The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 training camp has been full of highlights, with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka shining as the star. Despite being a surprise pick, Egbuka has quickly proven his worth, impressing teammates and coaches alike. His leaping grabs, toe-tap touchdowns, and smart football IQ have drawn comparisons to veteran Chris Godwin. With Godwin recovering from an ankle injury, Egbuka's rapid development positions him as a potential starter in the season opener. Coach Todd Bowles praised his competitiveness and ability to pick up the playbook quickly, making Egbuka one of the most promising players in camp. Alongside veteran receivers like Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, the Bucs' receiver group looks even stronger this year. On the other hand, quarterback Baker Mayfield is nursing a hand contusion and missed practice, leading to an opportunity for backup Kyle Trask to step up. Trask showed progress, especially in red-zone drills, and Bowles noted it was one of his best performances in camp. Meanwhile, the Bucs are dealing with a few injuries, including rookie edge rusher David Walker, who tore his ACL and has been placed on IR. The team also signed former Rams wide receiver Jacob Harris to bolster their depth. As training camp continues, the Bucs are shaping up to be a dynamic, competitive team with a lot of exciting potential for the upcoming season.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
On today's show, the preseason starts next Saturday, and the
injuries are starting to mount. The Buccaneers have what it
takes to rally without Baker Mayfield. I'll discuss next Don
this edition of The Bucks Report, and then then well, hello, Endo,
(00:52):
welcome into this edition of The Bucks Report, part of
the Bucks Report podcast network. I'm so glad you decided
to join me today. As always, this podcast is free
and available on all the major platforms, my name is
Dan Holmy. You can find me on Twitter. It's at
Dan Caps two and eight. You can find the show
online It's at Bucksreport dot com. And the best way
(01:16):
that you can help grow this show is to subscribe
or follow the Bucks Report podcast on Apple, Spotify, or
wherever you find your podcasts. Give it a five star
rating and leave some comments and tell your friends. I
sure would appreciate it. So in this edition of The
Bucks Report, the first preseason game is next Saturday. Can
(01:40):
you believe it? We're already at that point of the summer,
and before all of the injuries that took place, I
was feeling, well, pretty optimistic. But if you want to
talk about worst case scenario, Baker Mayfield is facing an injury,
a hand contusion, if you will, do the Buccaneers have
(02:03):
what it takes to rally without him in the mix.
I'll talk about that a bit later. I'll talk about
a player that has been an absolute game changer for
the Bucks already. Amika Egbuka. Is that guy well already,
a guy that was drafted here at the most recent
draft and some questions by Bucks fans that why are
(02:25):
they drafting a wide receiver? Well, as it turns out,
Amika Agbuka, Yeah, he is that guy already. A bit later,
we'll talk about Baker Mayfield and the handwatch and Trask's moment.
As I do know that there are Bucks fans out
there that are a part of Team Trask that if
(02:46):
he's just given his opportunity, he's absolutely gonna kill it.
I don't think it'll come to that. We might see
him get some action. And to close out the show,
I will talk about Camp Day nine, Buckey ball ol
and a tough goodbye. But let's just dive into segment
number one here. And before I get going here, you
(03:08):
know the preseason is starting next Saturday. A lot of questions,
a lot of injuries, and I don't want to revisit
too much of the past. But you think about when
Jensen got injured all those years ago and how that
changed the trajectory of that particular season. The good thing
I guess I'm going to say about Baker Mayfield is
(03:29):
what it said is a hand contusion. So if he
is missing time, he should not miss too much time.
I'll talk about that a bit later in the show,
but let's just start with Mika Egbuca and well, man,
oh man, is he the guy already? And not always
the case? You know, oftentimes players are drafted and sometimes
(03:52):
it takes a couple seasons before they hit their stride.
And to be clear here, he has not played a
single game of the regular season, and so everything could change.
But if he is just a glimpse, a glimmer of
what we've seen so far, color me optimistic about this
whole situation. If you take a look at it, first,
it was that leaping grab in the back of the
(04:13):
end zone. A lot of this footage is available on
the Bucks website. Then it was a toe tag drag
touchdown in the corner. And every single day since this
kid has done something else to turn heads. And you know,
it's not just him. I'll talk about here in a
minute about Baker Mayfield, the quarterback, him singing the praises
(04:36):
of Amika Agbuka. And you know, the good thing for
me is that we know it's Godwin, we know that
it's Evans, But what do we know for sure? That
Godwin is injured right now and Evans is prone to
being injured as well. That I think the Buccaneers are
in a good position, if you can believe it, even
without Godwin going to start the season for this team,
(04:59):
and Amika Agbuka figures to be a big part of
that mix. Now he show up in ways we didn't expect. Honestly,
didn't expect so soon. You know, I knew he was talent,
we just didn't know he was already this polished already. Again,
if you haven't checked it out, you know, if you're
listening or watching this podcast, no doubt, check out the
(05:20):
Buccaneers on Bucks dot com or whatever the case is.
The guy is killing it and Baker Mayfield as well.
