The Buccaneers wrapped up their last practice in Tampa Bay on Sunday before heading into an off day Monday, with the team set to travel northeast for joint practices against the Jets and the preseason opener. It’s the first time this camp that Tampa Bay will see another opponent, and a fresh chance to find out which practice standouts can carry over when the lights come on.
Sunday leaned heavily toward the offense, but the defense kept plenty of heat in the backfield. A few players made real noise, while others had a tougher time holding up.
Kenny Gainwell was one of the biggest bright spots of the day. He still hasn’t handled the ball a ton as a runner, but he’s becoming a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
The short screens and swing passes have been a steady part of his workload, and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson clearly trusts him to turn those touches into more. That showed up again on Sunday, when Gainwell turned a couple of catches into bigger gains, including one play where he broke free and turned up the left sideline for a chunk play.
Ted Hurst delivered one of the most eye-catching practices of camp so far. The rookie wideout, wearing No. 17, looked the part on two of the day’s biggest plays.
First came a go route down the left sideline against Josh Hayes, where Hurst used strong body control to rise above the coverage and secure the catch as he came down on his back. Later, he went up over Jacob Parrish for a touchdown on a fade ball in the back of the end zone.
After a couple of quieter practices, Hurst finally flashed like a true “X” receiver.
Chris Godwin Jr. also had one of his most active days of camp. In a wide receiver room that’s getting younger around him, he still looks like the steady hand.
He worked early in 11-on-11 periods and finished with at least four catches, plus a nice gain on an end around. Todd Bowles said after practice that “CG” can still be a playmaker for the offense, and Sunday backed that up.
He may not be a big-play burner anymore, but he should be a major part of the short and intermediate passing game.
David Walker keeps showing up in these recaps for a reason. The second-year pass rusher notched a would-be sack for the ninth straight practice and got more run with both the first- and second-team defenses.
He also took advantage of Ben Chukwuma, beating him on consecutive snaps and racing into the backfield. Walker’s stock keeps climbing because there hasn’t been a practice yet where he hasn’t flashed.
Ayden Garnes continued making a strong case for a roster spot. With Benjamin Morrison injured, Garnes has made the most of his chances in the secondary, and Sunday brought two pass breakups on throws aimed at Dean Patterson IV and Eric Rivers Jr. He’s been aggressive around the ball all camp, and among the depth corners, he has clearly separated himself.
Not everyone had a smooth morning. Eric Rivers Jr. remains stuck in search of a breakthrough.
The hyped undrafted free agent, known for his 4.35 40-yard time and college production, hasn’t turned that promise into much in camp. He’s also been getting beat by former FIU and Georgia Tech teammate Dean Patterson IV, including Sunday.
Route nuance has been an issue, and in a crowded receiver room, Rivers hasn’t done enough to stand out.
Cody Mauch had a rougher day in the trenches. The defense brought pressure often, and Mauch was on the ground twice as the pocket collapsed around him. He’s still working back from the season-ending knee injury he suffered last year, but there’s rust there, and he’ll need to clean that up before the season starts.
Ben Chukwuma also ran into trouble against the pass rush. The developmental tackle has been getting plenty of work at left tackle with Tristan Wirfs not yet participating, but Sunday exposed some growing pains.
David Walker and other edge rushers got by him more often than he has been beaten this camp. Chukwuma still has a high ceiling, but the learning curve is obvious.
Scott Reynolds and Adam Slivon broke down Sunday’s practice on the Pewter Report Podcast on PewterReportTV’s YouTube channel.
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