Defensive Depth

Coach Koetter had nothing but good things to say when discussing the improvement of his defense and how much Mike Smith has changed things up.

On Defense, they've been doing great. Very excited for not only how hard they're playing but how much they're buying in tho what Smitty's (D-coordinator Mike Smith) doing. Smitty blitzed a lot last night, played a lot of man coverage when he wasn't blitzing. Players have bought in. I think we have... were developing our depth especially across the front line. I think we got good depth at corner.

The defense has improved leaps and bounds from last year already based purely on pass rush and scheme understanding. Just having players understand their assignments helps that much more and it seems like this defense is easier to understand than Lovie Smiths. Koetter made sure to speak about the depth across the dline as there seems to be a nice combination of speed and power all the way through it. One thing he didn't mention was depth at the safety position which to me still seems to be a big achilles heel in this defense.

Player Analysis: Josh Allen

Little known Josh Allen played a huge role on Fridays preseason game against the Browns and is making a big push to finally make his first 53 man roster. Allen still only 24, hails from University of Louisiana at Monroe and has spent his first 3 years jumping on and off the Bucs and Green Bay Packers practice squads. He was originally signed by Tampa as an undrafted free agent and also made his NFL debut with the Bucs in 2014 against the Panthers.

Allen was on injured reserve all of last year but looks as if he has come back strong as his performance from Fridays game got coach Koetters attention.

Josh Allen, that was huge what Josh Allen did last night. I mean Josh steps up and plays 40 plays at left guard.

Allen was the beneficiary from all the injured guards (Sweezy, Marpet, Pamphile) who didn't play and he showed his ability to fill in and perform. Going over the game tape Allen seemed to always be in control of his position. He looked as if he was comfortable and knew his assignments. Where he shined the most was during pulling run plays where he could get on the move and push players around. He most resembles former Buccaneer guard Davin Joseph as he is a large man himself at 6'3 and 315 pounds with the long dreadlocks that cover his name and number.

Allen made a huge statement against the Browns and people will say it was preseason and it was against the Browns who don't have anyone but out of the 5 lineman he stood out the most. Allen is really pushing to make this roster and it shows the depth of the Bucs Oline and the ability of coach Warhop and Butch to get these guys playing at such a high level.

Freeney/Mathis Combo?

The combination of Jacquies Smith and Noah Spence has looked really good this preseason as you can frequently see both of them flying around the corner getting after the quarterback. There once were 2 shorter speed rushers in Indianapolis that were really a terror for QBs and actually won a super bowl together. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis formed quite a duo in their prime with Indy and the bucs might have the makings of something similar here.

Smith and Spence resemble the duo as they are both 6'2 and weight about 250 lbs which is considered smaller for a defensive end. What made Freeney and Mathis so special were their get offs and ability to get Tackles off their base so that they could manipulate them however they would please. Tampa's duo have been showing that get off and speed off the edge consistently this preseason. Again its preseason but you have to give credit where its due.

Spence is still a rookie and has to learn more pass rush moves to master his craft but he already is showing the makings of being a pure edge rusher. They may or may not be starters come the regular season but you better believe when its 3rd and long those two will be on the field together with ears pinned back ready to fly to the quarterback.

Negatives From Preseason Game 3

Everyone looks good when you win but there still were mistakes and bad plays mixed in the 30-13 victory the bucs had over the browns.

CB height:

Brent Grimes was one of the bucs big acquisitions over the offseason and he was worth every penny of it, but his height is what everyone was scared about going against all the taller receivers in the NFC south (Jones, Benjamin, etc). I'm not saying Grimes is over the hill and isn't any good, I'm just saying the lack of height obviously showed and not just on the two deep throws to Josh Gordon. Terrelle Pryor used his bigger frame as well to body the ball in front of the smaller Grimes. Teams will be able to game plan against this slight weakness. The height issue goes for all of our corners, not just Grimes.

Safety Position:

Safety has been the most glaring weakness to me on the bucs roster. No one has clearly stood out and made any plays to warrant needing to be in the starting lineup. On both deep balls to Gordon there was no safety in sight, leaving Grimes on an island. It also seemed like on the deep 44 yard pass on 3rd and long in the first that Grimes played the underneath route, trusting that he would have safety help. Now this could be a miscommunication, but who was it on? Grimes or Conte? Based on the lack of safety help is looks as if the bucs will be susceptible to the deep ball again this year. The defense looks as if they are molded to get pressure to prevent the deep ball but if the pressure isn't there it won't look pretty.

Fullback Position:

The Bucs may not even go with a fullback at all this year and just have 3 tight end sets as no one on the roster can play the position well. Dan Vitale, although an amazing athlete and fan favorite, got called for holding on his first play as fullback. Vitale needs to learn the position as he wasn't asked to be a blocker in college and he shouldn't be learning in a game situation.

Missed throws:

Jameis isn't perfect, there were plays he left on the field last night that during the regular season could have been interceptions or costly drive staller. Jameis no doubt is our franchise QB and has shown signs of progression already but he holds himself to a higher standard than anyone else and I'm pretty sure he knows he needs to put the ball in a better position for his receivers.

Positives From Preseason Game 3

Tampa put on a show in the 30 to 13 win over the Cleveland Browns and both sides of the ball showed great signs of how good they can be. Here are a list of the positives to take away from it all.

Offensive Line:

Many bucs fans seemed to be worried about the oline as if they weren't one of the strengths of this team and without question they proved it yesterday. Even without offseason acquisition J.R. Sweezy, Ali Marpet and Kevin Pamphile the offensive line had their way with the Browns Dline. One lineman in particular that stood out was fill in guard Josh Allen as he was mauling guys on every play and no doubt showed his value to coaches as well as showing the depth of the Oline. Winston consistently had time to make throws and work through his progressions, evident by the multiple down the field throws.

Defensive Line:

The Dline line looked terrific. The overall speed across the line is amazing. McCoy and Ayers looked like the veterans they are and consistently pushed the pocket. Jack Smith and Noah Spence when in together were flying around the corners drawing RG3 in to McCoy and company. The Dline accounted for 7 of the 8 sacks on the night and always seemed to rush the throws. Most of the sacks came on 4 man rushes which brings back signs of the bucs great Dlines of the past. Can't forget to mention William Gholston and Howard Jones who both got sacks yesterday and continue to make plays.

