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The Bucs finished the second of two joint practices with the Jets in Florham Park, New Jersey. It was a bit of a different tone on day two after a hectic first day with a ton of fights. While there were a couple of more skirmishes today, things settled down and the focus was on putting in good work.

There was a little bit more of a breeze that helped cool the temperature down as the Bucs and Jets practiced against each other. There were some highlight moments by the Bucs that should hopefully bring momentum into their preseason game on Friday night.

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera has been in attendance for both the second joint practice once again. Here is the notable news from Wednesday’s practice.

Bucs Were Spectacular On Each Side In The Two-Minute Drill 

Bucs Offense

Many times when watching a film or television show, the ending is what sticks with the viewer. There can be a great storyline thought, but if you don’t stick the landing, the job may not be accomplished at the end. The Bucs certainly saved their best for last at the end of practice, with the final session being a two-minute drill for each side of the ball. Both teams got the ball with 1:06 on the clock in a game tied at 10-10. Each time it was the Bucs dominating on both offense and defense.

Tampa Bay’s offense got the ball first. Baker Mayfield’s first pass was almost picked off, but after that he was lights out. At the end of the first play, Mayfield got into it with David Bailey as the two jawed at each other in a heated manner, presumably about Bailey getting a little too close for comfort. It set off Mayfield, but as we know with him, an angry Mayfield makes for great play.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and Jets QB Geno Smith – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The next play saw Mayfield complete at pass to receiver Dennis Houston and Chris Godwin Jr. for a first down. Then it became the Ted Hurst III show. Hurst caught a short to intermediate pass, followed by a big gain down the left sideline to put the Bucs at first-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Tampa Bay went back to Hurst again looking for a fade in the corner of the end zone where he was able to draw a pass interference penalty.

With around 25 seconds remaining, the Bucs tried to punch it in on the ground with Kenny Gainwell, but was stopped short of the end zone. Because they had no timeouts, they had to rush up to the line before the click wound down. They were able to get set, get the snap off, and Mayfield fired a short pass to tight end Cade Otton for the touchdown.

Bucs Defense

When it was time for the Jets offense to go against the Bucs defense it was a masterclass by Todd Bowles’ unit. Jets backup running back Braelon Allen dropped a short pass for an incompletion on first down. Rookie cornerback Ayden Garnes made his presence felt with a pass breakup on second down. The Jets escaped with a first down on a completion to tight end Mason Taylor on third down, but Rueben Bain Jr. quickly stopped that momentum by forcing a holding call on the Jets with a great pass rush.

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In a very uncharacteristic play by Anotine Winfield Jr. as he was covering Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, the ball was thrown by Geno Smith for what was essentially a jump ball. But Ruckert, with his height advantage, was able to get the better of Winfield on the play, making a catch for a first down.

That was all the Jets would essentially get, though. The consistent pressure by the Bucs forced a couple of incompletions on first and second down. Then the Jets went offsides as the offensive tackle tried to get a head start in blocking David Walker, who forced a false start.He’s starting to have that kind of impact on opponents.

The third-and-15 play had Smith trying to fit a throw for Garrett Wilson, but it was knocked away by Garnes for his second pass breakup of the drive. The Jets elected to try around a 60-yard field goal, which fell very short and never even came close.

The Bucs won it all at the end of practice with each side. Tampa Bay couldn’t have drawn it up much better.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka Has Injury Scare

Tampa Bay is already thin at wide receiver with Tez Johnson and David Sills V out, while Jalen McMillan has only been working in individual drills. There’s a chance the Bucs might have another problem after second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka came up limping during Wednesday’s practice.

The Bucs ran an end around to Egbuka for a short gain where he looked like he rolled his ankle. Egbuka went to the ground and stayed down for a little bit, but was then able to pop back up. He was limping heavily as he made his way to the trainers table, which was in between the first and second fields. Egbuka stayed on the table for a while as the medical staff worked on him. Conveniently, it happened to be in an area with shade, so it appeared he didn’t mind being out of the sun for a bit.

Egbuka never went back inside and eventually got off the table to walk around on the sidelines with his other teammates, looking like he was in good spirits. He didn’t go back into practice, but the Bucs were in the last part of it anyway. Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t have an update after practice as he was on a different field with the defense when Egbuka was hurt.

Bucs WRs Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

Egbuka will have four days off in a row before they resume practice on Monday back in Tampa, so he’ll have plenty of time to heal up. With Egbuka out, the Bucs turned to Dennis Houston to join Chris Godwin Jr. and Ted Hurst on the first team offense when the Bucs went to three receiver sets.

Other Observations And Takeaways From Day 11 Of Bucs Camp

• The Bucs were down to three quarterbacks in practice as Jake Browning was not dressed today following his injury from a day ago.

• It was nice day for tight end Cade Otton, who scored two touchdowns, including the one at the end in the two minute drill. He also made a 15-yard completion over the middle.

• Outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. was sensational today getting great reps against starting tackle Olu Fashanu, beating him one-on-one. Bain also had a sack in 11-on-11s and drew a holding penalty in the two-minute drill.

• It was a good showing from the Bucs’ ground game today. Bucky Irving had a 10-yard run to start things off. Sean Tucker had a 10-yard touchdown run in the red zone. Meanwhile, Kenny Gainwell had the play of the day breaking a 40-yard run for a touchdown.

• Cornerback Benjamin Morrison wore pads today and worked out in individual drills, but still not in team drills.

• What a bounce back for corner Ayden Garnes. He struggled earlier in the day, getting beat for a touchdown and also on a crosser route for a big gain. But when it mattered most, Garnes had those two really important breakups to help the defense win.

• There were only two fights today, and oddly enough, two of the mild-mannered players were involved with corner Jacob Parrish and inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis. Neither one really instigated the action, but when it escalated they had to defend themselves.

• Following the fight Bowles gathered up the defense and screamed at them. Presumably about all the scuffles.

Jets HC Aaron Glenn and Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Wide receiver Ted Hurst nearly had a perfect day. He had one drop that should’ve been an easy catch, but outside of that he was great. He made a terrific sideline catch and was the focal point of the offense’s minute scoring drive. Hurst really used his size to his advantage.

Pewter Report Recaps Today’s Bucs Camp Practice On The Pewter Report Podcast

Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera recap Wednesday’s joint practice with the Jets in New York at 6:00 p.m. ET on the Pewter Report Podcast on the PewterReportTV YouTube channel.