The Buccaneers got their first win for new coach Bruce Arians as they beat the Miami Dolphins 16-14. Matt Gay kicked a 48 yard goal with ten second left to give the Bucs the win.
If you were late getting in your seat or late getting in front of the TV, you missed the first string offense who played all of one series and did not do much of anything offensively.
Jameis Winston was 2/4 for 24 yards and was sacked for an 11 yard loss as Ronald Jones failed to pick up a block. This was a problem for Jones last season as he struggled in overlall pass blocking and learning the playbook.
Arians had said earlier in the week that he wanted to get a look at the young players and we got a heavy dose of the bottom half of the roster.
Arians was impressed with the the way the first team offense and defense looked. “I think our top-20 guys on both sides played really well. Then, the continuation of the dumbest penalties I have ever seen with our second group continue. They’re lucky we’re not cutting tomorrow.”
Arians is one of the most honest and tell it like it is coaches the Bucs have had in a long time and that is refreshing. There is no guessing, you know exactly where he stands.
Arians does not care if you’re a veteran or a rookie, if you are continually called out for stupid penalties you will not be playing for the Buccaneers.
Tight end Tanner Hudson continued to make plays as he had six catches for 93 yards and the Bucs only touchdown. He is the leading candidate to be the Bucs third tight end behind OJ Howard and Cameron Brate.
Running back Dare Ogunbowale had another good game catching the ball out of the backfield as he racked up 84 yards receiving. Ogunbowale continues to struggle running the ball carrying 13 times for 34 yards and is averaging just under three yards a carry so far in the pre-season.
Andre Ellington was not impressive at all in the time he played and if you go by what you see on the field, Ogunbowale is pushing Ellington for the third running back spot behind Barber and Jones.
Defensively, rookie cornerback Jamel Dean made his debut in a Buccaneer uniform and had his first interception as he picked off Dolphin quarterback Josh Rudock in the end zone in the third quarter.
Dean just missed an interception on a Josh Rosen pass late in the first half, but had the ball slip right through hands.
Matt Gay handled the pressure of a game winning kick as he kicked a 48 yarder with ten second to go to give the Bucs the win. Gay was 2/2 on his field goal attempts on the night.
The Bucs defense continued their aggressiveness as they sacked Miami quarterbacks five times in the game with Shaq Barrett getting his first sack as a Buccaneer.
Bobo Wilson and Ronald Jones were used in the return game with mixed results.
Mike Edwards and Justin Evans both missed the game due to injuries and the clock is now running for them to get in football shape and be ready for San Francisco on September 8th.
Training camp is now officially over for the Bucs with two preseason games left, they will now slide into their regular season practice schedule as they get ready for the Cleveland Browns next Friday at home.
