Buccaneers: Key takeaways from 2021 preseason opener
By Rob Leeds
![Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8162fb2ba3477811f5bc11deae4b005697832b259fc16765fa99cf8a173753f4.jpg)
Ugly performances for the Buccaneers
Ryan Griffin
Remember those August superstars? What do you do when your players that only do well during the preseason can’t even do that? This may be a little harsh, but the days of Griffin being the number three guy need to come to a close.
Griffin was throwing into traffic on his two interceptions, but both are hardly only on the quarterback.
Even if you take those mistakes away, Griffin just doesn’t pop when he plays. After being dominant during the preseason but failing to see the field during the regular season, this was Griffin’s chance to establish himself above Trask on the depth chart, and he missed.
It’s time for the Bucs to bump Griffin back to QB4, as they already know everything they will get from having Griffin under center.
Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson was another player that needed a good game in a big way. Unfortunately, that good game didn’t come.
Johnson’s hands left plenty to be desired in traffic, his route running lacked urgency, and this didn’t look like a performance for a player that is fighting for his job.
Johnson has to be much better in the coming weeks just to keep his job as the sixth guy, but the good news for him is the other depth receivers didn’t really pop enough to take his spot yet.