Before this hand injury even said quote, you can put
Amca anywhere, and that's not normal rookie talk, guys, that's
Godwin level trust and that is big and exactly what
the Buccaneers need to do to keep winning, for winning
(05:43):
NFC South championships, trying to make it season five that
I think you can book it right now that Amika
Egbuca figures to be a big part of that puzzle,
if you will. And speaking of Godwin, of course we
know that he is. When he is not injured, he
is one of the best to do it. There is
(06:05):
no doubt. And I might be saying that with creamsicle
colored glasses on, but he is a game changer when
he's not injured. But even Godwin himself is mentioning Agbuka
like a big brother. They're side by side every practice.
He's teaching him blocking technique, life stuff. And man, that's
got to warm your heart if you are a Bucks fan,
(06:25):
is you are starting to see that page turn ever
so slowly as the next wave of Bucks will be
joining this team. And you know he's a huge dude,
six to one, two hundred and five, just like Godwin.
And you see it in the way he runs routes.
Mike Evans, you know, Mike Evans, the man, the goat
(06:46):
wide receiver, if you will, for the Buccaneers. He said,
quote he catches like Godwin looks like a running back.
Quite an accomplishment, quite praise heaped on him by Mike Evans,
and he's all of that. And I am so excited
for the start of the Buccaneer season. And I know
that there's the preseason and you can't read too much
into that, but you kind of can because you know
(07:08):
about the key injuries and the key departures if you will,
that won't be here based on injury, So you know
the depth is going to have to rise up and
be ready for what is to come. I mean, you know,
you take a look at Baker Mayfield, it appears it
appears that it's going to be okay. A hand contusion,
(07:29):
a bit ambiguous, if you will, But if you're asking me,
I think that he might just be okay. So let's
pause here for a second. Do we need Chris Godwin
rushing back? Now? That's the big takeaways, right Agbuka might
open the season as wide receiver number two. Of course,
you know, with Godwin injured right now, it would only
(07:51):
stand reason as that is the case. But if you
take a look at the injuries, so let's just talk
about the wide receiver room. Here we got Mike Evan,
Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Cameron Johnson who is questionable god
when out Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller, and Dennis Houston. That
you know, another player who grew and surprised me in
(08:14):
a big way last season was Jalen McMillan. I expect
him to take big steps forward as well. But already exciting,
you know that what this team has been able to
put up and you know still continues to get it
done right. I think that's the biggest thing is, you know,
winning the Super Bowl and you know, people thought that
(08:35):
this team was going to kind of just flail its
way in the aftermath they won for NFC South titles,
going to try and make it five this year. That
there has been no leg no limp anything with this
team minus Tom Brady. Brady took this team over the
top to win their second Super Bowl. But I think
that Baker Mayfield has that within his skill set and
(08:59):
no doubt is going to be able to do it
with guys like Amika Egbuka, Jalen nick Mill and Mike Evans,
Chris Godwin. At some point and I'll talk a little
bit later about the Worf's injury. That is kind of
one of those things you didn't plan for. You know,
you can never really plan for injuries, but Worfs not
being in the mix is going to be a huge absence.
(09:21):
But all things considered, the additions Amika eg Buka continues
to surprise me each and every time I see him
out on the field. Expect him to be a huge,
huge piece in next season. All right, So coming up
here after the break, we'll talk about the dreaded topic itself.
Baker Mayfield injured. Set the alarms. Woo woo woo, it's
(09:44):
going off. Should we be panicked? Or is this Kyle
Trask's time to shine? I'll discuss straight ahead. All right,
Welcome back into this edition of The Bucks Report Podcast,
part of the Bucks Report Podcast Network. I'm so glad
(10:05):
you decided to join me today. The best way that
you can help grow this show is to subscribe or
follow The Bucks Report on YouTube and leave some comments
down below. Let's really blow up the channel. So let's
dive into segment number two here, and something I don't
want to talk about, I really really don't is Baker
(10:25):
Mayfield injured hand contusion. Now I have a wife who
is a nurse, and I said, tell me a little
bit about a hand contusion, and she said, well, you know,
that's a bit vague. That could mean a lot of
different things, but it doesn't sound, you know, in layman's terms.
It sounds like a bruise to your hand. I guess
there's varying levels of severity, but not optimal timing as
(10:48):
the preseason is starting Saturday. The thing that we know
it's the preseason. I wouldn't have expected Baker Mayfield to
get a lot of reps in anyway. You know, you
start to see them in the final games before the
start of the regular season. But there's little to no
reason to risk any more injury to a player like
Baker Mayfield in these preseason games. What are some of
(11:10):
the things that we know about Mayfield. He is a baller.
He is not the kind of person that is going
to have any kind of setback and let that overtake him.
