As phase three of OTA’s begin this week there is already controversy brewing at One Bucs Place.
Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves did not participate in any drills and when asked about it, coach Bruce Arians said “He has to get his mind right.” When pressed further Arians said “you would have to ask Vernon”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a guy the Bucs just picked up the fifth year option of his contract for 2020 and will pay him nine million dollars.
In one of his opening press conferences, Arians said that he was excited for Hargreaves and thought he would excel in the type of defense the Bucs will deploy this year.
There is a lot of time yet for those two guys to work out whatever differences they have, but it is not starting well and the fact that Arians had three rookies out there in Sean Bunting, Jamel Dean, and Mike Edwards practicing with the first team does not bode well for Hargreaves
Gerald McCoy was a no show today and that was expected. The rumor mill continues to link McCoy to the Cleveland Browns in a trade, but Browns GM John Dorsey has said that ship has sailed and a trade is off the table.
Mandatory mini-camp will be held June 4th-8th and the Bucs could fine McCoy if he does not show for mini-camp. There have been no discussion about a re-negotiation of McCoy’s contract to play for less than $13 million this season.
Overall Arians was pleased with the speed and pace of the practice. As he promised there were two practices going on at the same time. The starters and the first team practiced on one field, while the rookies and second team players practiced on another field.
Arians wants to get as much tape on everyone as he possibly can to try to find that diamond in the rough.
The Winston to Breshad Perriman connection looks like it will be a force on offense especially the long ball. Arians had high praise for that duo today noting the chemistry between the two.
Ronald Jones actually ran the ball with some authority today and had a couple of nice catches out of the backfield as he tries to come back from a disappointing rookie season in 2018.
Once again the defense looked to be ahead of the offense as they got the better of it today. Devin White had another interception in practice, and the rookie defensive backs Bunting, Dean, and Edwards all had their moments and made some nice plays.
This is still underwear football. No pads allowed, but the offense was able to play against the defense for the first time which seemed to raise the competition level a bit.
