SR’s Fab 5 is a collection of reporting and analysis on the Bucs from yours truly, Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds. Here are four things that caught my attention this week, plus some random tidbits in my Buc Shots section at the end. Enjoy!

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FAB 1. 5 Things To Look For Bucs vs. Dolphins

After two joint practices with the Dolphins, Tampa Bay kicks off the preseason on Saturday night by hosting Miami. Here are five things to look for as the Bucs battle the Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium.

Touchdowns And No INTs From Trask

The last time we saw third-string QB Kyle Trask in a preseason game, he completed 85.7% of his passes (12-of-14) for 146 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. That was in the preseason finale at Houston last year. Can he pick up from where he left off against the Dolphins on Saturday night? This is a big preseason for Trask and he’ll get the majority of playing time in the three preseason games. He might even get the start next week in Tennessee to work with the first-team offense.

Trask has struggled in camp with interceptions. There have been too many, and not enough touchdowns to equal out the turnovers. While Trask looks better than he did a year ago as a rookie, Blaine Gabbert has been clearly better in practice. He did stay away from interceptions against the Dolphins in practice, which was an encouraging sign. Perhaps he turned a corner this week. We’ll see how he fares on Saturday night.

Watch White On All Four Downs

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Rachaad White seems to be improving each week in camp as he becomes more familiar with the Bucs’ playbook and the speed of the NFL. He’s made some tough between-the-tackle runs in practice, including during the live goal line periods. But where he’s shined is catching the ball out of the backfield and on screen passes. The guess here is that he’ll play a decent amount of snaps in the preseason, starting on Saturday against Miami.

But White is not just a runner and a receiver. As a rookie, he will also be a factor on special teams. He’s had some kick return opportunities in practice, and White is also the backup personal protector on punt teams. Giovani Bernard is the first-team personal protector. That’s a trusted position, and it speaks volumes about the trust White has gained from the coaches.

Can McCollum Make Plays?

Cornerback Zyon McCollum has been on the verge of making plays in practice. But instead, the rookie has seemed a step away from a pass breakup or an interception. McCollum, the team’s fifth-round pick, has had his head swimming a bit this August. The NFL is a big jump from Sam Houston. McCollum has the size, speed and athleticism to be a playmaker. He’s just raw right now.

But sometimes, things happen under the lights. The light switch turns on in a game environment where it doesn’t initially in practice. McCollum needs to understand that he’s making the team and to use the preseason to not worry about making mistakes and just try to make some plays. Use the Dolphins game as a laboratory and experiment with taking some chances in coverage to try to get some elusive pass breakups and maybe an interception.

Is Britt Worth Bragging About?

Bucs ILB KJ Britt – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Second-year inside linebacker K.J. Britt has gotten a lot of praise and hype this offseason. He learned the defense well enough for Tampa Bay to not re-sign veteran Kevin Minter, who lost a step last year. Britt didn’t miss a single OTA and knows the Mike and Mo linebacker spots and has had a good training camp on defense and on special teams.

But Britt was a Day 3 pick for a reason. He’s limited athletically and plays a bit stiff. Britt is playing faster this August because he knows his assignment and has a better understanding of where the ball is on going on a regular basis. But he is certainly a step below Devin White and Lavonte David. He might be a better version of Minter, but is that really saying much? Let’s see if Britt can not get exposed and actually impress against the Dolphins.

First Swing At The Kicking Competition

The Bucs are blessed to have two outstanding kickers in camp. For a franchise that struggled for years to find a competent kicker, both Ryan Succop and Jose Borregales have been exceptional in camp. It’s literally a coin flip right now between the two. Succop has the edge when it comes to experience, but he’s going to turn 36 next month. Borregales is entering his second year in the NFL after spending his rookie season on the practice squad. He’s younger and has a stronger leg. Borregales can also handle kickoffs, which is something Succop can’t do.

Will Bowles give the first game to Borregales when it comes to all extra points and field goals? Or will he go back and forth within all preseason games between Succop and Borregales? The Bucs will probably want to give the less-proven Borregales more opportunities to kick the ball in August.

