Some quick highlights from Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp day nine as the Bucs prepare for their first preseason game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Not much has changed on the injury front. Louis Murphy, J.R. Sweezy, and Caleb Benenoch all missed practice again. Benenoch was without crutches, which is a step in the right direction. Cassanova McKinzy missed a second day in a row with a hamstring issue, and Kevin Pamphile was excused for a second day in a row for a personal issue.
The big stars of the day were safety Chris Conte as well as tight ends Cameron Brate and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who continue to battle for the top tight end position. Conte finished the day with two interceptions of Jameis Winston on passes intended for Brate as well as Mike Evans;
Winston picked off by Conte, intended for Evans. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/yqL6Q6dFop
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) August 6, 2016
Video: Red zone, Bucs QB Jameis Winston pass deflected by Bradley McDougald and Chris Conte comes down with it. pic.twitter.com/OAk8KYjvUD
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 6, 2016
On the tight end front, here are a few videos of the back-and-forth battle between Brate and ASJ;
Video: Jameis Winston hits TE Cameron Brate in traffic for touchdown in red-zone work. pic.twitter.com/32fLWUlpfQ
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 6, 2016
Video: Here's nice high catch by Austin Seferian-Jenkins on Glennon pass to set up touchdown. #Bucs pic.twitter.com/0YyKh4P6N7
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 6, 2016
Video: #Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins gets TD catch from Mike Glennon, with Major Wright covering. pic.twitter.com/pm8xCwmsPq
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 6, 2016
Head coach Dirk Koetter was impressed with Seferian-Jenkins today,
"“It was a play call. We were screwed up out of the huddle and Mike fixed it. He was trying to get Austin on a double move – we came out in the wrong formation. Since I wasn’t on the side I’m not sure exactly how we got screwed up but they got it fixed and that’s good. That’s what you should do is get your big guys down. It was great to see Austin with back-to-back big plays in that period.”"
And for those looking for any and all information on the defense that they can find, Koetter had a few nuggets here that will make your ears perk up;
"“Well they were doing some crazy disguises today. They were doing a lot with their front so the quarterback’s first job, the quarterback and the center, are trying to get the protection straight, and they were giving us some walk around looks today. We saw a couple snaps of it yesterday but when you start getting unique fronts and walk around fronts those are always a challenge, and then after you get the protection set, then the clock’s winding down and you’ve got to snap it, then he’s got to see the coverage and make a good decision. It’s really good work for us – it’s not the easiest thing. Trust me, they’re not just standing in their cover-two and cover-three.”"
Next: Tony Dungy: Hall Of Fame Coach Saved Bucs Football
The Buccaneers are off tomorrow and will resume practice on Monday at 8:45 a.m. per usual. You’ve officially entered “game week” as we are a mere five days away from Bucs football. It’s preseason, yes…but it’s Bucs football nonetheless.