Preseason Week 1 Most Disappointing: Bucs vs. Dolphins

It was looking good for the Bucs early on in their 2022 preseason opener as they jumped out to a 14-3 lead. But things took a drastic turn when Tampa Bay tried to orchestrate a two-minute drive in the second quarter. It quickly led to two turnovers, 14 points for the Dolphins and a 20-14 deficit at halftime.

The Bucs were able to bounce back in the second half as Kyle Trask connected with Jerreth Sterns on a great touchdown throw and catch. Jose Borregales also added a 55-yard field goal in the third quarter. But despite the defense playing well in the second half and only allowing field goals, Borregales’ game-winning 49-yard field goal attempt doinked off the post and the Bucs dropped their preseason opener to the Dolphins, 26-24.

Here’s who were the most disappointing players and moments from the Bucs’ first preseason game.

Bucs’ Second Quarter Two-Minute Drill

Trask had a promising first drive, going 7-for-8 with 67 passing yards and orchestrating a touchdown drive. However, when he got the ball back for a two-minute drill, things took a turn for the worse. On a third-down play, Trask was about to get sacked. As he was going to the ground, he attempted to throw a pass to Rachaad White, but it was intercepted. There was no reason to throw the pass. There were Dolphins players everywhere and White had no shot of making a play for a first down. Miami then scored on the next play.

In a chance for redemption, Trask was stripped of the ball on the second play of the next drive, leading to a scoop and score for the Dolphins. In four plays, the Bucs’ lead evaporated. It was a shocking turn of events considering how well everything went before and after that sequence.

OT Brandon Walton

Walton was responsible for allowing the strip sack on Trask, which led to the defensive touchdown. He just got beat on the outside as Darius Hodge got his hand on the ball to knock it out. Sam Eguavoen recovered it and took it in for the touchdown. Walton is fighting for a backup role, and this isn’t going to help.

OT Fred Johnson 

While Walton’s blocking miscue led to the turnover, Johnson isn’t exactly innocent either. Due to the pressure allowed on Johnson’s side, Trask wasn’t able to move in the pocket. It caused him to be stationary, leading to the disastrous play.

RG Aaron Stinnie

Stinnie was penalized for a holding penalty on the second play of the game. It put the Bucs way back on their heels for the opening drive, setting up a 2nd & 16. Stinnie didn’t have many issues after that, but in terms of his competition with Nick Leverett to be a starter, the advantage went to the latter.

CB Zyon McCollum 

Right after the Trask interception, McCollum got cooked by Lynn Bowden Jr. for a touchdown. He beat him badly on the play and was wide open in the corner of the end zone. McCollum is an exciting player, but he has a lot of developing to do. That play was a tough look.

Bucs’ Tackling In The Secondary 

The Dolphins didn’t really have long, sustained scoring drives. In the leadup to one of their field goals in the second quarter, the Bucs allowed gains of 33 and 13 yards, which both could have been much prevented with better tackling. Safeties Chris Cooper and Troy Warner both missed tackles on a receiver, allowing a first down. Tackling was an issue for the Bucs’ secondary last season. It’ll need to be cleaned up by the whole unit this year.

P Jake Camarda

To open up the second half, Camarda sent the opening kickoff out of bounds. That will automatically get you on this list. His first punt of the game was also a low line drive that was caught at the 50, which allowed the returner to move up the field quickly before other Bucs could get down the field. His next punt was good, as it was toward the sideline. Camarda will be fine, but Saturday wasn’t the best debut.

OLB Elijah Ponder

Credit to Ponder for getting into the backfield. But on two separate occasions, he also whiffed on taking the quarterback down. He won half the battle of getting to the passer, but now he just has to finish the rest of the play.

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