FAB 2. 5 Bucs Inside Scoop And Expert Analysis

Have questions about Ryan Jensen’s possible return? Confused about the Bucs depth chart? Worried about the center and tight end positions? Pewter Report has the answers and info to help ease your concerns.

Bucs Still Hoping Jensen Might Return This Season

It was a welcome sign to see injured Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen standing and watching practice on Thursday. Jensen returned to practice on Wednesday with a heavy brace on his left knee and watched from a golf cart. The next day, he was standing for over half an hour watching his team and the Dolphins go at it without the aid of crutches.

The Bucs haven’t placed Jensen on injured reserve yet and are holding out hope he can return later in the year. He goes for more testing in two weeks. In the meantime, Tampa Bay has been pleased with the play of Robert Hainsey, Jensen’s replacement. There is no discussion of bringing in a veteran free agent center at this time. If Hainsey holds up during the preseason, he’ll be the starter in Dallas in Week 1.

It Makes Sense For Leverett To Emerge As LG

Bucs OL Nick Leverett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’s three weeks into training camp and there is no clear front-runner for the starting left guard position. Veteran Aaron Stinnie has the most experience and playing time, but that’s about all he offers. Second-round draft pick Luke Goedeke and former practice squader Brandon Walton offer more size and strength. Walton knows the system after practicing in it last year. A lack of experience and reps, and a position change is what is keeping Goedeke with the second string.

Keep an eye on Nick Leverett. He started camp as the second-team right guard, but quickly moved to the backup center role when Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury. Robert Hainsey appears poised to be the starting center unless some calamity happens in the preseason. Hainsey was in the mix at left guard, but he’s focused solely on the center position. That’s put Leverett back in the competition for left guard.

It makes sense for Leverett to win the starting left guard job for three reasons. So far, he’s been just as good physically as Stinnie, Walton and Goedeke. The second reason is that Leverett is the best communicator in the group. That’s a plus next to a new center in Hainsey. And third, getting him game reps and experience could come in handy if something were to happen to Hainsey and Leverett had to take over at center during the season.

Bucs Will Be Emphasizing The Ground Game In 2022

Head coach Todd Bowles believes that the first threat a defense has to eliminate on a weekly basis is the running game. His Bucs defense is geared up to stop the run first and make the offense one-dimensional by throwing the ball. Teams that can run the ball at will against their opponent can control possession and wear down the other team physically.

Bowles believes that the Bucs have been too one-dimensional against the Rams and Saints in recent losses to those teams over the years. As a result, Tom Brady has been hit and sacked too many times and the Rams and Saints pass rush has been effective for all four quarters. The Bucs traded for run-blocking guard Shaq Mason and drafted a mauling guard in Luke Goedeke. Tampa Bay used two draft picks on two blocking tight ends in Cade Otton and Ko Kieft. And the team gave Leonard Fournette $7 million per season. Tampa Bay has spent extra time in practice getting better at running the ball, specifically to help combat L.A. and New Orleans.

Bucs Depth Chart Issues

Bucs CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

I’m not Bowles, but I’m not sure what he’s seeing in cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn right now. The first unofficial “official” depth chart came out this week and Murphy-Bunting was starting ahead of Jamel Dean, despite Dean making more plays on the ball in practice. And Vaughn was the No. 2 back ahead of Giovani Bernard, who has looked better in practice, and rookie Rachaad White, who is more talented.

I think what Bowles is doing with both players is motivating them by giving them a favored spot on the depth chart and challenging them to hang on to it. Both Murphy-Bunting and Vaughn have had confidence issues in the past. Putting SMB as the No. 3 CB and Vaughn as RB3 or RB4 and asking them to climb the depth chart probably wouldn’t bring the best out in either player. I’m not sure if this is what’s happening, but Bowles is smart and a great motivator. It’s the tactic I would use with Murphy-Bunting and Vaughn to try to motivate them in August.