I think he will be okay by the first game
of the regular season, and if it's limited in the preseason,
I am okay with that. So let's talk about that
in segment two here. And you may have heard Baker
(11:33):
Mayfield has a contusion on his throwing hand. And I know,
here we go again. But to be clear here I
was being a little bit over the top. Let's not
hit the panic button. Boll said, it's day to day,
no brace, no rap, just rest. And in a lot
(11:53):
of ways, this is a good opportunity to see what
Trask has in the tank. You know, it's really hard
also cover a hockey team as well, and we talk
about backup goalies and they get more action than backup
quarterbacks generally speaking. For a quote unquote backup quarterback to
go in there either has to be an injury or
(12:13):
the starting quarterback is just some sort of awful That
has not been the case. But what we know for
certain is that Mayfield sat out Friday and Saturday. But
the thing of it is is he really doesn't have
a lot to prove. He's got that that resume right,
five hundred yards, forty one touchdowns, seventy one percent completions
(12:35):
rate last year. And you know that's the thing I
circle back to that there is no reason to risk
him in August and why well we know why. We
saw what can happen and how things can go off
the rails. That said this gives us a chance to
see Kyle Trask with the ones, the starters ostensibly and
(12:59):
see what he has the tank, because if you can
rewind time just a little bit, I know, time flies,
this is you know. I did the Bucks Minute cast.
That's still an active podcast. I've been doing that for seasons.
This will be going into the fifth season. And I've
done this Bucks Report podcast for a couple of seasons
as well. And time flies and I remember Trask and
(13:20):
there was team Trask, there was team Mayfield, and for me,
there was never really any competition. That's just to make
both of those quarterbacks feel like they're important. But a
good opportunity for Trass to prove to everyone what he
truly has out there. Albeit not regular season games, it
is still a chance to see him under the preseason
(13:42):
big lights. And the big thing about Kyle Trask is
we don't have to wonder too much because what did
he do? He delivered hit Jalen McMillan, hit, Mike Evans,
no picks. Todd Bole said, quote best he's looked in
camp on quote that's real. You know, raise by your
coach Todd Bowles there and you know when you take
(14:04):
a look at it. It's good that they have a
guy like Trask. We just don't really know what kind
of quarterback he is. Now, say it was worse than that,
I don't even want to talk about that, but say
that it was how would this team fair and what
would the predictions or the trajectory of this team be
going into next season. That's a tough thing because listen here,
(14:26):
I know people are mixed on Trask. He hasn't done
much in two years. But now he's got a shot
to show he's more than a clipboard holder. And with
Michael Pratt still out, so you know, a lot of
things to consider in the quarterback room about you know,
who is going to be the guy. You know, Michael
(14:48):
Pratt here as well is out. You know, Baker Mayfield questionable,
Trask most likely starting, Pratt out, and Connor Baslick is
the fourth string. So when you take a look historically
on this team that they've had some pretty good options. Gabert,
you know, you remember from years ago that if you
(15:09):
know the you know what really hit the fan, that
you had a good option a bit of unproven commodities.
And I'll talk about that a bit later in the show.
That the Buccaneers might actually try to bring in another
arm as just kind of a worst case scenario. You
don't want Baslick and Trask taking those reps, especially with
(15:31):
two more weeks until the Titans game. Bucks brought in
Jordan McLeod didn't sign him, but Bowles confirmed another arm
is coming. You know, how is that going to manifest itself?
Is that going to be a young gun? Is that
going to be a snarled old veteran? You know, when
you take a look at it, someone that can that
(15:51):
can play. You know, if as a matter of fact,
Baker Mayfield isn't good to go, And it's not that
I don't have faith in Trask, it's just, you know,
the football season, compared to other professional sports, is a
long one, and I don't want the season to be
over before it even starts. So a Baker sore hand
maybe a blessing in disguise. Better to rest him now
(16:13):
than limp into September. And here here that is my
thoughts on the whole thing as well as you know,
if it was going to happen, of course we hope
that it would never happen, right, but if it did,
have to happen at a time that this is the
time to happen. So we're hoping that all is well
with Baker Mayfield at least by I'm going to say maybe,
(16:35):
you know, I guess what I'm going to say is
if he could get one preseason game in in a
limited capacity, maybe like the last preseason game, then I
think he's good to go. The guy's a baller, he's
a competitor, and I never doubt his compete level. It's
just not an ideal situation, all right. So coming up
here after the break in segment three here, we're going
to talk about camp day nine, Buckey Ball, OL shuffle,
(16:59):
and a tough goodbye straight ahead. All right, welcome back
into this edition of The Bucks Report, part of The
Bucks Report podcast network. Thank you so much for joining
me today. So in segment three here we're gonna talk
(17:19):
about what is next. Here we're talking Bucky Ball and
what is next for the Bucks. So let's close with
day nine of camp. There was a little bit of everything. First,
shortened practice again, they wrapped early second day straight What
is said is likely due to mounting injuries. No Baker,
(17:42):
no Levante, no k Dot, no Trey Palmer, No Pratt,
breathe here, Dan, That list is getting long. So let's
talk about Bucky Irving beast mode. Bucky. I am so
excited to see what he has as in the tank
going into next season. Is going to be RB one,
(18:06):
right and that you know that there were questions in
previous years about you know which guy is going to
be number one. Rashad White suffices to say it's Bucky Show.
