The Buccaneers and Dolphins conducted a joint practice at the AdventHealth Training Center on Wednesday in the scorching Florida heat. The 130-minute practice provided a comprehensive evaluation for the respective coaching staffs on where each team is at in preparation for the regular season and in assessing players on the bubble. With cutdown day looming for all 32 clubs, seizing opportunities is paramount for young players. In the scrimmage featuring one-on-ones, 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods, several Bucs' players stood out. Here are some key plays from the dual session:
Zyon McCollum Interception
To begin the first full-team period, cornerback Zyon McCollum wasted no time in making a splash. He came away with an interception off Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, causing the defense to erupt in cheers. For Todd Bowles' defense, taking the ball away and reps on the JUGS machine have been a priority throughout the offseason and it paid off for McCollum against the Dolphins. McCollum became an interchangeable plug-and-play defensive back in the secondary last season, filling a variety of roles when needed in his second year. He played 665 snaps at outside corner, 59 at slot corner and 31 at safety in 2023. Due to his athleticism, the Bucs' staff wanted to get McCollum on the field in whatever capacity they could and in 2024, he will start opposite Jamel Dean. McCollum attacks the ball in the air and possesses the explosion to carry vertical threats downfield. With hip fluidity and solid body control, McCollum has made an impact in the Bucs' secondary throughout training camp.
Jalen McMillian TD
During seven-on-seven work with the Bucs' offense working against the Dolphins' defense, Jalen McMillan scored. McMillan quickly accelerated and got behind Dolphins' cornerback Isaiah Johnson on a go route down the right sideline, catching Baker Mayfield's throw in stride. The rookie receiver has impressed in the competition for the third receiver spot on the depth chart behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. McMillan's long-striding speed shows up play after play, as does his ability to bait defensive backs with fakes at the top of routes. He is adept at working out of the slot and creating on crossers/momentum routes and on the outside. The fluid route runner checks all of the Bucs' boxes and has solidified the team's receiving corps.
"I've seen everything I need to see out of him," said Bowles on McMillan. "He's exactly what we thought he was when we drafted him. It's not about making plays in preseason, it's about getting aligned right, blocking the right guy, understanding what coverages they're giving you and running the right routes and being where you're supposed to be."
Kameron Johnson Gadgetry
Kameron Johnson is a name that Bucs' fans need to learn. When on the field, except for the time missed due to a rib injury, Johnson has garnered headlines with his production between the hashes. On Wednesday, he became an integral gadget in the Bucs' offense, picking up yards on end-arounds. The undrafted star has deceived defensive backs with his 37-inch vertical jump and 4.46-second speed in the 40-yard dash. During a red-zone period in last week's joint practice with the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Johnson ran a corner route and climbed the ladder over the Jags' defensive back. He managed to get both feet inbounds to complete a touchdown catch from Mayfield and he continued the stellar trend on Wednesday. Johnson has played a significant role in the success of the Bucs' misdirection with his shiftiness, and he has raised the standard of play in the room.
"With receivers, one of the things that I look for the most is their eye discipline when it comes to catching the ball, and if you watch him his eyes are always on the ball," said Godwin of Johnson. "His tracking of the ball in traffic, he makes tough catches, like, in contact. He makes good catches out in the open space. He runs really good routes. He's a strong guy, smart kid. I like him, and he's a really good player."
Tavierre Thomas Pass Breakups
During one-on-ones, safety Tavierre Thomas displayed sticky coverage on Dolphins' tight end Jonnu Smith and produced a subsequent pass deflection. The Bucs signed the former Houston Texan in March and with Jordan Whitehead and Kaevon Merriweather sidelined due to injury, Thomas has received invaluable reps with the first team. Later on in Wednesday's practice, Thomas nabbed another pass breakup, this one against receiver Braxton Berrios, who was crossing the middle of the field. Thomas (5-10, 205) served as the Texans' slot corner the past three seasons, appearing in a total of 36 games with 19 starts. In 2023, Thomas missed time due to hand and hamstring ailments but played in nine games (four starts) and posted 51 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed. Thomas rallied the defense on Wednesday and received vocal chants from teammates/coaches for his instinctual play.
