The rap music was blaring, the sun was shining, the players were yelling their calls and the sound of kicks and punts rang through the air — football was back at One Buc Place.

A few weeks ago the Bucs began their offseason conditioning program and on Thursday they made some of the players available for the media following one of their “practices.” It’s not a full-on practice with scrimmages and pads, but it is a chance for some of the new Bucs and old Bucs to get together and begin to get on the same page.

These are the five things we learned from One Buc on Thursday.

Donovan Smith a Top 3 OT?

Offensive tackle Donovan Smith was one of the players who was made available to the media at the podium on Thursday, which isn’t something that happens too often. Smith, who you could tell was a bit out of breath and still sweating from the practice before, talked about some of the progression he’s made as an NFL player now with three years under his belt.

He was asked a question which stemmed from his coach, George Warhop, saying last year that Smith could be one of the Top 3 offensive tackles in the NFL. Smith said he feels like he’s “real close” to that level entering his fourth year. He said that it’s taken him longer than he wanted, but that experience has proven to be what he needed and that sometimes you can’t rush that. He believes he’s capable or at least close to being able to put it all together in his fourth year in 2018.

Senior Bowl Squad Back At It

Smith also addressed a question that was asked of him pertaining to the chemistry of Marpet and him now working side-by-side, as Marpet is reportedly moving to left guard from the center position he played in 2017.

Smith said that he recalls playing next to Marpet at the Senior Bowl when both were participants there before becoming Buccaneers in 2015. He said that both are good friends, both understand each other’s skills and tendencies, and that their pairing should be a good one.

Junior College Squad Back At It

Incoming pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul has an interesting connection with a current Buccaneer player. Both Pierre-Paul and Bucs linebacker Lavonte David played as teammates at Fort Scott Community College for one season in junior college before moving on to USF and Nebraska, respectively.

David recalled that Pierre-Paul was unblockable back then, and the attitude that allowed him to be unblockable then still existed as Pierre-Paul has played in the NFL, and will remain a driving force of his production in Tampa Bay.

They See Me Rollin’

The worst news out of the offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came a few weeks ago when Bucs general manager Jason Licht informed the media that linebacker Kendell Beckwith had been injured in a car accident and would likely miss the entire offseason program.

That news sucked to hear, but according to almost all reports, Beckwith’s spirits when coping with the reality of the situation have been good. David said that Beckwith is around the team, in the facility rolling around in his scooter to meetings and rehab.

It seems like nothing can keep Beckwith away from football.

It’s All About the Details

Bucs tight end O.J. Howard was the final player to take to the podium on Thursday. He gave us some updates on his injury following the 2017 season, saying he was already a full-go for practice, and told us how excited he was that Cameron Brate got his new deal.

Howard was also asked what his biggest takeaway was from his rookie season, or what he would tell the incoming rookies if he could give them advice. Howard said that the difference between being good in college and being good in the NFL come in the film room. He said that the way he watches film and how he takes notes is the difference between him doing what he needs to do or letting someone down. He learned that in both successes and failures in 2017.