Rashad White, Sean Tucker, Josh Williams are your respective candidates
or options, shall we say, But let's talk about Bucky,
a guy that really took the Buccaneers by storm last season,
(18:31):
just took that job right away from Rashad White, and
deserving crowd went nuts when trash hit him deep down
the sideline corner in safety, all over him, but Bucky
brought it down. Bucky Bucky Chance from the fans' best
moment of the camp so far, and when you watched it,
(18:51):
if it didn't get your blood just pumping watching him
play out there, I don't know what will now. Look,
this kid isn't just a scatback. He can line up
out wide. He's electric And if Rashad White needs a
breather this year, you know who's coming in and I
don't even think it's going to be that. It is
going to be Bucky at number one. And if Bucky
needs a breather, he can come in now. And I'm
(19:13):
not here to cast shade on Rashad White. He's just
you know, in life, there's winners and losers, and Bucky's
just the better guy. And also talking about the Olne shuffle,
Graham Barton at left tackle, brit Us In at center,
Elijah Klein inside. Boll said it was an emergency prep
(19:34):
pray it never happens, he said, but they're thinking ahead
and that is just smart, and you know it's good
to get some you know, different looks at different players
and how all of that shakes out. One tough bit
of news here is rookie edge rusher David Walker is
done for the year, torn acl That is brutal. As
(19:58):
the injuries are starting to mount for this team. He
had a real shot to be a part of that
second rotation behind Reddick and Diaby and now Chris Braswell
and Anthony Nelson to step up. Also, the Bucks made
it official placed Walker on the IR sign former Rams
wide receiver receiver Jacob Harris to add depth, big body,
(20:19):
six' five local kid From Palm. Harbor, now the competition is.
Fierce thirteen wide receivers on the, roster only six make
the final fifty. Three and for, me the wide receiver,
room you, know we know who it's going to. BE i,
mean there's going to be options, there BUT i think
that ultimately we know who it's going to. Be so,
(20:40):
yeah it's heating. Up this is still the deepest position
group at. Camp and don't, forget do not. Forget The
bucks preseason opener is next, week so there's a lot
to be excited about as it all gets real for
The buccaneers real soon here next. Weekend so when you
(21:00):
take a look at, it The buccaneers have some. Injuries
can they overcome that is the real. Question there are
all things. CONSIDERED i do think they have what it.
Takes they are just going to have to, overcome all.
Right so since this is the first episode of this,
season it's going to be a bit of a longer.
(21:21):
Episode after the break, here we're going to talk about
The bucks and what the projections are going into twenty twenty.
Five i'll discuss straight ahead all, right welcome back into
(21:41):
this edition of The Bucks, report part of The Bucks
report podcast. Network so glad you decided to join me today,
again follow subscribe wherever you find your, podcast leave a
five star, rating some, comments and tell your friends let's
blow up This Bus report. Podcast in this extended episode
here can excuse? Me can the defense be nasty again
(22:04):
for The? Bucks let's get into it the biggest question
heading into twenty twenty. Five can The buccaneers defense become
a strength? Again because you know what we saw last?
Year not. Great we were sixteenth and points, allowed eighteenth
in yards allowed and that's one of the worst mark
(22:25):
since twenty. Nineteen not Exactly Todd bowles proudest. Moment but
here's the. Thing The bucks are, still you, know just
trying to thrive and get. Better they went out and
Got Haysen, reddick former pro bowler still just thirty years.
Old you line him up with Ya Yad yabi and
that pass rush might finally have some teeth. Again, also
(22:48):
the rookie Cornerback Benjamin, morrison dude is everywhere in, camp, fast,
physical eyes on the. Ball pair him up With Antoine Winfield,
junior who might be the most underrated safety in the.
Lead there is no doubt that unit's got bounced back.
Potential Even Ted naguyan over the at the at The
Athletic Film, guy smart, dude he's listing The bucks as
(23:10):
one of the five defenses ready to break. Out so
definitely some work last season and hopefully they have rectified
that going into this season that you know that this
can be the, season LIKE i, said that they battle
and that they try to win that fifth STRAIGHT nfc seulth.
(23:32):
TITLE i really think they could make it interesting. Here
but the question is, here is this a top ten defense?
Again do they have the dogs to carry us to
the playoffs or is it just another year of Almost
and one of the Things i'll say about The bucks
is never count them. Out you, know there's been times
(23:53):
where it seems like you know they're, down but they're
never down and. Out And Todd, bowles you, know love
him or hate, him he is guy that gets the
most out of his. Players you, know we could go
into the weeds saying that he's not so good with clock,
management you, know the ability to want to go for
it in key, moments those kind of. Things but you,
know his resume in the back of his coaching football
(24:15):
card speaks. Volumes so, next let's pivot and talk about
the best wide receiver room in. Football, yeah you heard.
It that is what some people are saying about The
bucks in twenty twenty. Five let's talk about something that
Feels i'm gonna say a bit more fun. Here Because
(24:37):
i've talked about, Injuries i've talked about, Werfs i've talked About.
Mayfield let's end on a bit of a higher. Note
this wide receiver, ROOM i mean is. Stacked, evans we
know the. Deal eleven straight one thousand yard, seasons dudes
Chasing Jerry rice's, record which that's go territory if you.
Will and right behind, Him i'm talking about a guy
(24:59):
with the lead in league in receptions touchdowns before that
Awful week seven, Injury Chris, godwin and you, know you
take a look at. It Evans godwin both just, amazing
amazing wide receivers in their own, right and if that
was just the, case it would be. Good but it gets.
