Camp Cupcake Day 18 Practice Notes
August 17th, 2021
Underwear football still pollutes One Buc Palace during Camp Cupcake. And lots of obstructed views today as well. If Joe were coaching, Joe probably wouldn’t want pesky reporters watching underwear football practice either in the fourth week of training camp.
As always, Joe cautions readers that underwear football is quite literally flag football without the flags. Linemen basically bro-hug each other on each snap. No hitting or tackling of any sort is allowed.
In other words, it’s Roger Goodell’s kinda football.
It’s quite possible more footballs hit the ground than players.
* Blaine Gabbert hits Tyler Johnson in traffic down the right sideline on a deep route.
* Playoff Lenny off right tackle.
* Ronald Jones is stuffed up the middle but he pops outside to the right and makes something out of nothing.
* Good sign: Giovani Bernard really hits the hole fast.
* (Obstructed view) Ryan Griffin tried a pass to (Joe was screened and couldn’t see the number at all) in the right flat and Carlton Davis broke up the pass.
* Chris Godwin takes a medium pass over the middle from Tom Brady.
* Brady back to pass. He looks. He looks. He looks some more. Still has a clean pocket and he dumps off to Bernard on a short pass to the left. Bernard was easily the third or fourth option.
* Brady dirts the ball. Whistle was blown so it counts as a coverage sack.
* We have referees today! They are likely in town for the controlled scrimmage with the Titans the next two days. Joe’s pretty sure it’s the first practice this summer with zebras. Joe just hopes the a-hole who threw a flag on Joe Tryon Saturday night isn’t among them. That flag still burns Joe up.
* Speaking of the Titans, how come no one shortens their name the way the Jaguars are called the “Jags?”
* “He don’t like the ball in his hands!” Gabbert tries to force a ball to Codey McElroy over the left seam and Ross Cockrell drops a pick.
* Gabbert connects with Johnson again down the left sideline and Johnson runs through traffic for a touchdown. There are sometimes Johnson reminds Joe of Godwin.
* Gabbert seems to be always moving his feet when he throws the ball. Maybe it is just Joe’s imagination but today he noticed Gabbert often was either on the move or jumping when he released the ball. Not sure if that’s something new or just now getting around to catching it.
* John Molchon rolls a snap to Griffin and Joe heard a coach holler, “C’mon!”
* 7-on-7 (obstructed view)! Brady hits McElroy deep down the right side.
* This was cool: Brady perfectly hits Jaelon Darden as Darden got position on Antoine Winfield standing right in front of him. As soon as Darden got the ball, he spun off of Winfield to the inside and bolted straight upfield to the goal line. Helluva move by Darden.
* Is Justin Watson renting?
* Foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski on a crossing pattern from right to left is hit right in the hands by Brady but Gronk has the ball bounce way off his hands. Otherwise, it would have been a pretty play and throw.
* Brady tries to drop a ball in the basket throwing over Gronk’s shoulder toward the right sideline. But it was a wee bit too far for Gronk to get his mitts on the ball.
* RoJo gets behind the defense running down the left sideline and Brady hits him perfectly in stride for a big score. The crowd in the bleachers liked that as it happened right in front of them.
* 11-on-11 (obstructed view)! Johnson pulls in a Brady pass along the left sideline.
* Ke’Shawn Vaughn tries to run left and there is nothing there.
* Gabbert to McElroy down the left side.
* Mike Evans catches a pass from Brady along the left sideline right in front of Jamel Dean.
* Brady has enough time to order a Cuban sandwich from La Teresita — if he ate Cuban sandwiches — and eventually throws to Antonio Brown short left.
* Think Lenny! Brady had Playoff Lenny open on the left side but Playoff Lenny took off running before he firmly secured the ball. Incomplete.
* With projected No. 2 center Robert Hainsey on floppy hat patrol, Aaron Stinnie is getting some snaps in with the second team.
* Gabbert throws low and Jaydon Mickens is able to dig the ball up over the middle.
* Evans catches a slant pass from Brady as he came in from the left side.
