Thursday was the third and final day of Bucs’ mandatory mini-camp from their facility. Day three was sunny and 85 degrees with various cloud coverage. It was hotter than day one but not as bad as day two. This was another day for the players to get acclimated to what it will be like for training camp next month.

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera and Adam Slivon were on site for the last practice before the Bucs get a break along with all of the press conferences that were held after. This practice was a bit shorter than the previous days but the intensity was still very high as the Bucs began the day with red zone work and then went back to midfield, which saw some big plays.

More Players Out For The Bucs

Tampa Bay had a handful of players that were out of practice on Thursday. Second-year safeties Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather were out as well as tight end Tanner Taula. Izien was a little banged up during Wednesday’s practice when diving to make a play, while Taula left practice early on Wednesday. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after that they’ll be fine for training camp. Cornerback Bryce Hall did not participate either.

Outside linebacker Randy Gregory continues to be missing in action. Bowles did not have an update after practice other than his absence is still unexcused and that it will be taken care of. Bowles has continuously said he’s focused on the players that are in attendance. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, wide receiver Trey Palmer, cornerback Jamel Dean, tight end Ko Kieft and quarterback Zack Annexstad all remained out.

Kyle Trask Gets To Start

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Besides throwing in early warmups and individual drills at the beginning of practice, quarterback Baker Mayfield did not participate in any of the team drills. Not many starters participated in those sessions. That meant quarterback Kyle Trask was at the helm under center for the Bucs as he worked with a mix of players competing for starting roles and rookies.

In red zone drills, Trask quickly connected with rookie Jalen McMillan on the right side of the field. It was about a seven-yard pass, but the yards after the catch made it a 15-yard play. Not long after, Trask sold a play-action handoff, rolled out to his right and hit Sterling Shepard, who took it the rest of the way for the touchdown.

The chemistry with Trask and Shepard continued when they moved further back to midfield as he completed two more passes to Shepard for big gains. The only player who had better chemistry with Trask was Rakim Jarrett, who had another great day. Jarrett made three receptions during 11-on-11s including one deep down the field against rookie Tyrek Funderburk as he beat him on the play.

Overall, Trask was pretty much the quarterback that we’ve always seen during his time in Tampa Bay. Pretty solid with nothing flashy, he’ll tend to check down more than take a chance on a big play, but can make the throw if it’s the right situation. There’s still a lot of mystery around what he can do if he ever had a full game to play, though that’s a question that will be pushed aside for the time being.

Todd Bowles Names His Standout Players

Todd Bowles can often be heard saying that he’ll have to see how a certain player does in pads. However, on Thursday he obliged with more of a legitimate response when asked who stood out at mini-camp. Bowles actually gave four players.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and RBs coach Skip Peete – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I would say [Ben] Bredeson from the Giants, he comes up,” Bowles began. “It’s not a popular name, but he comes up as well as Philly [Sua Opeta], both guards come up. That’s going to be a heck of a battle. I’m really looking forward to seeing that right there.”

Then Bowles mentioned two new players in the secondary.

“[Tyrek] Funderburk comes up,” Bowles said. “He’s a guy that flashed. Everybody else we’re going to have to see. [Marcus] Banks has come up, Banks has shown something that we’re interested in seeing in pads. We’re going to have to see.”

Funderburk is an undrafted free agent corner out of Appalchian State, while Banks is an undrafted free agent safety from Mississippi State. Though Funderburk was beaten by Jarrett today, he was having a good camp with an interception on day one and a pass breakup on day two.

Bucs Rookies Building Chemistry With Baker Mayfield

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When practice was finished we were able to speak with first-round pick offensive lineman Graham Barton and fourth-round running back Bucky Irving for the first time since rookie mini-camp. Each of these players is looking to build chemistry with Mayfield, but it’s very different for each of them given their positions.

“I just think building trust is the biggest thing that I want,” Barton said. “I want Baker and I want the offensive line to be able to trust me at center. When I’m in the huddle I’m just trying to be assertive knowing the offense so when we get up to the line of scrimmage and there’s a confusing look or something, I’m the one who knows the answers.

“I think consistently being that person as a center, it kind of makes you the center that teams look for, the guy that knows the offense inside and out, can get us out of a jam. I think that’s the biggest way I’m trying to build some trust is just ‘Hey, Graham knows what he’s doing. He’s here to work, we can trust him on the field.’ I think that’s the biggest thing through OTAs and mini-camp is just starting that relationship.”

Irving has been a fan of Mayfield because he’s giving him the ball.

“I watched Baker growing up,” Irving said. “He loves to throw the ball to the check down. If he can do that I’ll love him for sure.”

On another note, Irving spoke on his relationship with the other running backs in the room and how they’re helping his improvement.

The only veteran player that spoke was offensive tackle Luke Goedeke. If you haven’t seen it yet, Goedeke is sporting a thicker mustache this year. That’s because his girlfriend told him “the muzzy is in.”

Other Camp Highlights From Bucs Mini-Camp Day 3

Jose Ramirez had a sack on Kyle Trask during red zone drills. The Bucs have been high on Ramirez and he has an opportunity to make more of an impact this season. Depth at outside linebacker won’t be a problem for Tampa Bay even if Gregory never shows up. Ramirez is going to push Markees Watts and others in the room.

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Another interesting competition is at wide receiver. Sterling Shepard picked it up and Rakim Jarrett has balled out during mini-camp. Jarrett has made strides as a receiver in year two, making for a fantastic battle when training camp arrives. The skill at wide receiver is way better this year.

The Bucs’ defensive line had individual drills where they had to bat down volleyballs after hitting a pad while also dropping back into coverage and catching the football. It’s just a fun reminder of the many schemes and coverages that Bowles will call up.

Undrafted rookie inside linebacker Kalen DeLoach had a pass breakup in the end zone but it was more of a dropped interception. One of these days the Bucs’ defenders will stop dropping it.

John Wolford had a little playing time after Trask. The biggest play was a screen to undrafted free agent running back D.J. Williams that went for about 25 yards. It’s tough to tell when exactly he would’ve gotten tackled or scored. Don’t be surprised if another running back between Williams and Ramon Jefferson ends up making the practice squad this season.