Better and then listen to This jalen, McMillan who's turning
(25:20):
heads as his third round steel and boom you Add
Amika egbuka first round pick making plays in camp like
he's been here for five. Years let's get, Hyped bucks.
Fans this is going to be the season, that at
a bare, minimum they win THE nfc. Self BUT i
have more dreams of grandeur if you. Will you've also
(25:42):
got third year quarterback In Baker mayfield who's got four legit,
options Plus Kid otten at the tight. End and here's the,
thing and maybe this is, bold but is this is this? Rate?
Here is this the best wide receiver room in THE?
Nfl hit me up On twitter At dan cass to
an eight or At Bucks. MINUTECAST i want to hear from.
(26:04):
YOU i believe it. Is. Now there are some good
teams out, there BUT i think that The bucks have
done some of the right, things you, know to really
make this team that much. Better and LIKE i, said
this is the first, Episode i'm just going to keep.
Rolling generally going to be a thirty minute. Podcast but
it's been a while SINCE i hosted one of these.
(26:25):
Shows so let's talk About Bucky. Irving let's get. Hyped
SO i talked about, Defense we've talked about. Receivers now
let's talk more surprising development from last, season and that
Is Bucky. Irving y'all Fourth rome pick only three, stats excuse,
me only three, starts but one and twenty eight rushing
(26:47):
yards over fifteen hundred yards from. Scrimmage that is the
definition of. Insane His week twelve performance is one hundred
and fifty two yards and a. Touchdown that was His
Hello world. Moment and now he enters twenty twenty five
AS rb one in the backfield that is deep AND
(27:10):
i think right out of the, gate we're not going
to have to just you, know, guess you, know is
it going to Be Rashad? White and what are we
going to? See and what's the book On Rashad? White
is he lacked those, bursts those aggressive, jigs you, know
to break through That bucky. Has When bucky's out, there
he is serious about running that. Ball you've Got Rashad
white still solid, again not cast in, shade still, Useful
(27:32):
Sean tucker bruiser with a sneaky. BURST Dj williams lurking
for snaps and according To Pro Football, focus The BUCKS
rb room is now the sixth best in THE. Nfl oh, yeah,
brother this team is going to be one to be reckon.
With bucky earned tremendous grades in fantasy if you are
(27:55):
into fantasy sports as, well if you could Put Bucky
irving in, mix that could be. Huge he had over
fifty or excuse, me forty six of goal to go
snaps and he's bulking up for a bigger role this.
Year that is the book On bucky as. WELL i
heard this From stroud on his, podcast is That bucky
(28:17):
is absolutely jacked this, year AND i think is going
to just take this team to the next. Level so
when we take a look at it, HERE i think
The BUCCANEERS i always say, surprised but at this point
should we be? SURPRISED i don't think that we should
be surprised based on how well that this team has.
Played so let's just talk about to close out, here
(28:39):
just to kind of come full circle and talk about the.
Questions who's? Out Baker mayfield, Questionable Michael pratt, Out Chris godwin,
Out Trey palmer, Questionable Kate otton, Questionable Tristan wurfs. Out
you take a look at it, There Desmond watson, Out
Anthony walker, Out David walker in your Preserve Levonte david,
(29:01):
Questionable Trey palmer, questionable And Cameron johnson questionable as. Well
so you, know you take a look at the team as.
IS i think, that you, know it looks pretty. Good
and you, know having worfs not in the fold is not.
IDEAL i get, that but you know it's it's it's
(29:23):
all a part of the. Game you're playing a full
contact sport. Here that that is just kind of how
the way things. GO i think The, buccaneers you, know
despite that, injury, uh still are in a good position
to do some truly great. Things all, right once, AGAIN
i want to thank you for joining me on this
edition Of The Bucks, report your go to podcast covering
(29:48):
The Tampa Bay. Buccaneers again Follow, Subscribe, Apple, spotify wherever
you find your, podcasts give it a five star, rating
leave some, Comments tell your, friends subscribe on. YouTube let's
blow that. Up let's get that over one thousand. Subs
this is going to be a fun, season and it's
going to be a fun season because of The Bucks report.
(30:09):
Podcast all, right, Guys i'll talk to you again next.
Time
On today's show, the preseason starts next Saturday, and the
injuries are starting to mount. The Buccaneers have what it
takes to rally without Baker Mayfield. I'll discuss next Don
this edition of The Bucks Report, and then then well, hello, Endo,
(00:52):
welcome into this edition of The Bucks Report, part of
the Bucks Report podcast network. I'm so glad you decided
to join me today. As always, this podcast is free
and available on all the major platforms, my name is
Dan Holmy. You can find me on Twitter. It's at
Dan Caps two and eight. You can find the show
online It's at Bucksreport dot com. And the best way
(01:16):
that you can help grow this show is to subscribe
or follow the Bucks Report podcast on Apple, Spotify, or
wherever you find your podcasts. Give it a five star
rating and leave some comments and tell your friends. I
sure would appreciate it. So in this edition of The
Bucks Report, the first preseason game is next Saturday. Can
(01:40):
you believe it? We're already at that point of the summer,
and before all of the injuries that took place, I
was feeling, well, pretty optimistic. But if you want to
talk about worst case scenario, Baker Mayfield is facing an injury,
a hand contusion, if you will, do the Buccaneers have
(02:03):
what it takes to rally without him in the mix.
I'll talk about that a bit later. I'll talk about
a player that has been an absolute game changer for
the Bucks already. Amika Egbuka. Is that guy well already,
a guy that was drafted here at the most recent
draft and some questions by Bucks fans that why are
(02:25):
they drafting a wide receiver? Well, as it turns out,
Amika Agbuka, Yeah, he is that guy already. A bit later,
we'll talk about Baker Mayfield and the handwatch and Trask's moment.
As I do know that there are Bucks fans out
there that are a part of Team Trask that if
(02:46):
he's just given his opportunity, he's absolutely gonna kill it.
I don't think it'll come to that. We might see
him get some action. And to close out the show,
I will talk about Camp Day nine, Buckey ball ol
and a tough goodbye. But let's just dive into segment
number one here. And before I get going here, you
(03:08):
know the preseason is starting next Saturday. A lot of questions,
a lot of injuries, and I don't want to revisit
too much of the past. But you think about when
Jensen got injured all those years ago and how that
changed the trajectory of that particular season. The good thing
I guess I'm going to say about Baker Mayfield is
(03:29):
what it said is a hand contusion. So if he
is missing time, he should not miss too much time.
I'll talk about that a bit later in the show,
but let's just start with Mika Egbuca and well, man,
oh man, is he the guy already? And not always
the case? You know, oftentimes players are drafted and sometimes
(03:52):
it takes a couple seasons before they hit their stride.
And to be clear here, he has not played a
single game of the regular season, and so everything could change.
But if he is just a glimpse, a glimmer of
what we've seen so far, color me optimistic about this
whole situation. If you take a look at it, first,
it was that leaping grab in the back of the
(04:13):
end zone. A lot of this footage is available on
the Bucks website. Then it was a toe tag drag
touchdown in the corner. And every single day since this
kid has done something else to turn heads. And you know,
it's not just him. I'll talk about here in a
minute about Baker Mayfield, the quarterback, him singing the praises
(04:36):
of Amika Agbuka. And you know, the good thing for
me is that we know it's Godwin, we know that
it's Evans, But what do we know for sure? That
Godwin is injured right now and Evans is prone to
being injured as well. That I think the Buccaneers are
in a good position, if you can believe it, even
without Godwin going to start the season for this team,
(04:59):
and Amika Agbuka figures to be a big part of
that mix. Now he show up in ways we didn't expect. Honestly,
didn't expect so soon. You know, I knew he was talent,
we just didn't know he was already this polished already. Again,
if you haven't checked it out, you know, if you're
listening or watching this podcast, no doubt, check out the
(05:20):
Buccaneers on Bucks dot com or whatever the case is.
The guy is killing it and Baker Mayfield as well.
Before this hand injury even said quote, you can put
Amca anywhere, and that's not normal rookie talk, guys, that's
Godwin level trust and that is big and exactly what
the Buccaneers need to do to keep winning, for winning
(05:43):
NFC South championships, trying to make it season five that
I think you can book it right now that Amika
Egbuca figures to be a big part of that puzzle,
if you will. And speaking of Godwin, of course we
know that he is. When he is not injured, he
is one of the best to do it. There is
(06:05):
no doubt. And I might be saying that with creamsicle
colored glasses on, but he is a game changer when
he's not injured. But even Godwin himself is mentioning Agbuka
like a big brother. They're side by side every practice.
He's teaching him blocking technique, life stuff. And man, that's
got to warm your heart if you are a Bucks fan,
(06:25):
is you are starting to see that page turn ever
so slowly as the next wave of Bucks will be
joining this team. And you know he's a huge dude,
six to one, two hundred and five, just like Godwin.
And you see it in the way he runs routes.
Mike Evans, you know, Mike Evans, the man, the goat
(06:46):
wide receiver, if you will, for the Buccaneers. He said,
quote he catches like Godwin looks like a running back.
