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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wrap Up Mini Camp Wednesday as Josh Freeman Shines
Published: June 17, 2009
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In my first day at my new internship at a local radio station in Tampa, I was able to go and watch the final mini camp practice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as attend the post-practice press conference with Head Coach Raheem Morris.
I just want to give a report about what I noticed and observed during the practice.
The quarterback situation seems to be shaping up to be more a competition at this point than was expected. Josh Freeman seems to be picking up the offense and adjusting to his reads quicker than was expected from the coaching staff.
Freeman, during the two minute drill working with the third team offense, connected with Dexter Jackson on a deep ball on only the second pass he threw during the period. He looked sharp on his pocket presence the play before that stepping up and hitting his check down route to the running back out of the backfield for five yards.
Coach Morris said the deep ball could have been a touchdown but said he wanted Freeman to practice near the goal line, and did not award Freeman and Jackson the touchdown.
After his deep ball, Freeman struggled in the red zone a bit, throwing four incompletions in a row but had an impressive day overall. He looked quick and sharp, making the right reads and delivering the ball on tempo.
The other two quarterbacks in the discussion, the veterans, Luke McCown and Byron Leftwich did not fair as well in the two minute drill.
Leftwich, who started with the first team, started the two minute drill on first down with a double pump and as a result gave up a sack and fumble. The next play was a false start, followed by another blown play sack of Leftwich.
After the opening struggles, Leftwich completed a deep in route to Kelly Campbell which could have resulted in a touchdown in full pads. Instead Campbell was down on contact and was not able to run after the catch. Leftwich and the offense sputtered out as they reached the fifteen yard line in what was a disappointing effort.
Leftwich’s wind up/arm motion is very concerning from the outside looking in. One, he drops the ball by his hip before he throws; two, he has trouble getting the ball out under pressure; three, it has not been corrected and now may be impossible to correct this late in his career; and finally and most importantly, he is incredibly slow at releasing the football causing throws to be late and off target with the wide outs.
Slow release also leads to sacks and protection issues.
If Leftwich is the projected starter, there should be some concern about his mobility and ability to get the ball out on time. The offensive line is going to have to put in an all star performance game in and game out to keep Leftwich healthy and protected.
Luke McCown did not fare much better than the other veteran Leftwich. McCown stepped up a few times in the pocket and made some good throws under pressure. However McCowndid not throw deep and only checked the ball down to running backs. McCown threw two five-yard outs to wide receivers.
McCown looked consistent on his short throws and his foot work looked to be solid. His offense failed to score along with the other two groups so the defense won the two minute drill period.
Another competition of note is the one that is taking place between the kickers Mike Nugent and Matt Bryant. Field goals in practice were only kicked in game situations by Mike Nugent. He kicked one in a thirty second emergency field goal situation and also kicked some during the special teams period. Nugent made all of his kicks on the day.
Matt Bryant participated in kickoff drills but did not physically kick a ball during a period in practice with the team.
There is no indication besides speculation as to which kicker is the front runner. Nugent has the stronger leg and is said to be very accurate although he struggled a bit in New York. Bryant on the other hand is automatic from short range but has a questionable leg distance wise.
A tribune senior writer I spoke with today about the kicking situation said, “If the Bucs do not feel the responsibility to be loyal to Bryant, I think that Nugent will get the nod and Bryant will be cut. I would not keep both kickers, would rather add another offensive lineman.” The likelihood of the Buccaneers keeping a player because of loyalty is a slim chance after the release of a player like Derrick Brooks.
Speculation of injuries was cleared up by Raheem Morris in the post-practice press conference when he stated that Kellen Winslow is in no way limited and has been great for the team inside the locker room and out. Winslow looked like a wide out coming in and out of breaks and is also a great blocker at the tight end spot. Winslow looks to have a great year in the middle of the field catching a lot of balls especially in the red zone.
Morris and the coaching staff are very excited about what they have in Winslow.
Raheem also said when asked about Gaines Adams ankle injury that, “Gaines Adams non participation was cautionary only and he could have gone fairly easily. No concern for Adams to miss anymore time than today and today was just to rest.”
Raheem Morris also addressed the quarterback situation, saying that he was looking forward to the competition and was very happy with the way the team is progressing as a whole. Morris said the team was ahead of schedule as far as the play book and expects to be very busy planning for the beginning of training camp.
Morris stresses working on situational plays and settings in practice to make sure that if the situation happens in a game, the players will be ready and prepared to deal with each intricate situation.
One of the players that will be used in situation plays that the coaching staff and Morris are very excited about is Clifton Smith. The returner/running back is going to be given a few plays in the backfield a game to isolate him on a linebacker out of the backfield. Morris said,” Peanut is quick quick, if we can use him in the backfield and get him matched up on a linebacker we have got to like our chances.”
Clifton Smith, 5’9″, 190lbs, is an exciting returner with outstanding speed and agility. He would serve as the “x-factor” in the backfield that can be sprinkled in from time to time to keep defenses guessing.
Overall Raheem Morris seems very excited about the progress made during the short time spent in mini camps and what he has to work with going towards training camp August 1.
Morris stated the quarterback competition is bound to heat up as training camp goes along and the best quarterback will earn the starting job. Josh Freeman has a chance as a rookie to be the starter, but will have to make up some ground on the veterans experience wise during the next few months. Morris insists Freeman will get his chance to prove if he is ready or not.
