Make Enough Plays, Make The Team
September 5th, 2026
No need for Ayden Garnes to hang his head.
This past summer wasn’t so bad. In past summers, it was terrible.
It got to the point Joe thought about shelving his daily training camp practice notes — too many commenters whining and kvetching about players Joe didn’t mention.
Joe would always answer these attacks with, “If [insert player’s name] did something, Joe would mention him. If he doesn’t do anything, Joe cannot dream up a play just so someone can read the guy’s name.”
In other words, make a play. And if a guy goes for long stretches without making a play, that’s usually a tip that he’s having an underwhelming training camp.
Well, one guy on defense who showed up day after day this summer was undrafted free agent corner Ayden Garnes. Joe’s not suggesting the guy is Rondé Barber II, but every practice he’d have a breakup or a nice tackle or maybe a pick.
And if a guy makes enough plays, he gets the attention of the right people.
For Garnes, one of those people was Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. And like Joe, Licht said this week he began noticing Garnes each practice.
“Every day he was making a play on the ball – an interception – or multiple plays on the ball,” Licht said.
And now look at the guy. He’s on an NFL team’s 53-man roster.
“He’s got excellent instincts,” Licht said. “He’s tough. What I liked about him, and I was talking with some of our players about this … he just had a very confident air to him, and he knows he’s good, and he kind of carried that with him.
“At [cornerback], you have to have a lot of confidence, so he’s got that going for him too. He’s also a rookie, so he’s still got ways to go here, but we were very excited about him as well.”
Who knows what the ceiling is for Garnes? The way the Bucs corners are so banged up and thin, Joe wouldn’t put it past the guy if he made a couple of plays in Cincinnati and ended up starting a game or two — or more — this season.
Make plays and get attention; anything can happen, drafted or not.
September 5th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Hopefully Ayden Garnes 24 improves the Bucs pass coverage. I’m really expecting to see a huge improvement in the defense this year.
Go Bucs !!
Beat the Bengals !!
September 5th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Hopefully he stays at Outside Corner.
We seem to have 4 or 5 slot corners now with Bunting added and Parrish having to switch. I guess it’s competition between B Mo and this guy for 3rd corner.
Nice insurance plan for a 2nd round pick that has been injured for years now.
September 5th, 2026 at 11:26 am
Only knock on Ayden Garnes is he’s a bit of a lightweight, but once he put another 10 lbs during the offseason, he might become a fulltime starter.
September 5th, 2026 at 11:28 am
I sure am glad that there were enough people loving your notes to keep you motivated. They were always a highlight of my day.
September 5th, 2026 at 11:49 am
Yes Joes, this fan loves, welcomes, and appreciates your detailed practice notes. Without them, I’d have almost no clue how this team, and certain players, were progressing or improving.
Thanks for your notes, and please (!) – keep them coming!!! 🙂
September 5th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Joe, don’t let the few ruin it for the many more of us who really appreciate what you guys do. As with society as a whole. There will always be negative Nancy’s and Karen’s…
September 5th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Alabama Bucs fan
War Eagle and Roll Tide. I’m Auburn Alumni 2006. I met Caddy, Ronnie Brown and Brandon Jacobs!
You are 100% right.
Garnes is skinny. But he can gain 10 pounds over the next 2 years.
He can’t play nickle. But he definitely has the quickness, speed and instincts to start at outside CB. Hopefully next year.
I honestly think he will be better than Morrison.
But hopefully Morrsion and Garnes both turn out to be great corners.
We need all the help we can get at outside CB!
September 5th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Joe, don’t let the few ruin it for the many more of us who really appreciate what you guys do.
Thanks guys. That was two years ago. The parents have since calmed down. 🙂 You’d be surprised how many family members of players read this site.
September 5th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
Your notes were great, Joe…
FYI…..I keep asking UPS drivers if they were cut by the Bucs….
September 5th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
“It didn’t SEEM like he was making plays…..he WAS making plays” – Jason Licht
Loved his initial correction to that question asked by Jenna
September 5th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
So now that past NFL players can return to play college ball, will we see Kaepernick back at school?
September 5th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
OLDSCHOOL1976 Says:
Joe, don’t let the few ruin it for the many more of us who really appreciate what you guys do. As with society as a whole. There will always be negative Nancy’s and Karen’s…
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LOL, you make it sound like this website is a charity for orphaned cripple football fans. As long as the dollars keep flowing the Joe’s will keep doing what they’re doing. Why else bother with it?
September 5th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
As someone who grew up waiting for a lone weekly Bucs’ update via two or three sheets of newsprint in a mail slot far from Tampa I relish and appreciate Joe’s practice notes. What a luxury! It was the notes that brought me to the site many years ago.
Not to be that old guy but back in my day all there was to glean info about the team preseason was the roster moves in tiny print in the top right corner of the second to last page of that relic of a publication that had more in common with a junior high school newspaper than anything we consume today.
