By TAMPA, Fla. — Two weeks into training camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are beginning to get some answers.
Some of them should have Todd Bowles smiling.
Others probably have the coaching staff reaching for the practice film.
The biggest takeaway from the Buccaneers’ second week of camp was difficult to miss: Tampa Bay’s defense is playing faster, more aggressively and, getting after the quarterback.
The offense had its moments, particularly Friday when Baker Mayfield and the passing game bounced back from a difficult Thursday practice. But when looking at the entire week, the defense was the unit that consistently created problems.
Here are the Buccaneers who helped themselves the most this week — and the areas that still need work.
STOCK UP: David Walker
If there has been one breakout player in Buccaneers camp, David Walker has made a strong case for the title.
After missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, Walker has spent camp reminding everyone why Tampa Bay was excited about him in the first place.
The second-year edge rusher repeatedly found his way into the backfield this week. During Friday’s practice, Walker produced several pressures while working against Justin Skule and continued showing a combination of leverage, power and pass-rush moves.
Pewter Report charted Walker with at least one would-be sack in each of the first seven practices, including a strip-sack and recovery Thursday.
The question isn’t whether Walker belongs in Tampa Bay’s edge rotation anymore.
It’s becoming how many snaps Bowles can find for him.
STOCK UP: Rueben Bain Jr.
The Buccaneers needed to find another legitimate pass-rushing threat this offseason.
They may have found one in the first round of the draft.
Rueben Bain Jr. was one of the most disruptive players on the field during Tuesday night’s practice, consistently creating pressure with his combination of power, quickness and violent hands.
Bain won quickly during one-on-one drills and carried that production into team periods, repeatedly collapsing the pocket.
STOCK UP: Zyon McCollum
One of Tampa Bay’s biggest defensive questions entering camp was the secondary.
Zyon McCollum is doing his part to provide an answer.
McCollum made plays throughout the week and finished Friday’s practice with perhaps his best one, intercepting Mayfield during the two-minute period.
Mayfield went deep for Emeka Egbuka, but McCollum closed on the football, and tipped the ball to himself for the interception.
His ball skills have consistently shown up throughout camp.
If McCollum can carry that improvement into the regular season, Tampa Bay’s secondary could look considerably different from the unit that struggled with consistency a year ago.
STOCK UP: Kenneth Gainwell
Bucky Irving remains the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s running game, but Kenneth Gainwell is making it increasingly difficult for the coaching staff to keep him off the field.
Gainwell has shown burst to the outside, the ability to create yards after the catch and enough versatility to line up in several different situations.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson called Gainwell “super versatile” and praised his intelligence, pass protection and ability to quickly absorb new assignments.
That versatility could make Gainwell much more than simply Irving’s backup.
Robinson appears to have plans for both backs, potentially giving Mayfield another weapon in the passing game.
STOCK UP: Josiah Trotter
Another rookie is forcing his way into the conversation.
Second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter has looked comfortable since the pads came on and has been working himself into the competition for significant playing time.
His physical style fits what Bowles wants from his defense, but the encouraging part has been more than hitting ability. Trotter has displayed the field awareness and presence necessary to operate in the middle of a defense.
With Tampa Bay looking for a new identity at linebacker, Trotter’s development could become one of the most important stories of camp.
STOCK DOWN: Buccaneers Pass Protection
Before sounding the alarms, there is an important qualifier here: Tristan Wirfs hasn’t been practicing because of a hamstring injury.
That matters.
Still, Tampa Bay’s pass protection has been concerning.
The defensive front repeatedly found its way into the backfield this week, and while some of that should be credited to Walker, Bain and the improved pass rush, it also raises questions about the offensive line’s depth.
The run blocking has looked better. Pass protection has been much more uneven.
Getting Wirfs healthy will obviously change the equation, but Tampa Bay needs to develop dependable depth behind its starting five.
STOCK DOWN: Offensive Consistency
Mayfield hasn’t suddenly forgotten how to play quarterback, and there have been plenty of impressive throws throughout camp.
The problem this week was consistency.
Thursday’s practice belonged largely to the defense as theBuccaneers offense just wasn’t sharp. Friday was considerably better.
Mayfield connected with Cade Otton for a red-zone touchdown on a spectacular one-handed catch before later being intercepted by McCollum during the two-minute drill.
Bowles described Friday as the kind of back-and-forth practice he wants.
“I thought the offense started out very well,” Bowles said. “I thought it was a lot more give and take today than it was yesterday.”
That’s encouraging.
But Tampa Bay needs more of Friday and less of Thursday.
STOCK DOWN: The Injury List
Perhaps the biggest concern isn’t any individual player’s performance.
It’s availability.
Wirfs has been sidelined by a hamstring injury, while the Buccaneers have also been managing injuries throughout the roster. Billy Schrauth missed Friday’s practice after getting banged up, and the receiver room has dealt with its own injury issues during camp.
Nobody wins training camp because they dominate practices in August.
The objective is getting to September healthy.
Defense Wins the Week
If Bowles wanted to see more speed, physicality and competition from his defense this summer, he has gotten it.
Walker has been one of camp’s biggest revelations. Bain looks capable of making an immediate impact. Trotter is pushing for a role. McCollum is making plays on the football.
That doesn’t mean the Buccaneers have solved every defensive problem.
But the front seven looks faster and deeper than it did a year ago, and beginning to produce results.
The next test will tell us considerably more.
Tampa Bay is preparing for joint practices with the New York Jets before the preseason opener, which means Walker, Bain, Trotter and the rest of this revamped defense will finally get the opportunity to hit someone wearing a different uniform.
After what they showed this week, that may be exactly what Bowles wants to see.
