The Buccaneers’ training camp concluded Wednesday at AdventHealth Training Center with one final exclamation point: The Miami Dolphins were there for a joint workout before their final preseason game Friday night at Raymond James Stadium.
It was a hot day, but the clouds rolled in as practice drew to a close just before noon. Tension was palpable throughout the game, but Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and his players were frustrated that the game started later than originally scheduled and then picked up pace as the day went on.
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Bayley Adams, Adam Slivon and Isaiah Delgado attended practice on Wednesday. Here’s what they thought:
Bucks not practicing
The Buccaneers’ list of players who did not practice Wednesday was largely the same as it has been in recent days — Justin Sukur, Christian Idienne, Kayvon Meriweather, Yaya Diaby, Rakim Jarrett, Tyreek Funderburk, Jordan Whitehead and John Wolford were among those who did not practice with the Dolphins — but there were some bright spots on the injury front for Tampa Bay.
Whitehead, who has been sidelined since late July with a quad injury, stretched with the team during practice and then ran on the sideline. He looked healthy and, as expected, on track to be ready in time for the Week 1 game against the Commanders on Sept. 8.
Defensive tackle Greg Gaines returned to practice after missing the past two days, and inside linebacker Cervosia Dennis also wore a black no-contact jersey during Wednesday’s practice, but rookie tight end Devin Culp was not wearing a jersey as he returned to full participation and full 11-on-11 team drills.
As for Funderburk, he no longer wears a boot on his foot, which was a positive step for the rookie cornerback.
Rookie cornerback Tyreek Funderburk wasn’t in uniform stretching with the rest of the team, but he wasn’t wearing cleats, which is a good sign for him. pic.twitter.com/bN5qPoIbR1
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 21, 2024
A day of Bucks and Dolphins action
The Buccaneers and Dolphins went head-to-head for much of the morning at One Back Place. Both teams worked individually at first before going one-on-one. The Dolphins defense may have had a tough time beating the Buccaneers receivers, but there were several times when the defensive backs were or should have been called for interference. The Tampa Bay receivers also had a high-profile win, with birthday boy Mike Evans getting an easy win early on with a throw, and then Jalen McMillan putting up one of the best practices of the day with a deep pass.
#Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan wins #Dolphins CB Isaiah Johnson deep on the play pic.twitter.com/RglsfGjh7k
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 21, 2024
Rookie receiver Kameron Johnson also got some distance with one catch. Made an athletic jump catch This was just the beginning of an overall great day for Johnson.
Down the field in the second, Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith beat safety Marcus Banks on one pass, fellow tight end Durham Smythe beat veteran Lavonte David on another play, and running back Devon Achan beat cornerback Bryce Hall deep on a wheel route on another play.
Buccaneers DB Tykee Smith – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
In one-on-one situations, the Buccaneers defense had other big losses, with Braxton Berrios scoring on a big gain on a deep pass from Tua Tagovailoa after Tykee Smith fell behind in coverage.
Back on the field in the next period, the Buccaneers offensive line countered the Dolphins pass rush. Rookie Chop Robinson beat Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs on one repetition and pushed him back with force, but Wirfs fought back on the next repetition and contained the rookie from Penn State. Then right tackle Luke Goedeke shoved Robinson to the ground on an 11-on-11 repetition.
Goedeke was also solid in one-on-one situations, while second-year guard Cody Moetsch stood up and held off veteran Callie Campbell for an impressive win.
The Buccaneers and Dolphins have a slight advantage overall in defense.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
The 11-on-11, two-minute period was won by both teams’ defenses. The Buccaneers defense started the game with a highlight play in an 11-on-11 matchup with the Dolphins offense: Zion McCollum intercepted Tua Tagovailoa near the sideline. McCollum then intercepted a pass on another play in the red zone. Tavier Thomas intercepted another pass on a pass to Braxton Berrios. Perhaps the only big play for Miami’s offense came when Berrios caught a deep ball and beat safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
In the two-minute drill, the Buccaneers defense went down the field without allowing a first down. They also protected a fourth-down play during the drive that was denied by Jamel Dean.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins defense nearly beat the Buccaneers offense. Jalen McMillan had another big play on the field, beating Miami’s secondary for a 50+ yard touchdown. Mike Evans also got a win on his 31st birthday, but when it came to the two-minute drill, Miami’s defense also left the field without allowing Tampa Bay to move the chains.
Baker Mayfield was sacked on the opening play, but the Dolphins were flagged to negate the play, but from there, Tampa Bay’s first-team attack ended as tight coverage forced three consecutive incomplete passes, including one that was nearly intercepted. Things didn’t go any better for the second-team, with a sack of Kyle Trask, a short pass to Cody Thompson and another incomplete pass ending the attack.
After that, the Buccaneers offense and Dolphins defense traded big plays. First, Thompson made the catch after a scramble. Mayfield completed a perfect 40-yard pass between two defenders, after which Kyle Trask was intercepted by Miami safety Mark Perry.
Observations and highlights from Bucks Camp Day 18
Buccaneers QB Kyle Trask – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Below are some quick observations from Tampa Bay’s 18th training camp practice.
- Kameron Johnson was perhaps the star of the night for the Buccaneers’ offense, making some catches in addition to his production on the ground. Tampa Bay has used him in creative ways throughout camp, and the rookie could make his NFL debut on Friday night against the Dolphins and ultimately make the final 53-man roster.
- After Trask’s interception, he dropped right back and set up Johnson for a big gain over the middle after the former Barton College star broke away from his defender.
- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin continued to find space, and they shared the same stances as Baker Mayfield in many drills. Evans had a 30-yard catch on 11-on-11 and Godwin caught a pass underneath for an intermediate gain.
- Running backs Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker showed some impressive running ability when they had space, but Miami’s run defense also did a good job of closing down running lanes.
- As expected, Vita Vea had some big one-on-one wins during practice on Wednesday.
- Veteran defensive back Tavierre Thomas also intercepted several passes on the day.
- Tampa Bay’s secondary may not have been as tested as some hoped when this joint practice was first announced, with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. all missing practice with injuries.
- Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles confirmed after practice that Ben Bredeson will be the team’s starting left guard.
- Derrick Brooks, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Buccaneers Ring of Honor member, participated in practice on Wednesday.
