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Buccaneers: Hard Knocks episode three recap

By Michael Horan

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 17: Mike Evans
JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 17: Mike Evans /
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Episode three of Hard Knocks with the Buccaneers has come and gone, and we’re back with another recap of everything that went down. If you missed last week’s recap, check it out right here.

Another episode of Hard Knocks with the Buccaneers is in the books, and we’re another day closer to the real thing. For the third episode HBO’s cameras continued with their winning formula: tracking the stars, some fringe players, and all the families in between. We saw some neat interactions between former coaches and a current Buccaneer quarterback, and some fiery interactions between a current coach and a current Buccaneer quarterback. All that and more in the recap, followed by our usual superlatives.

  •  The third episode of Hard Knocks opens with Jameis Winston in a gym, doing a battery of training drills in front of famous trainer Tim Grover. Cut to intro theme music.
  • It’s off-day! The Buccaneers are given a day to themselves; we see Marpet playing the ukulele, Mike Evans enjoying lunch with his wife, and Kwon Alexander getting a haircut.

    • Undrafted free agent defensive back Maurice Fleming gets some spotlight, earning praise from both coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht. Fleming asked Jameis Winston what time he wakes for camp, and matched the time that Winston gave him.

    After a rough practice narrated by an expletive-laden Dirk Koetter, the Bucs are forced to run gassers.

  • Doug Martin is one of the stars of this episode. One of my favorite parts of the episode was Martin discussing his rehab, and how he’s a better man now than he was last year. Martin says that it’s time for him to start acting like a vet, and seems eager to take on a leadership role for the younger backs. It’s nice to see a good guy like Martin finally in a good place.

    • To the tune of 2 Chainz, the Buccaneers make their short journey to Jacksonville.

    Jameis Winston sits down with former coaches Jon Gruden and Rex Ryan for an ESPN production meeting. Mike Evans sits down with the coaches next, and discusses his aspirations to be among the best receivers ever.

    The Buccaneer quarterbacks discover a mutual admiration for goats; Jameis Winston considers adopting a goat.

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  •  Competitive joint practices between the Buccaneers and Jaguars begin, and the Buccaneer defensive and offensive lines seem to win the day at the beginning, but as the day draws on and the rain begins to fall the Buccaneers get sloppier. Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson grow frustrated on the field, as does Jameis Winston. For the second time this episode, Koetter lambastes his offense for poor play.

    • Not satisfied with their poor day of practice, Jameis Winston studies in a hotel room with DeSean Jackson and rookie running back Jeremy McNichols.

  • Maurice Fleming is given some more camera time as he gets increased responsibility with Bren Grimes out still. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith doesn’t hold back as Fleming has a rough day of practice against the Jaguars.
  • Defensive tackle Chris Baker narrates some practice reps, dishing a quality amount of trash talk to both the Jaguar players and their fans.

    • The night before their game against the Jaguars, the Bucs go through some installation in the hotel as a piano plays in the background.

    In the locker room Jameis Winston leads a congregation of players as he makes them recite his motivational poem, and I’ve gotta admit that as far as motivation poems go, this one was pretty good!

    Game time! Doug Martin is given the spotlight first as he carves through the Jaguar defense on his way to a red-zone touchdown. The theme of Buccaneer domination carries over from practice, and we see a fired up Tampa Bay team getting after Jacksonville. Despite the impressive Buccaneer offense, the points aren’t quite there as they have an extra point blocked and a touchdown dropped.

    Were you pretty angry when Jameis Winston tossed that insane near-interception in the red-zone? Yeah, well I PROMISE that you weren’t as angry as head coach Dirk Koetter. After Winston’s pass Koetter held nothing back on the sideline.

    Fringe linebacker Riley Bullough has been a star of this season thus far, but didn’t get any screen time until late in the Jacksonville game. Another player battling for a roster spot, Maurice Fleming, gets more screen time as well during the game. The young corner gets injured and then torched by Dee Dee Westbrook afterwards. Having to play through injury is one of the curses of fringe roster players, but to Fleming’s credit with the game on the line he managed to defend a would-be touchdown to Westbrook.

    Fleming waits in the trainers room for the diagnosis on his knee injury and it seems that he’ll need knee surgery. As a result, the Buccaneers waive the young corner as  the episode comes to a close.

  • As the credits roll, we watch Donteea Dye admiring the eclipse using those special glasses that sold out in a heartbeat.

    • Quote of the week

    "“Should I sponsor a goat this year?”"

    Quarterback Jameis Winston

    Play of the week

    Hard Knocks didn’t hone in on any one special play in particular during their practice montages, but during the game they were sure to focus in on running back Doug Martin. His first quarter touchdown wins play of the week.

    Battle of the week

    Maurice Fleming versus Dee Dee Westbrook was a frequent battle during the latest preseason game, and though Westbrook got the better of him Fleming was able to win the battle in the end-zone to close the game. Extra points for playing injured, too.

    Winner of the week

    Defensive tackle Chris Baker won the week, as he was consistently hilarious throughout the episode. From taunting Jaguar fans to romantically dancing with a tree, Baker has been one of my favorites to watch on Hard Knocks. Hopefully he can be equally impressive on the playing field.

    Cut of the week

    Cornerback Maurice Fleming. Though Fleming wasn’t technically “cut”, he was placed on waivers because of his injury. Once healthy Fleming could potentially see his way to the Buccaneer practice squad.

    Next: Jude released, DePaola signed

    I can hardly believe it but we’re already heading towards the fourth episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks! This latest episode didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it was just as entertaining as the two before it and I’m excited to see what next week has in store. What did you think about the episode, Buccaneer fans? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to come back next week for another recap.

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