Bucs Are Fine At Tight End

No one is going to replace Rob Gronkowski. Even at age 33, Gronkowski is still a formidable weapon on offense catching the ball and in the trenches as a blocker. The problem is, Gronk is retired and not on the Bucs roster – at least not right now. But Tampa Bay has been pleased with the addition of veteran Kyle Rudolph and the rapid progress of Otton and Kieft. For older Bucs fans, think of Rudolph in 2022 as being on par with former Bucs tight end Ken Dilger in 2002.

Otton’s in-line blocking has been better than expected. It will only improve as he gains strength and experience. Kieft is a better version of former tight end/H-back Alan Cross. Primarily a blocking tight end at Minnesota, Kieft has spent some time as an H-back and a fullback in Tampa Bay this summer. Throw in Cam Brate, who still moves well and catches the ball at age 31, and this tight end unit is more than good enough to roll with.

FAB 3. 5 Best Bucs In Camp

True excellence is a habit, not an instance. We’ve consulted with our team sources to compile this list of five Buccaneers who have had an excellent start to training camp thus far.

QB Tom Brady

When he’s practiced, it looks like there’s no drop-off in Brady’s game at age 45. His arm is as strong as it’s ever been, and his accuracy hasn’t diminished, either. Brady is dealing with an unknown personal challenge this summer. It’s caused him to miss several practices, including Thursday’s against Miami. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said that Brady will have another excused absence through next week’s Titans game.

The good news is that Brady already has two years’ worth of experience in this offense and has already established some rapport with the new players. The season opener is still a month away, so there is time to develop more chemistry later this month. Brady hasn’t been in a jovial mood at all since camp started. And he was short and seemed annoyed during his lone press conference. Here’s hoping Brady gets through whatever personal turmoil he’s enduring right now.

DT Akiem Hicks

Bucs DT Akiem Hicks – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For as good as Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea is, Hicks has actually been the best defensive lineman in camp so far. Hicks is just about as big as Vea, but taller and longer. He’s nearly as powerful as Vea, but certainly quicker and more agile. Having those two in the starting lineup next to Will Gholston will make it nearly impossible for teams to run the ball on Tampa Bay.

Hicks has also been a great mentor to rookie Logan Hall in practice and in the meeting room. But he’s also shown great value in going up against Shaq Mason in pass rush situations as well as helping get the team’s young interior linemen ready. Breaking a new center like Robert Hainsey and potentially a new starting guard in either Nick Leverett or Luke Goedeke by having them face Hicks in practice only aids their development.

CB Carlton Davis III

The Bucs have been thrilled with Davis’ camp so far. After rewarding him with a huge contract extension, Davis is more than earning his money. He’s the clear-cut top cornerback on the roster and appears motivated to prove he’s worth the big contract. Davis has been working on his hands and has come away with a couple of interceptions in practice. He wants to be known as a Pro Bowl cornerback and knows he has to rack up INTs to get there.

Davis fared well against Miami in practice, especially when matching up against his nemesis, Tyreek Hill. He had a better day on Wednesday, as he struggled a bit against Jaylen Waddle, another ultra-fast receiver, on Thursday. Davis wins with great technique, physicality and savvy play. He’s not a speed merchant, but was crafty enough to perform well versus the Dolphins fast receivers.

WR Julio Jones

Bucs WR Julio Jones – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs have been extra cautious with Jones in practice. Hamstring injuries have plagued him in each of the last two years – both in Atlanta and Tennessee. The team is avoiding him practicing on consecutive days right now to try to prevent those injuries from reoccurring. It’s the smart approach for the 33-year-old wide receiver.

But when Jones has been on the field, he’s simply dazzled. The big, 6-foot-3, 220-pounder can still outleap defenders for the ball and make crazy, acrobatic catches in practice. And Jones still has enough juice to beat defenders either with speed or with his agile cuts. If he can stay healthy in 2022, the Bucs will truly have a starting-caliber player with star potential as WR4.

