Bucs Training Camp 2025 Day 5 Notes
July 28th, 2025
Taking a breather at Bucs training camp practice Monday.
The pads came on!
Finally, finally, the Bucs broke out the pads today. No more underwear football, at least not for a few days (the NFL limits padded practices).
So, for the first time since the Bucs played the Commandos, the Bucs wore pads. Finally (you don’t know how tired Joe is of typing “underwear football” much less watching it).
Today’s practice was open only to a special interest group. Only about 70 percent of the bleachers were full. Maybe.
And Joe doesn’t know why, but the crowd was dead. Church quiet. Maybe folks were zonked from the heat ? Maybe folks were still mentally in the weekend? Maybe they were still in mourning over David Walker’s knee injury?
That may be the quietest Joe has heard a Bucs practice with fans. But that din of nothing created a cool moment. The first hour of practice, roughly, is special teams work and individual position drills. Maybe some one-on-ones between receivers and corners. Maybe.
At one point, Bucs rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka was casually walking to one end of the field, not far from the bleachers, as he was going to field punts. The thick silence was suddenly pierced when a Bucs fan hollered, “THEE OHIO STATE!” Egbuka, of course, was a star for the reigning national champion Buckeyes. Egbuka clearly heard the fan. He turned to face him and raised a fist in the air as acknowledgement. Maybe Joe is a weirdo, but Joe is a sucker for players interacting with fans at practice. It’s pretty cool to see.
1-on-1
* In 1-on-1 receiver/cornerback drills, Tez Johnson is putting on a show. In one play, Johnson fully roasted veteran cornerback Kindle Vindor. Kyle Trask launched a bomb down the right sideline, and Johnson hauled it in, took a tumble, and held onto the ball. Really fun play.
* Joe was curious how Johnson would practice with the pads, with memories of Kenny Bell vanishing in pads dancing in Joe’s head. In fact, Johnson may have had his best practice this camp. Good sign.
* There is a first time for everything. Joe has seen Egbuka practice every time media could watch. Today may be the very first time Joe witnessed Egbuka make a mistake. Baker Mayfield hit Egbuka on a short pass to the right. Egbuka sort of bobbled the ball. At the very least, he did not secure it quickly. Undrafted rookie safety J.J. Roberts quickly grabbed the ball before Egbuka secured it and ripped it away from the Bucs rookie.
* Tykee Smith steps in front of tight end Tanner Taula for a pick.
* Another good sign: The dawgs came out to play on the first day of padded practices. Guys who are dawgs, Christien Izien, Antoine Winfield, Smith and a few others took advantage of being able to practice physically. The rest of the Bucs almost seemed as if they were adjusting to the hitting.
* There is a massive swarm of bugs/moths/butterflies hovering over the north end of the field. They shine in the sun. It is like watching a Green Bay game at night with light snow falling.
* Johnson blows past corner Roman Parodie down the right sideline as Connor Bazelak launches a bomb. Johnson got a hand on the ball, but it was overthrown.
11-on-11
* Bucky Irving is hit behind the line.
* FUMBLE! Baker Mayfield rears back to throw, but he forgot something: The ball. His arm went forward, and the ball went backward.
* Bucky gets a couple of yards running left.
* Jacob Parrish flies in on a blitz and would have had Mayfield for a sack. Yes, the pads are on, but they still cannot hit quarterbacks.
* Sean Tucker runs left, cuts inside, and has a nice gain.
* Receiver Dennis Houston skies high for a pass from Trask down the right sideline. He got it.
* Josh Williams powers through defenders. They are watching.
* Mayfield connects with Trey Palmer over the middle, who immediately falls down after securing the ball, which was a good pass. That’s not what you want to see. Palmer has serious wheels. Falling right away eliminates any potential big-play ability with the wheels he has (think Philadelphia playoff game two years ago). Palmer has the potential to be a YAC monster.
* Bucky zig-zags up the middle.
* Mayfield hits Bucky in the hands in the right flat, but the ball bounces off his hands.
* Bucky is hit at the line and maybe squirms for two yards.
* Jailbreak on the line as Trask drops back. Would have been a sack.
* Ryan Miller got dropped. He catches a pass over the middle from Trask, and the instant he touched the ball, J.J. Roberts lowers the boom. Joe has heard a lot from (some) fans about Roberts, but Joe hasn’t seen him. Today, with the pads on, Roberts had his coming-out party.
* Bucky slices to the right.
* Jalen McMillan takes a handoff and runs right for a big gain.
