Bucs Training Camp 2025 Day 3 Notes
July 25th, 2025
What happened at practice Friday?
The defense seemed more active today as the Bucs wrapped up their third training camp practice for Summer 2025.
Joe saw a lot of dudes getting after quarterbacks — from the edge, up the middle and blitzes. Good sign.
*However* it is still underwear football season, which is flag football with helmets. So everything has to be taken with a grain of salt. It’s much better than no football, though.
* Full house today, which is another great sign. Today was the second of three practices open to the general public this summer. Yesterday the bleachers were packed. Today, like 98 percent capacity. Good to see so much excitement in town for the Bucs among the proletariat.
* Bucky Irving up the middle.
* Baker Mayfield checks down to Bucky in the right flat.
* Antoine Winfield races in on a blitz and would have had a sack. He can’t hit Mayfield, though, so Winfield just stretches his arms wide to show the eye in the sky recording the play that yes he had a sack and no, he didn’t hit Mayfield, which would be no bueno in underwear football.
* Rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish either got through the line too quickly or really well, depending your point of view. In doing so he sealed off any chance of a run to the left side. As a result, Mayfield threw short to Rachaad White.
* Kyle Trask throws to Devin Culp down the left sideline.
* There is a total jailbreak on left side of the line against Trask.
* Big run to the right side for Sean Tucker. He ran right, hesitated waiting for the linemen to set their blocks and then he crisply turned upfield for the run.
* No. 4 QB Connor Bazelak tries for Payne Durham to the right and Antonio Grier Jr. sticks a paw out and breaks up the pass. Solid defense.
* Pick! Bazelak tries to hit Ko Kieft to the right on a short pass. The ball was overthrown yet Kieft tried to reach up and grab it. Instead, it popped in the air and Kindle Vildor drives for the interception along the right sideline in front of the bleachers. The fans roar their approval for Vildor’s hustle.
* Bazelak flips a pass to Tez Johnson on the left sideline, almost like he was trying to throw a dart. Unfortunately, the dart missed its target a great deal and Johnson had no shot.
* Cade Otton makes a nice grab of a Mayfield pass over the middle on a crossing pattern from right to left.
* Bucky tried to run left and he was swallowed up by SirVocea Dennis.
* If these two guys are having a big year, the Bucs will be dominant: Calijah Kancey and YaYa Diaby got after Mayfield. Though Mayfield got a pass off, it appeared Diaby got a paw on the ball, incomplete.
* Sterling Shepard catches a pass from Trask down the left sideline.
* Rookie receiver/returner Tez Johnson seems to have a knack for getting open. He finds a hole in the defense down the middle about 15 yards downfield and Trask hits him for a nice completion. This gets the blood flowing with the crowd.
* Tucker runs an identical play as he did before where he runs right, waits for the linemen to set a block, then fires upfield. Watching this play, Joe can hear the old Vince Lombardi clip, “We trying to get a seal here, and a seal here and try to run this play in the alley!“
* Kaevon Merriweather would have sacked Trask if this were a live scrimmage with hitting.
* LSU RB Josh Williams rumble around the right side. They are watching him.
* Bucky up the middle. To the house!
* Mike Evans gets deep past the defense to the right side and it’s a layup for Mayfield.
* White runs right, stutter-steps and then has a burst forward.
* Braswell flushes Trask rushing up the middle. But then Braswell pulls up limping and gingerly walks to the sideline. More on that in. a moment.
* Trask throws short to the right side and Shepard comes back for the ball to make the catch.
* UDFA Warren Peeples of Southeastern Louisiana pressures Trask.
* Williams barrels up the middle.
* Tez Johnson got open to the right but Bazelak overthrows him. Johnson did sky high in an effort to reel the pass in.
7-on-7
* Baker Mayfield takes a deep shot down the left sideline for Jalen McMillan who hauls it in and takes a tumble after the catch. McMillan gets up and raises the football in the air to show he got it and the fans in the bleachers across the field thunder their approval loud enough for McMillan to recognize the cheers.
* Mike Evans being Mike Evans. Hauls in a pass from Mayfield down the right sideline. Zyon McCollum was defending but it didn’t matter if it was Richard Sherman, Jalen Ramsey or McCollum. Gold jacket dude right here.
* Otton on a crossing pattern from the right and Trask overshoots him.
* Kameron Johnson is wide ass open down the left sideline and Trask finds him.
* Mayfield connects with Emeka Egbuka down the right seam perfectly. Beautiful, just beautiful. Everything about that play was perfect from the style of the release to Mayfield’s level shoulders to the placement of the ball to Egbuka’s catch to how it was done seamlessly.
* Mayfield hits Evans down the left sideline and Evans, after he catches the ball, does a curl inside for more yards. Watch those hammies Mike. It still isn’t August.