Special Teams:

Robert Aguayo! He was no doubt the biggest question mark of the preseason. Everyone thought his confidence was shot and that he was a waste of a second round pick. Well he proved that he can make kicks going 6 for 6, 3 Field goals of 48, 21 and 27 yards and 3 extra points. Its only one preseason game but going 100% is movement in the right direction, especially when the first kick was the deep 48 yard kick after having to face all the scrutiny all week. Aguayo is no doubt the bucs kicker and the more kicks he gets the better. Also the punt return team looked great. Adam Humphries had a 73 yard return for a touchdown but it was mainly from key blocks from guys like starting CB Verner and Rookie Noah Spence.

No huddle Offense:

Pretty much the entire first half the bucs were in a no huddle offense. Winston took total control of the offense and made plenty of nice reads to dismantle the Browns defense. Yes, there weren't many rushing plays but there often isn't going to many during a 2 minute no huddle offense. Winston came out of the game with 259 yards and 2 touchdowns in one half. Beautiful numbers which were mostly run in the no huddle offense and best of all, NO interceptions.

Winston/Evans Connection:

Winston and Evans look as if they are both ready for week one. Evans seems to have found his hands again as he caught everything that touched his fingers. They hooked up on many timing throws and plenty trust throws where Evans is just bigger than the corner and Winston is throwing it up exception Evans to win the battle. Evans came out with 5 catches for 115 yards and 1, 37 yard touchdown that was a thing of beauty. They are primed for one productive season.

These are good signs but again it is preseason and can't get too high as there is more work to be done. The main thing is the team will be full strength for the most part to start the regular season which is 2 weeks away.

Five Players Who Need to Step Up

Tonight we will get a good look at most of the starters as they will play into the third quarter against the Browns. The Bucs also return to Raymond James Stadium for the first time since last season so hopefully we can start the home slate with a win even though its preseason. With roster cuts around the corner, I wanted to take a look at 5 players whom I feel need a good performance tonight.

1.) WR-Kenny Bell- There were big expectations going in for this season for Mr.Bell but for some reason he has having trouble producing on the field. I see the ability there but he has to find a way to be productive when he is out there and so far that hasn't been the case. Hopefully tonight he can show some flashes of that potential that is in him.

2.) RB-Peyton Barber-  Tonight will be big for Barber as he is trying to impress the coaches enough to gain  the 3rd Rb spot. I think Barber will bring the intensity tonight and hopefully can show what he can do in the run and pass game.

3.) S-Major Wright- Yes he is in trouble of being cut I believe due to the emergence of Ryan Smith and Keith Tandy whom both continue to make plays. Wright is a solid veteran but he might be in trouble if he doesn't make any plays tonight.

4.) CB- Johnthan Banks- I was really high on Banks going into training camp as I thought for sure he was going to bounce back in a big way. Unfortunately it hasn't happen as Banks has fallen to the bottom of the depth chart and is struggling to gain any ground. I hope he can get some time with the ones and twos tonight to show something but it's not looking good for him.

5.) DT/DE- Cliff Mathews- Matthews is someone who has come on strong as of late and was a starter last week with McCoy out. If he can have a solid game tonight, he could make this team as the fourth DT if the team decides to keep 4. Matthews has good agility and strength along with some decent pass rush moves. Keep an eye on him tonight.

Good Test For the Defense This Week

The Bucs defense has been solid so far in their two preseason games but not perfect as their redzone D needs some work as they have allowed 3 Tds in 3 attempts. This week they go against a good test in the Cleveland Browns who have athleticism across the board at their skilled positions. Starting with the Qb in Robert Griffin who has a big arm and is dangerous on the run, so it will be interesting to see if the Bucs front four can harass him and make him make mistakes. The Browns have plenty of speed with Corey Coleman, Josh Gordon, and Andrew Hawkins. Then they have versatile guys in running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson along with a reliable tight end in Gary Barnidge.

With the defense playing at least the first half we should see a good preview of what this defense is going to bring this season. The Bucs are very athletic on defense and should match up well with the Browns athleticism on offense. Hopefully we can see the pass rush return and play like it did against the Eagles. The secondary was pretty good last week so hopefully they can put a complete game together in which the rush and coverage play well. The Browns will run some spread option along with some zone read with RG3 which will be good for the defense to see as the Panthers do similar things in their offense.

The key matchup I will be watching is Noah Spence against pro bowl left tackle Joe Thomas which will be good work for the rookie. Another matchup will be Hargreaves vs Corey Coleman which will be a great battle of two superior athletes. The main things to watch though is can the defense get off the field on third down and make some stops in the redzone because that will be key in the regular season. Tomorrow will provide some answers but most of all it will be a good matchup and test against the Browns.

Better Execution Needed on Offense

The Bucs offense has been up and down throughout the preseason so far as they have shown flashes of potential but it has been inconsistent for the most part. Better execution is needed from the group especially from Jameis Winston as he has missed some throws that he usually makes. Hopefully we see it Friday against the Browns as the offense will get a half to find some rhythm and consistency on offense. Jameis being the leader he is put the blame on himself and that it's his job to get the offense off to a better start per Gary Shelton.

“Execution,” he said. “You can’t have setbacks; you can’t turn the ball over. In our first two games, I had a turnover in that second drive that we had against Jacksonville (Jaguars), and I had a turnover in the first drive against the (Philadelphia) Eagles. You can’t have turnovers – like I said that’s on me, that’s why I said it’s on me, so I have to own that and bounce back and start fast.”

 “It isn’t a secret formula you’ve got to just execute in everything, mentally, physically, every aspect of the game because if you don’t do good you’re going to try to find something to nitpick and say, ‘Oh you didn’t do this.’ So you’ve got to get better at every aspect of the game. Building on your positives, eliminating the negatives.”

