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Bucs receiver Chris Godwin continues to impress

The second-year wideout, who has been used in a variety of ways, made the catch of the day in Monday’s practice
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) makes a catch during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at One Buc Place in Tampa, Florida on Monday, August 5, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES   |   Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) makes a catch during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at One Buc Place in Tampa, Florida on Monday, August 5, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES | Times
Published Aug. 5, 2019

TAMPA — Quarterback Jameis Winston executed some nice throws in red zone drills during Monday’s training camp practice at the Advent Health Training Center, and one pass in particular stood out, both considering where Winston placed the ball and the body control Chris Godwin showed on the receiving end.

After scanning the field, Winston tossed a ball toward the back of the end zone that only Godwin could catch, and despite being blanketed by rookie cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, Godwin made a outstanding grab, spinning around, making the catch and keeping both feet in bounds for a touchdown.

“Yeah, it’s exactly what I expected of him," Arians said of Godwin's camp. "Just continuation of growth from last year, playing in the slot, playing outside and being a go-to guy down the middle.”

Arians’ standard: Three defensive interceptions

While Arians doesn't want to see his quarterbacks throwing interceptions, he said he wants to see his defense making at least three picks per practice.

On Monday, rookie safety Mike Edwards — who currently projects to be a starter at one safety position — dropped a wide-open interception, something he’s rarely done in his first NFL camp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards (34) and linebacker Farrington Huguenin (95) run drills during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at One Buc Place in Tampa, Florida on Monday, August 5, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES | Times

“They’re getting their hands on balls," Arians said. "This was the first day that I thought, ‘You know, we came up with one interception and a tip in the red zone, and we got one on the sidelines, but I would’ve liked to see Mike come up with that other one.’ I don’t want to see our quarterbacks throwing picks, but I want to see us come up with balls every day, at least three.”

Miscellany

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) looks to make a pass to a receiver during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp at One Buc Place in Tampa, Florida on Monday, August 5, 2019. OCTAVIO JONES | Times

Coming off the practice field on Monday, Arians said that the offense won the day. “I thought the offense came out with a little more energy than our defense did today and made some plays,” he said. "We’ll grade the film to really see what really was out there, but I thought we had a lot of big plays, which I don’t like defensively, but I do like offensively.” …

Arians said after practice that he believed rookie receiver Scotty Miller might have tweaked his hamstring in Monday’s practice, putting his status for Friday’s preseason opener in Pittsburgh into question. …

Veteran tackle Earl Watford has been pushed into regular duty at tackle because of some early-camp maintenance days and injuries, but Arians said Watford can be used across the offensive line. …

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Arians said he’d like to see more depth at the defensive tackle spot, but lauded the play of second-year player Jeremiah Ledbetter, who has been a presence deflecting passes at the line of scrimmage. …

Contact Eduardo A. Encina at eencina@tampabay.com. Follow @EddieInTheYard.