* Good coverage by the defense. As a result, Mayfield had tons of time (would have been “sacked” in 11-on-11). After a while, Mayfield pointed to the middle and looked right at Bucky. And Bucky obliged as he turned to the middle of the field where Mayfield pointed and caught a 12-yard pass from Mayfield.
* Ryan Miller catches a slant from the left side from Trask. Next play, Bazelak overthrows Miller over the middle.
* Mayfield connects with Bucky in the right flat. If hitting was allowed, Haason Reddick would have splashed Bucky as Reddick was on him like a virus.
* Bucky runs left and right there is Jamel Dean waiting for him behind the line. Would have been a two- or three-yard loss.
* Mayfield unloads the ball quickly because YaYa was about to bury him.
* White up the middle.
* Promising sign: Even with Otton and Durham practicing, Devin Culp is getting a fair amount of reps with the ones (first team).
* White tries to run to the left and he’s lassoed by YaYa.
* Good sign: Chris Braswell is back on the practice field. Looks to be fine.
* Tez Johnson deep down the right side line hauls in a pass from Trask.
* Sean Tucker up the middle.
* Elijah Roberts chases Trask out of the pocket.
11-11 Two-minute drill
* Mayfield throws to Bucky for a nice gain.
* YaYa chases Mayfield out of the pocket but it doesn’t do any good. Mayfield escapes and on the run gets the ball in Egbuka’s hands, which is a safe place for the ball. It’s a 15-yard gain to the right side.
* Today’s practice has been the most active Joe has seen YaYa since the Bucs drafted him. He’s been flashing all three practices but today he often seems to be in the Bucs’ backfield.
* Egbuka hauls in a pass from Mayfield on a seam route to the right side.
* YaYa again gets after Mayfield who escapes and threads the needle down the right sideline connecting with Trey Palmer.
* Joe is starting to think the Bucs may have a left tackle problem. Then Joe checks the date and sees “July 25.” Then Joe looks at the Bucs on the practice field and sees underwear football. Time to be concerned with the left side of the line? Not yet. Let the record show that it has crossed Joe’s mind. But we’re not there. Yet.
* Mayfield throws deep for Culp down the left sideline and Culp couldn’t hang on as he skied for the ball under good coverage and took a tumble when he hit the ground.
* Mayfield to Culp down the left seam.
* Mayfield deep to Palmer down the left sideline. This part of the two-minute drill is clearly for Mayfield to air out his gun.
* Mayfield to Evans over the middle for a short gain.
* Scrambling Kyle Trask: The Bucs’ fifth-year backup quarterback has had a helluva workout in his first three days of practice this summer. Friday was no different and even nearing the end of practice, Trask is still running for his life. This time he meanders through defenders for about a 12-yard gain.
* Kaevon Merriweather fires in and would have had a blitz-sack on Trask.
* Big play by Trask: Hits Egbuka over the middle for a nice gain.
* Trask tries for Ryan Miller on the right side but it is incomplete. Really good coverage by Tykee Smith.
* Joe’s last note of practice today is rookie OLB David Walker getting hurt. He walked off the field gingerly, escorted by a couple of trainers.
Day off for the Bucs tomorrow. Practice resumes Sunday morning. Monday, the pads are scheduled to be on.
July 25th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Great notes Joe! My question, we always see notes on Bazelak (camp meat). Is Pratt our QB3 doing any throwing?
July 25th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
On the PUP list.
July 25th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
As usual, great, concise coverage!
But let’s focus on the penultimate article statement for a sec.
From JBF: * ‘Joe’s last note of practice today is rookie OLB David Walker getting hurt. He walked off the field gingerly, escorted by a couple of trainers‘
Now let us read a headline from something called P—— Plank:
“Bucs dealt terrible injury blow as rookie David Walker goes down in training camp”
These “writers” know nothing of the extent of Walker’s injury, yet they lead the reader to believe Walker’s season could be over. Is this journalism, or melodramatic garbage?
With the answer being rhetorical, it amazes me that this publication is able to solicit a single reader.
Kudos, Joes
Yeah, I do come here for some humor from your posters, but I also seek the truth in reporting, AKA journalistic integrity.
Don’t know why, but B.S. sickens me.
Thanks, guys …
July 25th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Thank you JA.
Walker left the field under his own power. So the appearance didn’t seem severe. And the Bucs are not obligated to talk about injuries until the season begins. Not knocking Pewter Plank at all. But no reason to go doom-and-gloom unless they have intel Joe doesn’t have, and they could.
July 25th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Surprised the touchdown catch by #84 in the 2 minute drill wasn’t brought up. I was right there and he absolutely got two feet/toes down before falling out of the back of the end zone. Was a great effort catch!
July 25th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Joe—
They have no more intel than you. I read the entire piece and they produced nothing to substantiate the doom/gloom headline.
Nothing wrong with the old journalistic hook. A good book synopsis comes to mind. Dunno, maybe it’s me, but I prefer the truth over a mislead.
