FAB 3. SR’s Final Thoughts On Bucs Camp

Well, that was interesting.

Thanks to COVID-19 the Bucs had an abbreviated two-week training camp full of padded practices. Due to certain media restrictions regarding social distancing procedures and COVID-19 preventative measures, our vantage point was often limited. Still, we prevailed in doing our best to bring you, the die-hard Bucs fan, our in-depth practice reports despite being limited with the information we could report so as not to give Tampa Bay’s opponents any competitive advantage.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Here are my final thoughts on the Buccaneers as they conclude training camp with a game-like practice at Raymond James Stadium on Friday morning.

• Special teams is a big concern in Tampa Bay. You can hear it in Bruce Arians’ voice in his press conferences. Special teams is the melding of offensive and defensive players – often first- or second-year players – coming together to cover kicks or punts or return them. What has me concerned is that neither Matt Gay nor Elliott Fry has been consistent enough to truly win the kicking job. Jaydon Mickens will likely be Tampa Bay’s new return specialist and he has limited experience in the NFL, although he does have a punt return score from his days in Jacksonville in 2017.

• Tom Brady is the real deal – even at age 43. I’ve never personally witnessed quarterback play like what I saw from Brady in camp. The accuracy, the decision-making and the efficiency in which he ran the offense were so impressive. The Bucs could score more points per game in 2020 than they did a year ago when they were fourth in the league with 28.6 points per game. The reason? Fewer interceptions by Brady than Jameis Winston’s league-high 30 last year could mean that more drives end in more points for Tampa Bay. It’s a shame that fans couldn’t view training camp and that there weren’t any preseason games for fans to watch this year. Bucs fans will be absolutely amazed when they see Brady operate Arians’ offense in New Orleans in Week 1.

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• I thought I would see more interceptions from Brady in practice than I did. I’ve written about it and talked about it on the Pewter Nation Podcast that Brady could fall victim to interceptions by not being on the same page with his receivers on option routes, but I didn’t see that happen in camp. Brady has 20 years worth of NFL experience, so he’ll read the defense the right way. Tampa Bay’s targets in the passing game all have a year’s worth of Arians’ offense under their belt with the exception of Rob Gronkowski, who already has a tremendous rapport with Brady. Of the few interceptions I saw Brady throw in camp I didn’t see any that were from a miscommunication on option routes, which was a great sign.

• As good as Gronkowski looked in camp after being rejuvenated from a year off from football, fellow tight end O.J. Howard and wide receiver Mike Evans looked the best of any offensive weapon at One Buc Place. Gronkowski has taken Howard under his wing and the Bucs’ first-round pick in 2017 has embraced it. Howard looks relaxed, comfortable and focused on living up to his potential, and Gronkowski’s tutelage is helping him get there. Evans has made some highlight reel catches downfield and Brady keeps putting the ball right on the money. Brady hasn’t had such a big, dynamic target to throw the ball up to since Randy Moss over a decade ago in New England – and he’s loving it.

Bucs RB Ronald Jones II – Photo by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the improvement Ronald Jones II has shown as a runner. A bigger, better version of Jones was consistently breaking off runs by smashing through arm tackles in practice and then hitting the gas in the open field with his 4.4 speed. Jones hasn’t been nearly consistent enough catching the ball, so I don’t think he will see as much action on third downs as the Bucs were hoping for, but I think Jones has a shot at a 1,000-yard season. LeSean McCoy and Dare Ogunbowale are up to the task on third downs in Tampa Bay.

• I was also impressed with the improvement on offense from left tackle Donovan Smith, right guard Alex Cappa, wide receivers Justin Watson and Scotty Miller and tight end Antony Auclair. Smith came to camp in great shape and won most of his battles against Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, which is saying something. Cappa no longer looks like the weak link on the offensive line. That distinction falls to rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs – just because he’s a rookie and very inexperienced. But I will say that Wirfs is an awfully quick learner and he’s come a long way in two weeks. Watson, Miller and Auclair really improved their consistency catching the ball, and all three are in great shape.

Bucs FS Mike Edwards – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• The Bucs offense was ahead of the defense all camp, which was unusual. Usually defenses are ahead of offenses at least from the start, but the work that Brady and the offensive weapons put in this summer at Berkeley Prep in voluntary workouts was evident. The offense was prepared coming into camp and was firing on all cylinders coming out of the gate thanks to Brady’s quick mastering of the playbook – and quick release. I have no doubt that Tampa Bay’s defense will continue to be stout against the run with the front seven returning intact, but I still have some concerns about the young secondary, especially at free safety where Mike Edwards and rookie Antoine Winfield, Jr. have had their moments as play-makers, but have also given up big plays by taking wrong angles. Veteran Andrew Adams should start Week 1 against Drew Brees – just to be on the safe side at free safety.

• Safety Justin Evans didn’t suit up for one single training camp practice and won’t make the team. It looks like an unfortunate end to his Buccaneers career due to injury after a promising start. You can’t make the club in the tub.

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• Outside linebackers Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaquil Barrett are proven pass rushers, but no one else in the OLB room has ever recorded an NFL sack. Anthony Nelson has made strides getting to the quarterback, and Quinton Bell shows some promise off the edge getting to the quarterback. But if JPP or Barrett miss any time this year due to injury or COVID-19 don’t be surprised to see the Bucs’ pass rush come to a screeching halt unless Devin White and Lavonte David blitz a lot more from the inside linebacker position.