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.

We Could Be Scary As Pass Rushers

By Pat O’Connor as told to Matt Matera

Winning One-On-One Battles As The Pads Come On

Bucs DL Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

One-on-one battles, I mean that’s how you get the money in this league. When you’re in one-on-ones all the time, that’s how you get paid. It’s always good, we always have good competition, like [Aaron] Stinnie, Stinnie’s a great guard. Then you go against a young buck like Luke [Goedeke], keep getting better with them. Kind of like the iron sharpens iron kind of thing, so it’s always nice, especially with pads on. You could hide away when we were just t-shirts and shorts. Now when the real big dogs come out, it’s how you make the team from this – these kinds of practices.

Playing In The Heat And Recovery Off Days

It’s always hot and it gets hotter every year. I mean, at first coming from the north, it was terrible at the time. But now I don’t even think about it to be honest. It’s still hot. Shoot, I just lay around my house with my dog – match his energy. If Boo’s excited then we go outside and play around. If he’s tired we’re just going to lay on the bed and take naps. 

We Could Be Scary As Pass Rushers

We could be scary as pass rushers. I mean, you’ve got two big dogs on the edges with Shaq [Barrett] and Joe [Tryon-Shoyinka]. And you bring the power in the middle from Will [Gholston], Akiem [Hicks], Vita [Vea]. You got that little flexibility from the young buck Logan [Hall]. Even [Mike] Greene, Zo [Jojo Ozougwu] – all the boys coming up. They’re all good … wait, we’re the best! [laughs] But yeah, all around you have a mix of everything so it’s kind of cool.

It’s just ability to place anyone at any position on the D-line for us up front. You know Todd [Bowles] is a wizard when it comes to making up fronts and stuff. So when you see Vita [Vea] on the edge, you have no idea what’s coming. So it’s cool … he likes to implement these crazy little schemes that just always seem to work.

Vea’s Development And Viral Gatorade Shotgun Video

Vita’s just been working on his craft. Everyone knows he can bull-rush – all that kind of stuff. He’s starting to blend in his hands. He’s just going to be a wrecking ball like he always has. So I’m happy to see what he can do.

Vita’s Gatorade shotgun thing? I feel like he takes that from me. That’s always my idea. I don’t know if he stole my move, but he knows I do a lot of those. He probably was like, “You know what? F**k it! I’m going to take Pat’s idea.” He always does it at the Lightning games and [stuff] but I always tell him to do it. So it’s kind of like, he didn’t steal my thunder – but I like to say he did.

Initial Thoughts Of Hall

Logan’s really good with his hands. I’m excited to see what we do with him with Miami next week. You know he’s just so mature when it comes to his pass rush. Just the way he can do his arm-overs, his double chops, like bull-rushes. He’s really good. I can’t wait for everyone else to see what he can do because he’s a beast.

I Live For Special Teams

Bucs LB Grant Stuard and DE Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It was unfortunate that Kevin Minter’s not here. So, guys like me, K.J. [Britt], Grant Stuard – it’s just us trying to lead the way. We set an example for the young guys. We have a whole bunch of guys that are quiet and showcase with their own abilities. Everyone’s just kind of putting their head down, putting the work in. Whatever happens, happens with that kind of role. 

I like running, so I mean anything (any drill) with running where I can showcase my speed, my endurance – I like it all. I live for special teams. I can’t complain about it. I’ll do anything to help the team – especially for Keith Armstrong. I would do anything for that guy. Keith and [Keith] Tandy, – double Keiths – I’ll do anything for them. I’ve been with them for a while, especially Tandy. He took a little hiatus, went over to Atlanta, and then came back. He’s been here since I was a rookie.

Looking Forward To Joint Practices

It’s going to be great going against Miami. Always better to go against other people. I mean it’s a bitch of a practice. You know, it’s like damn near a game every play. So it’s always good to showcase your ability against someone else. You don’t want to keep hitting everyone on your own team non-stop every day. It’s going to be pretty cool going against someone else next week.

Follow Pat O’Connor on Twitter

@TooPOC

Follow Pat O’Connor on Instagram

@patoconnor52