Monday Training Camp Notes - Finally, pads go on.

by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 7:14 PM EDT

The pads finally went on today, which means that some players who have flashed so far will start to disappear, and we'll be able to actually say something useful about line play. Of course, I then have no useful notes on line play. It is what it is. Here are the notes:

Arrelious Benn was held out of practice. He has been held out of several practices so far, which is supposedly just precautionary.
Dezmon Briscoe continues his good showing. Despite some reports that he didn't show up for Josh Freeman's offseason workouts, Briscoe has consistently looked very good in training camp so far.
K Josh Jasper has been horrifyingly bad in training camp, apparently. Sounds like Connor Barth is safe, as if he ever was in danger.
With the pads on, the defense looked better. Running routes against people who can now hit is apparently harder. What a surprise!
Jock Sanders, Sammie Stroughter and Preston Parker were all returning punts. Interestingly enough, I haven't heard anything on Micheal Spurlock this offseason, although he isn't allowed to practice yet because of CBA rules. The Bucs have a lot of bodies at wide receiver, and if Spurlock is losing half of his returning duties as well, he may be headed out of town.
In goalline offense, the offense scored 4 out of 10 times (that's the last count I got, I'm pretty sure they ran it more often). That's an impressive showing for the defense, although the Bucs were very good in short-yardage situations on defense last year anyway.

And as a final note, the Detroit Lions signed Maurice Stovall. The veteran wide receiver always teased with his potential, but only made an impact on special teams. He really had little chance of making the roster this year even if he had been re-signed.

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DOn't like hearing that Blount kept getting stuffed on goalline/short yardage plays.

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Aug 1, 2011 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

Doubt he'll be the short-yardage back, anyway

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Was hoping he would develop into a passable SY back

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Aug 1, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's gonna be Bradford or Graham

by K2isawarrior on Aug 1, 2011 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd be happy with either of them

We want the ball, and we're gonna score!

by anthonyh60 on Aug 1, 2011 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

he really wasn't good at that last year either. Graham will probably take that role.

by Gage Tyler Bain on Aug 1, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Where did that report come from? Saw 1 tweet right after they started G/L drill that he bowled over at least 3 guys..

by RuudAwakening on Aug 1, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure whether

to be happy that Blount is a beast, or nervous that he crushed our defense…

We want the ball, and we're gonna score!

by anthonyh60 on Aug 1, 2011 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Get bit of news Sander

I loved hearing “Running routes against people who can now hit is apparently harder.”

by keysersoze19 on Aug 1, 2011 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

Jasper

Jasper used up all his luck with that fake FG against Florida.

by Landlubber on Aug 1, 2011 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

I also heard (viaTwitter) that M. Williams schooled Talib a few times, eventually Talib was clearly frusurated..

by RuudAwakening on Aug 1, 2011 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think Spurlock can play, Sander

He was a restricted free agent, so doesn’t that mean he can’t practice until Aug. 4th?

by K2isawarrior on Aug 1, 2011 8:03 PM EDT reply actions

I thought this was the case as well.

by RuudAwakening on Aug 1, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah right, that's a good point

Forgot about that.

Still, I do think he’s going to struggle to make the roster.

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see him make it (Run Michael Run)

But I agree, it’s going to be tough. That’s one of the reasons why he didn’t even have a tender placed on him, because the FO is trying to move on from him.

Williams, Benn will be a very solid starting lineup, and then I think the next ones are Briscoe (huge talent), Stroughter (solid slot receiver), Gant (possession type threat), and maybe Parker (change of pace/KR).

I think Webber is competing against Briscoe, so that’s not going to happen, and Sanders is up against Spurlock and Parker, so its going to be one, MAYBE two of them.

by K2isawarrior on Aug 1, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I am sure the playbook will change more as training camp continues

But it sucks to lose a teammate, especially on offense to the team we are going to play the first week. All the weakness he knows about will now go into their defensive coordinators ear.

by IBleedPewter on Aug 1, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont see how it can be suggested that........

Spurlock may be headed out of town, when last year he was often the difference maker in alot of our close wins and losses. Falcons in Atlanta comes to mind, Bengals in Cincy comes to mind.

Preston Parker = scrap heap, Stroughter = needs to show something soon. Spurlock affects games, hands down.

Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, Cam Newton cant compete with FreeFive. Not so sure about Drew Brees.

by TruBuc1 on Aug 1, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Spurlock had some catches/returns in important situations

But his impact as a receiver was minimal.

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont doubt that

But his impact as a receiver was easily better than Preston Parker and equal to Sammie Stroughter especially considering some of his clutch catches, and his impact and effect on other parts of the game were immeasurable when considering how they effected the outcomes of some games(s) with his return skills.

Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, Cam Newton cant compete with FreeFive. Not so sure about Drew Brees.

by TruBuc1 on Aug 1, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem with Spurlock is that he has no upside, and no real role

Stroughter was struggling with injuries last season, and he has relatively unique skills as a slot receiver. Parker and Stroughter are essentially the same guy, though, so I don’t know if both will make. But Spurlock is just someone. He has no special skills as a receiver, he doesn’t really have a role as a receiver, and he has no upside.

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree

A good return man is an important role in it’s own right. It’s preferable to have a return man that feels some other starting role, but Spurlock has been a much better return man than we’re used to. If one of the other receivers is really comparable than fine, but I don’t think that is the case.

by Brooklyn Buc on Aug 1, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Spurlock's only chance of sticking on the roster is if he is really a much better return man than everyone else

Seems unlikely, really.

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Spurlock was clutch more than S/T

Mostly early in the year, before Benn emerged, but he made some KEY catches in games for first downs. I don’t think he’ll be top 3 on the depth chart, but I think he makes the team unless Parker or Stroughter outshine him on returns. I think he is at the very least equal to them both at WR and better on S/T.

I’m thinking it looks like Williams/Benn/Briscoe as top 3. Then it’s gonna come down to Parker, Stroughter, Spurlock, Webber for the other spots. Webber may end up on practice squad.

by Bruce McRae on Aug 1, 2011 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Ed Gant really showed up in training camp too, judging by reports

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's very, very close from what I've seen so far between Webber and Gant.

One of those guys have a shot at a practice squad spot, and possibly a roster spot, given what they can prove. Both won’t make it, but one or the other will have a shot, methinks.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious." – Charles Shackleford

by Craig T on Aug 1, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

They are different kinds of players.

With Stovall leaving for Detroit, I think we need a bigger body, like a possession type receiver. Obviously we have my boy, K2 for 3rd down situations, but a WR option could give us some different options. Having said that, I think Gant fills that role more than Webber. Webber seems to be more of a Rejus Benn/Dez Briscoe player from some accounts, so it will be good to see the competition. My prediction is that Gant makes it.

by K2isawarrior on Aug 1, 2011 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

How do you figure they're so different?

I haven’t missed a practice session yet, open or closed, and Webber and Gant are pretty close to neck-and-neck by my account. Both are bigger receivers, listed at 6’3. Webber is actually a slight bit bigger. If anything, Gant has been a tad bit more of a downfield threat than a move-the-chains receiver. Gant scored on a go-route in 1st camp session and torched a DB today on a hitch and go for a long TD. I wouldn’t really him that a possession WR per se, although still a talented one.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious." – Charles Shackleford

by Craig T on Aug 2, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions

If Stroughter can strictly play the slot.

He would probably have an advantage, but Spurlock seems to have a special spot if the coaching staffs hearts with his history as a returner.

by huntin0 on Aug 1, 2011 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

One other important point on Spurlock is that the new kickoff rules strongly diminish his value

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

That's true. I hate that rule though.

We’ll see what actually happens in games.

by Brooklyn Buc on Aug 1, 2011 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Will Sanders have a shot to make it?

I saw that guy play in college and he is a nice weapon.

by BUCSwillDOMINATE on Aug 1, 2011 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

I don't see it

He’s so, so small. He’ll get his shot in preseason, but he has a very, very steep hill to climb.

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by Sander on Aug 1, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Sanders needs to break off a memorable couple of returns

in order to stick around. Bucs have a couple of salty slot receivers with return ability already in Preston Parker and Sammie Stroughter.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious." – Charles Shackleford

by Craig T on Aug 1, 2011 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

*A couple of memorable returns in the preseason, I should say.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious." – Charles Shackleford

by Craig T on Aug 1, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Tatupu?

UPDATED FA NEWSSource: Tampa Bay Bucs have made the first significant offer to Tatupu (Giants / Eagles / Pats / Browns) all interested

Eh?

by jMagic09 on Aug 1, 2011 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

He's visiting the Raiders today, so we might not know until tomorrow, but I wouldn't be really opposed to this.

He’s a quality linebacker, who can at least help Foster learn what it takes to make it in the NFL. I still would like to see McKenzie start, but Tatupu, I wouldn’t be scared by that option.

by K2isawarrior on Aug 1, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Please no to Tatupu

He plays like Pupu and has been in a steady decline the last 3 years. I think at this point we rely on McKenzie or Foster, and from what I heard McKenzie was beasting it up today in padded practice. I heard on one of the first few plays he threw Faine to the ground, and Penn wasn’t to happy about it so they had a minor quarrel.

by IBleedPewter on Aug 1, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions