The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up the preseason Friday night against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium with a 24-14 win against their in-state rivals.
The Bucs finished the preseason 2-1 and showed improvement on both sides of the ball in Friday’s preseason win over their previous two games.
The Buccaneers’ starters looked impressive on the few plays they were on the field, despite Miami resting their starters.
The Buccaneers offense took the ball, went straight down the field, and put the ball in the end zone to start the game, something the Buccaneers did not do in any game last season, including the playoffs, and that is to score on the first drive.
Baker Mayfield said that was a focus this off-season, a fast start for the offense. “I mean, we talked about it all offseason, how we need to start faster. We’re going to have a great defense, so jumping out early was something that’s important for us and just to set the tone. We need to be efficient early on. We don’t need to wait and get hit in the mouth and figure things out and adjust from there. We need to be efficient and still adjust after that. But, yeah, that was important to us.”
Rachaad White averaged four yards per carry, and had a four-yard touchdown to give the Buccaneers and early 6-0 lead.
The highlight of that drive was a beautiful sideline catch by Jalen McMillan, who went up and grabbed a Mayfield pass and managed to come down in bounds along the sideline.
It will not be easy to defend these Buccaneers receivers. Do you want to get beat by Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, or Trey Palmer? Pick your poison.
This was the first preseason game that the starters, minus Mike Evans and Lavonte David, saw game action.
Todd Bowles said he did not have a set number of plays in mind that the starters would play but wanted to see “the operation going smoothly.”
Mission accomplished.
Baker Mayfield looked in command of the offense, and the running game continued to look strong behind Racha ad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker.
There are still a few guys on the “roster bubble.” We will have to wait until the final cuts are announced to see if these “bubble” players did enough to earn a roster spot.
At tight end, the rookie from Washington Devin Culp has the advantage over Ko Kieft.
At running back, Sean Tucker has solidified his spot on the roster as Chase Edmond has missed time in training camp battling an injury and will be placed on IR to start the season.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Sean Tucker will be the opening-day running backs.
Rookie Graham Barton, who is from Duke, will be the starting center, while Ben Bredeson will be the starting left guard.
The Buccaneers signed Bredeson as a free agent from Dallas and Sua Opeta from Philadelphia. Opeta suffered a season ending injury during camp, giving the job to Bredesen by default.
One player the Buccaneers like is rookie free agent wide receiver Cameron Johnson from Barton College. Johnson has had a good training camp and is trying to make the team as the featured kick and punt returner.
Should he make the team, Johnson would be the fifth receiver behind Evans, Godwin, Palmer, and McMillan.
He was hampered in camp and the first three preseason games due to nagging injuries.
He’s very athletic,” Bowles said. “He’s a heck of a receiver. He’s got good return skills. I’d like to see him under the lights a little bit and see him play, but he’s very athletic.”
In his first preseason action, Johnson caught two passes for thirteen yards but did not get an opportunity to return a kick or punt.
Rakim Jarrett and Cody Thompson are also battling for the final receiver spot. Sterling Shephard appears on the outside looking in and will not make the team.
The linebacker position is another spot on the roster that is one of the team’s deepest. With three sacks, Jose Ramirez earned himself a roster spot with a solid defensive effort against Jacksonville in the second preseason game.
In the secondary, rookie Tykee Smith has made the team and will start at cornerback. 2nd-year DB Christien Izien will also make the team.
The final spots in the secondary will come down to Keenan Isaac, Josh Hayes, Tyrek Funderburk, and Tavierre Thomas.
Rosters need to be set to 53 by Tuesday. Some of those cut will return to join the 16-man practice squad.
The season opener is September 9th at 4:25 against the Washington Commanders.