The 2024 Buccaneers are by no means a finished team, and the regular season isn’t even half over, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to start sharp rather than sluggish, then have to play catch-up for the rest of training camp.
So what has been the biggest highlight for Todd Bowles over the last couple of weeks? He recently responded to what stood out to him.
What impressed Todd Bowles?
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
“We still have room for improvement with our penalties,” Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said. “We’ve got to get that sorted out. After a week of camp, we’ve got to get used to the pads, get used to the heat and do our job. We still have room to improve.”
“I was really happy with the mentality the guys came into this game. There weren’t any sloppy days. There were some mental mistakes, but there weren’t any sloppy days. The guys are focused and they’re trying to get better.”
Having players with high football IQs has been important to the Bucs this year, which allowed Todd Bowles to bring in offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Cohen comes from a Rams-led offense that requires more focus with multiple plays called at the line of scrimmage. The team has been able to do this because it trusts its players’ study habits and attention to detail.
The veterans were a little more prepared.
Buccaneers LT Tristan Wirfs and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
“The older guys were ready to play, but the younger guys [have] “It’s still a mental thing,” coach Todd Bowles said, “for us coming into this game, mentality is going to be key, especially because we want to see our young guys play. The next few games will tell us a lot (about which rookies to look out for).”
Tampa Bay opens the preseason on the road against the Bengals on Saturday. Bowles hasn’t yet revealed his plans for playing time for the starters. Of course, we’ll see more young players than veterans, but this will be the first time Tampa Bay’s rookie draft picks are shown in a live game.
Coach Todd Bowles isn’t ready to name any of them as starters just yet, but he has mentioned a few rookies who could become mainstays, and their abilities will become more clear as the game progresses.
“[Jalen] McMillan is doing well, Tykee. [Smith] “Bucky [Irving] They’re playing well. There are a lot of them. [Tyrek] Funderburk is in. We’ll see how they play in the game. [are] There are many other players who caught our eye in the match. We will find out more in the next few matches.”