* So, so smooth: Joe may overuse the word “smooth” when describing Egbuka. But that word always comes to mind when watching him. Everything is so smooth, so fluid. It’s like playing football is second nature to him. Like the guy was born to play receiver. Well, he had a sweet, smooth catch for a touchdown from Mayfield. The Bucs quarterback fired the ball to the right, near the pylon where Egbuka was running his route. He was well covered. Egbuka got the near-perfect pass and shot past his coverage to get the ball across the goal line just inside the pylon. Just a pretty play.
* Trask overthrows Houston (the player) down the right sideline in the end zone. Bucs quarterbacks were often off today, both in 11-on-11 and the two-minute drill, Trask especially so.
* Mayfield throws deep for Payne Durham down the left sideline, and Durham cannot quite come up with the catch. Joe heard a fan holler at Durham, “CATCH THE BALL!”
* Same play, this time Mayfield overthrows his target.
* Mayfield connects with McMillan with a quick pass to the left.
* Trask drops back and dirts the ball. He wanted to go to Sean Tucker, but Kaevon Merriweather was all over Tucker.
* This may have been the best pass Joe has seen from Trask, certainly the best this year. Joe didn’t know Trask had this fastball in him. He absolutely rifles a rope to Palmer on the left side. This pass was no lollipop, that’s for sure.
* Mayfield throws to Egbuka to the right sideline. That’s just too easy.
* Mayfield rolls left, and there is traffic (Nebraska LB John Bullock was near). So Mayfield throws deep for Miller down the left sideline, but couldn’t connect.
* Tez Johnson just broke a dude’s ankles. He catches a pass from Mayfield near the left sideline. Johnson faked left, and the defender (Joe didn’t catch the number) bit. Then, Johnson, in a lightning-fast move, went right, and the defender was grabbing the toasty, central Florida humid morning air. Juked the guy out of his shoes, man. Johnson got a nice gain out of the move.
* Sterling Shepard with a long reception down the left sideline.
* Trsk hooks up with Houston down the left sideline. However, if hitting the quarterback was allowed, YaYa Diaby likely would have had a sack.
* Mayfield tried to hit Egbuka over the middle in the end zone. But Antoine Winfield jumped the route and nearly picked it off. He was rather upset that he didn’t come up with the ball. Incomplete.
* Bucky gets about 10 yards up the middle.
* Shepard is Mayfield’s target in the end zone, but Mayfield overthrows him.
* Rachaad White up the middle for maybe three yards.
* Sean Tucker runs right for nothing.
* Trask hits Taula right in the numbers down the left sideline.
* Shepard take a pass from Trask along the right sideline and houses it.
* Tucker runs right for maybe a yard.
Two-minute drill
* Bucs quarterbacks were not sharp in the two-minute drill, Kyle Trask especially so.
* Mayfield tries for McMillan on the left side, no. But Jamel Dean had excellent coverage. Dean took McMillan right out of his route.
* Mayfield hooks up with Devin Culp down the right sideline for about 15 yards.
* Trask tries to connect with Johnson in the right far corner of the end zone. To be fair, Vildor was all over Johnson. Good coverage.
* So far, this camp, Trask, in two-minute drills, has often tried for the far right corner of the end one, and just based on the first five practices of camp, that is not his forte. At all.
* PICK! Gruesome throw by Trask. Joe really wants to type that Taula ran a wrong route. At best, he and Trask were not on the same page. The ball was wildly underthrown, and Christian Izien got the pick. The pass was so underthrown that Joe is pretty sure it was a wrong route run by Taula. How underthrown? Taula was in the end zone, and Izien picked the ball at the seven-yard line. Painfully ugly.
* Vita Vea would have swallowed Mayfield. Coaches called the play dead. “Sack.”
* Mayfield hits Culp over the middle. Culp got open in space. Culp has done nothing but impress the first five practices, epscially with Cade Otton on the shelf.
* Talk about a mismatch: Payne Durham is 6-5, 255. Christian Izien is 5-10, 200. Yet somehow Izien found himself matched up against Durham over the middle (from Trask), and Izien fought with Durham and got a breakup. This Izien is a dawg.
* Another wincing throw from Trask. Either he overthrew Johnson badly, or he underthrew Miller badly. Either way, it was incomplete.
* Trask ends practice with a pass to Taula near the left sideline.
OK, tomorrow, Tuesday, the Bucs have a night practice in the Glazer Shed. The Bucs are off Wednesday and resume normal practices on Thursday morning.
I think it’s safe to say Shilo Sanders is the most popular undrafted free agent in Bucs history. pic.twitter.com/IktQAWMKLI
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) July 28, 2025
July 28th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
You guys are the biggest Trask haters. Miscommunication with a receiver… “abysmal throw by Trask.” Offense can’t score… “team looks off, especially Trask.” Some random guy drops a cup of Gatorade… “He dropped his hydration because Trask looked at him on the sideline.”
July 28th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Bucky’s really getting a workout! Sounds like Trask is having a rough day. It all may be the heat. Glad they are having a night practice and are off on Wednesday. Start fresh on Thursday.
Love the fan photos! I agree with Morales. Shilo is popular.
July 28th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
I think Tez Johnson is a lock for the final roster
But l hate to lose Trey Palmer
July 28th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Thanks Joes!!
I like the idea of night practices, maybe out night game record will improve!
July 28th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Thanks Joe.
July 28th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
TX Joe right now it is 96 in the shade in Inverness.
July 28th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
We are keeping Trey Palmer or they are making him trade bait. He is consistently playing with the 1’s, more so than even Sterling Shepard. But what is the catch? Is the dude just not there enough mentally to understand the concepts? He could stretch the field like none other. I hate to see him take these first team snaps to become a practice squad body. Though Sterling may be ok being on the practice squad and getting a random call up?
July 28th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Tez Johnson is extremely shifty. I think he is a sleeper candidate for some YAC plays but with limited snaps so he doesn’t die. As for Joe talking about Culp so much, you might as well add a comment “They are watching” just like that running back. Anyone who watched Culp’s few plays last year see he is big, tall, and fast. Faster than the other TE’s. He could stretch the field and throw people off to be honest. Plus being tall means Baker can see him a lot better
July 28th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Tez Johnson – OROY
July 28th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Great dry humor!
Trask overthrows Houston (the player)
I spit out my coffee. 🙂
July 28th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Trey Palmer must have seen the handwriting on the wall. He’s not going to get injured and ruin his chance of being picked up by another team (Jacksonville?).
July 28th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
It looks like if we played Egbuka at X, McMillan at Y and Tez Johnson in the slot with Culp at TE we’d still be able to move the ball really well!
July 28th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
What the Heck!? Joe, how’s our temporary left tackle looking?
July 28th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Rastaferian Jenkins : You’ve noticed this too I see, I have never seen so many fluffy propaganda pieces written on trying to sell a Quarterback to a fan base , not Brady, Not Farve, not Rogers ,all HOF’ers , no one ! But they make up for it by denigrating Trask and I really do not understand why. Mayfield has thrown for a lot of yardage yes , but he has never led the league in anything except turnovers ,Trask has not had the opportunity yet to do either , Mayfield is not a bad guy, he’s well liked by his teammates but so is Trask , neither are bad guys ,both are good quarterbacks , why can’t that be reported? a little more balanced coverage would be nice , after all , they are both on the same team, our team!
July 28th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
I love how joe always inserts “they are watching” notes when referencing Josh Williams lol
July 28th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
41 days to get ATL ready.
July 28th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
LOL. ‘
Three years ago — Joe would write things from practice that included favorable things about Trask. Guys on this site read those blurbs and came to a convincing conclusion that the Bucs coaching never wanted Trask to start that they wanted Baker to start.
This year — Joe writes early in training camp that both quarterbacks seem off but Trask more and now there is a talking head here who now suggests that Joe is a hater.
July 28th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Why have we not tried to upgrade the backup Qb position….Trask ain’t it
July 28th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
@stpetematt yes that made me LOL as well 😂😂😂
July 28th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Good job Joe.
July 28th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
i have more confidence in current day shaun king at backup qb
July 28th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Lets see Tez rocket return man!
July 28th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Joe, thank you again for such copious notes!
Sounds like Kyle had a rough day, but there were a couple of bright spots… t he bomb to Tez and the fastball to Trey.
This is the second or third time you’ve mentioned Antione looking more like his old self out there. Bucs fans everywhere are smiling…
Jacob and Vita would have had sacks… that’s the direction we want to see our defense go in.
Re: above, Joe, should we be worried about the O-Line based on what you’ve seen so far? (Which I realize is difficult to gauge before the pads come on).
No concerns about Emeka and a bobble/drop, even though there was a takeaway. Mike still drops passes now and then.
July 28th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
What does being a nice guy have to do with being a competent quarterback?
Alterraun Verner was one of the nicest guys Joe has ever met. Should the Bucs sign him to backup Mayfield?
July 28th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Joe never noticed anything egregious (if so, it would have been typed). Guess that’s a good sign, right?
July 28th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Not yet.
July 28th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Surprised the stands were that full, it’s the heat Joe. Bucs brass are to stupid to use the Glazer shed, the fans have better sense than baking their cocoanuts in these conditions. What do they use that shed for anyway, weddings?
July 28th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Trask overthrows Houston (the player) Love it !
It’s always fun to hear the debate when we are practicing – is the Def good or does the Off stink?
July 28th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
watch Tez film on YouTube – he wins his routes very early. I think he’s going to be more than just a punt returner.