It is all about execution and being sharp on the details because that is what makes the difference from being a good offense to a great offense. This offense has the potential to be great but it needs the whole group to be honed in on the little details. Hopefully tomorrow we see some tempo and pace with the offense and they can produce some touchdowns in the redzone.

Bucs Depth at O-Line Being Tested

Today the Bucs were without one of their starting lineman as right guard Ali Marpet was held out of practice and was wearing a walking boot on his right foot. Fortunately for the Bucs they have some quality depth as they moved Evan Smith to RG today but it looks like the Marpet injury is nothing serious. With JR Sweezy in question, the Bucs can't afford any major injuries to the offensive line as the depth has been tested already throughout this training camp.

Hopefully Marpet can return to the field quickly as the Bucs are just better with him in the lineup. Good thing the Bucs have guys like Evan Smith and Godser Cherlius who can step in and start if necessary. Another good sign is that rookie guard/tackle Caleb Benenoch returned to practice today after missing the last 3 weeks with an ankle injury. Benenoch has good ability and hopefully can get up to speed quickly because he could be a valuable reserve this season. So some good and bad for the offensive line today, hopefully this is just a minor setback and they can get right for the season opener which is just 18 days away.

Koetter Demands Juice!

Dirk Koetter expects one thing from his players at all times and that is energy. He calls it juice and for the second time in the last two weeks the offensive unit came out flat which is just unacceptable. Koetter is trying to get his offense to play with tempo and pace on an consistent level because that is what the good offenses in the NFL have. Dirk Koetter was not happy and let the media know right away per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.

"No juice. No juice," Koetter said. "No one wanted to practice today. ... We had balls tipped, we had poor throws and we had bad protection. Bad combination. ... Overall, a bad day on offense. I wasn't on the dfefensive field and Coach (Mike) Smith said we did fine over there."

I love this because it reminds me of Jon Gruden and how he would always say "you better bring juice everyday or it's going to be a long practice". Koetter is straight forward and won't hesitate to let guys know that they need to pick it up. I expect the offense to come out firing tomorrow but this should be an everyday thing as players should have the energy and motivation for every practice. I'm glad Koetter is holding these guys to an higher standard because they need to bring it all the time not just once in a while. Better bring the juice or as a player you might be seeing the bench under coach Koetter.

Bucs Are Built to Run The Ball

The Bucs put an emphasis on running the football last night and were successful as they rushed for over 150 yds. We saw 2 and 3 tight end sets on multiple occasions which allowed the Bucs to run inside or outside effectively. The Bucs were one of the better running teams last season as they were 5th in the league. The Bucs offensive personnel are built to run the football as it features a offensive line that loves to run block along with two big receivers who are both excellent run blockers. Dirk Koetter and his staff do a great job of putting together simple run blocking schemes which focuses on isolating defenders for the running backs to take advantage of.

This offense is a run first mixed in with a vertical passing game which suits Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson perfectly. It's a perfect offense for Jameis Winston as it allows him to take bigger drops off play action which provides more time for him to throw downfield. With a great RB tandem in Martin and Sims, the Bucs have quitely form a dominant running team when they are committed to it. Koetter wants a physical team that can impose its will against other teams and with the personnel the Bucs have they should be able to.

The play above shows what the Bucs can do in the ground game as they are built to run the football effectively. This team has an identity finally and it should be fun to watch as we get closer to the start of the regular season. Hopefully, the Bucs continued to stay committed to the ground game becuase their personnel is built to run the football.

Slow Starts by Jameis Just Can't Happen

Slow starts have been an issue for the Bucs so far this preseason which is something this team can't afford during the regular season. Specifically the Qb who must set the tone and be sharp to start the game. If the Bucs want to be a winning team this year, then Jameis has to make it a priority to start fast and be precise with his throws. Jameis can't start 0-6 with 1 int to begin the game, just can't have it and Jameis knows he has to be better or the Bucs will struggle to win games this season. Dirk Koetter knows this and told the media today that they have to get Jameis off to better starts.

Dirk Koetter: We need to get Jameis Winston off to a quicker start in games.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 21, 2016

The good news is Jameis did do better on the Td drive that resulted in a 4 yd Td pass to Mike Evans. However, misses to Vincent Jackson and then Evans down the sideline just can't happen as those plays are staples of this offense and must be perfected. Again Jameis will get better as he goes because he still needs more experience but when there are plays to be made he has to hit them. Thankfully it's preseason and there is still time to get things to where they should be.

Young DB's Have a Good Day

Yesterday the Bucs secondary came away with 4 interceptions and 3 were from rookies Vernon Hargreaves (2) and Ryan Smith (1). Hargreaves has looked as good as advertised in these first 2 preseason games and might even be pushing to be one of the top 2 corners. Ryan Smith made his first big splash of the preseason as well as icing the game with his late 4th quarter interception. Smith spoke to the media after the game describing how his progression has been.

I'm still learning the plays, its slowing down a little bit but I'm making the best of it at safety. Just gotta keep leaning and I'll be ok.

On him and VH3 getting interceptions.

Were getting better everyday. You know we came in here, they put a lot on us, in our books and film, The more we learn, the faster we play, the better we look. So we keep learning were going to be great. 

Smith has a long way to go before he see's any substantial playing time during the season but he has the right mindset moving forward. He was delayed early in training camp due to an injury but he has all the athletic ability to be a fast pace safety that can also play a little corner. The bucs have young talent on the rise and all seem to have their head on straight and have a goal of being great.

Will The Front Four Dominate Again Tonight?

Last week against the Eagles, the Bucs defensive line stood out as they racked up 4 sacks and were applying pressure on the Qb throughout the game. Bucs d-line coach Jay Hayes had the front four humming and the use of the rotation was fun to watch. Robert Ayers and Noah Spence showed flashes of what they can do for this front four this season. Clinton Mcdonald and Howard Jones had big games as well with a sack each and were in the backfield often. The big question though is can the front four do it again tonight against the Jaguars whom have a more potent offense.

