Three things to watch in Buccaneers preseason opener
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to kickoff their 2022 preseason, and there are three things that Buccaneers fans should watch intently during the game.
In a battle of two of the three NFL franchises based in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins will begin their 2022 preseason campaigns facing off against each other. Given the whole snafu involving the Dolphins tampering with Tom Brady while with the Buccaneers, this preseason game has a little more juice injected into it than most normally would.
That aside, there are three things Bucs fans should watch for during the opening preseason contest, let’s get into it.
Kyle Trask has a chance to make a statement for the Buccaneers
The subject of Kyle Trask’s talent, potential, and future in Tampa Bay has become a lightning rod issue amongst fans. The since-deleted video the team tweeted out showed one of his balls fluttering into the defense’s hands like a dead duck only fueling the fire.
Some have already disregarded the idea that Trask can take the reigns once Brady does depart, while others simply think he deserves a fair shake. With Brady not currently with the team, Trask all of a sudden finds himself in a position where he might get more playing time than he maybe normally would have. The team would be wise to give him as many live reps as possible regardless of Brady. What he does with those reps, is something fans will surely be taking notes on as it could potentially be a glimpse into the future.
Trask isn’t the only part of the offense to watch, however.
Will a Buccaneers running back emerge as the favorite to backup Lenny?
The subject of who will serve as the Bucs RB2 in 2022 is one that has a certain level of intrigue attached to it. It’s one of the more competitive position battles the team currently has, and there are plenty of suitors.
Rookie Rachaad White has scored rave reviews in camp, but the third-round pick is currently buried fourth on the depth chart behind fellow third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn entering his second year and veteran Giovanni Bernard as backups for Leonard Fournette for whatever that’s worth. Kenjon Barner could also become a factor in all of this as well.
It will be interesting to see which backs get the most reps behind the new-look offensive line (something else fans will find intriguing) as we will possibly get more clarity on who the primary backup/change of pace back behind Fournette will eventually be.
Finally, let’s go to the other side of the ball.
What will the Buccaneers’ pass-rush depth look like?
As far as the Bucs’ starting pass-rushers goe, we know Shaq Barrett is a stud, and while whatever the future of last year’s first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka holds as a starter is still unknown, signs are pointing up for the second-year man. However, what’s behind them is still a complete unknown.
Anthony Nelson is solid, to the point where he’s maybe even a little underrated. He is a very good depth piece, however that’s about it for the Bucs. The undrafted Cam Gill has been around since 2020 and hasn’t made that much of an impact. Elsewhere, there’s Elijah Ponder, who the Buccaneers brought in as an undrafted free agent last year and spent the season on the practice squad, seventh-round rookie Andre Anthony, and two undrafted rookies in Jordan Young and JoJo Ozougwo. We don’t even know if these four will end up making the final roster.
The issue of another veteran presence for the pass-rush is one that’s perhaps flown a bit under the radar thus far, and that’s something that should change. However, if one or more of these players show out, then it’s a moot point. The backup pass rushers are certainly players to watch.
While it’s only preseason, the first look at live football each year will always be exciting for fans. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their fans should keep their eyes peeled on these three players and player groups to get a glimpse of what they’re working with in both the present and possibly the future.