Key takeaways from first half of Buccaneers vs. Jets
If the first game of the preseason against the Steelers was disappointing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first half of the second game was a completely different story. Yes, the score does not matter, but the right players have mostly been starting to shine for the Bucs, and that is exactly what we all […]
If the first game of the preseason against the Steelers was disappointing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first half of the second game was a completely different story.
Yes, the score does not matter, but the right players have mostly been starting to shine for the Bucs, and that is exactly what we all needed to see before the season started.
Here are the biggest takeaways from that first half:
Trey Palmer is a stud
There is no other way to say it. Tampa may not be happy to be without Russell Gage due to an unfortunate injury, but Palmer is going to step into that third role rather easily if the first two games of the preseason are to be believed.
Palmer has been unstoppable against most second-string defenses in games, and it looks like he should be able to do the same against starters in the regular season.
What a great selection by Tampa.
Kyle Trask finally looked like his college self
If this Kyle Trask keeps showing up, Baker Mayfield may start to feel some pressure in the quarterback battle.
Trask was accurate, moved extremely well, and was able to thread the ball through some tight windows on more than one occasion.
16/23 for 122 yards and a touchdown looks really good without much of a supporting cast. Maybe Trask has more of a shot to win the starting job than it initially appeared.
Sean Tucker should be the RB2
We'll talk about Ke'Shawn Vaughn another day. Sean Tucker is the guy now, and while there are obvious moments in his game where he shows his lack of experience, he looks explosive with the ball in his hands in space and should prove to be one of the best undrafted additions of the season.
Defensive depth will be hot and cold
Not that this is ever much of a surprise, but the depth has some very bright spots and some questionable moments of lacking.
Some of these guys can definitely step in and contribute well and force the opposing offense into some tight spots, but it also would be far too soon to say this defense has the same depth as the units of the past few years.
Kyle Trask has to be nearly perfect to win the Buccaneers’ starting QB gig
It may be an open competition, but he’ll be under a much larger microscope than Baker Mayfield.
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