The mailman used to shake his head and chuckle as I hastily took that rag from him, opened it and whipped to the back to see if the Bucs finally picked up that guard off the waiver wire they so desperately needed. Some things never change. Well, except when the Bucs landed Logan Mankins, I guess.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
He looks very sticky in coverage. If you break up or intercept the pass before it gets there, then tackling’s not much of an issue.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Teacherman says, “He can’t play nickle. But he definitely has the quickness, speed and instincts to start at outside CB. Hopefully next year. I honestly think he will be better than Morrison.”
Both Ayden Garnes and Benjamin Morrison have similar height and speed and both have body types geared towards outside CB. May the best man wins.
As for my username, it is kind of misleading. I have lived in Alabama close to 20 years but grew up in Tampa. Only moved to Alabama after the military to do work for the Army, NASA and the FBI. Unlike most Alabamians, I have little interest in college football.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
“The parents have since calmed down. 🙂 You’d be surprised how many family members of players read this site.”
Yes. THIS. 💯 and WIVES. Also, the PLAYERS. And, the FO and many other media types, and people who are part of their whole entourages and inner-circles. They all don’t necessarily comment on a regular basis, but their eyes are definitely OWN IT. Nothing is missed. I can GUARANTEE YOU that.
And, yeah… I really liked this kid at Arizona. He definitely really stood out to me and had just a REAL STRONG presence out there on the field, under the bright lights. He made SURE that you SAW HIM. He was FULLY aware of them being the ONLY game ON into the night, or early mornings, a lot of the times. Always around the ball. Plays loud with high confidence. I like him. Hope he continues working on his craft, and in the weight room. He’s got the energy and effort part down. And, the right attitude to succeed.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
I’m not going to go as far to say that he plays “reckless” just yet, because I really haven’t seen ENOUGH of him. But, he’s definitely NOT afraid to take risks, or of making a mistake. And, I LIKE THAT about him.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
I like this kid.
He is a solid cover corner but he went undrafted for a reason.
He is small (5-10″ 180 ILB.) and had a 24% missed tackle rate at Arizona…
September 5th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Garnes has been consistent in looking like he is the depth we are all craving at CB. He is impressive on the field so far but he really knocked my socks off in a radio interview talking about figuring out that he made the 53 and his donating bone marrow to an anonymous woman in a foreign land he will never meet. Whoa.
He is a humbly confident class act and he can play ball. I can’t wait to see what he can do once he puts some meat on his bones and really learns the defense.
Licht’s elves in the scouting department have done some good this off-season. A QB Daniel’s, a CB Garnes and an ILB Fordham with a faster 10 yard split than Cassius Howell. They delivered depth in the positions it’s needed most with UDFAs.
September 5th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
The wind coming off the Pom Poms is strong today.
The Polly positive crew has a week left of their mindless over the top love fest.
Then grampa Bowles will deliver another melted cup cake to the party.
He’s the Sultan of suck.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Beagles 34 Bucs 17!
September 5th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
I’m still not really sure why he didn’t get drafted. Reading his scouting reports, watching a little tape, the guy has enough size to play in the NFL (he’s a little light, that’s really the only concern), and he’s got NFL speed and quickness. His scouting profiles said he’s pretty good in man defense, and his only real weakness was tackling – yet in the preseason he made a number of good open field tackles.
If my memory serves me right, in week 1 vs Garrett Wilson, one of the best WR’s in the NFL that no one talks about because his QBs always stink, Garnes played him pretty well.
Would be an amazing pickup by Licht if he pans out. Heck, pretty much any time an UDFA see’s the field during the regular season because he played well – and not just do to injuries – it’s a win for the GM.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Make plays and get attention… Stay healthy and make plays, keep getting attention and eventually start.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Pyburn giving side eye from the corner over Joe’s headline.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
HopeIn1Hand:
Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Then something happens in Cincinnati and he has to come in the game and Chase and Higgins have his head spinning off his shoulders as they repeatedly run by him… Rookies are rookies are rookies. Counting on them is your doom.
September 5th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned or not Joe but I absolutely love that his number is 24. That number is shared with another UFA player a few years back. Everson Walls had a fine career. Here’s hoping the same for Ayden Garnes.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
What I like most about Garnes is how versed he is in his technique, especially as a man corner. Rarely gets beat deep, can put a cap on anything vertical and he’s got a knack for using his technique & leverage to contain his man in coverage. Great hips, but also not the most physically imposing athlete, but he’s smart as hell.
The scout I’m guessing that’s responsible for drawing Garnes to Tampa may be Andy Speyer whose territory is everything west of the Mississippi. Kudos to him and his team, because I personally think they found a good one. Part of me wants to comp him to former Buc Brian Kelly, but a step faster and a little more ornery
September 5th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
SummerofGeorge Says:
The wind coming off the Pom Poms is strong today.
The Polly positive crew has a week left of their mindless over the top love fest.
