Bucs Training Camp 2023 Training Camp Practice No. 20
August 24th, 2023
YaYa Diaby (0) participates in barrel drills as Logan Hall (90) and Vita Vea (50) look on.
Underwear football today at Bucs training camp. So no hitting. Joe didn’t even notice more than one or two plays with incidental contact. Since No. 3 QB John Wolford did not participate, nursing his injury from the Jets game, starter Baker Mayfield and backup Kyle Trask got loads of reps.
This will be the final practice notes from Joe until OTAs next spring. Today was the final practice for media to monitor in full. Next week begins standard regular season media viewing where only 30 minutes can be watched.
* First play of practice and Joe will give you three guesses what the play was, and the first two don’t count. … Give up? It was Rachaad White up the middle!
* Sneak Vaughn to the right.
* Baker Mayfield pitches to White who races to the left sideline.
* Poor Rodarius Williams. The veteran cornerback got exposed. First, Mayfield threw to Mike Evans for a fingertip catch along the left sideline coming from the inside, beating Williams. (Yes, Evans is Minnesota-Ready). On the very next play, it was the very same play only Taye Barber ran the route, beating Williams.
* Patrick Laird runs up the middle and is stuffed but he bounces to the left for a few yards.
* Why they are Bucs icons: With the first-team offense on the field, Joe notices on the far sideline Evans and Chris Godwin running sprints. Hard work pays off, man.
* Sean Tucker tries running inside the right tackle and there is nothing there.
* Kyle Trask on a keeper runs right. Sure looked like a busted play.
* Trask fakes a handoff and runs up the middle.
* White with the ol’ run up the middle. Somewhere, Byron Leftwich is smiling.
* Mayfield with a short pass up the right seam to Payne Durham and the ball is off the Purdue tight end’s hands.
* Mayfield fires down the right sideline and connects with Deven Thompkins in the end zone for a score.
* Mayfield with a look-in pass (very short just over the middle) to Evans.
* White runs right.
* Mayfield to Ryan Miller in the end zone along the left sideline and the ball is dropped.
* Mayfield to Kaylon Geiger to the right sideline in the end zone. Geiger comes up with the ball with Anthony Chesley defending. Seemed like Geiger may have been out of bounds as he tumbled to the ground. Geiger did put up an argument that he scored.
* Trask tries to hit Rakim Jarrett along the left sideline but Jamel Dean had strong coverage on the play and the ball fell incomplete.
* Play of practice: Joe would seriously consider Kade Warner a practice squad guy on this play alone. He was running down the left sideline with Keenan Isacc having good coverage keeping Warner in front of him. Warner may have gotten away with a pushoff (think Chris Godwin in the game-winning drive against the Cowboys to open the 2021 season). As Warner got separation, Trask’s throw was well behind him by two or three yards. Warner instantly recovered, dove back for the ball and caught it just as he was hitting the ground. Incredible concentration and want-to.
* Another play where it appeared to be busted. Trask took a handoff, seemingly looked for someone to hand the ball off to, then took off running up the middle.
* Trask to Barber along the right sideline.
* Trask tried to connect with Ko Kieft on what looked like a down-and-out on the right side. Trask got behind Devin White but White may have gotten a hand on the ball to prevent Kieft from catching it. Joe heard Kieft holler out a foul word in disgust.
* Mayfield drops a pass in Evans’ bucket as he ran a route to the left sideline.
* Same play, this time it is Godwin and again, Mayfield drops the ball over the shoulder in the bucket. Yeah, Godwin is Minnesota-Ready.
* Vaughn runs right.
* Mayfield for Geiger down the left sideline and the pass is short.
* Call it an Evans Special: Mayfield throws high for Evans in the back of the end zone and Evans skies and grabs the ball with one hand. Joe honestly thinks this summer has been Evans’ best training camp.
* Tucker runs to the right for six.
* Trask rifles the ball to Barber down the left sideline but the ball is a bit behind and too tall for Barber.
* Trask lofts a pass over the middle for Tanner Taula for about a 15-20 yard gain.
* Trask to Dominique Dafney down the right sideline.
* Trask to Dafney on a cross pattern from the right side.
* Evans hauls in a Trask pass along the left sideline.
Goal line
* Tucker runs left for a score.
* Tucker catches a Trask pass along the right side in the end zone.
7-on-7
* Tucker up the middle.
* Taula catches a Trask pass along the right sideline.
* Trey Palmer from Trask down the right sideline.
* Ronnie Brown on a crossing pattern from the left catches a Trask pass over the middle.
* Brown runs up the middle.
* Trask dumps off a pass to the short right for Laird.
* Laird catches a pass at the right sideline.
* Brown takes a pitch from Trask and runs right.
* Brown stumbles forward inside the right tackle for a couple.
* Miller catches a Trask pass on a slant from the left.
* Dafney catches a Trask pass near the right sideline.
* From about 15 yards out, Trask tries to throw to Dafney in the back of the end zone and it’s too high for the Larry Bird University product (Indiana State).
August 24th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Thanks for the daily reports all off season!
August 24th, 2023 at 11:52 am
So, Joe… based on what you’ve seen… care to make a prediction on the final 53 and maybe some of the PS spots?
August 24th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Joe will get back to this later tonight. Have a couple of appointments to hit. Receiver will be tough.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
@ Joe
“Receiver will be tough.”
If the Bucs keep (7) WRs like they did last season –
– Evans
– Godwin
– Palmer
– Thompkins
– Moore
– Jarrett
– Geiger or Warner
Practice Squad
– Warner or Geiger
– Miller
Based on your practice notes Warner might make the 53.
Based on the preseason games it’s going to Geiger over Warner…
August 24th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Starting Mayfield will begin the unending stream of Bowles Blunders starting with the Vikes.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
I am of firm belief that Todd mandates a run up the gut on first down for 80% of our drives and all OC’s must comply…LOL
August 24th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
It sounds like Mayfield and Evans have a good connection; ergo, Evans is a lock for 1K yards. That’s a big checkbox for a lot of Bucs fans.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Thank you so much Joe for all the hard work you put in. I read your notes every year. Makes getting through the summer that much more bearable until the season starts. You are the best!
August 24th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Great stuff, Joe…..thanks for the practice notes this year.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Sounds like Kieft is not doing well. Too bad as the TE position is very weak.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Gracias, Jose.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
What’s with the run up the middle on first? If it’s still happening then Bowles had a hand in it last year.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for all the notes Joe(s). Looking forward to this season starting.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:41 pm
Thank you Joe for what you do. My main concerns are depth at CB and WR. Palmer and Thompkins night prove me wrong but if #13 or #14 go down its goin to be ugly.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
Thanks for the updates all camp long Joe! Great stuff!
August 24th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
Wouldn’t rush to judgment there. He’s had a nice camp. Got behind Devin White. Think he’s better catching the ball than Payne Durham. Don’t think he’s an absolute lock for the roster though. We’ll see.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Thanks Joe.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Your the man Joe Thanks for all you do !!
August 24th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
If Kieft is a better pass catcher than Durham that’s a danning statement.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:27 pm
I wonder if they truly want Warner on the practice squad, how much playing time he will get on Saturday night? Don’t want too much good tape on him. Same for the other bubble guys.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
I’m still waiting for Thelma Thompkins to have a moment….ANY moment in a game. Whether as a receiver or KR/PR. Year two, correct?
August 24th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Joe what’s the RB depth chart looking like? Has Tucker moved up? Has Vaughn moved down? Could Vaughn get cut?
August 24th, 2023 at 3:22 pm
Think so.
Possibly.
The GM is in Sneak’s corner, so it would be a slight surprise.
August 24th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for all your hard work with the great daily practice notes Joe!
August 24th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
I think receiver will be far easier than LB… and maybe a few others.
To me, it’s fairly obvious.
Evans
Godwin
Palmer
Thompkins
Moore
Jarrett.
All three have some type of special ability for the pro level. Thompkins- speed and quickness, return ability. Moore- experienced and a bigger body. Jarrett. Speed, decent size.
Warner can definitely be stashed on the practice squad as can Geiger, Barber, Miller.
I’d be shocked if the final six aren’t the guys above.
OLB, backup CB,, depth OL, 3rd and 4th TE, and all backup RB spots might be a surprise. I don’t see Vaughn getting cut like some have speculated and I do see Tucker winning the #2 roll sooner than later.
August 24th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
@ Joe
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bucs cut RB K. Vaughn and only roll with 3 RBs on the 53 man roster.
After Jensen is moved to IR it will open another roster spot and the Bucs will add another RB off the waiver wire and it won’t be Vaughn…
August 24th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
Tucker continues to show out. He’s going to get some playing time.
August 24th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
The season is approaching fast! I believe this team can catch others off guard. Seeing as the media has us as an after thought to an after thought! If the defense can stop the run and get off the field, things will go well!! I believe this offense will score more than last season. (that’s not saying much). The two together means more wins.
