Week 3 of the Buccaneers OTAs kicked off with a bang in Tampa, with interesting headlines following the press conferences with Todd Bowles, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Cade Otton. If there’s one name that stands out, it’s second-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who shines and leaves his mark on every rep.
“Voss has made a name for himself. He’s had a very solid start to the OTAs. It doesn’t mean anything in the big picture, but I like where he’s at right now,” Bowles said, in his usual style of handbrake-laden praise.”
The All-Pro safety also spoke to the press, highlighting his commitment to OTAs and his role as a leader in a rejuvenating secondary. Winfield Jr. praised rookie Shilo Sanders for his work ethic and humility:
“He’s a good kid. He’s hungry to learn, and it really shows.”
He also talked about how to train the ability to force turnovers:
“It’s not magic. It’s repetition. Hitting the ball, chasing it, constantly keeping it in mind.”
The feeling is that Winfield wants to be more than a star: he wants to leave a legacy.
Tight end Cade Otton was another voice on the podium, and his message was clear. His job is to do the work no one else wants to do. Blocking, running routes in the middle zone, collaborating on special teams. And all of that, quietly.
“Whenever I’m given an opportunity, I try to make the most of it.”
Bowles described him as “the kind of player who doesn’t complain about anything and does everything without demanding the spotlight.”
Otton also praised new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, saying that “last year he prepared third downs very well” and that that meticulousness is now evident throughout the offense.
Bowles took the opportunity to review some of the team’s latest developments:
It wasn’t part of the press conference, but it was part of the buzz in the stands. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka remained on the ground for a few seconds after a defensive play. Bowles downplayed the incident:
“It was just the air. He woke up fine.”
The pass was broken up by Benjamin Morrison, another rookie who continues to put together good plays, although the coaching staff is reluctant to get too excited.
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