It was all defense on Thursday at Bucs OTAs.
As teams are starting to get familiar with their new players, it has been clear from the two practices we’ve seen that the defense is starting to gel more than the offense — or maybe the offense just hasn’t been ready for how good the defense is looking.
CB Vernon Hargreaves with what should have been an interception on QB Jameis Winston in 11-on-11.
Can’t make that pass; gotta make that pick. pic.twitter.com/VYjNNYJqct
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) May 24, 2018
There were five interceptions during the 11-on-11 portions of Thursday’s OTA practice. Those who did the taking away were rookie cornerback M.J. Stewart, whose pick was a very nice diving effort, cornerback Javien Elliott, linebacker Eric Nzeocha and safety Isaiah Johnson had two. Those were the five, and that’s without even mentioning the Hargreaves clip above, which should have been a pick, and a diving pass break up form rookie cornerback Carlton Davis, which also could have been a pick.
Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter answered some questions about the defense’s big day after practice, but wasn’t overly pleased knowing it’s a double standard.
“I think they might have broken the One Buc interception record today,” Koetter said. “Too many interceptions today. This time of year everything’s 50/50. Of course you want to see the defense take the ball away, but you don’t want to see the offense turn it over.”
Perhaps it will be the offense’s turn to strike back next week.