
When the Bucs had their first teamers on the field Thursday night, sans Davin Joseph, sans Carl Nicks, sans Darrelle Revis, the Bucs didn’t fare so badly against the Super Bowl champs, the Crows of Baltimore.
But when the Bucs put their reserves in, well, yikes. It was simply ugly. There were a few exceptions, however. One was the play of reserve strongside linebacker Jonathan Casillas. A free agent by way of New Orleans,Casillas was a one-man gang during one series.
On first down, late in the second quarter with the Crows having the ball at the Bucs-26, Casillas stopped Crows running back Damien Berry for no-gain. On second down, Casillas stopped Berry again, this time for a one-yard gain. On third down, Crows quarterback Tyrod Taylor tried to hit Berry to the left side and Casillas broke up the pass with a physical hit.
In short, Casillas stopped the Crows’ drive by himself.
“I was out there just doing my job,” Casillas said. “I was just in the right spot in the right time and when my number is called, I try to make the play.
“I feel great here man, good group of linebackers, good atmosphere, great group of guys around me. I am happy to be here but the score didn’t indicate that. We will learn. We will watch the film and correct the mistakes.
“When I watch the film I know there will be mistakes but it is preseason.”
If there is one thing Joe can say, he agrees with Casillas. Preseason is a time for learning. If you get your hat handed to you the way the Super Bowl champs did to the Bucs tonight, no harm, no foul. You learn from your mistakes and go on.
The Bucs are still undefeated in the 2013 regular season. If Casillas can play in the regular season like he did tonight, then the Bucs will certainly have depth at strongside linebacker.