Bucs Camp Studs And Duds: 7/29

With how high the organization is on undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels’ potential, it was important for Browning to come out and show that the quarterback position is in good hands from top to bottom. Compared to Kyle Trask and Teddy Bridgewater holding the post in recent years, Tampa Bay should be comfortable knowing they have someone with more experience than the former and a higher ceiling than the latter.

WR Ted Hurst

Ted Hurst was drafted into a crowded wide receiver room, as the talented third-round pick enters training camp fourth on the depth chart. One might think Hurst will not have much of a role – think again. Given his 6-foot-4 size and 4.4 speed, he offers a skillset different from other guys in the mix for targets in Zac Robinson’s offense. His twitchiness stood out, especially going through individual drills.

With how Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka hit the ground running as rookies comes the expectation Hurst will show flashes and make the room even more competitive. At the moment, there is not a ton of pressure on him to play significant snaps, which gives him the time to learn and make the most of his chances on the field. That can always change as seen in recent years when wide receiver injuries piled up.

For now, chalk up his first day of training camp for being the most notable wide receiver performance.

OLB David Walker

David Walker had a rough go of it during his rookie year, succumbing to a torn ACL during last season’s training camp. Now fully recovered, Walker made the most of it by getting a would-be sack and displaying glimpses of the pass-rushing promise that made him coveted by Tampa Bay.

There is a bit of a logjam in the outside linebacker room between starters Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain along with veterans Al-Quadin Muhammad and Anthony Nelson. It is vital for Walker to stack quality practices like the one he had on Wednesday and win a couple of reps to force head coach Todd Bowles to find ways to work him into the rotation.

OLB Rueben Bain Jr.

As right tackle Luke Goedeke told Pewter Report after practice, it is easy for Rueben Bain Jr. to pass the eye test.

Bain made it a tough day for Goedeke and the rest of the offensive line with the way he came off the edge. The first-round pick looked like a difference-maker opposite Yaya Diaby, as each had impressive days and appeared to feed off one another. His explosiveness off the snap and ability to get by his matchup stood out, and I am expecting to write about him a lot more in the coming days and weeks.

CB Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum recognizes that “it’s that time” to start making plays and living up to his contract. For McCollum, there is no more resting on his traits and promise entering his fifth NFL season. With the uncertainty of the Bucs cornerback room hanging over the defense like a dark cloud, it was encouraging to see the way he read Baker Mayfield and snagged an interception over wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

It was as good of an impression that McCollum could make on the first day, although he has a long way to go to prove his worth and that he can carry it over to the season. He cannot afford to play it safe, and the most aggressive version of him should be out there this summer.

Duds From Day 1 Of Bucs Training Camp

LT Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs is certainly not a dud for his play. Wirfs makes this list based on the fact he was not out there for practice. It was surprising to not see the All-Pro left tackle, considering there was no news leading up to training camp suggesting otherwise.

After practice, it was revealed that he tweaked something in his running test on Tuesday after he and the rest of the team reported. (The picture from above was from last year’s training camp.)

Pewter Report was told it was “nothing serious,” and we will be closely monitoring his return.

WR Tez Johnson

Tez Johnson had multiple drops on the first day but made up for it by hauling in a deep ball from Jake Browning at the end of practice. That moment saved Johnson from having a more disappointing practice, as he can ill afford more days like this if he wants a piece of the target share in the Bucs’ offense. Hopefully for his sake, it is just getting the first day over and done with and getting into more of a rhythm going forward. As it stands right now, Johnson is WR5 on the depth chart.

CB Benjamin Morrison

It is hard for Benjamin Morrison to suggest he can be a starting cornerback when he is not out there for practice.

Morrison was dressed and had his helmet, but it was clear that he was a very limited participant. He spent the early portion of the morning working on the side with a trainer before joining the team. With how important it is for him to take a step in his second season, he is only losing ground to Jacob Parrish the more he is not participating.

The Bucs will get back at it for Day 2 of training camp Thursday morning.