4 impressive moments from Bucs’ Week 1 preseason game

Aug 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) carries the ball during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Winston-to-Murphy connection works out to perfection

Louis Murphy didn’t get as much time as the rest of the receiving corps to build a rapport with Winston, but you couldn’t tell in the preseason opener. In a drive which led to Jameis diving into the endzone for six points, Jameis looked in Murphy’s direction on two separates occasions, totaling 30 receiving yards.

While the second throw showed off Winston’s ability to fit the ball into the Vikings’ zone defense, their first completion is the one that really caught my eye. It was a simple slant pattern that every team runs, but the Seminoles quarterback’s ability to fit it a small window and catch Murphy in stride so he can extend the play was superb.

There are passes that Winston would obviously want back, but there are also moments like this where he showed every Buccaneers fan why he was worth the first overall pick. With more time at the NFL level, throws like this will become more of a norm for him.

More from The Pewter Plank

• Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
• ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
• Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
• Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
• The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023