Quite an accomplishment, quite praise heaped on him by Mike Evans,
and he's all of that. And I am so excited
for the start of the Buccaneer season. And I know
that there's the preseason and you can't read too much
into that, but you kind of can because you know
(07:08):
about the key injuries and the key departures if you will,
that won't be here based on injury, So you know
the depth is going to have to rise up and
be ready for what is to come. I mean, you know,
you take a look at Baker Mayfield, it appears it
appears that it's going to be okay. A hand contusion,
(07:29):
a bit ambiguous, if you will, But if you're asking me,
I think that he might just be okay. So let's
pause here for a second. Do we need Chris Godwin
rushing back? Now? That's the big takeaways, right Agbuka might
open the season as wide receiver number two. Of course,
you know, with Godwin injured right now, it would only
(07:51):
stand reason as that is the case. But if you
take a look at the injuries, so let's just talk
about the wide receiver room. Here we got Mike Evan,
Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Cameron Johnson who is questionable god
when out Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller, and Dennis Houston. That
you know, another player who grew and surprised me in
(08:14):
a big way last season was Jalen McMillan. I expect
him to take big steps forward as well. But already exciting,
you know that what this team has been able to
put up and you know still continues to get it
done right. I think that's the biggest thing is, you know,
winning the Super Bowl and you know, people thought that
(08:35):
this team was going to kind of just flail its
way in the aftermath they won for NFC South titles,
going to try and make it five this year. That
there has been no leg no limp anything with this
team minus Tom Brady. Brady took this team over the
top to win their second Super Bowl. But I think
that Baker Mayfield has that within his skill set and
(08:59):
no doubt is going to be able to do it
with guys like Amika Egbuka, Jalen nick Mill and Mike Evans,
Chris Godwin. At some point and I'll talk a little
bit later about the Worf's injury. That is kind of
one of those things you didn't plan for. You know,
you can never really plan for injuries, but Worfs not
being in the mix is going to be a huge absence.
(09:21):
But all things considered, the additions Amika eg Buka continues
to surprise me each and every time I see him
out on the field. Expect him to be a huge,
huge piece in next season. All right, So coming up
here after the break, we'll talk about the dreaded topic itself.
Baker Mayfield injured. Set the alarms. Woo woo woo, it's
(09:44):
going off. Should we be panicked? Or is this Kyle
Trask's time to shine? I'll discuss straight ahead. All right,
Welcome back into this edition of The Bucks Report Podcast,
part of the Bucks Report Podcast Network. I'm so glad
(10:05):
you decided to join me today. The best way that
you can help grow this show is to subscribe or
follow The Bucks Report on YouTube and leave some comments
down below. Let's really blow up the channel. So let's
dive into segment number two here, and something I don't
want to talk about, I really really don't is Baker
(10:25):
Mayfield injured hand contusion. Now I have a wife who
is a nurse, and I said, tell me a little
bit about a hand contusion, and she said, well, you know,
that's a bit vague. That could mean a lot of
different things, but it doesn't sound, you know, in layman's terms.
It sounds like a bruise to your hand. I guess
there's varying levels of severity, but not optimal timing as
(10:48):
the preseason is starting Saturday. The thing that we know
it's the preseason. I wouldn't have expected Baker Mayfield to
get a lot of reps in anyway. You know, you
start to see them in the final games before the
start of the regular season. But there's little to no
reason to risk any more injury to a player like
Baker Mayfield in these preseason games. What are some of
(11:10):
the things that we know about Mayfield. He is a baller.
He is not the kind of person that is going
to have any kind of setback and let that overtake him.
I think he will be okay by the first game
of the regular season, and if it's limited in the preseason,
I am okay with that. So let's talk about that
in segment two here. And you may have heard Baker
(11:33):
Mayfield has a contusion on his throwing hand. And I know,
here we go again. But to be clear here I
was being a little bit over the top. Let's not
hit the panic button. Boll said, it's day to day,
no brace, no rap, just rest. And in a lot
(11:53):
of ways, this is a good opportunity to see what
Trask has in the tank. You know, it's really hard
also cover a hockey team as well, and we talk
about backup goalies and they get more action than backup
quarterbacks generally speaking. For a quote unquote backup quarterback to
go in there either has to be an injury or
(12:13):
the starting quarterback is just some sort of awful That
has not been the case. But what we know for
certain is that Mayfield sat out Friday and Saturday. But
the thing of it is is he really doesn't have
a lot to prove. He's got that that resume right,
five hundred yards, forty one touchdowns, seventy one percent completions
(12:35):
rate last year. And you know that's the thing I
circle back to that there is no reason to risk
him in August and why well we know why. We
saw what can happen and how things can go off
the rails. That said this gives us a chance to
see Kyle Trask with the ones, the starters ostensibly and
(12:59):
see what he has the tank, because if you can
rewind time just a little bit, I know, time flies,
this is you know. I did the Bucks Minute cast.
That's still an active podcast. I've been doing that for seasons.
This will be going into the fifth season. And I've
done this Bucks Report podcast for a couple of seasons
as well. And time flies and I remember Trask and
(13:20):
there was team Trask, there was team Mayfield, and for me,
there was never really any competition. That's just to make
both of those quarterbacks feel like they're important. But a
good opportunity for Trass to prove to everyone what he
truly has out there. Albeit not regular season games, it
is still a chance to see him under the preseason
(13:42):
big lights. And the big thing about Kyle Trask is
we don't have to wonder too much because what did
he do? He delivered hit Jalen McMillan, hit, Mike Evans,
no picks. Todd Bole said, quote best he's looked in
camp on quote that's real. You know, raise by your
coach Todd Bowles there and you know when you take
(14:04):
a look at it. It's good that they have a
guy like Trask. We just don't really know what kind
of quarterback he is. Now, say it was worse than that,
I don't even want to talk about that, but say
that it was how would this team fair and what
would the predictions or the trajectory of this team be
going into next season. That's a tough thing because listen here,
(14:26):
I know people are mixed on Trask. He hasn't done
much in two years. But now he's got a shot
to show he's more than a clipboard holder. And with
Michael Pratt still out, so you know, a lot of
things to consider in the quarterback room about you know,
who is going to be the guy. You know, Michael
(14:48):
Pratt here as well is out. You know, Baker Mayfield questionable,
Trask most likely starting, Pratt out, and Connor Baslick is
the fourth string. So when you take a look historically
on this team that they've had some pretty good options. Gabert,
you know, you remember from years ago that if you
(15:09):
know the you know what really hit the fan, that
you had a good option a bit of unproven commodities.
