Bucs Camp Insider 8-18: DBs Dig Their Own Grave

The Bucs took part in the second day of joint practices with the Titans in Nashville today. With less cloud cover it was noticeably warmer today than yesterday.

Missing From Practice/Injuries

Mike Evans and Russell Gage continued to not practice as they nurse hamstring injuries. Chris Godwin did return to practice today after an off day yesterday but did not participate in team drills. Keanu Neal was out after suffering a right upper-arm injury that will keep him laid up until at least week one of the regular season.

During practice there were several notable injuries that we will follow-up on. Right tackle Tristan Wirfs, cornerback Zyon McCollum and wide receiver Tyler Johnson did not finish practice.

Bucs Offensive Line Had A Bounce Back Day

After mostly losing in one-on-ones and during early team drills on Wednesday, the Bucs offensive line looked much improved today. Dylan Cook, Luke Goedeke, Tristan Wirfs, Robert Hainsey and Donovan Smith all had good days. Wirfs and Smith in particular looked dominant. Wirfs had a rep where he executed a snatch-and-grab, faceplanting the edge rusher into the ground. Brandon Walton, Shaq Mason, Josh Wells and Nick Leverett all had both good and bad reps. Fred Johnson either looked fantastic or terrible on any given rep. He seemed to be dealing with a tweaked right foot/ankle. But there was one rep in particular where he overset for a speed rush to the outside, only to give an easy path to the quarterback on an inside counter.

Bucs Quarterbacks And Receivers Not On Same Page

During the 11-on-11’s to end practice, both Kyle Trask and Blaine Gabbert had trouble getting their respective squads going. Gabbert, who has had a good camp overall, especially struggled. He threw into double and even triple coverage on several occasions. However, it was Trask who through the lone pick of the day on a pass to the end zone intended for Vyncint Smith. Smith had a good catch on the right sideline but dropped multiple passes otherwise.

Bucs Secondary Looked Lost

Bucs CB Dee Delaney – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Throughout the day the Titans receivers had their way with the Bucs secondary. Carlton Davis III might have been the only player who did not look bad. Beyond him, everyone else struggled. Head coach Todd Bowles said after practice that the group looked tired again and did not play well. Let’s hope they get some rest before Saturday’s game.

“I wasn’t pleased with the team,” Bowles said. “It wasn’t just the defensive backs – it was the team. Today I thought everybody had a lot more energy and played hard. We still made a few mistakes, but they played as a team, played well together and communicated as a team.”

Let’s Get Physical

Early in practice Bucs defensive linemen Patrick O’Connor and Deadrin Senat got into a small scuffle with the Titans offensive line. By the time the last play of the day had finished the two teams had had enough of the simmering tensions and Bucs running back Leonard Fournette threw a punch at Titans Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. This caused a larger fight to break out between the two teams before Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was able to start tossing people like they were teenagers at a 21 and up night club.

“It was unfortunate the last play to try to get into a skirmish,” Bowles said. “We got good work against these guys. They have a good team. We feel like we have a good team, and there is no need for that in practice. Luckily, none of it went far and we got it taken care of.”