-During the first team period of practice, quarterback Jameis Winston stepped up to avoid pressure and hit running back Dare Ogunbowale on a short pass up the middle of the field. Not only did Winston evade pressure, but he still saw his checkdown option and took advantage of it, which is what made the play especially impressive.
-The first play of a red zone period, Winston threw a bomb to tight end O.J. Howard along the left sideline near the goal line. Howard made the catch but safety Jordan Whitehead didn't give up on it there. He proceeded to strip Howard of the ball and that's one of those plays that would have needed instant replay to determine the outcome. Either way, it was a great heads-up play by the second-year safety.
View some of the top photos from Buccaneers Training Camp practice at the AdventHealth Training Center.
-The very next play 5-foot-10 wide receiver Scotty Miller made what looked like an impossibly contested catch. He leapt up with two defenders right on him to snatch it out of the air over his shoulder in the back right corner of the end zone for the touchdown.
-The red zone connection between Winston and tight end Cameron Brate is definitely still there. Winston hit Brate in the end zone as Brate leapt up to grab it in the front right corner of the end zone. A little toe-drag-swag from the sixth-year tight end and the Bucs had the score.
-The Bucs again had a blitz period of practice, which are always fun. At one point, it was outside linebacker Carl Nassib lined up as an inside backer instead in the middle. He blitzed from that position and Winston was flushed out of the pocket extremely quickly as a result.
-Also during the blitz period, with a five-man pressure, the offensive line held up as Winston dropped back. Seeing that wide receiver Mike Evans had created some separation with his defender, Winston dropped a dime and Evans made an easy catch down the left sideline for a huge gain.
-During another team period, Winston attempted to hit Howard on a crossing route to Winston's left. Linebacker Lavonte David came flying over and dove for the ball, just narrowly missing the interception but getting the PBU.
-Winston went to connect with Miller again on a slant but this time, rookie cornerback Jamel Dean had his number. He was all over Miller and was able to force an incompletion on the left sideline.
-Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves had another insane interception today with a leaping grab as he jumped a route in front of O.J. Howard on a pass from Gabbert. His athleticism was on full display with how much air he got to catch the ball. He trotted back over to the sideline to cheers from the crowd.
-Defensive linemen Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh are going to be a problem.
-During the last team period of practice, and the Bucs first allowing live tackling, Winston attempted a pump fake before quickly turning around and handing the ball off to running back Peyton Barber. The defense wasn't fooled and wrapped Barber up immediately as he tried to get through the A-gap.
-The last play of practice was a situation where the offense had one play to set up a game-winning field goal. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert made it count. Even with safety Kentrell Brice all over him, wide receiver Justin Watson laid out and made the grab on the left side line. The short kick was good and practice ended on a high note.
THE BEST THING I SAW:
Running back Ronald Jones II had his best run yet during the team's live-tackling period as he caught a short screen from Winston toward the right sideline. He then turned on the jets and evaded multiple tackles as he took off down the sideline. He was finally tackled just short of the goal line.