August 24th, 2023 at 5:34 pm
At this point, I think Canales is trolling you Joe, with the runs up middle on first play lol
August 24th, 2023 at 7:14 pm
Why is Patrick Laird on this roster? He’s supposed to be a great special team guy but I haven’t ever seen him on the stats sheet. Maybe he’s a “solid” receiver and runner, but he will always be RB4 or RB5. We REALLY need guys who can run with the ball so why didn’t we bring in a young “risky” RB who has the potential to play, rather than wasting a roster spot all this time on a guy who is likely to never take an offensive snap with us? Another example of NOT bringing in a true RB but rather bringing in a special teams guy who can catch the ball. No wonder we can’t run the ball!
August 24th, 2023 at 8:50 pm
I gotta be honest. Nothing against Joe…his camp notes are always tops…but I’m finding it hard to even care about this team right now.
There are some great players on both sides…but the head coach is setting them up to fail, and I want no part of that.
August 24th, 2023 at 8:51 pm
JimBobBuc, unfortunately, he could get the best rb in the league in hear and it won’t matter until the offensive line can do its thing.
August 24th, 2023 at 8:52 pm
here…god I’m making a lot of typos tonight. I’m going to bed.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
OK, here is Joe’s guess/stab at the 53. This is the way the roster was constructed last year at cutdown day.
How guys play special teams is big. Zyon McCollum over Keenan Isaac was a tough one. Isaac impressed in camp. McCollum just hasn’t turned the corner.
However, McCollum is a superior special teams player. As Joe learned from an NFL GM long ago, if you cannot start, you better be able to play special teams otherwise you are an endangered species.
Joe gave pause to Sneak Vaughn > Ronnie Brown. But Jason Licht is in Vaughn’s corner so there is that.
Quarterbacks (3): Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, John Wolford.
Running Backs (4): Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, Sean Tucker, Sneak Vaughn.
Wide Receivers (7): Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins, David Moore, Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller.
Tight Ends (4): Cade Otton, Ko Kieft, Payne Durham, David Wells.
Offensive Linemen (10): Ryan Jensen, Tristan Wirfs, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke, Robert Hainsey, Matt Feiler, Nick Leverett, John Molchon, Brandon Walton, Aaron Stinnie.
Defensive Linemen (6): Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Will Gholston, Logan Hall, Patrick O’Connor, Greg Gaines.
Outside Linebackers (4): Shaq Barrett, YaYa Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson.
Inside Linebackers (4): Lavonte David, Devin White, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis.
Cornerbacks (5): Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Dee Delaney, Christian Izien, Zyon McCollum.
Safeties (3): Antoine Winfield, Ryan Neal, Kaevon Merriweather.
Specialists (3): Jake Camarda, Zach Triner, Chase McLaughlin.
Also, Joe thinks Todd Bowles will lean toward veterans over rookie development players if all things are even because Bowles needs wins.
Gonna guess Bucs try to retain Josh Hayes, Jose Ramirez and Mike Greene on the practice squad.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:08 pm
Don’t worry. In a handful of hours he likely won’t be.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:15 pm
@ admin
– Jensen will make the 53 but will be put on IR soon after.
– The Bucs will only keep 3 RBs and will pick up another RB off the waiver wire not named Vaughn after they put Jensen on IR.
– The Bucs may keep more than 4 OLBs due to Shaq’s age and recent injury history.
– I agree with the rest of your 53.
August 24th, 2023 at 9:41 pm
I say they go 6 WR no Miller.
Then Cam Gill or Or draft pick Ramirez gets 5th OLB
August 24th, 2023 at 10:09 pm
I hope I’m wrong, but judging from what I’ve seen so far in preseason and the practice notes from Joe, it seems Canales is being predictable with the first down runs. Maybe because TB has emphasized the run so much that Canales believes it’s right approach.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:10 pm
Why Dafney and/or Durham over Wells for TE3/4. Thought Wells was having a great camp.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:13 pm
@Joe
What happened to Wells at TE? Why Durham and Dafney over him? Thought he had a good camp.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:23 pm
Yeah, Joe knew he’d miss a name. Go ahead and flip Wells in for Dafney (who isn’t really that good).
August 24th, 2023 at 11:13 pm
Cam Gill needs to be on the team.
August 25th, 2023 at 9:38 am
@Joe
I’m surprised you didn’t publish that as an article. A thread where we all guess at the roster. 😉