Preseason Week 2 Most Impressive: Bucs at Jets

The Bucs defeated the Jets 13-6 on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium, where the biggest story was who didn’t play at quarterback rather than who did. The contest had some highlight moments, including another standout play for a touchdown and separation in the battle for nickel corner.

These were the most impressive players from the game.

Trey Palmer

Nobody on the Bucs has been on a better run recently than Palmer. He is seriously making a case for WR3 with another exciting play and a touchdown. Palmer did an incredible job of taking in Kyle Trask’s 33-yard touchdown pass by tipping the ball to himself with two Jets defenders in the area. It was just excellent athleticism and body control. He’s showing he can do a little bit of everything in this Bucs’ offense. That was Palmer’s second touchdown of the preseason and both have been highlight-reel worthy.

Sean Tucker

Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photo by: USA Today

There were times when the run game was an atrocity for the Bucs on Saturday night. Tucker finally gave it a glimpse of hope in the second quarter when making a cut to the outside on a fourth-and-1 and going for a 26-yard run. It was the longest run of the game for the Bucs and it wasn’t even close. Tucker led all running backs with 37 rushing yards and also caught a three passes for 18-yards, including a screen pass for a 15-yard gain. Tucker has outplayed Ke’Shawn Vaughn so far. With Chase Edmonds hurt, Tucker has a chance to backup Rachaad White as second on the depth chart.

Zyon McCollum

Many have clamored about McCollum’s subpar tackling, including last week. He was much, much better on Saturday night. Was it perfect? No. But McCollum had at least three moments where it was just him and the ball carrier and McCollum got the job done by taking him down. He made a lot of progress cleaning up his tackling mistakes and ended the night with four tackles including three solo tackles.

Kyle Trask

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: USA Today

This was an interesting one for Trask. Things didn’t come easy to him, but most of it wasn’t his fault. What hurt Trask’s day was some drops from the wide receivers and poor blocking from the offensive line. He started off with some key third down conversions, but took some brutal hits as well. Because of what was going on around him, Trask had to settle for short throws. When he went deep, he was successful by hitting Palmer for the Bucs’ lone touchdown of the game.

Trask had to return as well after a serious injury to John Wolford and played even better. He fired off completions of 15 and 19 yards when many expected Tampa Bay to just run it often. Then, in the fourth quarter out of his own end zone, Trask connected with Rakim Jarrett for a 36-yard completion down the sideline. Mix in all the variables around him and Trask did what he could with what was in front of him. He finished the game completing 20 of his 28 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions and a quarterback rating of 106.

Dee Delaney

With Chris Izien out, the battle for slot corner was highlighted by Delaney and Josh Hayes. Delaney got the start and was solid on the night. Much like McCollum, Delaney was crisp as a tackler with good form. In coverage there weren’t many moments where the Jets’ got the better of him. Delaney doesn’t do anything too flashy, but he’s very steady in his role. Delaney made a savvy interception later in the game after Keenan Isaac broke up a pass near the end zone. Delaney just got underneath the ball enough to take the ball away. It was also recorded as a touchback, giving the Bucs better field position.

Rakim Jarrett 

Jarrett didn’t get into the game until the second half, but it was worth the wait. He was the best receiver in the game for the Bucs, making dazzling catch after dazzling catch. He made receptions battling different defenders and showing off his athleticism to make some great plays. Jarrett was a big reason the Bucs were able to move the ball late in the game. He finished his night leading the Bucs with three receptions for 84 yards.

Cam Gill

Gill is playing like a man who really wants that last outside linebacker role. You have to respect the hustle he brings on every play, especially when he has to chase down runners on the other side of the field. He’s willing to outwork everybody else and clean up some plays if their are missed tackles. Gill’s three tackles don’t exactly light up the screen, but there was more to the box score that shows with him. Then, on the Jets’ final drive, he forced a fumble to finish of the game.

Cade Otton

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

It was only a brief sample size of Otton in the game, but he sure made the most of it. The tight end position was featured often, especially early in the game with quarterback Kyle Trask looking Otton’s way. The second-year tight end made two catches on the opening drive, which both were on third down to keep the drive moving. We’ll see if that can translate to being a reliable third down target during the regular season as the Bucs’ top tight end.

J.J. Russell

After the Bucs had their second straight three-and-out on their third drive, Russell quickly helped get Tampa Bay the ball back by forcing a fumble on the first play of the Jets’ ensuing drive. Russell knocked the ball out of the hands of running back Zonovan Knight, where it was recovered by Anthony Nelson. The Bucs then marched far enough down the field to kick a field goal and tie the game up.

That’s the second week in a row that Russell has forced a turnover. Last week, he recorded an interception against the Steelers, this week its a forced fumble against the Jets. With injuries piling up at inside linebacker, Russell has positioned himself quite well to make it onto the last couple of spots on the roster if he keeps this up.

Will Gholston

Gholston has made his presence known in each game so far. He’s proved to be better than most of the backups that he’s played against in the preseason. Gholston got his hands up and knocked a ball down for a pass breakup that came close to an interception after the ricochet. Not long after, he forced a holding penalty on the Jets from his pass rush that caused Zach Wilson to scramble out of the pocket. He lobbied for the call and got what he wanted. Gholston was brought back by Tampa Bay for depth purposes, and the Bucs should feel confident if he needs to step in this season.

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