After tropical storm Debby swept through Florida, the Buccaneers were out on the practice fields on Tuesday morning for some old-fashioned football. On the tenth day of training camp featuring red-zone, 11-on-11 and offense/defense sessions, several Bucs' players became catalysts. From vets to rookies, here are several key plays from Tuesday's breezy two-hour practice:
Tight Ends Put on a Show
Baker Mayfield has found his go-to targets in the end zone during training camp and on Tuesday, the trend continued. Cade Otton caught two consecutive touchdown passes from Mayfield during red zone work and Payne Durham followed suit. Mayfield threw a dart to the back of the end zone and Durham came away with it, splitting two defenders as they closed. He celebrated with the famed 'Gronk Spike' in true position commemoration. In Liam Coen's offense, with an uptick in pre-snap motion and three-by-one sets, tight ends have become the cohesive glue. Whether picking up YAC on a screen, working the boundary after being flexed out wide or boxing out defenders on a crosser over the middle, Otton has made a mark. Durham, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound weapon, stays square as a blocker and can make top-tier catches. He has the length to high-point the ball and can bring in throws outside of his frame. Both have been a bright spot during camp and the duo stood out again on Tuesday.
Zyon McCollum Interception
Entering Year Three, speedy cornerback Zyon McCollum has earned a starting role opposite Jamel Dean. On Tuesday, McCollum intercepted Mayfield in the red zone on a pass intended for Mike Evans. As Evans came over the middle, McCollum jumped the route and came away with the football to begin the drill. Last season, McCollum became the interchangeable plug-and-play chess piece on the back end as injuries piled up. Due to his athleticism, the Bucs' staff opted to put McCollum on the field in whatever capacity they could. He played 665 snaps at outside corner, 59 at slot corner and 31 at safety in 2023. McCollum totaled 41 tackles, two forced fumbles and helped bolster the secondary. McCollum attacks the ball in the air and has 4.33-speed to carry vertical threats downfield. He made his mark on the practice field in the Florida humidity.
Chris Godwin Acrobatic Back-Grab
Chris Godwin has made several noteworthy catches throughout training camp, including many on Tuesday morning. However, one – given the difficult nature of the high-effort grab – usurps the rest. Mayfield threw the ball to Godwin, which was initially intercepted by Tavierre Thomas. Thomas bobbled the football as Godwin reached his hands around Thomas' body to contest the catch. Godwin managed to grab the ball off of Thomas' back, saving the day for the offense in an unorthodox, yet exhilarating, turn of events. The sideline went crazy as teammates expressed an awestruck reaction to Godwin's moves. The Penn State product has had as good of a camp as a player can have and continues to fortify Coen's offense. That play was a microcosm of Godwin's resilience and heart.
Rookie Chris Braswell Embraces Technique/Footwork Enhancement
Rookie Chris Braswell continues to undergo the transition from college to the NFL and is soaking up instruction from veterans and coaches. The Alabama product is focused on refining his footwork off the ball and overall technique.
"Technique plays a big role in this league," stated Braswell. "Everybody is good, and you are pretty much going up against the best in the world, so the only way you can win is to have better technique than the other person."
Braswell, the Bucs' second round pick (57 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, has boosted the pass rush rotation. After playing in the Tide's packages primarily on passing downs in 2022 behind Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner, Braswell assumed Anderson's role in 2023. As a starting outside linebacker in Nick Saban's hybrid 3-4 scheme last season, Braswell led the SEC in pressures with 56. He lined up from both a two and three-point stance. His downhill charge and quick get-off certainly fit the mold of Bowles' attack-based defense. Braswell has picked the brains of both Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, fostering growth. The Bucs added a player that can drop, rush the passer and set the edge. As he continues to stack reps, Braswell's level of comfortability will ascend.