The answer is yes, the Bucs D-line has been the best position group throughout this training camp and I expect that to continue tonight. The Bucs finally have a rotation in which they can roll out multiple guys that can be productive and not lose much when the top guys go out. Bucs DE Will Gholston will make his debut tonight which makes this d-line even more stout especially against the run. I think he will show his impact right away and hopefully he can display something as a pass rusher. The key guys tonight will be Noah Spence and Jack Smith whom both should have good games tonight as they have been dominating in the joint practices with the Jaguars this past week. Here is Spence against LT Luke Joeckel via Jenna Laine.

Bucs rookie DE @nspence94 going up against Luke Joeckel one-on-one. Been working on his spin move... #Bucs #Jaguars pic.twitter.com/BFY7CmkEJb

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 18, 2016

Spence still has work to do in the run game as that is his weakness but is already a natural at pass rushing, I expect him and Jack Smith to be disruptive tonight. The Bucs D-Line is becoming a strength of this team and hopefully they can bring the intensity again and pressure the Qb tonight.

Big Game for Mr.Dye

Last season, small school receiver Donteea Dye showed flashes of being that downfield speed threat that has been missing from the Bucs offense. Dye only had 11 receptions for 132 yds and 1 Td with a long of 44 yds, but not bad for being an undrafted rookie and is only 23 years old. Dye this off-season has worked really hard on his consistency and has been better with his hands and route running. Dye, who is a former track guy, has the physical tools with good speed and size at 6'0 195lbs just needs to learn the mental game.

Tomorrow's game against the Jaguars is a big game for Dye as he will be the main return guy and will have a chance to put a lock on that job. Plus he will get more opportunities to show what he can do on offense and compete for the 4th and 5th receiver spots. If Dye can show something in the return game and perhaps break one or two for a big gain, that will only help his chances of making this team and hopefully be that return man this team needs. The battle at receiver has been a good one and I suspect we will see multiple guys have their best games tomorrow as many of them are on the bubble. Big opportunity for Mr. Dye tomorrow, hopefully he takes advantage of it. Here is an interview that Dye did back in April, I'm cheering for him.

Jameis an MVP candidate?

Winston seems to be getting the attention of all the NFL not just the Tampa bay fans. Adam Schein of NFL.com wrote a piece describing his sleeper picks for NFL awards next year and take a wild guess who his sleeper for MVP was. Yes, none other than our Tampa Bay Buccaneer franchise QB Jameis Winston. Here's a little reason why Schein feels this way.

I believe Winston, who enjoyed a very solid rookie campaign, will take an even bigger step forward. The game slows down in Year 2. He's on the same page with Dirk Koetter, who not only remains Jameis' play-caller but now assumes head-coaching duties. The coaching change will equal more wins in Tampa. I think Winston will post a very impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio, as his rapport with the receiving corps (particulary third-year man Mike Evans) continues to improve.

Winston has always been known for having an amazing football mind and was able to understand Jimbo Fisher's complex offense at Florida State which is known for being a more NFL style of offense. Schein makes a good point in saying that the game usually slows down in year 2 of an offense as Winston started in Florida State after sitting his first year as a redshirt freshman. He was able to get the mental game down and just needed to apply it to game situations. Winston is officially in year 2 of now head coach Dirk Koetter's offense and seems primed to make that big leap. Winston not only has a great mind but he is also a genuine leader and Schein went on to discuss that further after revealing what fellow buccaneer Doug Martin spoke of Winston.

 "He's already great. He sets the bar high for himself. And he's already established himself as a leader," Martin told me. "He always wants to get better. He's the first guy in the building setting the tone, wanting to get better. It shows the type of character he is. It trickles down to everybody else and it's contagious. We are all accountable to each other to stay at that level [that Jameis establishes]."

Jameis may not be ready for the NFL MVP just yet but he surely is our MVP right now. I and no one else can put a cap on how good Winston can actually be this season as he is in control of his own destiny and he looks as if he's going to make the most of every opportunity. Jameis no doubt has all of Tampa's attention now its time to grab the rest of the NFL. Go get your victories Jameis! 

In Position to Make Plays

I know it's early and there is still a long way to go but the Bucs defense just looks way better in how the players are in position and understand their assignments on the field. Watching the defense the past two years I couldn't say that as players were out of position often and seemed to be lost on the field. This defensive coaching staff led by Mike Smith has done a great job of tailoring the scheme to fit the player's strengths allowing them to be comfortable on the field. The focus has been on details and putting an emphasis on clear communication between the players and coaches.

When watching the Eagles game again, I saw guys in position to make plays on the football for pretty much every play. There was no blown coverages, opposing receivers running scott free down the field and not many missed tackles which was very encouraging. Again there is still a long way to go, but from watching most of training camp and then watching last week's game and comparing it to last year the difference is night and day.

If players are in position more often that means more opportunities to make plays on the football which was rarely the case last year. This week will be a good test against the Jaguars potent offense and we will see if the Bucs can play assignment sound football on defense again. I'm just excited to see that this coaching staff is allowing their playmakers on defense to play fast and go make plays on the football. If this defense can stay healthy, I expect to see mass improvement this season.

Asj Will Still Have a Big Role on Offense

One of the big topics amongst Bucs fans has been about tight end Austin Seferian Jenkins and whether this is the year he finally lives up to his second round status from the 2014 draft. Maturity, bad luck, and inconsistency has hurt Jenkins from being that complete tight end that everyone in the Bucs organization still thinks he can be that guy. There have been negatives for Asj this off-season as he has been kick out of practice along with twitter rants with fans. However, I feel that has been good for Asj as it was the wake up call that he needed.

It's all about the mental game for Asj as he has all the physical tools needed to be successful now just has to put it all together and coach Koetter is making sure that Asj becomes a special tight end.

“[Coach Koetter] won't settle for me being average or good. He won't even settle for me being great. He wants me to be special,” Seferian-Jenkins said 

 “I really thank God every single day he kicked me out of practice. It was really a wake-up call.”

