FAB 3. 5 Bucs Camp Objectives

So what are the Buccaneers’ main objectives in their 2017 training camp – in addition to staying healthy, of course? Well here are five things to consider – especially since head coach Dirk Koetter and defensive coordinator Mike Smith have.

1. Get The Offensive Line In Rhythm
Thank goodness Koetter and offensive line coach George Warhop decided to just move Ali Marpet to center and make him the starter rather than have an open competition. It is the same thing with inserting J.R. Sweezy at right guard rather than having him battle to win the job. In years past the Bucs have spent training camps and preseasons shuffling their offensive line lineups trying to find the best combinations. That hasn’t served the running game and pass protection well.

Bucs LG Kevin Pamphile – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Having Donovan Smith at left tackle, Kevin Pamphile at left guard, Marpet at center, Sweezy at right guard and Demar Dotson at right tackle and allowing these five linemen – which are the best on Tampa Bay’s roster – to develop continuity in August will pay dividends in September. The rhythm established in training camp should allow the Bucs offense to hit the ground running in Miami.

2. Install New Wrinkles In Smith’s Defense
Speculation about the Buccaneers defense playing a little bit of 3-4 scheme last year was premature. After Tampa Bay’s defense showed a great deal of improvement over the last eight games of the season in Mike Smith’s 4-3 system, the defensive coordinator said that his players had to learn how to walk before they could run last year. Now in his second year with the Bucs, Smith is ready for his players to sprint.

Now that the Bucs have taken steps to master Smith’s 4-3 scheme, that means there will be some new wrinkles in store for Tampa Bay’s opponents this year. The Bucs will likely install some new fronts and variations in training camp, but will likely practice most of their exotic looks on days closed to the general public. The return of defensive end Jacquies Smith and the addition of defensive tackle Chris Baker makes the deployment of the occasional 3-4 look much more doable.

3. Improved Accuracy From Winston
Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston, who is entering his third year in Koetter’s offense, should have a strong command of the playbook, terminology and audibles by now. What Winston needs to work on is improving his accuracy in order for him – and the Bucs – to take the next step. Winston improved his completion percentage from 58.3 percent during his rookie season to 60.8 percent last year. Tampa Bay’s charismatic leader needs to hit at least 62 percent of his passes in 2017.

Bucs QB Jameis Winston – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

Perhaps more importantly, Winston became a more consistent thrower in 2016 with eight games in which he completed 62 percent of his passes (Tampa Bay was 5-3 in those contests), including three games in which he topped 70 percent. That’s marked improvement from his rookie season in which Winston hit 62 percent or more of his throws five times (Tampa Bay was 4-1 in those contests) and topped 70 percent once. Winston is a fairly accurate short and mid-range passer, but needs to continue to work on his connect rate on the deep ball, especially with the addition of the speedy DeSean Jackson.

4. Get O.J. Howard Involved In The Starting Offense
One of the more notable developments from Tampa Bay’s OTAs and mini-camp was the fact that rookie tight end O.J. Howard, the team’s first-round pick, rarely saw time with the first-team offense. Cameron Brate, last year’s starting tight end had a very impressive offseason, catching everything in sight and deepening his bond with Winston. Veteran Luke Stocker, the Bucs’ best edge blocker, was the other tight end in two-tight end sets featuring starters.

It’s only a matter of time before Howard sees playing time with the first team, why not hurry it up and insert him in the lineup in two-tight end sets opposite Brate and have him undergo a trial by fire? Howard needs to get as many balls thrown to him by Winston as possible to develop the chemistry necessary to hurt opponents in 2017. It’s time to force feed the rookie and make him into the weapon the Bucs drafted him to become.

5. Build Depth – Everywhere
Everyone expects and anticipates Tampa Bay making the playoffs this year. That’s why HBO’s Hard Knocks camera crews will be in town documenting this year’s training camp from one of the better, young, up-and-coming teams in the NFL. Injuries to starters happen in the NFL and affect every team, and the ones that make the playoffs are clubs that have established depth.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Not only have the Bucs have their share of injuries over the years, the team has also had a four-game PED suspension in each of the last two years – including two last year (Jude Adjei-Barimah and Doug Martin). Bucs general manager Jason Licht and his staff have done a good job of stocking the roster with veterans along the defensive line (Chris Baker), defensive backfield (J.J. Wilcox, Robert McClain), the wide receiver corps (Jackson) and the quarterback position (Ryan Fitzpatrick). It’s time for these players – and others fighting for roster spots – rise to the occasion to bolster the roster across the board. The deeper and more talented the Bucs’ depth chart is, the deeper in January the team can go.