Table of Contents
About the Author: Scott Reynolds
[adrotate group=”1″]
Pewter Report’s Bucs Camp Diaries, a popular training camp feature on PewterReport.com, returns in 2022. We are fortunate to have two really good players to profile in veteran defensive end Pat O’Connor and rookie running back Rachaad White, the Bucs’ third-round pick.
O’Connor will offer up his perspective of Todd Bowles’ defense and special teams. White will take readers through the experience of rookie life in his first training camp in Tampa Bay in the Bucs offense. Look for O’Connor and White’s Bucs Camp Diaries each week throughout training camp and the preseason.
O’Connor is heading into his sixth NFL season with the Bucs. After moving up and down from the practice squad to the active roster, he has solidified himself on the 53-man roster over the last two years in the rotation on the defensive line. O’Connor has notched 1.5 sacks over the past two years and he’s also carved out a niche as a core special teamer. He’ll compete in training camp again to earn a roster spot this season, and also has an opportunity to earn a role as a special teams captain.
O’Connor re-signed with the Bucs on a one-year deal this offseason. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Saints last year, but he is fully cleared and ready to roll for camp.
Tough To See Jensen Go Down
By Pat O’Connor as told to Scott Reynolds
I’m ready for pads. The first week of camp is all walk-throughs. When the pads come on, that’s when people show up. So I’m excited, that’s where I thrive. I’m excited for it – just go out and go hit somebody.
As a defensive lineman – we live for this. You’re living in underwear during the offseason. When you put the big boy pads on and run with it, you never know what happens. Some people turn away. I’m excited to see what happens. We’ve got a good group of guys on both sides of the ball. We are going to compete to the highest level and we’re excited to get ready for the season.
At the end of practice, I was working on long snapping. You never know what can happen, honestly. Keith Tandy and Chris Bonial have been working with me and Nelly [Anthony Nelson] for the past three years [as an emergency long snapper]. So we spend time doing it, just being as useful as possible on special teams.
Nothing Beats Getting A Sack
Bucs DL Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
On defense, I mean nothing beats getting a sack – especially growing up as a defensive lineman. Seeing the greats – Warren Sapp and all of them make their sacks on TV – when you get your opportunity to go out there, it’s just awesome. I get limited snaps on defense. So, when I do get my chance to go out there, I just kind of make the best of it.
This year in camp, I’m focused on being able to dissect the play and have an idea of what’s going on before it even happens. Looking at formations, looking at running backs, offensive line stances, etc. Are they going to give you a heavy run look or heavy pass? Just be a student of the game, being able to decipher what’s going to happen before the play even happens.
For a guy like me, the preseason is so important to get snaps (in the regular season). You know, you can make plays in practice all you want – you can be that kind of guy. You can be NFL Hall of Famer [in practice] but I mean, it’s a different transition to the field. People only make the team here from preseason games. Basically, those opportunities last year, I got a lot of playing time and made the most of it. So I was blessed to do that.
Stuff Happens – It’s Football
It was tough to see [Ryan] Jensen go down with his injury. You know that hurt. I’ve got a good relationship with him. It was just sad. Stuff like that happens, but so unfortunate it happened to him. I wish him nothing but the best – a speedy recovery. Hopefully – you never know what can happen, especially with medicine nowadays – he comes back for half the season. We’ll just play for him until he comes back.
Stuff happens – it’s football. You can’t dwell on it. You can’t think it’s your fault, and I know Logan Hall doesn’t think it was his fault. But stuff happens. It gets tangled up in there. You don’t know what’s going to happen in there. It’s unfortunate, but you’ve just got to play and learn. It’s next guy up.
I think it’ll be fine with Robert Hainsey and Nick Leverett. They’ve just got to get more experience. At the center, you’re making all the calls. You’re the general of that O-line. They’re doing well. We’ve just got to build chemistry with them and just run with it.
New Faces On Bucs O-Line
Bucs OT Fred Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
We’ve got some other new guys on the O-line this year. Brandon Walton’s been in there at guard. He’s good and strong as hell. He punches me sometimes. But, once he starts going against guys like Will Gholston, me and everybody else, it builds confidence so he’s able to play.
Fred Johnson is big as hell. I thought he can’t top Tristan [Wirfs], but that’s one specimen of a human. He’s a big dude. He’s a huge addition to the offensive line.
Luke Goedeke – the Chippewa. You don’t mess with him. We don’t mess with that guy. He’s a good dude, too. He is strong as hell, but just has to learn. It’s a whole different ballgame up here with the big boys. Once he learns and settles down, he’ll be a good player, too.