* Some 20 minutes after practice was over, there was Kyle Trask, in the broiling Florida midday sun, throwing passes to Jaydon Mickens.
August 17th, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Thanks for the notes, Joe!
The Fournette over RoJo bias is pretty obvious.. haha
August 17th, 2021 at 2:50 pm
is it just me or is Mickens having himself a good camp Joe?
Does he bounce in or out on the bubble?
August 17th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
“Is Justin Watson renting?” For that matter is Jordan Whitehead? He’s been out since when – the first week of camp? Maybe his shoulder injury just hasn’t healed..??
August 17th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
C’mon, he’s a starter (when healthy). Watson is very much a bubble guy who is in Brady’s doghouse.
August 17th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Yes, but remember, backups have to play special teams. Not sure how Mickens is on special teams (besides return game, which he’s not so special).
August 17th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
How HOT was it ?
I simply cannot handle this summer heat anymore.
Those old blue haired snow birds might not have been able to see over the steering wheel but they damn sure knew where to spend summers!
August 17th, 2021 at 3:11 pm
Speaking of the Titans, how come no one shortens their name the way the Jaguars are called the “Jags?” that would be hilarious 😂
August 17th, 2021 at 3:12 pm
Speaking of the Titans, how come no one shortens their name the way the Jaguars are called the “Jags?” Yeah one other name for breasts would be a great nickname. 😂
August 17th, 2021 at 3:14 pm
If they keep Mickens over Watson then he will have do what Watson has done on ST. I think they do keep Mickens incase Darden screws the pooch on returns.
August 17th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
I know I’m on an island with this take but … Tryon’s gets that flag all day everyday.
The rule is, “A defensive player must not unnecessarily or violently … land on top of him with all or most of the defender’s weight. Instead, the defensive player must strive to wrap up the passer with the defensive player’s arms and not land on the passer with all or most of his body weight.”
The QB was not in a clear RPO. He didn’t make a running move so it’s open to interpretation if he was a QB. That play will get flagged 100% of the time.
It’s a good thing Suh is coaching him up … and not Joe!
August 17th, 2021 at 3:43 pm
Linemen basically bro-hug each other … In other words, it’s Roger Goodell’s kinda football.
Indeed.
August 17th, 2021 at 3:48 pm
SB~LV – It’s been an unusually cool summer in FL. Today was more typical of a Florida summer day, but most of this summer it’s been quite comfortable by our standards. That’s not just me saying that, that’s the numbers that come from NOAA. I think we’re down almost 2 degrees from average.
August 17th, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Geez Joe I kind of disagree about Mickens as a returner. He was solid during our playoff run. Makes good decisions, doesn’t try to do to much by running backwards losing yards, and most important, doesn’t put the ball on the ground! I’d trust him at this point over any other player on the roster. Who do you got taking his job Joe, a rookie?
August 17th, 2021 at 4:18 pm
hodad, i have to agree with your take. With our offense, we dont need a returner trying to be deion or devin hester. Dont fumble, get the damn ball to the 25 and let brady work!
August 17th, 2021 at 4:31 pm
I’m starting to become more comfortable with Gabbert as backup….is Joe?
August 17th, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Joe mickens was by far the best returner in the bengals game. Eyeballs aint lyin. Darden didnt look special and vaughn looked pretty awful
August 17th, 2021 at 6:50 pm
Hodad:
Well, that’s why the Bucs traded up to get Darden. Or so the Bucs gave told us. 🤷♂️
Tampabaybucsfan:
🤷♂️ Ira is the guy who gets all hot and bothered about a someone you hope never plays one snap. Joe knows if Brady goes down this team is screwed no matter who replaces him.
August 17th, 2021 at 8:26 pm
Off topic…but how long do you think Washington goes without a team name?
I was just wondering that the other day…..they are going into their second season calling themselves The Washington Football Team. W-T-F is wrong with that franchise?
August 17th, 2021 at 8:27 pm
TBBF….Gabbert’s a damn bum…always has been…always will be.
August 17th, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Drunkinybor: I’m sure the Pats, Vikes, Pack and Cards would welcome the T!ts to their club too!