All things considered, I think most would say the Bucs had a successful OTA month. The veteran players got to be back out on the field running organized drills with the coaches, free agent players were able to start getting their feet with their new teammates, and the incoming rookies were able to get their first taste of NFL practices.

However, there were some less-than-ideal variables that did occurred during the OTA period, the main one being the absence of three of the team’s top players, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, cornerback Brent Grimes and ,at the latter half of the month, wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

All three of these players are considered not only veterans but talented veterans. Their absence wasn’t harped on, but it was noticed, as they will all be starters. Jackson was able to show face at the first few OTA practices, and Grimes was at a handful himself in between. But, as for Jason Pierre-Paul, he was not in attendance at any. Because of this, there has been speculation as to whether or not he would be skipping any of the mandatory mini-camp practices, too, which start this week.

PewterReport.com has learned that Jason Pierre-Paul will attend the Bucs’ mandatory mini-camp, along with every other player on the roster.

That’s a good sign, even if there are some fans who would have rather him be there from the start.

The entire roster in attendance means that, as of Tuesday, all courses will be set straight ahead with no unnecessary distractions.