Bucs Training Camp 2026 Day 8 Practice Notes
August 7th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles thought the offense and the defense battled to a draw today.
Though Bucs coach Todd Bowles thought it was an evenly matched practice, from Joe’s viewpoint the defense had a strong day, though the Bucs’ offensive line dominated in the run game. The Bucs’ offensive line in the passing game?
Well, Joe is starting to wonder. Way, way too often, Joe sees Bucs pass rushers in the backfield. Is this because Tristan Wirfs is sidelined? Have Rueben Bain and David Walker awakened a sleeping giant on defense?
Today was “Legends Day” at One Buc Palace, where several former Bucs legends attended practice. Among the former Bucs players included Chidi Ahanotu, Donnie Abraham, Tony Chickillo, Rich Clements, Anthony Davis, Steve DeBerg, Jorge Diaz, Parnell Dickinson, Donnie Elder, Dan Godspeed, Dave Green, Odie Harris, Adam Hayward, Andrew Jordan, Charles Lee, Tyrone Legette, Reggie Lewis, Juan Long, Jaydon Mickens, Yo Murphy, Jason Odom, Breshad Perriman, Pete Pierson, Quinton Pointer, Rickey Reynolds, Jakanda Riggins, Gregory Roberts, Council Rudolph, Dwight Smith, Johnny Ray Smith, Mo Stovall, Richard “Bat Man” Wood and (not that) Steve Young.
* What worked yesterday may work today: Devin Culp yesterday wore green fluorescent shoes. He made a play. So he wore them again today.
* First pass play: Rueben Bain blows it up. Baker Mayfield never got a pass off.
* Bucky Irving runs past left guard.
* Sean Tucker runs wide right.
* Dean Patterson (Georgia Tech) the last few days is really coming on. With all the receivers dinged up, Patterson is getting more touches on the second team and a few snaps on the first team. This morning he made a helluva catch down the right sideline from Jake Browning. But the big question is, did he get two feet inbounds?
* No referees for the second-straight day.
* Browning looks to the right. Then he looks downfield. And pumps. And pumps. But he never got a pass off as Chris Braswell was prowling in the Bucs’ backfield.
* Joe typed the following yesterday, but it bears repeating: Joe has typed Braswell’s name more in the first eight practices of Bucs training camp this season than he has the previous two seasons combined. Joe’s not suggesting he will replace YaYa Diaby but for the first time in any training camp, Joe has noticed that Braswell is actually on the roster.
* Mayfield to Godwin over the middle.
* Mayfield throws to Bucky to the right. Damarion Williams tried to jar the ball loose, to no avail.
* Josiah Trotter tackles Sean Tucker for a loss.
* Browning connects with Kameron Johnson down the left sideline.
Goal line
* Mayfield tries for Ted Hurst in the back of the end zone, no.
* Showoff: Cade Otton makes a one-handed grab of a Mayfield pass for a touchdown. Tykee Smith had tight coverage on Otton.
* PICK! Browning tries to throw to the right and it is Josh Hayes who picks him off and houses it for a long pick-six. The ball was tipped by Christian Rozeboom.
* Mayfield has a coverage sack as there were several defenders surrounding him. What’s going on with the pass blocking?
11-on-11
* Mayfield launches a deep pass down the left sideline for Emeka Egbuka and the pass was too long. Jacob Parrish may have gotten away with a hold.
* Bucky squirts through wide left.
* Mayfield for Cade Otton near the right sideline and Otton hauls it in after battling Antoine Winfield for the ball.
* Schiano Man: Browning throws over the middle for Kenny Fletcher (Rutgers) and he takes it to the house. TOES ON THE LINE!
* DENIED! Ayden Garnes battles with Emeka Egbuka for a ball and he knocks the ball away from Egbuka on a deep pass from Mayfield.
* Eric Rivers runs a route to the right and he comes back for a pass from Browning.
* It’s the shoes! Culp catches a pass over the middle from Jalon Daniels.
* Rivers catches a pass from Daniels to the right.
* The Bucs worked a lot on the run game today. A lot. Joe’s not going to bore you with “(insert name) runs up the middle” — Joe can only type that so many times before getting punchy — but Joe can tell you the Bucs run blocking was really solid if not strong today. The pass blocking? Joe’s beginning to wonder.