Even though Cameron Brate is number one tight end and rightfully so as he has been the most consistent. That doesn't mean Asj wont see the field as much because he will be a major part of the offense this season. Koetter is all about creating mismatches and with Brate and Asj on the field at the same time will definitely present issues for the opposing defense. The Bucs will feature tons of two and three tight end sets this year as the tight end group is one of the Bucs strengths on offense. Asj is great at getting open down the seam and presents a big target for Winston as does Cam Brate which should open up the outside for Evans and Jackson. Its an important year for Asj and he will have opportunities to make plays this year, he just has to take advantage of them. I believe he will be a big weapon in the redzone and finally he puts it all together to have a pretty good year.

ASJ with the TD for the Bucs. Beat out Evans. pic.twitter.com/RXDNhkTvNW

— Amanda Borges (@Amanda1010XL) August 17, 2016

Kevin Pamphile's Opportunity Has Arrived

Going into the off-season, the Bucs knew they were going to have to replace LG Logan Mankins who decided to retire after the 2015 season. Lucky enough the team had Kevin Pamphile waiting in the wings who really took a step forward last year and became one of the more dependable lineman on the team. However, Bucs Gm Jason Licht wanted to bring in a veteran to replace Mankins so the Bucs decided to bring in J.R Sweezy from Seattle to be the starter at LG.

Well so far Sweezy has struggled with a back injury and looks like he will miss the first part of the regular season. This is a great opportunity for Pamphile to shine and show the team that the LG position is his for the foreseeable future. Pamphile is a hard worker and has the right attitude as he just wants to help this team win. Pamphile has come a long way since 2014 being drafted in the 5th round out of Purdue as a left tackle and is now capable of playing all 5 line positions. This situation is similar to when the Bucs brought in Luke Petitgout in 07 but got hurt in which Donald Penn stepped in and was the Bucs left tackle for the next 6 years.

Pamphile has that kind of opportunity and needs to take advantage of it by playing to his full potential. He has all the tools needed as he is athletic, strong, solid technique, and is a smart player. Now just has to put it all together and the good news he has shown it before as he was outstanding in that Jaguars game in which he started in. Here is his athleticism on display in which he opens up a big hole on a screen to C.Sims.

We should find out soon enough if Pamphile is up for the challenge, I say he is based on his makeup but he has to go out and prove it. Time to put up or shut up for Mr. Pamphile.

Better Secondary Play is Due to Coaching

Last year there were too many times where opposing receivers had open space and separation from Bucs defenders leading to big plays every Sunday. The root cause of this was mainly due to the secondary having no clue where to be on the field most of time, too much thinking going on instead of reacting and playing fast. The Bucs had three secondary coaches last season which is way too many and there were just too many voices in the room causing confusion and leading to guys doing things they are not comfortable with on the field. The Bucs had talent in the secondary last year but failed with poor communication and not being detailed in where to be on the field.

Going into this off-season, the Bucs secondary improved just by hiring secondary coaches in Jon Hoke and Brett Maxie respectively. Jon Hoke is one of the more respected defensive backs coaches out there in the NFL, and Brett Maxie helped developed some good corners when he was with the Titans including Bucs CB Alterraun Verner. Now the Bucs did add talent to the secondary by adding Brent Grimes, Josh Robinson, Vernon Hargreaves, and Ryan Smith which has brought more speed and athleticism to the group. However, the Bucs also kept pretty much the same group from last year which was quite telling that the coaching staff was not doing a good job with the secondary.

Just by re-watching the Eagles game from last week, I could tell the players on defense were more comfortable and every player was in position and able to make plays on the football. It was assignment football as guys got to their spot and everyone was working together on the field. It also helps to have smart football players like Vernon Hargreaves watch below.

Fun to watch Vernon Hargreaves move. Carries into one zone, releases back into his assignment. https://t.co/fjIU1HlBAn

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 14, 2016

This is perfectly executed as he drives the wideout to his teammate's zone then gets back into his area and cuts off the open option for the Qb. This is what we call team defense and on Thursday it was fun to see that again. Players understanding their jobs and going out on the field and actually doing them was refreshing. Still long way to go as it is just preseason, but I saw a lot of positive signs from the defense in that first game.

Howard Jones Will be a Key Part of The D-Line Rotation

One of the players that we have been mentioning quite often on here is DE Howard Jones, who had a solid game Thursday night against the Eagles. Jones had 3 tackles and 1 sack and had multiple good rushes allowing him to pressure the Qb often. Jones is coming off a 5 sack season in 2015 and has had a really good off-season in which he has added weight and is stronger at the point of attack now then he was a year ago. Jones is a crazy athlete and can play DE or drop down as a LB if necessary and provides versatility to the defense. Just look at his sack against the Eagles as he is just too fast for the left tackle and has no issues getting to the Qb.

Hello Howard Jones pic.twitter.com/RGswki3ziK

— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) August 12, 2016

I believe Jones is going to be a key part of the D-line rotation and should provide fits for opposing offensive lines.  With the main guys being N.Spence, R.Ayers, G.McCoy, C.Mcdonald, J.Smith, W.Gholston, I can see Jones coming in as a regular rotational guy just to throw off the opposing offensive line. To have a guy like Jones being fresh all game and subbing in at certain times during the game is going to be an advantage because his speed and athleticism is not easy to prepare for as an opposing lineman. Especially if going against guys like R.Ayers and Will Gholston who are more power type players, then all sudden you have to go against speed guys like N.Spence, J.Smith and H.Jones good luck with that. We believe Jones has potential to be a special player and should be a big part in the D-lines resurgence this season.

Post Game Thoughts

Well last night didn't go exactly how the Bucs would have liked to start the preseason opener, but even though there were negatives there were some good positives as well. Most important thing about preseason is evaluation and see what needs to be improved for the next game in efforts to get better as a team. Last night's game did just that as it show some really good things and that there is still work to be done. With that being said here are some of my thoughts from the game.

Kenny Bell is in trouble- Bell did not help himself last night with an opening the game with a fumble on kickoff return. Plus didn't make any impact in the passing game so overall it wasn't the start he was looking for. Good news is he has three more games to prove himself and that he is capable of being a dependable wideout.

Screen game is in midseason form- The Bucs offense struggled to move the ball, but had great success with their screen game which produced most of the passing yards last night. It was just fun to watch, and when ever it was called a big play happen. Now again it's preseason but it was good to see it being properly utilized.

