Now that rookie camp is over, mini-camp is the next event on the NFL calendar is a series of OTAs that will culminate with a mandatory minicamp in June.
So, who stood out at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp?
Edge rusher David Walker
David Walker’s quickness was displayed throughout rookie camp, as evidenced by Todd Bowles’s comments on David Walker during the practice sessions.
“We saw the quickness, obviously, earlier today, and he was probably the best t-shirt and helmet player we had out there today from that standpoint, but just understanding the scheme. The terminology is different, there’s a lot of things we’re asking him to do differently, so to see him move around and get comfortable with that, it will be an important thing for him.”
Cornerback Benjamin Morrison
Benjamin Morrison did not participate in the drills but worked a lot on his own as he continued to recover from surgery, which caught Todd Bowles’s attention.
“It was very good to see him move around. I think he’s okay. I just think he has to get in shape now, so we have to monitor where he is as far as what kind of program he needs, but I think he’ll be fine. We’re really looking forward to having him at training camp, but if he can come out and do some things in OTAs, that would be a big bonus. We’re looking to play a little more man and zone from man upfront from a press standpoint. It’ll be mixed up. You never want to do too much of one thing because people are going to get a bead on that. You’re going to have to play some off and have to play some zone.”
Morrison feels equally confident he can excel in zone and man coverage.
Cornerback Jacob Parrish
Although Jacob Parrish may not have the height you would like in a cornerback, Bowles said not to dismiss Parrish. Bowles envisions Parrish as an outside corner and playing some nickel. He said he anticipates Parrish playing both positions at a high level.
Safety Shilo Sanders
Shilo Sanders, known for his hard-hitting and playmaking and being the son of legend Deion Sanders, joins the Buccaneers, who are desperate for help in their secondary. He is known to play with good aggression, but according to NFL scouts, he lacks consistency and playmaking traits. Sanders can also contribute on special teams and sub on various defensive packages.
Bowles talked about Sanders after the first practice of rookie camp.
“Like the rest of the safeties, he’s very intelligent, he’s very loud. You can hear him making calls and everything so he’s got a good grasp of things day one. There was about three or four of them that did, he’s one of them. But you’ve got to make plays in pads. Obviously, Knowing what to do and then doing it consistently and constantly getting better every day.”
Wide Receiver Tez Johnson
Tez Johnson made quite the impression during rookie camp with his speed, as he was continually able to get past defenders. His acceleration was on display as well as his ability to start and stop quickly. Johnson holds the record for most single-season catches for the Oregon Ducks.
The Buccaneers are looking for Johnson to utilize his speed and help the Buccaneers’ passing attack reach new heights.
Todd Bowles talked about what Johnson brings to the Buccaneer passing attack. “I mean, he’s quick. He’s a quick player. We know he’s quick, we know he’s fast, we know he can run routes, and we know he’s a receiver. When you’re that light, you have to be very quick, and he’s very quick. I’ll be interested to see, going forward, how he learns more.”
Look for a fastest-man competition between Johnson and Bucky Irving at training camp.
In his meeting with the media, Johnson talked about the competition that he and Irving used to engage in at practice at Oregon. He also assured everyone that he was faster than Bucky Irving.