* Practice ends on a high note for the defense. Mayfield launches a ball for Egbuka and both he and Zyon McCollum go up for the jump ball. The ball appears to be tipped by McCollum who comes down with the pick.
The Bucs are off tomorrow, Saturday. The Bucs return to practice Sunday, which is currently scheduled as the final practice open to fans this summer. After Sunday’s practice, it is off to the Garden State and the Jets.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Any news on JJ Roberts or Ra’Shad Wisdom?
They both looked solid last year.
How does Elijah “Huge Head” Simmons look? Can he replace Vea at NT? He’s 340.
Who is playing backup guard?
Which guards are getting snaps?
I am very concerned about our backup interior offensive line.
Can you share a list of all the players in training camp?
August 7th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
From your vantage point, can you tell how the individual o-linemen are looking?
Does Barton look any stronger? Does Mauch look fully recovered? Is Goedeke giving up as many plays as it seems?
August 7th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Dave Green. Scored the first Buccaneer points game 4 vs Buffalo 14-9 loss I was there.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
It’s probably just the O-line is a bit stunned they are seeing so much pass rush from the defense. They’ll catch on eventually- especially once Wirfs is on the field. That will cut down on the penetration from OLB/EDGE considerably! Wirfs is like the best pass protector in the NFL and now one of the best run blockers too.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Game 3. Game 4 Danny Reese scored the first Buccaneer TD. Of course it was a defensive score. Charles Davis scored the first offensive TD same game. Loss at Baltimore
August 7th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
Joe, thank you for the notes.
I’m getting a little more concerned about our passing game.
Baker seems to be struggling a bit with accuracy and to read that the O-line struggled with protection today is concerning.
Hopefully it was just an off day for the line, and Baker gets things worked out before Cincy.
But, kudos to our defense whic appears to be playing much more aggressively.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
And Vita still “injured” I guess. What a joke.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Was at the practice today. Tons of defensive line pressure.
Bucky looked confident with his running.
Backup QB’s looked pretty bad IMHO. We better hope Baker stays healthy.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
@Joe – is the OL pass blocking so bad we may need TE’s help staying in and pass protecting? If so, that sucks. Seems like Cade, Payne, Bauer are seemingly having good receiving camps. Would hate to have to waste them again.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Damn.. Parnell Dickinson. He’s got to be 90.
August 7th, 2026 at 4:44 pm
They call this practice f of r a reason there are only so many plays in The playbook. The defense pretty much knows the goals by now. Defense is always a little ahead at this time of year.
August 7th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Been saying it for months, O line can’t pass block. Either clever play calling or Mayfield bailed them out. Joe’s right to worry, unfortunately for Mayfield he’s going to be blamed. Should have taken the money
August 7th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
hey Dewey Selmon. i miss you and leroy selmon pn the football field
August 7th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
How come the legends never included the best punter nickname ever- Frank Garcia, aka Señor Shank!
August 7th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
thinking about picking otten as my 2nd te in the last round.
August 7th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Great to hear the defense is looking so good at this point. Guys on that side of the ball seem hungry 😳
August 7th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Good to hear Bain is hunting and gathering. Nice notes!
August 7th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
The greed of these players/owners is so off putting. We should be getting excited about the upcoming season, yet the headlines are about people making 15-50 million dollars a year feeling “offended ” by their raises… you guys are losing the interest of a ton of fans. As we struggle working our a##es off, we should pity you?! F off… I dont care if the bucs go 1-15 or 15-1…. and I am a long time fan who remembers Barry Sanders running up and down our field.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Assign Vea to carry Gatorade out to the guys actually demonstrating some integrity and practicing. He wants his 50k just for showing up? Shame him into it.
August 7th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Bye Felicia
August 7th, 2026 at 6:40 pm
Seems like the best thing that could happen to the Bucs offense is a serious, daily challenge from the D in practice.
August 7th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Rocket Im guessing you’re a young fella? I remember when I was young watching training camp at old Pepin Rod stadium.
You really believe this oline cant pass block??
Kid, they have 2 great tackles in Wirfs and Luke. The have a up and coming stud at RG. They have a center who is only getting better. Bredenson is a solid LG.
They will just fine young fella. It’s training camp..relax
August 7th, 2026 at 7:33 pm
Hi Robert Still! Don’t forget about Lmy brother Lucious. He was in the first training camp
August 7th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Mayfield finding a grove…There’s not a game that you can count him out! I’ve watched alot of football ,coached a few teams,hes good! I’ll take him with the best of them…Just sayn!
