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The most interesting thing from day one of Bucs mini camp

 
Published June 13, 2018

TAMPA — Day 2 of the Bucs' mini-camp is in the books, but we the Times coverage team for the most interesting thing they saw or heard at day one Tuesday from One Buc Place:

Rick Stroud, beat writer

The most interesting thing I saw was defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, explain correctly, that his decision to miss all the organized team activities this offseason is much ado about nothing. JPP is entering his ninth season. As Dirk Koetter said, "I don't think he's forgotten how to rush the passer."

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Greg Auman, beat writer

J.R. Sweezy is such a wild card in the Bucs' offensive line and specifically at right guard. The good news Tuesday was he expects to be cleared in two weeks to return from a broken fibula. He needs to show quickly that he's worth keeping around at $6.5 million, while the Bucs give a long look to Caleb Benenoch to take over. If the Bucs saw enough in Benenoch and rookie Alex Cappa to let Sweezy go, it would speak highly of their confidence in trusting younger options there.

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Martin Fennelly, columnist

The most interesting thing I heard at Bucs mini-camp was the sound of Jason Pierre-Paul's voice. The former USF and New York Giants star rusher appeared in person, and appeared happy to be back in Tampa. How happy he makes Bucs fans remains to be seen.

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Tom Jones, columnist

The  most interesting thing I saw on Day 1 of Bucs mini camp was how uninteresting it can be at times. That's not meant to be insulting. The point: don't gauge too much by what you see at mini camp. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter calls it "shorts football." No hitting. No tackling. No real rushing the passer. But that doesn't mean nothing is going on. The Bucs are installing their schemes and the mental work put in now will pay off physically come autumn. That's the plan anyway.