FAB 4. SR’s Bucs Training Camp Insider

I included my insights and analysis from Bucs training camp in last week’ SR’s Fab 5 and will continue that throughout the preseason. Through two weeks of Bucs camp, here are some of the things I have observed.

• Pro Bowl Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has been unblockable thus far in training camp, and looks like he’s on a mission this year. Just ask guards J.R. Sweezy and Kevin Pamphile. McCoy seems determined to make the playoffs this year – or get double-digit sacks. Or both.

Bucs C Ali Marpet – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

• PewterReport.com’s Mark Cook pointed out to me that this has been an incredibly soft Bucs training camp and he’s right. In my 24 years of covering the Buccaneers this is softest camp I have ever covered. No live tackling periods. No live goal line drill. It’s all “thud tempo” where defenders and ballcarriers “thud” with shoulder pads, but nobody goes to the ground.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter has made no bones about the fact that he wants his team as healthy as possible heading to Miami in Week 1. So far so good as the only real injuries in camp are to cornerbacks Jude Adjei-Barimah and Brent Grimes. Adjei-Barimah fractured his patella in a non-contact drill and is set for surgery. It’s the same patella injury he suffered last at the end of last year and could sideline him for the year. For Grimes, his right calf got accidentally gashed from a spiked cleat during Wednesday’s practice, which will keep him out of the preseason opener.

We’ll see if the tempo picks up next week when the Bucs travel to Jacksonville to have some joint practices with the Jaguars. And we’ll see if any Bucs come to blows or if Koetter’s crew will keep their composure. Tampa Bay defensive end Noah Spence has already gotten into one training camp fight, throwing punches at rookie offensive tackle Cole Gardner, who had his helmet on. Not smart.

If there are some fisticuffs up in Jacksonville, Spence, Sweezy or fellow defensive end Robert Ayers, Jr. would be the likely culprits to be involved.

• The Bucs backup quarterback battle is interesting heading into the preseason opener at Cincinnati as Ryan Griffin, who has never thrown a pass in the regular season, has the edge for the No. 2 spot over battle-tested veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. While his arm isn’t in the same league as Jameis Winston’s, Ryan’s arm appears stronger than that of the 34-year old Fitzpatrick and he’s looked far better in camp practices.

Bucs QB Ryan Griffin – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

Fitzpatrick was sought after for his experience when the team signed him to a one-year, $3-million contract, which is guaranteed and twice that of what Griffin, a restricted free agent, will make this year. If Griffin continues to impress in camp and performs well in the preseason to win the No. 2 job, Tampa Bay will likely keep three quarterbacks this year. The Bucs would ideally like to keep two quarterbacks, and would do that if they could somehow put Fitzpatrick’s experience into Griffin’s 27-year old body.

• Two weeks into training camp and the hottest camp battle thus far is at kicker where Roberto Aguayo, who is entering his second year, is currently fending off the challenge from veteran Nick Folk. Aguayo has had more consistent days in practice than Folk and his confidence is growing. But this battle is far from over and how these kickers perform in all four preseason games will ultimately determine who will make the team.

• Heading into the preseason opener against the Bengals there have been some real standouts through the first two weeks of Bucs training camp. While stars like McCoy, Grimes, running back Doug Martin, quarterback Jameis Winston, tight end Cam Brate and wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson along with rookie Chris Godwin have really stood out, the team has been impressed with several other players that aren’t headliners.

Griffin, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, safety Chris Conte, linebacker Devante Bond, rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith, tackle Caleb Benenoch, reserve guard and center Evan Smith, running backs Peyton Barber and Jeremy McNichols, tight end Austin Johnson and rookie wide receiver Bobo Wilson have all caught the eyes of Tampa Bay coaches and scouts.

Wilson could catch on if he lands the kickoff return job duties in the preseason, while Johnson could make things interesting in a battle with Antony Auclair and Alan Cross for the final tight end spot behind Brate, O.J. Howard and Luke Stocker.

Smith’s versatility to play both guard and center could possibly make reserve center Joe Hawley expendable by the end of August.

The play of Barber and McNichols has the Bucs feeling good about the depth at running back behind Jacquizz Rodgers, who will likely be the starter in Week 1 in Miami as Doug Martin starts the season under suspension for the first three games.

Bucs WR Derel Walker – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

Bond has all but solidified himself as the starting SAM (strongside) linebacker with a strong camp. The Bucs love his speed and athleticism, while Beckwith has started his rookie season as the backup middle linebacker behind Kwon Alexander.

• One wide receiver to keep an eye on during the preseason is former CFL star Derel Walker, who is currently running with the third string. In PewterReport.com’s opinion, he’s been more consistent and has made more plays in practice than Josh Huff has. For some reason the Bucs are trying to force Huff on to the roster, giving him a multitude of reps with the first and second team offense when he has some of the most inconsistent hands on the team.

Huff is a great athlete, but lacks the polish that Walker has. Look for Walker to shine in the first two preseason games as Griffin and Fitzpatrick trust him the most among the backup receivers not named Godwin, and look to him when the play breaks down and they are in trouble. Don’t be surprised if Walker moves up to the second team early in the preseason.