The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got through their eighth day of training camp on Friday, and the weather made sure everyone felt it. With no cloud cover and a brutal sun overhead, it was a far hotter setup than the rest of camp, and it came as the second-to-last practice before the team heads to New York for a matchup with the Jets.
Availability was once again part of the story. Wide receivers Tez Johnson, Jalen McMillan and David Sills were all out.
Johnson is dealing with a groin strain that could sideline him for a bit, McMillan is still working back from a knee injury, and Sills hurt his knee during a special teams period in Tuesday’s practice. Cornerback Benjamin Morrison also missed practice.
A few familiar names returned, though. Linebacker Alex Anzalone was back after sitting out Thursday as a rest day, and the other two veterans who typically get those days off - Chris Godwin and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson - were also on the field.
Head coach Todd Bowles said offensive guard Billy Schrauth, who was spotted wearing a knee brace and moving with a limp, is simply sore and will be out for a “few days.” Running back Kenny Gainwell and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson were both absent for personal reasons and are expected back Sunday.
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs and nose tackle Vita Vea, both hurt during conditioning tests, did not practice.
The most encouraging buzz on the offensive side continues to come from Dean Patterson. The Georgia Tech wideout, a tryout player during rookie minicamp and a local from Lutz, impressed Tampa Bay enough to earn a roster spot, and he’s making that decision look pretty smart so far. Patterson already put up two touchdowns in Tuesday’s red zone work, and he kept rolling Friday with a strong sideline catch in tight coverage early in practice and another touchdown on a precise throw to the back of the end zone during red zone drills.
While some others, including Garrett Greene, looked sluggish, Patterson kept showing up. If he’s going to hang around, special teams will matter, but his camp has definitely turned heads.
Emeka Egbuka’s battle against press and one-on-one coverage was another clear focal point. One of the questions around his game last year was how he handled that kind of physical defense, and Friday’s reps didn’t do much to quiet the concern.
Ayden Garnes stayed on him during a deep shot and used his strength to knock the ball away. Later, Zyon McCollum won his one-on-one battle with Egbuka on another deep attempt, leaping to tip the ball up and then coming down with the interception on the final play of practice.
Egbuka has plenty of talent and has already shown he can create separation in space, but the next step is obvious: he has to get better against press and man coverage if he’s going to be a true WR1.
In Other News...
Bucs Contract Tension With Baker Mayfield And Vita Vea Just Got Real
The Buccaneers are spending part of the offseason trying to steady two of their most important pieces, and general manager Jason Licht made it clear the front office would like both situations to move forward without a major shakeup. Vita Vea is heading into the final year of his deal, while Baker Mayfield has already made his frustration known about not having an extension in place, putting Tampa Bay in a familiar position where contract business is rubbing up against on-field priorities.
Lichts comments offered some reassurance about the broader direction, even if they did not exactly settle the tension. The club still wants Mayfield around on a long-term basis, and there remains a fallback option if a deal never comes together. With Vea drawing interest elsewhere and the quarterback situation still unresolved, the Bucs have some important decisions to navigate before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Baker Mayfield Is Giving The Bucs Exactly What They Need In Camp
Training camp has brought no shortage of questions for quarterbacks around the league, but Baker Mayfield has given Tampa Bay a steady answer so far. Even without a contract extension in hand, the Buccaneers starter has kept his approach locked in, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said Mayfield has been consistent, accountable and every bit the competitor the team needs heading into the season.
Robinson also pointed to growth in the parts of Mayfields game that matter most in camp, especially how he is working through his reads and making plays from inside and outside the pocket. For a team that already knows what Mayfield brings in terms of toughness and energy, the encouraging part is that the progression has shown up in the details, not just the attitude. [Read more 🡒]
Jon Gruden Is Back In A Bucs Role Fans Will Notice
Jon Gruden is set to return to a familiar setting in a way Buccaneers fans will notice right away, calling the teams second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22 as the play-by-play announcer. The assignment puts him back in the broadcast booth for a franchise he once led on the sideline, adding another layer to a preseason matchup that already carries some extra interest.
In a press conference, Gruden said he was excited about the role and noted hell be working alongside Ronde Barber. He also looked back on his previous broadcasting experience and spoke about how much he still enjoys football and the Buccaneers, which makes this a notable reunion even if it comes with a very specific view from the booth rather than the sideline. [Read more 🡒]