Top Rookies Clash, ILBs Make Plays fasterkora.xyz

The Bucs were back at the AdventHealth Training Center on Tuesday morning as organized team activities (OTAs) continued ahead of next week’s mandatory mini-camp. Remember, this is a voluntary phase of the offseason, so there were unsurprisingly some veteran players who were not in attendance.

OTAs roll on Wednesday and Thursday, but then comes the team’s mandatory mini-camp next Tuesday through Thursday. After mini-camp, the Bucs will break for the summer before returning for training camp in late July.

While the media will not have access to OTAs the rest of the week, Tuesday’s practice was open, and Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera and Bailey Adams were there to see everything unfold.

Here are Pewter Report’s observations and takeaways from Tuesday at One Buc Place:

Bucs Players In And Out

It was a very similar cast of players who did not participate on Tuesday’s practice. Just another reminder, these practices are not mandatory. Haason Reddick was not seen, although that was expected based on Todd Bowles’ comments yesterday from the Pewter Report Podcast. There was also no sign of wide receivers Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. Rookie outside linebacker David Walker did not participate, but was there with his teammates.

Other players who did not practice but were in attendance included Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Elijah Klein and Christian Izien. Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs was not out at practice, but was at the facility and participated in Tampa Bay’s Cut And Color Funds The Cure event.

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Right tackle Luke Goedeke, who ran individually during last week’s OTA, practiced in full this week.

Bucs’ Top Two Picks Battle Against Each Other

Another welcoming sign for the Bucs was that second-round pick Benjamin Morrison had his playing time increased. He went from working out during just individual drills in rookie mini-camp and OTAs to playing with the whole defense during 11-on-11s and 7-on-7s on Tuesday.

It was assumed at some point we’d get some good competition between first-round pick receiver Emeka Egbuka and the second-round pick in Morrison considering the positions they play. What we didn’t expect was for it to happen so quickly.

Egbuka had some solid reps with quarterback Baker Mayfield looking his way. He caught a slant over the middle and was targeted for a deep ball from Mayfield that was caught in the end zone for a touchdown. The play wouldn’t have counted, though, as Mayfield would have technically been sacked on the play, and as a result, Antoine Winfield Jr. slowed down, allowing Egbuka to gain some ground and make the play. Nonetheless, we’re seeing chemistry built early.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Morrison didn’t show any signs of rust considering he hadn’t played with all 11 on defense in months. He also made an exceptional play toward the end of practice while covering Egbuka on his route. A ball thrown high saw Egbuka leaping into the air and getting his hands onto the football. Morrison made a savvy play and knocked the ball loose to force an incompletion while also colliding into Egbuka, who fell hard to the ground after.

While Egbuka laid on the ground for about a minute, he thankfully was able to get back up and shake it off. Morrison showed off his high football IQ and these seemed like the first of many battles between the highly touted prospects. Head coach Todd Bowles liked the play, but was more concerned about the collision.

“We got to keep Egbuka upright,” Bowles said. “We don’t want an unfortunate thing, but we’re learning everything.”

Bucs ILBs Continue To Get Their Hands On The Ball

At this point when it comes to SirVocea Dennis, one can set their watch to him making a play on the football during this time of the season. Though it wasn’t an interception this time, Dennis once again had Baker Mayfield’s number and jumped in front of a pass in 7-on-7s for the incompletion.

It was Deion Jones who had the highlight interception of the day during 11-on-11s. As quarterback Kyle Trask was throwing over the middle attempting to find tight end Devin Culp, Jones jumped, got his hands on the ball, bobbled it and then secured it as he landed on his back. Trask tried to take a risk and Jones was the beneficiary of it.

“He’s a very good player,” Bowles said of Jones. “Good athlete. For him, that was routine. Anybody else, that would’ve been difficult, but if I give him too much credit he’ll get a big head so I’ll let it go right now.”

Bucs ILB Devin Jones – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That’s two weeks in a row that inside linebackers have continued to make plays whether it be Dennis, Jones or Anthony Walker Jr. It’s a fantastic start for a group that had some questions, but Bowles went as far as to say that linebacker is the best depth that this defense has.

“Defensively right now, I like the depth at where the inside linebackers are at right now,” he said.

Bucs Participate In Cut And Color Funds The Cure

Following practice, the Bucs hosted their 11th annual “Cut And Color Funds The Cure” event to benefit the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Several players got their hair dyed red and orange for the event, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

Chief operating officer Brian Ford got his head shaved in support of the cause, as did Pewter Reporter Bailey Adams. After the cut, Adams also got his hair dyed. Many Bucs legends were in attendance, including Mike Alstott, Martin Gramatica and Dexter Jackson.

To get more information about the organization or to donate, please click this link.

Other Observations From Bucs OTAs: 6-3

• The best offensive play of the day came on a deep ball from Kyle Trask to rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, who got behind Tykee Smith and caught the ball for over a 55-yard touchdown.
• It appeared that the Bucs tried many vertical throws and attempts. That could be a new wrinkle of Josh Grizzard, which may bring down Mayfield’s completion percentage but could lead to more explosive plays.
• Tampa Bay’s corners did a lot of man-to-man cover warmups that hadn’t seen before. Looks like another point of emphasis.
• Mayfield was mostly looking at Jalen McMillan throughout practice. He’s taking advantage of being the top receiver available.
• Avenging his coverage bust, Tykee Smith had a sack later on.
• Going in the red zone, Mayfield threw two touchdown passes in a row, going to Cade Otton and Trey Palmer.
• Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson arguably had sacks on the same play rushing after Mayfield.