Buccaneers Training Camp: Position Battles and News from Tuesday's Practice

The Buccaneers are winding down their open practice schedule, and on a warm afternoon in Tampa, the team put the pads on and got to work in preparation for a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins this weekend.

Injuries

This should be surprising to no one, but the Buccaneers were without multiple defensive backs on Tuesday afternoon. Scott Smith reported at the start of the day that Alterraun Verner participated in individual drills, but Rashaan Melvin, Mike Jenkins and Keith Lewis sat out with various nagging injuries.

Greg Auman noted that Da'Quan Bowers, Steven Means and Jibreel Black were missing from the defensive line, with Black in a boot (not a good sign for the rookie).

During the tail end of practice, Charles Sims limped off the field, according to Pewter Report. Around the same time, Keith Tandy "tweaked something" according to Brady Fredericksen. We'll update with any further details on their status.

A Changing of the Guards!

JoeBucsFan reported before practice began that Kadeem Edwards and Patrick Omameh would be getting the start at guard, and Brady Fredericksen would later confirm the report by seeing them in action with the starters.

According to Auman, that moved Jace Daniels and Oniel Cousins to the second team, while Daniels did double duty working with Andrew Miller on the third team.

Pewter Report noted that Kevin Pamphile did some work in one-on-ones at guard, which may be a spot he'll get a look this preseason as the Bucs explore all of their options before making a move to bring in a veteran.

These changes and attempts to find the right guards from the current crop could prove to leave the team a bit weak at the position, but it will also keep their resources free next summer to continue to reshape the roster. At least we can see that the coaches realize guard play is an issue with the constant rotation of new players lining up with the first team.

Other Notes

Some of the Buccaneers big receivers and tight ends had a nice day, including Austin Seferian-Jenkins who made a few nice grabs, and wideouts Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, who made big plays of their own.

ASJ with his daily catch over the middle in traffic.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

Mike Evans goes high to pull down McCown pass to the right.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

ASJ skies in corner of end zone to haul in McCown pass for six.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

McCown connects with Evans on a nice looking deep route up the far sideline. Crowd reacted like it counted.

— Brady Fredericksen (@Brady_Fred) August 12, 2014

Vincent Jackson with a sweet basket catch of a McCown offering to the left. Reverses field and runs for six.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

Mike Evans and Austin Seferian-Jenkins also working with the starters. Gotta think they'll see some time with the ones on Saturday.

— Brady Fredericksen (@Brady_Fred) August 12, 2014

But it was a smaller receiver, Robert Herron, who would start to put his poor performances earlier in camp behind him with a solid day of practice.

Same goes for WR Robert Herron. He just made a diving catch across the middle, continuing a strong comeback from a slow camp start.

— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) August 12, 2014

Robert Herron skies like an NBA player in traffic to haul in McCown pass. Easily Herron's best catch.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

Robert Herron comes bwck for McCown pass with defender draped all over him.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

Defensively, the Buccaneers got some noteworthy play from a few backups on Tuesday.

LB Danny Lansanah had Charles Sims behind the line but whistle blows saving Sims' neck.

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) August 12, 2014

Ronald Talley has blown up two running plays already. Good start to practice.

— PewterReport.com (@PewterReport) August 12, 2014

Dane Fletcher picks off Glennon in 7v7 drills. And this is your daily Mike Glennon INT Alert.

— Brady Fredericksen (@Brady_Fred) August 12, 2014

Special Teams Update

Despite a strong performance against Jacksonville, don't think that Michael Koenen's job is safe. Mike Glennon is apparently still holding one of his jobs.

FWIW: Mike Glennon is your holder on FGs. #Bucs

— Brady Fredericksen (@Brady_Fred) August 12, 2014

Maybe it's a good thing that Glennon's getting work as a field goal holder, because...

Glennon ends practice with another INT. Threw it right into double coverage.

— Brady Fredericksen (@Brady_Fred) August 12, 2014

(I'm just kidding. But this certainly didn't sound like it was Glennon's best day of practice. He's still miles ahead of the other two backups, and a perfect understudy for Josh McCown.)