Go Bucs!
July 28th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Yesterday was a record-breaking heat day and the bleachers were packed.
Difference? Yesterday was open to the general public. Today? Special interest group. And, yeah, yesterday was Sunday, too.
July 28th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Is Trask working on his velocity – like how pitchers in spring training will try out new stuff? It’s interesting that Joe said he threw the best ball he’s ever seen him throw, yet was wild on a lot of other stuff. Makes me wonder if the team is still working on his throwing motion to get more zip on his passes. Certainly, in terms of velocity, he’s improved dramatically since college, but that generally comes with the trade off of reduced accuracy, which would be amplified if the team is still tweaking stuff or giving him new things to try. Or, maybe he just had a bad day and it’s as simple as that.
July 28th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Rod:
The more Joe thinks of it, the pass to Taula (?) where Taula was in the end zone and the ball was picked at the 7 had to be either a bad route or Trask/Taula were on totally different pages.
July 28th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for sharing the practice notes, Joe. Respect!
July 28th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Special interest group = Sky Box seat holders. These executives aren’t into the heat or even cheering. It’s only a social event for most of them.
The Bucs need to be careful practicing in this heat. If a couple players go down with heat exhaustion or heat stroke, their legs are done for the entire year. Takes forever to get speed and strength back to normal.
July 28th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Admittedly fully expected Tez Johnson to make the roster, but to almost exclusively be used in the return game (we’ve got some beastly WRs in front of him). Starting to change my mind though. He seems like he’s doing a great job catching the ball, and once he catches it he’s a huge threat to juke any defender on the field out of their jockstrap. I’m impressed.
July 28th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Told y’all about Tez – for those who haven’t already done so, I’d suggest checking his highlights on tube. Kids a bonafide WR with super quick feet and good hands.
July 28th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
When are you ever going to mention Shilo? j/k
July 28th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
JD Still Says:
July 28th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Rastaferian Jenkins : You’ve noticed this too I see, I have never seen so many fluffy propaganda pieces written on trying to sell a Quarterback to a fan base , not Brady, Not Farve, not Rogers ,all HOF’ers , no one ! But they make up for it by denigrating Trask and I really do not understand why. Mayfield has thrown for a lot of yardage yes , but he has never led the league in anything except turnovers ,Trask has not had the opportunity yet to do either , Mayfield is not a bad guy, he’s well liked by his teammates but so is Trask , neither are bad guys ,both are good quarterbacks , why can’t that be reported? a little more balanced coverage would be nice , after all , they are both on the same team, our team!
So your not a bucs fan, your only here because one of the gators is the backup qb and your still hoping someday he will get a chance to start. Ok.. but shouldn’t you at least be a fan of the team he is on as a whole? I mean trask even if he gets his chance someday cant win the game by himself..
Your statement is inaccurate, you’ve given no thought and done no research. Your just simply showing your lack of knowledge while making it clear you do not like the bucs. I suppose you feel some animosity because you blame the bucs for not just giving trask the starting role.
You can do as you wish this is just merely a suggestion I have that may make your life less miserable, but why not just focus on gators football ?
July 28th, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Vanessa Anne Says:
July 28th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Joe, thank you again for such copious notes!
Sounds like Kyle had a rough day, but there were a couple of bright spots… t he bomb to Tez and the fastball to Trey.
This is the second or third time you’ve mentioned Antione looking more like his old self out there. Bucs fans everywhere are smiling…
Jacob and Vita would have had sacks… that’s the direction we want to see our defense go in.
Re: above, Joe, should we be worried about the O-Line based on what you’ve seen so far? (Which I realize is difficult to gauge before the pads come on).
No concerns about Emeka and a bobble/drop, even though there was a takeaway. Mike still drops passes now and then
Very well said! I agree
July 28th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
oe Says:
July 28th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
What the Heck!? Joe, how’s our temporary left tackle looking?
Joe never noticed anything egregious (if so, it would have been typed). Guess that’s a good sign, right?
No news is good news, for o-lineman eh
July 28th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
Just one practice with pads. Didn’t see anything revolting out there. Yet.
July 29th, 2025 at 4:42 am
Thx Joe
Tez seems like a real weapon.
Our DBs are in the vicinity it seems.
Good stuff.
It’s obviously early.
There was a video of both QBs not being able to hit a TE a couple years ago.
Didn’t seem to matter.
Gonna be an epic year, injuries be damned.
July 29th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Palmer is the second coming of Darden. Kam Johnson is the Kenny Bell of 24/25. Rakim Jarrett sucks.
But reading this, I have to credit the little guy. Tex is doing stuff in pads. Let’s see what he does in preseason.