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With an adjusted schedule to accommodate the Bucs extra day off in preparation for their Monday night matchup against the Atlanta Falcons this week, there was plenty going on around One Buc Place on Thursday, the first day of the new week with the players and coaches.
These were the four things we learned from inside the walls of One Buc on Thursday.
Cavalry Arriving?
Hey guys, Vernon Hargreaves is back 🕺🏾🕺🏾 pic.twitter.com/hXUMPa9k1C
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
Earlier this year we heard Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter say the phrase, “the cavalry isn’t coming” when addressing some of the team’s problems such as pass rush or pass coverage. However, this week the calvary may, in fact, be on their way – just in the form of players who were already on the team.
Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III has been out since injuring his hamstring back in November against the Jets. Before Thursday, Hargreaves hadn’t even attempted to practice, let alone get into a game. But, that all changed this week as Hargreaves was not only out on the practice field but showing a full range of motion with his hamstring, dancing around like his old self and was the first one to get involved in position drills, too.
In addition to Hargreaves returning, Bucs safety T.J. Ward, who has missed the last two games with a concussion injury, was also back on the practice field on Thursday. He’ll have to pass the rest of the concussion protocol tests to be cleared to play, but getting on the field is a good start.
McCoy’s Return?
#Bucs DT Gerald McCoy on injury status and possibility of playing again this year: pic.twitter.com/54SAJJvW4D
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
When Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy left last week’s game against the Lions with a bicep injury, many of us thought his season would be over with just three games left in a season that no longer had playoff hopes.
However, the roster moves earlier this week hinted that that might not be the case, as they cut a play instead of just placing McCoy on IR, and McCoy’s words on Thursday in the locker room solidified that, yes, there is a chance he plays again this season.
McCoy was asked if he even had a chance to play this week against Atlanta and he didn’t rule it out.
#Bucs HC Dirk Koetter said DT Gerald McCoy did not practice today, but "is doing everything he can to play Monday night." pic.twitter.com/wsg7KPZWr8
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
After practice we asked coach Koetter the same thing about McCoy’s status. He confirmed to us that McCoy didn’t practice on Thursday, but there is a chance he will be able to go on Monday night. He said McCoy is, “doing everything he can” to play.
Both McCoy and Koetter also said that this injury isn’t something that needs surgery right now. That’s why they’re letting McCoy see if he can just heal it up.
A New Gameplan For Julio Jones
#Bucs DC Mike Smith on how they'll handle Falcons WR Julio Jones this time around: "Well we don't want to run the things we ran last time that's for sure." pic.twitter.com/OCG1rSlMr7
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
Last time the Buccaneers defense went up against Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, Jones went off on them for 12 catches, 253 yards and two touchdowns.
As you would expected, when asked about an adjusted gameplan for Jones this time around, Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith said they can’t do anything that failed them that bad this time around.
#Bucs rookie S Justin Evans likes playing against elite guys like Julio Jones. Calls him everything you could want in a receiver. pic.twitter.com/PFz1oEASWQ
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
Bucs rookie safety Justin Evans was asked about getting a second shot at Jones as well. Evans had a great play in coverage on Jones on his first target of the game, but was then the player Jones caught one of his touchdowns over later in the contest. Evans has never been one to lack confidence, and he said to us on Thursday that he always loves going up against the best in the world because it gives him a taste of how good the talent is in the league and it gives him a chance to show he’s just as good.
Grown Men Finish Strong
#Bucs DE Robert Ayers on what they have left to play for and getting a second chance against the #Falcons pic.twitter.com/yGUn1J2bfe
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) December 14, 2017
When asked about the motivation for the rest of the season, now that the team is officially eliminated from playoff contention, Bucs defensive end Robert Ayer had a common theme: grown men finish strong.
Ayers is part of one of the more struggling units on the Bucs in a pass rush that is dead last in the NFL. He’s had a down year as much as the rest of the team has. But, in his veteran voice, he proclaimed that grown men don’t give up; grown men finish strong. He said that’s what they have in their locker room – grown men – and that he expects them to have the pride to not lay down these last three games.