Buccaneers Observer

The game didn't go haywire for the Buccaneers until the odd Tanner Hudson fumble for a touchdown. Prior to that, while it wasn't great, the guys competing for jobs showed some promise.   

The Buccaneers saw all they needed to see from OLB Quinton Bell, WR TJ Simmons, S Nate Brooks and S Lawrence White. The players were released Sunday, which brought the team to the 80-man roster limit. RB Troymaine Pope was waived with an injury designation.  

Titans HC Mike Vrabel announced Sunday he tested positive for Covid. Vrabel was spotted next to Tom Brady on the sideline and in Bruce Arians' golf cart. Bruce Arians said today in a press conference there was no cause for concern for the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers faced the Tennessee Titans at camp today. Bruce Arians said the team offensively had a good day, although Bucs media is in a tizzy about the number of drops. Reporter Paul Kuharsky, who covers the Titan for Outkick, noted the Buccaneers offense is much faster than Tennessee’s.  Bucs who did not practice today include: OLB Cam Gill, S Jordan Whitehead, S Raven Greene, TE Tanner Hudson, RB Troymaine Pope, WR Travis Jonsen. TE OJ Howard and OL Robert Hainsey returned to practice today. Bruce Arians said it’s iffy if Hainsey will play Saturday.  

S Raven Greene was waived by the Buccaneers today. The team claimed T Brandon Walton off waivers, who was released by the Steelers.  

The Saints have signed G Caleb Benenoch, a former Buccaneer.  

The FBI has now joined in the investigation into sexual assault allegations alleged against Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

THAT was an entertaining preseason game. Backups on the defense showed a lot of promise. Nate Brooks, Antonio Hamilton and Joe Jones impressed. That list is not exhaustive, either. On the offense, Jaelon Darden made splashes reminiscent of Tyreek Hill. Giovanni Bernard also made plays against his former team.  

In other news, the Buccaneers made three cuts ahead of Tuesday's deadline to reduce the roster to 85. WR Cameron Kinley, TE De'Quan Hampton and WR Josh Pearson were the first casualties.   

Devin White received his diploma from LSU last week.   

The NFL has begun to release its top 100 list. As of recording, Tristan Wirfs, Shaq Barrett, Chris Godwin and JPP made the list.

Bucs nation lost a good one this week. Mark Cook, of Pewter Report fame, passed away. He was a stalwart in the Bucs community and will be missed. 

The Cincinnati Bengals come to Tampa this Saturday. QB Joe Burrow will be sidelined this game, and it's undetermined whether he will play at all this preseason. Burrow has healed from his knee injury, sustained last December, but mentally is not ready to stand in the pocket. The team will also sit several other veterans. This is after the team lost studs AJ Green and Geno Adkins in the offseason. We do not expect to the Bengals' best this Saturday, but rather their inexperienced and those fighting to prove something. 

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, will start all of their first string for at least a couple drives. Tom Brady says he would play the entire game if Coach would allow it. We look forward to seeing our training camp warriors in a game at full speed. The state of our special teams may be a pleasant surprise. The Buccaneers paid particular attention to the unit in the offseason. We will also see if Tanner Hudson heeded Bruce Arians' warning this week.   

In other NFL news, the Saints will require attendees either provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test administered within 72 of game day. QB Dak Prescott is undergoing an MRI, but the team swears it's not serious. (Sure, Jan.)

There weren't many surprises as the Buccaneers released their first depth chart today. One surprise, however, was TE Tanner Hudson's position on the chart - he was listed after Codey McElroy. Coupled with BA's comments yesterday, it seems Tanner needs to step it up or risk being cut.  

Around the league, Bills QB Josh Allen lands a massive contract. Why? Washington Football Team is banning Native American headdresses and other paraphernalia. The Bills sign former Buccaneer Caleb Benenoch. Again, why? 

We discuss Carl Nassib coming out. 

We do some more media bashing, and bring receipts from last podcast. 

We also delve into the dumpster fire that is the New Orleans Saints. There's drama with Michael Thomas, there's multiple retirements, and of course some Jameis Winston highlights.

Training camp warriors have emerged on both sides of the ball. What does that mean for the regular season?  

Ryan Succop reportedly been inconsistent this camp. Should that be cause for concern? 

The sports writers have been going after players for nonconformity on vaccination orthodoxy. The NFLPA pulls a bait-and-switch with Covid protocols. Whose side are they actually on?

Hello. Hi. We're back. We missed you. 

Training camp is on! Season pass holders were the only fans in attendance this training camp. The heat is wearing on players who didn't train in Tampa, as Bruce Arians reports the last 30 minutes of the first days of camp left something to be desired. The Buccaneers made roster moves, including adding TE Cameron Brate as physically unable to perform. 

The NFL released its coronavirus protocols for the season. The measures appear less about preventing the spread and more about punishing players who opt out of the vaccine.

Ralph's favorite wide receiver, Julio Jones, has left the Conference. We discuss what it means for the Falcons and the NFC South as a whole.  

The Buccaneers held OTAs this week.  

When Ralph gets ahold of our social media accounts, we get blocked by media.

The schedule was released last night and Molly is less than thrilled about the season opener against the Cowboys. The strength of schedule for the year certainly favors the Buccaneers. Is there a team in the league that can compete with the Bucs? 

We were in the fortunate position of drafting best available player rather than need. The Kyle Trask pick has garnered some criticisms, but we prefer a pocket passer to a running quarterback any day.