mention about the yards picked up after . That is the the object of the game I think. To move the ball, pick up yards and score??