Ready for “real” football.

The big thing Joe noticed about training camp is the Bucs defense may be improving.

Now, of course, this all has to be put in careful context. It is underwear football. When dudes run to the ball, defenders actually step in front of the ballcarrier, and then ole’ on purpose. Remember, no hitting.

The first three days, the defensive front of the Bucs was extremely active. On Day 3, someone on the defensive front seemed to always get through the line.

(Again, underwear football — can’t block right without pads.)

Yesterday on Day 4, Joe noticed defensive backs getting after it. Underwear football (flag football with helmets) lends itself to showcasing athleticism because the skill position players can take advantage.

So, seeing how the defensive front was getting after it and then yesterday seeing good play from the defensive backs, could the Bucs defense be improved?

Joe would say, yes, the way Bowles reacted yesterday.

“Very,” Bowles said when asked if he liked the progress in camp. “I like the work ethic they’re putting in. The mental part of it is great.”

The two rookies at corner will be a focus. The NFL has not proven to be too big for Jacob Parrish so far. He has practiced solid ball, not just yesterday when he had a highlight pick of Kyle Trask.

Benjamin Morrison? Joe thinks he’s still finding his legs from offseason surgery and sitting out some spring practices.

This morning, the pads (finally) come on. And we should begin to get an idea if the Bucs defense just looks better in shorts, or if it can play real football, too.

“Obviously, in pads [Monday], you’re going to have to get used to the heat,” Bowles said of what he expects the rest of the week.

“The guy that you’re trying to take a spot from, and the opposition on the other side. That will be a whole other element [with pads] and we’ll start playing some football, real football. It’ll be good to see.”

So can Devin Culp, Tykee Smith and Parrish continue to have good camps with pads? Will other defenders such as SirVocea Dennis break out with the pads? Can Tez Johnson avoid a Kenny Bell-like vanishing act now that he is going to get drilled?

Fun questions that won’t be answered for a while.

Once a Buccaneer, always a Buccaneer. @Geraldini93 🤝 @Ckancey8 pic.twitter.com/lflCxQH1As

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 27, 2025