Defense looked properly coached- What impress me most about the defense is they all looked like they knew where to be on the field. It was assignment sound football as all three levels of the defense were working together. The front four had a pass rush plan and guys in coverage were in their spots which led to some coverage sacks. This defensive staff is big improvement.

Robert Ayers looks like a good FA signing- Robert Ayers was probably the best player on the field last night. He was being physical at point of attack and was consistently winning his one on one matchups. If healthy, he is going to have a solid year for the Bucs.

Penalties and Turnovers are still an issue- This will be improved due to Dirk Koetter's mentality, but it was not pleasant to see last night as it was one of the big themes of the offseason. The good news it is preseason and none of this counts and there are still more preseason games to correct it.

Overall, I don't look too much into last nights game because it is preseason and its just a glorified scrimmage, Now just look for improvement in next week's game against the Jaguars and if we don't take a step forward in that game then it might be time to worry a little.

5 Things to Look For in Tonight's Game

Finally football is back and the Bucs kick it off against the Eagles tonight in their first preseason game. The team starts fresh under a new staff led by new head coach Dirk Koetter who has done a great job this off-season and has brought an aggressive approach to this team. There are a few things to watch for tonight as we finally get to see what kind of team the Bucs are going to be this year. So with that being said, here are my 5 things to look for tonight.

Play smart football- Last year, the Bucs usually beat themselves with costly penalties or turnovers and it cost them at least a few wins. Can the Bucs limit the dead ball flags like false starts, offsides, legal procedures, and dumb personal fouls? Hopefully they can show improvement there and can keep it limited tonight.

Put pressure on the QB- The Bucs have upgraded the front four with the additions of Robert Ayers and Noah Spence. With a healthy Gerald McCoy and Jack Smith, I want to see the Bucs d-line be disruptive tonight and as a whole put some pressure on the Qb tonight. It doesn't have to be just from the front four, it can be with blitzes but just put some hits on the Qb. The Bucs didn't get enough pressure on the Qb last year, that has to change.

Make explosive plays- The Bucs did a good job of making big plays on offense but it could have been better. The deep passing game is something that needs to be solid this season if the Bucs want to win more games. Hopefully the Bucs call up some downfield passes tonight and can hit a few. The defense needs more explosive plays as well, whether its sacks, turnovers they need to make more big plays.

Who will step up at WR?- The Bucs have their top 3 at receiver set with Evans, Jackson, and Humphries but who will get the last two or three spots behind them. Pressure is on Kenny Bell tonight as he needs to standout in some way tonight and make some plays. Russell Shepard has shown the ability but needs to be more consistent. The guy I will be watching is newcomer Jonathan Krause who has been strong in camp so far.

Competition at CB- Many good battles to watch here as the competition is fierce. Will Hargreaves show his playmaking ability and move into that nickel position or will Jude Adjei-Barimah be the better player tonight? Is this the end for Johnthan Banks or will he step up and move back into contention for a top spot? These questions probably wont be answered tonight but it will be interesting to see how the corner position battle plays out.

So there is my 5 things to look for tonight, it should be a fun game to watch and hopefully no injuries on both sides. Football is back!

Dotson is Demanding Better Consistency From the O-Line

To win football games in the NFL your team needs to be strong in the trenches because that is where games are usually decided. The Buccaneers have made improvements to both offensive and defensive lines over the last few years and are looking for both units to take the next step. The offensive line was much improved last season in which they helped lead the Bucs to 5th in rushing offense. The O-line has solid depth and is looking to get big seasons from 2nd year guys in Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith as well as a bounce back year from RT Demar Dotson.

Speaking of Dotson, he spoke with the media yesterday and believes the O-Line can be much better than what it has shown so far in camp, and needs to be more consistent every day.

“We’re not as good as we want to be.  We have to put together some better practices.  I don’t think we’ve had two good practices in a row.  We have one, then we come back out a little dead.  We have to bring our own energy, and that’s something we’re not doing right now.”

Dotson has always been known to be very candid which is a good thing as it was in this case. Dotson is looked upon as a leader on this line now especially with Mankins gone, and he has welcomed that title with open arms. Dotson has been the best lineman in camp and basically called out his linemates to step up their game because he knows the importance of having a good O-line and what it can do for a team. The Bucs need their offensive line to be better than it was last year and it looks like Dotson is making sure the rest of the guys know that.

Defense is Picking Up New Scheme Quickly

Last season, the Bucs defense was a mess from top to bottom which was unfortunate because the unit had plenty of talent. Main issue was poor communication and players not being utilized properly within the given scheme. Now with a new defensive coordinator in Mike Smith along with great staff under him plus more defensive talent added in Ayers, Grimes, Spence, Smith, and Hargreaves this defense has the tools to be a solid defense this season.

The question was how quickly could the players adjust to the new scheme so they could play fast and be more reactive than thinking too much. Well so far the defense has picked up the new scheme really well and are responding under the new defensive coaching staff. Players and coaches are communicating clearly, and both are learning what works and doesn't work on the field.

Today, the Bucs defense was dominant according to head coach Dirk Koetter in which they shut down the offense in redzone 9 straight times. This defense has plenty of speed and it is showing up so far in camp, here is more on the defense from Koetter per Greg Auman of Tampa Bay Times.

Video: Bucs' Dirk Koetter says "my impression is the defense kicked butt." Offense went 0-for-9 inside the 10 today. pic.twitter.com/BTVgPhg96n

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 9, 2016

Now granted there is still a long way to go as this defense needs to play in games with this new scheme to gain chemistry with the new pieces and see how it works against an opposing offense. One thing is clear the coaching staff has done a great job to get the players to learn a new scheme that quickly and it is allowing the defense to play faster as each day goes by. Players are raving about playing for Mike Smith and his defensive staff as the scheme is allowing guys to play to their strengths which is how it should be.

