Where Have The Bucs Made The Most Progress?

The Bucs have about six or seven weeks before they are back to practicing for training camp. While there’ll be a hold on high-level performances during this time off in the summer, that’s not to say that the Bucs haven’t already made strides as a team after wrapping up OTAs and three mini-camp practices.

Bucs OLBs coach George Edwards and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Steps have been taken forward for this Tampa Bay roster. There’s been a major emphasis on proper focus as each side has been working with new players.

“I thought we made good progress with the learning, especially on the offensive side of the ball,” head coach Todd Bowles said after mini-camp was done. “The communication picked up on defense. We’ve got a lot of young guys – they need a lot of reps. A lot of them took reps today and we’re going to get a lot of reps. We’re going to get a lot more once training camp starts, but I thought it ended on a good note.”

Todd Bowles’ Message To The Bucs

Before the team parted ways, the Bucs head coach had one last message to his players for the summer. While the national media may not have the highest expectations for the Bucs, this group knows they are on the cusp of playing great. The work needs to be put in at this time of the season because they have some tough opponents ahead.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Just the understanding of what we have ahead of us,” Bowles said. “We play both Super Bowl teams, we play everybody that was in the championship game, plus the division itself and some other teams. We’re going to have a hell of a schedule. We know how hot it’s going to be in summer, [so] it’s really just coming back in shape, ready to compete. There’s a lot of things that can happen between here and next month – don’t be that guy getting in trouble.”

To Bowles’ point, Tampa Bay heads to Detroit in Week 2 and then later on has a gauntlet of opponents from Weeks 8 to 11 with games against the Ravens and Falcons, at the Chiefs and then home again facing the 49ers. Plus, they head to Dallas in Week 16 for a primetime game.

It’s challenging, but also a fine opportunity for the Bucs to show what they’re made of.

Bucs OL Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Standouts From Bucs’ Mini-Camp

Headlines that come about on the way to training camp are the positional battles that are set to take place. As far as starting positions go, starting left guard is near the top of the list. That’s what made it so interesting hearing Bowles name the top two contenders as players that impressed during mini-camp considering that linemen can’t show any physicality at this point with no pads on.

Bowles also mentioned two other players that may have a shot at making the team for the season.

“I would say, obviously, [Ben] Bredeson from the [New York] Giants, he comes up,” Bowles said. “It’s not a popular name, but he comes up. As well as [Sua Opeta]. Both guards come up. That’s going to be a heck of a battle – I’m really looking forward to seeing that right there. [Tyrek] Funderburk comes up – he’s a guy that’s flashed out of pads. Everybody else, you’re going to have to see. [Eric] Banks has come up – Banks has showed something that we’re interested in seeing in pads. We’re going to have to see.”