July 25th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
This is Underwear/Lingerie football,
These same ‘Outstanding ” players will crap the field during the season. I’m not buying into this
July 25th, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Joe, thank you again for doing this.
July 25th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Seeing a lot of Culp not hearing much from the other TEs, are we looking at another big offensive weapon. Always thought often was good with a low ceiling
July 25th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
Sounds to me like after 3 practices Shep has been Trasks favorite receiver. I want Shep to make the team and I want to get the feeling Trask will be OK when needed. I’m feeling good about both of them.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
Sheep is the 6th receiver, at best.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Thanks Joe. Always look forward to training camp notes.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
I was there. We do have a left tackle problem. Heck looked liked he was stuck in cement. Hence the signing of Tyler McLellan.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Joe says, “Today’s practice has been the most active Joe has seen YaYa since the Bucs drafted him. He’s been flashing all three practices but today he often seems to be in the Bucs’ backfield.”
YaYa looks good because he not going against Tristan Wirfs, instead he going against second and third string tackles.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Would a good coach move Elijah Roberts from DL to OLT?
July 25th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Kancey, Yaya, Tykee, Hall, Sirvocea, Zyon … The Bucs have a lot of talented, hopefully improving players on defense, plus the two promising rookies and Riddick. Maybe they can win by running the ball and playing defense until Wirfs and Godwin return. Then watch out!
July 25th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
JA:
Thanks for the compliment. Joe can only type what he saw. Joe saw Walker get up and (gingerly) walk off the field under his own power, escorted (not helped) by trainers.
Anything could have happened. Could have taken a knee to the nads. Could have pulled something. Could have had his bell rung. Anything. There were no visibibly apparent sign of an injury. Bowles didn’t have any info, as it happened right before practice ended.
So anyone claiming Walker’s injury is (X) or the degree of the “injury,” unless someone from the Bucs tipped them off is nothing more than guesswork.
July 25th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
what keeps me awake at night lol: it’s down to final cuts and the bucs have to decide between keeping tez, big gator (for the tush push) and prime times boy, all who i think are potential impact players or sterling shepherd, rock hands jarret ryan decoy miller and the little guy from nebraska the oddreceivers out what do you think?
July 25th, 2025 at 9:20 pm
Joe, who’s been taking the snaps with the #1s at LT? How’s he looking?
July 25th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
Ask Joe after the first worthless preseason game. Joe cannot put full stock into an underwear football practice(s) where dudes cannot hit or wear pads.
July 25th, 2025 at 9:24 pm
Big Gator will either be cut or he will be put on some medical list where he has until next summer to lose weight. Dude can’t even get in shape enough to wear a uniform, much less be able to practice.
Dude has access to the best health, training and medical care and he still can’t drop weight enough to get cleared to practice? That’s sad and not just about his football career.
July 25th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Always great stuff Joe…can’t wait for the pads to come on!
July 25th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for the detailed notes Joe.
That’s a lot of plays you described – well done.
Sounds like Tez Johnson is already making a strong bid for the final roster. If Tez wins the punt return job – there’s only 1 WR spot left with 5 guys who have NFL experience fighting for it… (Shepard, Palmer, Jarrett, Kameron Johnson and Ryan Miller).
Its crazy how loaded our WR room is….. Nice problem to have!
July 25th, 2025 at 10:27 pm
Joe
Absolutely right on Watson. He’s really wasting his one opportunity.
If he can’t turn it around with all this help, his future is bleak. (Not just football)
July 25th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
With his experience, albeit from the bench, isn’t about time the Bucs found a use for Kyle Trask as trade bait to another team. He hasn’t brought much value to-date, at least on the field.
July 25th, 2025 at 11:34 pm
Seminole Bill
You don’t know how much you need a 5year vet backup QB, until you do.
July 26th, 2025 at 3:59 am
Guys appear to be flying around on both sides of the ball. Monday!
Hope Walker is ok.
Great stuff as usual Joe!
Go Bucs!
July 26th, 2025 at 4:38 am
Loving the notes and the photo, Joe. Always feels like being there. Glad Yaya is more viable too. Buka going strong! And Trask, more and more surprises too.
July 26th, 2025 at 7:32 am
The medical staff should have been fired in the off season
July 26th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Where are the third and fourth string QBs? Trask is getting old. He should be cut in favor of a younger guy.
July 26th, 2025 at 10:29 am
I wonder why some people think that Kyle Trask has trade value. He has ZERO track record in the NFL. Maybe a super desperate team that just lost its first and second QB would cough up a 7th round pick, but I doubt it.
July 26th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Great job on all of these notes! Your work pays off in pleasure to us fans! THANKS.
July 26th, 2025 at 9:45 pm
ino offensive priority is baker throwing deep
defensive priority is sacks, lb coverage and safety play
special teams i dont know yet
injuries suck, not just us but most everyone
so far so good