Training camp begins: Day 1

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Training camp is when reality hits that the regular season is just around the corner. As training camp begins, everybody is amped to get back to work. Friday was day one of getting back at it; albeit without pads and very little contact.

Things have just gotten started, and there’s been a month and a half break since OTAs. We expect to see some hits and some misses.

Tough Day For Winston

And that begins with the quarterback. Jameis Winston had an underwhelming day, which head coach Bruce Arians contributed to being overworked in the offseason.

“He was throwing a little too much; we had to calm him down. I told him to slow down his pitch count until we got started.”

Said Arians during his post-practice press conference. “All the things we’re throwing at him, all the different types of coverages. It was 50/50 to Mike [Evans]; it wasn’t a very good 50/50. I don’t mind throwing those to Mike. He’s going to come down with his share; just make it a little closer. But I liked the thought process.”

Arians praised Blaine Gabbert after seeing what he brought to the first practice. “I thought he had a heck of a day. He had some nice deep balls. He knows the offense. He knows where to get to his checkdowns; knows when to take his shots. This is ninth offense and only the second time he’s been in the same one. I like the guy.”

Arians Impressed With Team After Day 1

Arians felt and saw the intensity of the field today. “There was a lot of good speed. On both sides the ebb-and-flow of practice was pretty good; defense won some, offense won some. I thought it was a very, very good start. Hopefully, we can come back and stack a couple of these type of practices together.”

Arians also seemed content with what he saw from his players. “The first thing was how good of shape they’re in. They’re in great shape. But how much retention of the spring; are we starting over? That was a big emphasis; we can’t come back in here and start over. I didn’t see very many [busted assignments], so I was very pleased with that.”

“can’t ask for any more of this team as far as working. They’re working really hard and they work smarter and smarter every day.”

More to Come on the Running Back Battle

The running back battle behind Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones is a hot one this year. Everyone is itching to find out who makes the roster, but that’s something that will take some time.

Day one of training camp in shorts and jerseys isn’t going to predict the future. “You can see vision [without pads],” said Arians. “There were some guys that made some great jump cuts and found some holes today. Would they have been there in pads? I don’t know, but they saw it and popped out of it. They looked really good. Their pass protection is solid. It’s tough to talk about the running game without pads, but we’ll find out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.”

“We won’t have a substandard running game; we’ll have a damn good one… We’re going to commit to the running game.”

Two running backs, one who is coming into his second year with the Bucs and one who has reunited with Arians. Both have made contributions so far.

RoJo Coming Into His Own?

Jones is proud of the work he put in before returning to the field. “I went from 205 to 220,” said Jones. “I’m just putting the work in the hottest weather I could find, coming back to Tampa. I’m just running hills and working on my routes. I kept the speed, too. Coach said I can get as big as I want, as long as I keep the speed. I feel stronger, and my [football] I.Q. has gone up,” said Jones.

He feels more comfortable now that year one is behind him. “It’s a lot different. I know what to expect now. I know the obstacles that are involved. I’ve just got to block out all the noise and just focus on ball.”

“Like [Byron] Leftwich always says, ‘Line up and be dangerous’. We’ve just got to find those mismatches and take advantage of those.”

Veteran Leadership at Running Back
As for the veteran Ellington, he laughed when asked if Arians has softened at all since Arizona. “I wouldn’t say he’s softened,” he said, with a smile. “He don’t get on me as much, because I’m supposed to know what to do. That’s a credit to myself; to go out there and do what I’m doing. As long as I’m not having him get on me, that’s a good thing.”

Ellington has fully embraced his role as a mentor to the young running backs. “[They ask me advice] all day, every day. Even back in OTAs when we first got here. But I love it because these guys want to learn; they’re interested. So, I’m all ears. Any advice I can give, I’m ready.

“There’s a lot of talent,” he added. “We all bring something different to the table. That’s kinda what we want to go into the year with, having our unique skillsets; whichever way helps the team win.”

Other Players Noted

When asked whether he saw Devin White as an every-down lineman, Arians said, frankly, “He’s not coming off the field.” White has been praised as a smart pick in the draft due to his athleticism and versatility.

As for the outside of the line, Arians likes what he’s seen out of linebacker Noah Spence. “He’s got a high, high motor. He’s getting to the quarterback a lot. Let’s see that in pads. I think what we’re doing with him fits. I want to see him stop the run a little bit; he’s always rushing the passer.”

Arians is also optimistic about tight end Cameron Brate. “He’s healthy. He looks good. Again, we’ll see him in pads. But we know he can catch the football and he made some good plays down there in the redzone. That’s been his forte, so we’ll just keep building on that.”

He is equally proud of his quarterback. “He likes the new offense. He’s getting it well. He’s throwing me the ball, too, when I get open. I just gotta keep getting open; he said he’s going to throw it to me.” Jones expects ball-catching to be a big part of what he’ll be doing this season. “I’m going to try to get the ball in space.”

A Winning Mentality?

A winning mentality cannot be underestimated. It’s likely the Buccaneers haven’t truly felt this way in many years, which has been reflected on the field.

Training camp is an excellent test of whether that mentality will hold up from week 1 to week 17.

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