It was another hot day with little clouds or breeze as the Bucs practiced in the afternoon from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This was a difference in time as Tampa Bay typically practices in the morning.

Bucs Not Practicing Today

OLB Charles Snowden

It’s the third day in a row that Snowden hasn’t participated. That means more reps for the likes of YaYa Diaby and Jose Ramirez in the meantime.

Veterans Day Off

Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, defensive tackle Greg Gaines and left guard Matt Feiler were all given a veterans day off. Todd Bowles had previously mentioned that Barrett would get days off here and there as he comes back from an achilles injury and confirmed Saturday that it was just a vet day for Gaines and Feiler.

In their absence, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Anthony Nelson manned the edges at outside linebacker for the Bucs. They started the last eight games together last season so this was nothing new for them. The Bucs kept a steady rotation on the defensive line while Aaron Stinnie got the reps with the starters at left guard on the offensive line.

Davis And Dean Earn Their Paycheck In Practice

In the last two offseasons the Bucs have invested a lot of money into re-signing cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. Saturday they showed why they are some of the best corners that the league has to offer. On a day where legendary cornerback Ronde Barber went into the Hall of Fame, it was fitting that both Davis and Dean each recorded an interception while shutting down the passing game.

There weren’t many explosive passing plays from any of the Bucs’ quarterbacks on the afternoon, which highlighted their plays even more. This was the first time in several days that Davis in particular had participated in team drills as he’d been resting a sore shoulder and he came back with a bang.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

Davis started it off during 11-on-11s with John Wolford in at quarterback. Wolford was looking to his right side intending to throw to wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, but Davis cut in front of him. Davis initially got his hands on the football and bobbled it, but was able to recover and hold onto it while keep his feet in bounds near the sideline. It was very good athletic play as Davis also showed keen awareness on when to jump in and also stay in bounds.

That wasn’t the only play, though. During 7-on-7s, Davis was lined up against Chris Godwin and got the better of him on a route over the middle. He stayed in stride with Godwin and put his hand out in front of him as the pass was thrown to knock the ball away while also hitting Godwin. Davis flexed in celebration after the pass breakup. Later on in red zone Davis was talking a lot of trash to Russell Gage with some retort from the wide receiver as well, but they quickly both laughed and shook hands. Davis has discussed getting into receivers head and apparently no one is off limits.

The 7-on-7 drills were also beneficial to Dean. He recorded his interception off of Baker Mayfield where he was looking for running back. Ke’Shawn Vaughn on a short route towards the middle of the field but cutting left. Dean had solid coverage the whole way and read it well.

Dean has been busy covering Mike Evans often in practice. This was an opportunity to line up against someone different and he very much took advantage of it.

QBs Overthrow The Deep Ball

Bucs QB Kyle Trask Todd Bowles – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

The quarterback competition wasn’t exactly at the forefront of Saturday’s practice. Both Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask were average on the day. Mayfield had one interception and another close one, but did have the best touchdown scoring drive. Trask played turnover free football and completed some short to intermediate throws, but didn’t make any passes that went much further.

A continuing theme for both quarterbacks have been the lack of stability of the deep ball. Each quarterback, especially Trask, just hasn’t been able to make many completions when their receivers are going long. There were at least two times when Trask geared up to heave it deep  – one time to David Moore and the other to Taye Barber – and just didn’t even come close to hitting them with the ball being too far.

Mayfield also had a golden moment where he could have hit Kaylon Geiger for a touchdown down the middle of the field. It was just a bit too long as the outstretched Geiger got a finger tip on it but couldn’t corral the ball. Mayfield smacked his hands in anger and let out a yell. He missed Geiger a second time as well.

The quarterbacks just couldn’t connect with Geiger for some reason because Wolford also missed him deep.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

Baker’s Big Drive

While Mayfield did have an interception and a near pick early on in practice that should’ve been caught by Chris Izien, he did have the best scoring drive.

The Bucs were at midfield looking to move the rest of the way on a scoring drive. The highlight was an excellent leaping catch by Deven Thompkins on third down to extend the drive for the group. Mayfield also completed another key third down conversion to tight end David Wells.

David Moore made a difficult catch to get even further and before you knew the Bucs had first-and-goal from the seven-yard line. It took them a couple of cracks at it, but running back Ronnie Brown ran in for a score on fourth-and-goal.

Trask didn’t have as much success as the defense were able to get the stops and end the drive. He didn’t get much help from his teammates either during red zone drills as Ke’Shawn Vaughn dropped what would’ve been a touchdown on a catch and run. Mayfield had a touchdown throw to Thompkins.

Bucs Kicker Competition Update

Both Rodrigo Blankenship and Chase McLaughlin were kicking on Saturday. Blankenship was good from 17 and 25 yard chip shots but struggled as he missed from 40 and 45. McLaughlin was able to hit from 35 and 45 but missed a 40 yarder. Ultimately what they do in the preseason games will decide who wins this job.

Blankenship had missed two kicks on Thursday’s practice as well. Could be something to monitor in his next kicking attempts.

Bucs Observations

Bucs WR Deven Thompkins – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

• Rookie inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis continues his pass coverage prowess with pass breakup in 7-on-7s.

• After two drops on Friday, Rakim Jarrett was great on Saturday making a number of plays and receptions. Him and Thompkins were the best receivers for the Bucs this afternoon.

• The drops didn’t escape everyone, though as Ryan Miller missed the ball twice.

• Defensive tackle Deadrin Senat made a good stop on a run play. He’s in competiton for one of the last defensive tackle spots.

• Tight end David Wells has been exciting as a receiver but the jury is still out on him as a blocker. He attempted to block Anthony Nelson but Nelson kept pushing him back further and further.

• We spoke with right tackle Luke Goedeke after practice and he just seems so much more comfortable as a player. Maybe it’s because he’s year two or just like the fit back at tackle more, but Goedeke looks ready to go.

• Todd Bowles mentioned that every aspect of Bucs legend and Hall of Famer Ronde Barber’s game would translate to today’s game. Bowles said he spoke to Barber during the week and texted him earlier today for his big day.

The Bucs have an off day on Sunday and will resume practice on Monday.