OLB Shaquil Barrett

Much has been made of the rapid improvement of second-year outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The fast, athletic edge rusher has impressed in camp and appears capable of a breakout year in 2022. But in order for Tryon-Shoyinka to have success as a young defender, he’ll need to have great play opposite him from Barrett. So far in camp, Barrett looks ready for his third Pro Bowl season in Tampa Bay.

Not only has he been a force as a pass rusher from the left and the right side in camp, he’s also been top notch against the run. Despite his smallish 6-foot-2, 250-pound frame, Barrett is a very effective run defender and has made several stops behind the line of scrimmage, especially in backside pursuit. Barrett is super smart and instinctive. And he was the Buccaneer who fared best in pass rush vs. the Dolphins in 1-on-1s during the week.

FAB 4. 5 Bucs Camp Sleepers

These Bucs aren’t guaranteed to make the 53-man roster at all. But they’ve recently turned some heads in training camp and are making things interesting. Can these five continue to build momentum as the preseason starts?

WR Kaylon Geiger

Veterans Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson have really stepped up in camp, as has second-year receiver Jaelon Darden. The arrival of Julio Jones has essentially made it to where 10 receivers are fighting for two or three final roster spots. The competition has been fierce, including among the four undrafted free agent receivers.

While Deven Thompkins and Jerreth Sterns have gotten some buzz in camp, Geiger has quietly made some big catches too. He hasn’t gotten the fanfare as the other two have, but Geiger has been used often on end-arounds and has shown he has some reliable hands, too. He had a pair of impressive practices against the Dolphins. We’ll see how he fares when the lights come on in the preseason games.

OLB Elijah Ponder

Bucs OLB Elijah Ponder – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While Cam Gill has flashed at times as a pass rusher, he’s not as stout against the run to be trusted on anything other than nickel defense. That’s not the case with Ponder, who spent last year on the practice squad. The former Cincinnati Bearcats defensive tackle has lost about 35 pounds and transformed himself into a sleek, quicker outside linebacker over the past year or two.

Ponder’s style of play is still like that of a defensive tackle in that he’s not afraid to stop the run. In fact, he relishes the physicality of run defense. His pass rush is coming along, as are his pass drops in practice. If Ponder makes strides in the preseason, starting against Miami, he could beat out Gill for the fourth outside linebacker spot on the depth chart.

RB Kenjon Barner

Leonard Fournette is the clear-cut starter for the Bucs. But Tampa Bay is looking for a No. 2 running back to replace Ronald Jones II. Last year, Giovani Bernard was relegated to the No. 3 spot, but is making a push for playing time with a great camp. He’ll make the team along with rookie Rachaad White and Ke’Shawn Vaughn. But the Bucs might be forced to keep five running backs if Barner can win the return specialist job.

Barner is better as a kick returner than he is a punt returner, but he’ll have to wrest that job away from Jaelon Darden in the preseason. But Barner has also impressed as a receiver out of the backfield and at times as a runner, too. He looks like a slightly smaller version of Bernard. Barner is 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, while Bernard is 5-foot-9, 205. We’ll see if Barner can force his way onto the roster with a great preseason.

S Nolan Turner

Bucs S Nolan Turner, WR Scotty Miller and CB Kyler McMichael – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Turner, an undrafted free agent out of Clemson, has made a few splash plays in practice. He’s had a couple of interceptions and also some pass breakups. Turner is a smart player with good instincts on defense and he’s outshined Chris Cook and Troy Warner at times.

Whether he makes the 53-man roster or not will come down to how he plays on special teams. The Bucs already have four safeties assured of making the team in Antoine Winfield Jr., Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal. Whether they keep five will depend on how Turner fares on special teams in the preseason. Of course, making some key stops and maybe forcing a turnover or two would aid his cause, too.

CB Rashard Robinson

Robinson had a slow start to camp and didn’t distinguish himself much early on. But against Miami, Robinson had some solid reps in practice. In fact, during Thursday’s practice, he had two pass breakups and a great interception in 1-on-1 drills against the Dolphins. Is that an outlier or can that be more of the norm? Can that carry over into Saturday’s game?