Hungry For Wins

It's been a long time since the Bucs have had a winning record in the regular season and this current roster wants to change that this coming season. New defensive end Robert Ayers has taken notice of how the players are very hungry to win and are competing every day to make this team better. Ayers spoke about how the competition is helping this team on both sides of the ball and guys just want to win per Buccaneers.com

"The more guys you get like that, the better. We're hungry, man. I see it in a lot of guys' eyes. I see the way Gerald McCoy is out there – that dude's setting the tempo out there. That dude's a monster. And to the offense's credit, they've been competing with them. They're not just taking it, they're giving it back to them. You may see Gerald kicking a lot of [butt] but they're going back at him, too, and that's a good thing. Me, I want to follow his lead. I want to kick [butt] just like him, and Lavonte and Kwon. Competition is contagious. You want to get it, man. You want to win."

Ayers is bringing that veteran presence that this team needs but he is also bringing a fiery attitude in which he wants to destroy his opponent every time. It's great to see that Ayers wants to kick butt like McCoy has been doing and others like David and Kwon are following suit as well. Ayers believes this team is ready to prove the doubters wrong and is hungry to get wins and will do whatever it takes to get this team on the right path.

It's time to prove the doubters wrong."Nobody's believing in us," said Ayers. "'Oh, they're Tampa Bay, whatever, whatever.' But we believe in ourselves and that's all that matters. Nobody's giving us a chance. People are picking us to finish third, fourth in the NFC South. Nobody's picking us to make a run. But we believe in each other. We're going to go out there and kick some butt, and that's how we look at it. We don't care about the projections and this, that and the other. We're here to work, we're here to win."

Ayers should be a big piece this year for this defensive front just like Clinton Mcdonald has been the past two years, and forming that winning mentality throughout the team.

Prospect Watch: WR Corey Davis

It's never to early to look ahead to the next NFL draft, and for the Bucs they will likely target a receiver or a safety in the early rounds based on the current roster. Back in May we took a look at USC Wr JuJu Smith-Schuster who is probably the top receiving prospect for the 2017 draft and would be a big addition to the Bucs offense. Today let's take a look at a small school receiver who relies on speed and quickness in addition to great hands and that would be Western Michgan's Corey Davis. Davis could be one of the top receivers taken in the 2017 draft as he has been sensational during his college career. Davis has over 3700 receiving yards along with 33 tds in just three seasons and should have another big year as he gets ready for the next level.

Davis at 6'2 215lbs has the size and speed combo that teams look for in a NFL wideout today, and has the right mindset as he puts in the work everyday according to his head coach P.J Fleck who was the Bucs receivers coach back in 2012.

“Corey Davises don’t come along very often,” Fleck says. “If they have one talent, then they really lack something else. Corey's really the complete package.”  “He’s quicker, more explosive,” Fleck says. “He has spent a ton of time just working on his craft, to get him better. He’s our best player but also our hardest worker.”

Davis would be a great partner for Mike Evans as they would compliment each other well and would present matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Davis can really do it all as he can stretch the field, go over the middle, and can make contested catches as well. Since Davis's coach is PJ Fleck who knows Bucs Wr Vincent Jackson, Fleck put Davis in contact with Jackson so he could learn from one of the best pros in the game. Fleck sees similar traits in Corey Davis when comparing to Vjacks.

“Corey’s got a little more quickness to him, but Vincent’s 6' 5 1/2". He’s got that rare, elite length. Corey’s got length but he doesn’t have that length,” Fleck says. “Vincent was huge and he could run like Corey. Vincent worked on his game to become more of a medium-range to vertical passing game threat. Corey's got even more of the underneath stuff very well.”

Bucs Gm Jason Licht will have his eye on Corey Davis this fall for sure as he fits the mold and type of player Licht looks for in his drafts. Licht has a insider in Vincent Jackson who has been in contact with Davis, so keep a eye out for Corey Davis in next year's draft Bucs fans.

Jameis helping make connections

Jameis has no doubt been a leader for this buccaneer team offense and defense a like. When speaking to the media earlier this week he spoke about how he learned something from a fellow pro bowler that helped Kwon Alexander's study habits.

One person I met was Sean Lee at the Pro Bowl. I was like hey Sean, how can I get Kwon to get like you, from the study stand points because Kwon always asks me how do you (Jameis) study. I was like man I'm not a middle linebacker, you know you gotta ask Luke Kuechly or one of the main guys. So he reached out to Sean Lee and got some information from him and ever since then he's been willing to just want to be the quarterback for that defense and he's been doing a great job.

Jameis is all in when it comes to his team and learning the game of football. He just always shows his commitment to not only progressing himself but every aspect of the team. He just seems to always be doing the right things and saying the right things now a days. Reaching out to players on other teams to help out his own teammate shows his passion to get better and help everyone around him get better. His maturity level has never been in question since joining the bucs and he has done nothing but push this team in the right direction.

Working with McCoy

Noah Spence has been flashing on the practice field all through training camp thus far and is really looking like the pass rush threat that the bucs have been desperately needing. He was asked this past week how he ended up working with Gerald McCoy and what he learned during the process.

I did it on my own. I knew I wanted to get a lot of good work in and he said he was staying here and I mean he's been doing pretty good for himself, so I was like why not.

I learned that I can keep up. Learned that I can work and I'm gonna learn a lot about pass rush and run stopping.

Its a great thing to see the team working together for one goal and thats success. Team building will only help the team together through the grueling 16 game schedule. The biggest thing to take out of what Spence said was that he learned he can keep up. He knows that he is worthy of this stage, its not too big for him. The belief of knowing that he can play with the big boys of the NFL is half the battle. Now its him working on the small details to really unleash his talents.

Best Players Will Play

So far in camp this Bucs coaching staff has been a fresh breath of air as they are making players compete for their jobs and earn playing time. Coach Dirk Koetter has said all off-season that he wants competitors on his team and right now good competition is occurring. The best players will play and usually with good competition, the cream rises to the top something that should be very beneficial for this team. Koetter recently announced that Cam Brate is the starting tight end ahead of Austin Sefferian Jenkins and he didn't see what the big deal was when asked about it today after practice.

"It must be to you guys, because you keep talking about it a lot. I don't see what the big deal is. Every team I've always been on, the best players played," Koetter said.

This is the right approach by Koetter as best players should be on the field at all times and he elaborated on what Jenkins needs to do to get on the field.

