The Bucs had been again collectively on the AdventHealth Coaching Heart Wednesday morning for his or her first follow of coaching camp. With partly cloudy skies and temperatures within the excessive 80s with a slight breeze, Tampa Bay started preparations for a 2024 season by which it’s seeking to seize a fifth consecutive playoff berth and a fourth straight NFC South title.
The Bucs, like each group, had been in shorts and helmets to start coaching camp because the pads don’t come on till subsequent week.
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon had been in attendance for the group’s first camp follow. Listed below are their observations.
Bucs Who Had been Not Working towards
After being positioned on the Energetic/Non-Soccer Harm record Tuesday, rookie quarterback Zack Annexstad and second-year tight finish Tanner Taula weren’t taking part in Wednesday’s follow. And, unsurprisingly, veteran outdoors linebacker Randy Gregory as soon as once more did not report. He was changed on the Reserve/Did Not Report record on Tuesday.
Tristan Wirfs Exhibits Up – And Totally Participates Amid Contract Talks
Tristan Wirfs and his camp are within the midst of engaged on a long-term contract extension with the Bucs, they usually’ve but to succeed in an settlement. So, after the 25-year-old “held in” through the obligatory mini-camp in June — he was current to keep away from fines, however didn’t take part — it was value questioning if he would do the identical when coaching camp started on Wednesday.
Bucs Professional Bowl LT Tristan Wirfs IS right here at coaching camp with helmet in hand. Wirfs was current for mini-camp however didn’t take part as he continues to eye a brand new long-term contract with the group. #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/T970eTYkC4
— PewterReport
(@PewterReport) July 24, 2024
As a substitute, Wirfs was on the follow subject and totally taking part in Wednesday’s follow. It wasn’t a shock that Wirfs confirmed up, as he reported to the ability yesterday as anticipated. However the truth that he participated not solely within the warmups but in addition in unbiased and full 11-on-11 durations felt like one of many greater surprises of the day.
Nevertheless, don’t depend Bucs head coach Todd Bowles amongst those that could have been pleasantly shocked by the Professional Bowl left deal with’s full participation.
“No, I’m not shocked to see it,” Bowles stated. “He loves the sport. He likes to play. And he loves his teammates. He did a great job at this time.”
Requested if Wirfs could take a step again as soon as the pads come on in an effort to protect his well being till the contract state of affairs reaches a decision, Bowles was fast and to the purpose.
“He’s rolling,” Bowles stated.
Baker Mayfield And Mike Evans Shine On The First Day Of Bucs Camp
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
After connecting 79 instances for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns final season, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and begin extensive receiver Mike Evans picked up proper the place they left off once they returned to the sphere collectively on Wednesday.
On Mayfield’s first passing try of the group’s 11-on-11 interval, he fired a strike over the center to Evans, which drew an enormous response from the followers in attendance. Evans then caught Mayfield’s second try of the day and later hauled in a pair extra. In case you merely watched Wednesday’s follow with no context, you wouldn’t imagine that Evans is about to show 31 years outdated and start his eleventh NFL season.
“It’s a blessing, at all times, to begin a coaching camp wholesome and exit right here and simply do what I like to do and dwell out my dream,” Evans stated after follow. “Clearly, it’s not simple. It’s troublesome, however I’d fairly be nowhere else than right here. So, I’m completely happy I get to do that. I’ve been seeing photos of me [from] my first camp once I was 240 kilos, off form, however I used to be only a younger, hungry child. I nonetheless have that very same starvation. [I] simply bought smarter.”
As for Mayfield, he was sharp from the get-go on Wednesday. He linked with Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Cade Otton all through the 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 durations. It’s a unique feeling this yr for each Mayfield and the Bucs, as there’s no quarterback competitors the best way there was final yr. Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million cope with the group this offseason and there’s no query as to who’s main the best way heading into 2024.
“Baker has the keys to the bus, and he’s driving it,” Bowles stated. “And he’s snug, we’re snug with him. We’re each in an amazing place proper now. He has to run the offense. We’ve talked about this, so far as getting the ball out the place he must get the ball out and understanding the offense and making the right checks. And I believe he’s taken it upon his shoulders, he got here again in nice form and we count on him to try this. But it surely’s much more stability there then there was final yr.”
Observations And Highlights From Day 1 Of Bucs Coaching Camp
Bucs C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Listed below are some quick-hitting observations from Tampa Bay’s first coaching camp follow:
• As anticipated, there was a little bit of shuffling round with the offensive line on day one. Robert Hainsey and rookie Graham Barton rotated in at heart with the first-team O-line, whereas free agent signees Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta each noticed time at left guard with the beginning unit. Opeta is thought for his run blocking, however bought rocked backwards on the line of scrimmage by Will Gholston on a cross safety play. Opeta is powerful, however not the largest guard at simply 6-foot-4, 305 kilos. Bredeson is barely greater at 6-foot-5, 315 kilos.
• Cornerback Zyon McCollum had a powerful follow, first arising with a diving cross breakup throughout 11-on-11s earlier than taking part in tight protection on Mike Evans on a third-down play later within the interval. Baker Mayfield did full what was a tight-window throw to Evans, but it surely couldn’t have been lined significantly better by McCollum. Mayfield was extremely sharp to open camp on Wednesday.
• Veteran cornerback and former Houston Texan Tavierre Thomas intercepted a Kyle Trask cross off the arms of Sterling Shepard through the 7-on-7 interval.
• Trask later got here again with a pointy throw to Shepard close to the sideline, in the end ending on a powerful word after an up-and-down day.
• John Wolford could also be the most effective third-string quarterback within the league. He’s extremely poised and correct and had a extremely strong day with restricted reps because the group’s third-stringer. Wolford throws a really catchable ball and only a few passes of his hit the bottom or are in harms means. With three years in Los Angeles taking part in in Sean McVay’s Rams offense, together with a few seasons with new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Wolford is aware of extra about this offense than even Baker Mayfield proper now. He’s an enormous asset to the Bucs quarterbacks room.
• Rookie extensive receiver Jalen McMillan has a delicate suddenness and smoothness about him. After catching a cross beneath, McMillan gave a slight head-fake and juked outdoors linebacker Anthony Nelson, who had dropped in protection within the flat, and in addition make robust security Jordan Whitehead miss to choose up a primary down. McMillan’s transfer to separate the Bucs defenders appeared like a savvy veteran transfer. Mike Evans referred to as McMillan “polished” after follow.
• Veteran operating again Chase Edmonds took the backup reps behind Rachaad White on Wednesday, whereas rookie Bucky Irving, the group’s fourth-round choose, was the No. 3 operating again. This isn’t a shock as Edmonds has extra NFL expertise and a greater grasp on the playbook in consequence. Anticipate Irving to get extra reps in camp as the times and weeks progress. Irving’s prompt acceleration was noticeable on an out of doors run that picked up a primary down.
• Rookie Tykee Smith bought the primary reps at nickel cornerback with the beginning protection.