Dee Delaney has cooled off in camp, and Kyler McMichael hasn’t done enough to impress yet. Robinson made some splash plays on special teams last year as a gunner, where he used his blazing speed. If he makes the Bucs’ 53 he’ll have to excel in coverage once again. Making some plays on the third-team defense would also help his cause.

FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• WHY IS BRADY ABSENT? It’s unclear if there is a medical issue within Tom Brady’s family that is causing him to miss time in training camp or if it’s a marital issue. Both of Brady’s parents are elderly. His mother is a cancer survivor and his father had a serious bout with COVID in 2020. Regardless, these absences were planned prior to training camp – perhaps as a stipulation for Brady un-retiring.

It would have to be something serious to pull Brady away from football in what could be his final season in the NFL. But any prolonged time to tend to his family can only really happen in camp during August. Once the season starts in September, Brady has to be laser-focused on the season, and he knows that. So, don’t be too concerned about these absences. Once the regular season starts, it should be business as usual for TB12.

• BUCS WR ROOM AS DEEP AS EVER: Thursday’s practice against the Dolphins featured the worst-case scenario offensively. Tom Brady was absent and Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage and Julio Jones were all out. Evans and Gage are recovering from slight hamstring injuries. Godwin was held out of team participation as he recovers from his knee injury. Jones was given another veteran rest day.

And yet the Bucs still had enough weapons in the passing game to be formidable against Miami’s defense. Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Jaelon Darden continue to step up and made catches for Blaine Gabbert. Undrafted rookies Deven Thompkins, Jerreth Sterns and Kaylon Geiger continue to impress and came through for Kyle Trask. The depth at wide receiver has never been better in Tampa Bay.

THIS WEEK’S PEWTER REPORT PODCASTS

• BUCS-DOLPHINS CAMP COVERAGE ON THE PEWTER REPORT PODCAST: The Pewter Report Podcast is energized by CELSIUS and broadcasts four live episodes each week. Bucs training camp kicked off this week and the Pewter Report staff was on hand to cover all the action. Next week’s schedule will feature PR Podcasts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as the Bucs travel to Tennessee to face the Titans. Those will be followed by a post-game podcast next Saturday after the Bucs vs. Titans preseason game.

***There will be a NEW Pewter Report Podcast this Saturday night approximately 45 minutes following the Bucs vs. Dolphins preseason game.

Matt Matera and Scott Reynolds remember the late, great Mark Cook, a legendary Pewter Reporter, on Tuesday’s podcast.

Matera, Reynolds and Bailey Adams analyzed Wednesday’s joint practice between the Bucs and the Dolphins.

Matera, J.C. Allen and Kasey Hudson reviewed Thursday’s Bucs-Dolphins practice, as Miami fared much better.

Watch the Pewter Report Podcasts live on our PewterReportTV channel on YouTube.com and please subscribe (it’s free) and add your comments. We archive all Pewter Report Podcasts. So, you can watch the recorded episodes if you missed them live.

There is no better time to listen to or watch a new Pewter Report Podcast – energized by CELSIUS – than Friday afternoon on the way home from work. Or early Saturday morning during your workout or while running errands.

The popularity of the Pewter Report Podcast continues to grow. In addition to listening to the Pewter Report Podcasts on PewterReport.com, you can also subscribe to the free podcasts at PodBean by clicking here and on SoundCloud by clicking here. And of course, the Pewter Report Podcast is also available on iTunes and YouTube. Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

FINAL VIDEO

• GEIGER’S GOT IT GOING ON: Bucs rookie Kaylon Geiger put up modest numbers at Texas Tech last year. He caught just 43 passes for 533 yards (12.4 avg.) and a touchdown after transferring from Troy. In his first two years with the Trojans, Geiger caught 141 passes for 1,625 yards (11.5 avg.) and eight TDs. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-10, 180-pound size would indicate.