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The Bucs vs the state of Ohio in the first 2 weeks is going to create a roller coaster of opinions about them. Week 1 might send optimistic fans to therapy or longingly gazing at the Skyway bridge – after week 2 those same people will be planning their Bucs Super Bowl party.
All that being said, at least we’re not Browns, Jets or Cardinals fans.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
While I appreciate the effort the training camp notes I’d rather see some actual moderation in the comments section.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Loisfriend: thanks for proving my point.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
Part of me wants to comp him to former Buc Brian Kelly, but a step faster and a little more ornery
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Kelly was a starter on what was unquestionably the best passing defense in the history of the NFL in 2002, and had 8 INTs that year. So yeah, I’d really hold off on comparing any rookies to him. Which I know you’re not doing – but just saying.
Not sure why Kelly doesn’t get more respect. It was his injury in 2003 that singlehandedly doomed the team. With Dexter Jackson gone, and Dwight Smith moved from corner to safety, the Bucs had very little depth at corner, and Kelly getting hurt basically cause a chink in the armor of the defense – one that Manning exploited in that MNF game. People forget the Bucs defense was man handling Peyton, then Kelly gets hurt, goes out, and Manning just kept picking on his replacement the rest of the game. That dropped that defense, which was continuing the pace set in 2002, from another all-team great defense, to merely a great defense – and of course Gruden’s offense couldn’t do their part, and the Bucs missed the playoffs.
But Kelly was such an incredibly important player for those SB years, and 95% of Bucs fans probably don’t remember his name.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
The Bucs sure had no problem playing Garnes in the pre-season. Seems like the little guy played in every quarter of every game.
September 5th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
OLDSCHOOL1976 Says:
Loisfriend: thanks for proving my point.
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If you want an ultra positive Kumbaya singing circle I’m sure I’m sure any Grateful Dead fan support group will be glad to have you. This isn’t that place.
September 5th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
“Without love in the dream, it will never come true.”
PS: LOVE the training camp notes, Joe(s)! And this article. Keep up fine work.
September 5th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
I’m glad he made the team!!!!!! He’s a vast improvement over all the backup corners the Bucs have had lately. Although he lacks game experience, he has a starting caliber ability. With more experience he will become a starter.
September 5th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Lois, I have been calling for Todd to be fired for a while. Not a Pom Pom guy, just saying a few loud mouth idiots (look in mirror) can ruin anything with their anger, stupidity and negativity. You can get help , but you don’t know you need it. By the way the Greatfull dead suck.
September 5th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
@ TBBucFan Says: “I don’t know if it’s been mentioned or not Joe but I absolutely love that his number is 24. That number is shared with another UFA player a few years back. Everson Walls.”
Now, WHY in the hail would THIS ever had been “mentioned!?” A guy who hasn’t PLAYED in over 30+YEARS. NEVER Played For The BUCS. I mean, come onnnn… WHO would even THINK of HIM!? I mean, HOW is there ANY relevance whatsoever!? Other than JUST the Number-24… And, how MANY people do YOU THINK has worn the “#24” since THEN, over the PAST 30+YEARS!? It’s like, WHAT WORLD do these people live in… Everson. FREAKING. WALLS. He’s NOT even a real popular PLAYER… NOT even a HOF’er. Hell, is HE EVEN ALIVE!? I mean, WTF!?
September 5th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned or not… Are YOU SERIOUS!? GTFOH
September 5th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
@ Simple T Says: “While I appreciate the effort the training camp notes I’d rather see some actual moderation in the comments section.”
ONLY the speech/comments that “YOU” disagree with. But, of course YOU do. Since, ALL Socialist-Marxist-Commies do.
September 5th, 2026 at 6:08 pm
@ OLDSCHOOL1976 – NO. It just says a whole lot more about having a WEAK EGO. You cannot handle or accept the TRUTH. Louis is only speaking FACTS. And, Honestly, said very little, this time. Though, IT STILL hurt you. That is being quite insecure.
@ LouisFriend – You’ve done WON, “Louis.” You’re living RENT FREE. He’s taking everything you say, PERSONAL. It’s always, all about HIM. Even, when it’s NOT.
September 5th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
It’s amazing how some of these guys can slip past talent evaluators of every team to go undrafted. This guy looks fantastic out there. I’d love to hear the scouting notes on him.
September 5th, 2026 at 8:02 pm
Garnes is going to Wally Pipp someone this year. He is sticky in coverage and the couple catches he did give up in preseason. He was hitting the guy right as he caught it. He is going to jump quite a few when he gets in due to an injury then he isn’t coming back off the field he will be our starting corner. When he gets his chance. He is going to be our best cover corner for years to come. And if can get his tackling grade up to a little above average he will be flirting with pro bowl corner. He has that certain it you can see it every snap he won’t get bored out there. I bet he leads are team in interceptions this year after he cracks the lineup. And has at least one pick 6.