Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Preseason Week 2 report card

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NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops back to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a pre-season game at Nissan Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Passing Grades

Jameis Winston – A+

Winston played the entire second quarter and came out on fire as he completed his first seven passes on his way to completing 13-of-18, for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Although he did make one risky “toss it up” pass that luckily was caught by receiver Chris Godwin for a touchdown.

All in all, Winston had an excellent passing game and looks to be in regular season form. In addition, it appears that the extra work with DeSean Jackson may have finally paid off, as he was able to hit him on a deep pass for a 54-yard gain which led to a seven-play, 91-yard touchdown scoring drive. With plenty of weapons, this offense could be very scary for opposing defenses and it will be interesting to see if they perform as well in the all-important Week Three preseason game.

Chandler Catanzaro – A

At a position that has been suspect the last few seasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have finally found their long-term answer at kicker in Chandler Catanzaro. After missing a field goal and an extra point in the first exhibition game he showed that it was not going to affect him in Week Two.

Catanzaro came back against the Titans and hit on all three of his field goal attempts including two from forty and beyond (44 and 48 yards), and also hit on all three of his extra point attempts which are no longer chip shots. Hopefully, (with fingers and toes crossed) Catanzaro finally fixes the kicking issues, at least for the next season or two.

A couple of rookies: Justin Watson and M.J. Stewart – B

Wide Receiver Justin Watson is in the hunt with several other receivers for Tampa’s fifth receiver spot on the active roster, but in the preseason opener, he did not help himself any by losing a fumble.

During game two against the Titans, he turned it on and led the Bucs in receptions with four and was second on the squad with 54 yards. All while catching his first NFL touchdown (albeit in preseason). He may have pushed himself up the ladder in the battle for the fifth receiver spot and could be a steal as a fifth rounder for the Buccaneers.

Cornerback M.J. Stewart is also in a battle for likely the slot corner position and got to shine against the Titans with Vernon Hargreaves missing the game due to injury. Although he did not have many tackles during the game, he showed his ability to cause turnovers as he forced two fumbles including one that was scooped up by LaVonte David. As the second of three second-round picks he will definitely be an integral part of the Buccaneers defense, but if he continues to show his ability to force turnovers he may just win a starting job after all.

Now we get to the opposite of the passing grades with the players or Buccaneers aspects that received failing grades during the game against the Tennessee Titans.

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