After night their preseason document with a 13-6 highway win over the Jets final weekend, the Bucs return to the Raymond James Stadium Saturday night time for his or her preseason finale. The Ravens — contemporary off their first exhibition loss since 2015 (snapping a 24-game win streak) — might be on the town for Tampa Bay’s final tune-up earlier than Week 1.
With this being the ultimate preseason sport, cuts are attributable to be made within the days that comply with. Meaning that is the final probability for some gamers on the bubble to make their instances to stay on the 53-man roster.
With that in thoughts, right here is one Buc to observe at every place when the Bucs host the Ravens in Saturday night time’s preseason finale. After a take a look at the offensive aspect of the ball, let’s end with the protection and particular groups.
Defensive Line: Mike Greene
Bucs DT Mike Greene – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Greene has quietly been one of many Bucs’ higher defensive linemen via the primary two preseason video games. With Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey not taking part in and Greg Gaines and Logan Corridor taking part in restricted snaps, the group’s depth defensive linemen have gotten some important reps within the first two weeks.
Greene, an undrafted free agent out of James Madison final yr, has been somebody who has made probably the most of these reps. Professional Soccer Focus credited him with a sack in opposition to the Steelers within the preseason opener, then he truly improved upon his general PFF grade final week in opposition to the Jets.
Towards Pittsburgh, Greene acquired a 66.4 general grade, with 63.9 run protection, 67.3 tackling and 62.6 cross speeding marks. Within the win over New York, the 6-foot-3, 293-pounder posted a 72.4 general grade, with 60.7 run protection, 66.8 tackling and 74.1 cross rush marks.
The Bucs have appreciated what they’ve seen out of Greene within the final couple of years, and he could have an opportunity to drive his manner onto the group’s 53-man roster out of camp. He’s extra doubtless destined for the observe squad, however one other sturdy night time in opposition to the Ravens might give the Bucs one thing to consider.
Outdoors Linebacker: Cam Gill
Gill made a triumphant return to the sphere within the preseason opener two weeks in the past, totaling 1.5 sacks in his first sport since struggling a season-ending foot harm 363 days prior. However the Bucs are stacked at exterior linebacker proper now, and there’s a cause Todd Bowles stated that place could also be one of many hardest in the case of making cuts for the 53-man roster. Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson and Yaya Diaby are locks. The fifth spot is up for grabs.
Rookie Markees Watts seems to be main the best way for that OLB5 function. However as Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds famous in his 53-man roster projection, Watts might want to show dependable on particular groups with a purpose to beat out Gill, sixth-round decide Jose Ramirez, Charles Snowden and Hamilcar Rashed. Gill, for his half, would possibly have to make a very good remaining impression with a robust sport in opposition to Baltimore. In any other case, he dangers shedding out on a roster spot to Watts, who has flashed and been downright unblockable at occasions in the course of the first two preseason video games.
Inside Linebacker: J.J. Russell
Bucs ILB J.J. Russell – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
There wasn’t a lot speak about Russell all summer season, and there wasn’t a lot cause that he ought to’ve been talked about. It appeared clear that his time in Tampa as a depth inside linebacker might quickly be over after the group drafted SirVocea Dennis and signed a promising undrafted free agent in Jeremy Banks.
However Banks was lower earlier than coaching camp, Dennis underwhelmed in his preseason debut earlier than lacking the second exhibition and the beginning linebackers have been rested over the past two video games. That has left Russell with an opportunity to make performs.
Russell got here up with an interception in opposition to the Steelers and compelled a fumble in opposition to the Jets, two splash performs that sparked Tampa Bay. Turnovers have been exhausting to come back by for the Bucs protection, however Russell has been forcing them in preseason play.
His 89.6 and 94.2 general grades from PFF within the first two preseason video games have made him one of many group’s high performers. He nonetheless faces lengthy odds to make the roster, as he’ll doubtless want the group to hold 5 inside linebackers. That’s a risk, or he might drive his manner in over Ok.J. Britt with one other dazzling efficiency on protection and particular groups this Saturday. Britt could miss the preseason finale with a hamstring harm.
Cornerback: Keenan Isaac
Isaac very nicely may be in place to make the Bucs’ 53-man roster, however he’ll have to solidify his spot on Saturday night time. The 6-foot-2 cornerback who was an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State had a really underwhelming debut in opposition to the Steelers two weeks in the past. He posted a 48.3 PFF grade, with a run protection grade of 32.5 and a tackling mark of 25.5. Three missed tackles had been the obtrusive problem, although he posted a not-so-bad protection grade of 55.8.
Isaac bounced again final week in opposition to the Jets with a significantly better efficiency. His 78.9 general grade — with 68.8 run protection, 79.9 tackling and 78.7 protection marks — was third-best amongst Bucs defenders who performed greater than 20 snaps. He’s doubtless needing to fend off veteran Anthony Chesley and sixth-round decide Josh Hayes for a roster spot, however his uncooked expertise could give him the sting within the eyes of Todd Bowles and the teaching employees.
Security: Nolan Turner
Bucs S Nolan Turner – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Turner had a pleasant coaching camp and preseason final yr, and he was off to a very good begin in camp once more this yr. The 2022 undrafted free agent had an interception and a number of other cross breakups within the early days, however he has been much less spectacular throughout preseason play. He was all-around poor in opposition to Pittsburgh earlier than a barely higher — however nonetheless not nice — night time in opposition to New York final week.
The previous Clemson Tiger is firmly on the roster bubble. Kaevon Merriweather and Chris Izien are much more more likely to take the ultimate two spots at security behind Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal. Turner is probably going a observe squad choice at this level, but when he exhibits up in opposition to the Ravens and proves extra priceless on particular groups than Merriweather, possibly he can nonetheless sneak his manner onto the ultimate roster.
Kicker: Chase McLaughlin
There’s just one kicker to observe now. The Bucs waived Rodrigo Blankenship this week, leaving McLaughlin because the winner of the group’s kicking competitors. The veteran went 2-of-2 on further factors within the preseason opener, then completed 1-of-1 on PATs in opposition to the Jets along with hitting a 48-yard subject purpose. Blankenship lacking from 55 and 32 yards final weekend made issues fairly clear on the kicking place for Tampa Bay.
Punter: Jake Camarda
Bucs P Jake Camarda – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Camarda has put collectively an uneven preseason. He had a 61-yard punt in opposition to Pittsburgh, but additionally had kicks of simply 36 and 40 yards. Within the win over New York, he booted one other 61-yarder, however he additionally had a 28-yarder. The second-year punter has distinctive potential, however whether or not he reaches that potential and turns into a attainable Professional Bowler will rely on his consistency.
Kick Returner/Punt Returner: Trey Palmer
Deven Thompkins is probably going nonetheless the favourite to be the Bucs’ return man, however there’s no denying the joy that Palmer might present if he’s inserted in that function. His elite pace would make him an particularly intriguing choice for the kick return job. It stays to be seen whether or not Tampa Bay needs to make use of him closely within the return sport, although. With Russell Gage’s harm, Palmer is probably going set to be the group’s WR3, so it might be sensible to maintain him out of hurt’s manner as a lot as attainable.