August 7th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Hoorah shish boom ba!!! Go Bowles!!! Yay!!! (Major Sarcasm)
The Polly positive crowd is really nauseating. Can’t wait for real football to start.
Been a loooong offseason dealing with the over the top mindless nonsense.
The excuses and propaganda are about to come to a crashing halt.
August 7th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
There’s always a game you can count Me First Baker, when it’s against a good defense where he’s almost scripted to choke out a turnover. Against scrub teamshe stands a chance.
The one thing I do like is defenders are contesting down field passes. Hopefully the middle will do the same.
People cry about these greedy millionaires because they are neither smart enough nor willing to put in the work to make millions nor athletic enough to play in pro sport. Athletes are the driving force behind the billions the owners make. They’re hot commodities that fans pay to see so they deserve what they can get and what they’re allowed to make. It’s still a fraction of what the owners and the leagues make.
August 7th, 2026 at 9:16 pm
@Cosmo
Optimism and hope makes you nauseous? Sounds like a YOU problem to me.
August 7th, 2026 at 9:29 pm
Super Simple T
Blind optimism just makes you a fool. Hope is the opioid of the chronic loser.
No wonder you love Todd Bowles. He’s a guru!!!
August 7th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Dewey Selmon Says:
August 7th, 2026 at 4:18 pm
Game 3. Game 4 Danny Reese scored the first Buccaneer TD. Of course it was a defensive score. Charles Davis scored the first offensive TD same game. Loss at Baltimore
………………………………………………………………………………….
I remember Danny going an enTIRE season (70 punt returns) without taking a SINGLE fair catch. GOT to be a record
(Is this THE Dewey?)
August 7th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
Cosmo he’s a Baker moisty boyy and since Bowles hand picked him to be our qb they all love him
August 8th, 2026 at 1:17 am
Simple T struck a nerve with cosmo. lol. Everyone hopes for something. You just called yourself a loser. Might want to lay off the sauce a bit.
August 8th, 2026 at 8:07 am
When I hear an idiot saying Baker shouldn’t complain about $50 m or Vea should carry Gatorade, I know we’re dealing with back benchers.
Why don’t you study NFL economics, the revenue derived from the players, the costs to the owners, the power differences in contract termination, the length of time players can play, and the other factors that influence the owners and players?
You resent guys who play a contact sport which is likely to leave them with physical and mental problems that will last their lifetimes because they want comparable compensation to others? GTFOH.
August 8th, 2026 at 8:41 am
We won’t know until the regular season how good or bad the Bucs are.
August 8th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Cosmob! Aka vegi mob aka lynchmob!Your baaak!! Only you can be so bleak!
August 8th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Save the tag for baker in 2027
August 8th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Great notes as always, Joe!
It sounds so far, like the defensive line is not missing Vita Vea at all? That’s encouraging.
On the topic of Chris Braswell:
I believe this will be his third year? Patient fans know that NFL players usually take their big leap in their third year. Could this be happening with Braswell?
I suppose we’ll have to wait to see…but it happened with several of our guys that way (Cody, for example).
I’m not too worried about the passing game…outside of the backup QB situation.
August 8th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Brasswell will come around,hes from a great coach/program…
August 8th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
That is a lot of blast from the past Joe. I remember most all of them. Good job listing them for us sir. Kudos for the team getting them all together! That is fantastic!
Legends indeed. Thanks for the memories fellas. Bet you had a blast.
Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
The Bucs return to practice Sunday, which is currently scheduled as the final practice open to fans this summer.
———–
Here’s from 2001…
The Buccaneers report to camp on Sunday, July 29. The first practice is the following morning at Pepin-Rood Stadium. ALL PRATICES at the University of Tampa are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The squad breaks camp on Friday, August 17 before flying to Cleveland for its second preseason game.
…so you got nearly 3 weeks of 2-a-day practices, all open to the public, most at 8:30A and 3P, so you had a chance to catch one or even both. Now they want you to pay for the privilege to watch an early morning practice where tackling is optional. And it’s not even a money thing, the place doesn’t hold enough people for it to be about the money, it’s just about being difficult and unfriendly to their customers. I really don’t get it.
August 8th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
FIRE CLOWN TOILET BOWLES!!!