The Pewter Plank
FanSided

6 players redeeming themselves at Buccaneers training camp

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 11: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass while under pressure from Noah Spence #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 11: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass while under pressure from Noah Spence #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

CB Vernon Hargreaves

As with Cichy, Hargreaves has spent most of his highly anticipated career on the sidelines with injuries, including the entire 2018 season after facing a season-ending injury week one. However, even when Hargreaves has been healthy, he has not exactly fit the bill of a former first round pick.

Former defensive coordinator Smith may have been misusing Hargreaves, though, and Bowles has no intentions of doing such a thing. Instead of playing Hargreaves in a heavy cover-three scheme, Bowles has him close to the line of scrimmage in press-man coverage. This is the scheme Hargreaves played in college, and he has already voiced his excitement about getting back into this aggressive style of play with the Buccaneers under Bowles.

Arians has expressed his confidence in Hargreaves this offseason, and thus far in training camp, he is not letting his head coach down. Making acrobatic interceptions, battling with star receiver Mike Evans on the goal line, and overall being where he needs to be, Hargreaves has shown great improvement this summer.

The Buccaneers picked up Hargreaves’ fifth-year option, so he is under contract in Tampa Bay through 2020. He has the versatility to play in the nickel or outside, so if Hargreaves continues to earn the trust of the coaching staff, then he will have no problem finding playing time on the field this season.

Home/Bucs News