"Right now, Cam's playing better than Austin. End of story, as far as I'm concerned. What does Austin have to do? Play better. And wouldn't you want that at every position to elevate the whole team? That's what competition does. Where a guy's picked, how much money a guy was making -- I could care less about that."

This is the mindset this team needs to have as it is a winning mindset in which best players will play and starting jobs just won't be given out due to draft status or contract. So the message is real simple from Koetter either compete and earn playing time or go find another career.

Dotson Looks to be Back to 2014 Self

2015 was an unfortunate year for right tackle Demar Dotson as he could never get on track due to injuries. Now finally healthy, Dotson is ready to prove he is one of the top right tackles in the game and earn a big contract as he is in the final year of his current deal. Well Dotson looks fantastic so far in camp as he has been dominant especially during Monday's session as he was physical and athletic as well.

1-on-1 pass-rush drill as entertaining as ever, and 1 guy who really seems to be killing his reps is T Demar Dotson.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 1, 2016

Dotson is looking like his 2014 self as he was the Bucs best lineman that season, and so far during this camp he has been the best on the O-line. Dotson can really be a force due to his size at 6'9 315lbs which makes him tough to beat around the edge. He has above average athleticism where he can get out in the open field and lead the way on screens and tosses to the outside. This offensive line was pretty good without Dotson, now with him back this line could be the force that it needs to be. With Logan Mankins gone, Dotson needs to be the leader and so far in camp he has done just that.

Staying Focused

The biggest question mark with Noah Spence has always been his judgement off the field, stemming from his issues with ecstasy at Ohio State. His on-field abilities have never been in question and it seems as if Spence has his eyes set in one direction and thats his goal of being the best player he can be.

Lord I'm so focused..more focused than ever been🙏🏾🖖🏾

A photo posted by Noah Spence (@noahspence) on Aug 2, 2016 at 7:20am PDT

If Spence can keep this focus and continue to learn in Mike Smiths new defensive scheme the bucs might have something special. Spence has frequently been seen in the backfield all through the first 5 days of camp and shows his relentless motor. This team may be young but it finally seems as if they all as a collective unit are striving to get better. Heads are finally up and it seems as if that loser mentality has been shrugged off.

Keep focusing Spence and you will be terrorizing QB's in the NFC south for years to come. Bet Matt Ryan has no idea whats coming for him week 1.

Most Consistent

Dirk Koetter was asked today who he thought was playing the most consistent in these first 5 days of camp and of course he gave the big names like McCoy and Lavonte David but he also gave some names that you wouldn't have thought.

Alterraun Verner and Brent Grimes at corner, Chris Conte at Safety. On the offensive side of the ball Demar Dotson, Right Tackle, off to a fast start. Cameron Brate, Tight end, fast start. Doug Martin and Charles Sims, fast starts.

Its great to hear him name drop players like Verner who had an off year last year and Dotson who is coming off of an injured season. Its also good to see Cameron Brate's name in there, showing that he has improved and is showing that on the practice field. Its still really early in camp but getting the attention of the head coach is a good sign. Time to keep improving and getting better day by day.

Quarterback of the Defense

2nd year linebacker Kwon Alexander has shown his desire to get better all offseason and more than showed his ability on the field last year. He took some time after practice today to give light on what he has been doing during training camp to give fans a view into his everyday.

What do you do to prepare?

 I get there (One Buc) every morning, probably around 6:30. I wake up about at 5:20 and I ear breakfast then I go up there and I study by myself for about 30 minutes. Then I go up there with him (Lavonte David) and I go up on the board and thats been great. Its making me a better player now. I should of been doing that. I see some good things coming out. So I can't wait for the season to show y'all.

Kwon defeinitly shows the passion and dedication to be a great player and wants to be great. He has played it smart by staying local and learning with pro bowler Lavonte David who already has proven himself to be one of the elite linebackers in the NFL. Not only is Kwon studying his position he is studying to know the defense as a whole.

Your kind of like the Quarterback?

 I am the Quarterback of the defense, so that what I'm gonna do. I go over straight defense stuff, know what everbody is doing not just what I'm doing.

The offense has Winston at the helm and now the defense looks to have their QB in Kwon Alexander. McCoy isn't the lone wolf any more as teammates are now finally stepping up and being accountable. Looks as if they are understanding to win you have to be able to put in the time and effort to become great. All signs are pointing to progress for this young buccaneer team and progress is perfect.

DLine Keeps Showing Improvement

I have been saying the Bucs finally have depth up front on the defensive line and it was evident today. Especially at the defensive end position as guys who were starters on this team are being push down to the 2nd and 3rd team reps. The additions of Robert Ayers and Noah Spence are already showing dividends as they are displaying the ability to get to the Qb, which this team desperately needs. Spence has been consistently in the backfield each day of practice, while Ayers brings a veteran presence plus versatility as he has played both DE and DT.

Then after those two, the Bucs still have Jacquies Smith, Will Gholston, Howard Jones, and George Johnson. That is solid depth and it allows the Bucs to have a solid rotation and not suffer a noticeable drop in play when the starters come out. This is good for the defense and hopefully guys will be fresher as the season goes on. This front four is just getting better each day under D-line coach Jay Hayes, and new guys are making plays. Watching practice today, I thought Howard Jones and Will Gholston really stood out and made their fair share of plays.

Jones coming off a 5 sack season as reserve, showed off his athleticism today as he beat his man off the edge a couple times and would have had two sacks. Then in one on ones, he displayed a beautiful inside swim move on back up tackle Leonard Wester who was no match for the speed of Jones. For the Bucs to have a guy like Jones is a luxury and allows the defense to take advantage of certain matchups. Then there is William Gholston who is coming off a career season, looks like he has already improved from last year and is ready to put up bigger numbers as its a contract year for him.

Gholston is a force against the run and is making progress as a pass rusher, and is looking to become a full time starter this season. Gholston's versatility is huge as he can play inside or outside like Ayers can, making Gholston very valuable to the D-line. This defensive line group continues to make progress and it should lead to hopefully a big year for the group.