And I'll talk about that a bit later in the show.
That the Buccaneers might actually try to bring in another
arm as just kind of a worst case scenario. You
don't want Baslick and Trask taking those reps, especially with
(15:31):
two more weeks until the Titans game. Bucks brought in
Jordan McLeod didn't sign him, but Bowles confirmed another arm
is coming. You know, how is that going to manifest itself?
Is that going to be a young gun? Is that
going to be a snarled old veteran? You know, when
you take a look at it, someone that can that
(15:51):
can play. You know, if as a matter of fact,
Baker Mayfield isn't good to go, And it's not that
I don't have faith in Trask, it's just, you know,
the football season, compared to other professional sports, is a
long one, and I don't want the season to be
over before it even starts. So a Baker sore hand
maybe a blessing in disguise. Better to rest him now
(16:13):
than limp into September. And here here that is my
thoughts on the whole thing as well as you know,
if it was going to happen, of course we hope
that it would never happen, right, but if it did,
have to happen at a time that this is the
time to happen. So we're hoping that all is well
with Baker Mayfield at least by I'm going to say maybe,
(16:35):
you know, I guess what I'm going to say is
if he could get one preseason game in in a
limited capacity, maybe like the last preseason game, then I
think he's good to go. The guy's a baller, he's
a competitor, and I never doubt his compete level. It's
just not an ideal situation, all right. So coming up
here after the break in segment three here, we're going
to talk about camp day nine, Buckey Ball, OL shuffle,
(16:59):
and a tough goodbye straight ahead. All right, welcome back
into this edition of The Bucks Report, part of The
Bucks Report podcast network. Thank you so much for joining
me today. So in segment three here we're gonna talk
(17:19):
about what is next. Here we're talking Bucky Ball and
what is next for the Bucks. So let's close with
day nine of camp. There was a little bit of everything. First,
shortened practice again, they wrapped early second day straight What
is said is likely due to mounting injuries. No Baker,
(17:42):
no Levante, no k Dot, no Trey Palmer, No Pratt,
breathe here, Dan, That list is getting long. So let's
talk about Bucky Irving beast mode. Bucky. I am so
excited to see what he has as in the tank
going into next season. Is going to be RB one,
(18:06):
right and that you know that there were questions in
previous years about you know which guy is going to
be number one. Rashad White suffices to say it's Bucky Show.
Rashad White, Sean Tucker, Josh Williams are your respective candidates
or options, shall we say, But let's talk about Bucky,
a guy that really took the Buccaneers by storm last season,
(18:31):
just took that job right away from Rashad White, and
deserving crowd went nuts when trash hit him deep down
the sideline corner in safety, all over him, but Bucky
brought it down. Bucky Bucky Chance from the fans' best
moment of the camp so far, and when you watched it,
(18:51):
if it didn't get your blood just pumping watching him
play out there, I don't know what will now. Look,
this kid isn't just a scatback. He can line up
out wide. He's electric And if Rashad White needs a
breather this year, you know who's coming in and I
don't even think it's going to be that. It is
going to be Bucky at number one. And if Bucky
needs a breather, he can come in now. And I'm
(19:13):
not here to cast shade on Rashad White. He's just
you know, in life, there's winners and losers, and Bucky's
just the better guy. And also talking about the Olne shuffle,
Graham Barton at left tackle, brit Us In at center,
Elijah Klein inside. Boll said it was an emergency prep
(19:34):
pray it never happens, he said, but they're thinking ahead
and that is just smart, and you know it's good
to get some you know, different looks at different players
and how all of that shakes out. One tough bit
of news here is rookie edge rusher David Walker is
done for the year, torn acl That is brutal. As
(19:58):
the injuries are starting to mount for this team. He
had a real shot to be a part of that
second rotation behind Reddick and Diaby and now Chris Braswell
and Anthony Nelson to step up. Also, the Bucks made
it official placed Walker on the IR sign former Rams
wide receiver receiver Jacob Harris to add depth, big body,
(20:19):
six' five local kid From Palm. Harbor, now the competition is.
Fierce thirteen wide receivers on the, roster only six make
the final fifty. Three and for, me the wide receiver,
room you, know we know who it's going to. BE i,
mean there's going to be options, there BUT i think
that ultimately we know who it's going to. Be so,
(20:40):
yeah it's heating. Up this is still the deepest position
group at. Camp and don't, forget do not. Forget The
bucks preseason opener is next, week so there's a lot
to be excited about as it all gets real for
The buccaneers real soon here next. Weekend so when you
(21:00):
take a look at, it The buccaneers have some. Injuries
can they overcome that is the real. Question there are
all things. CONSIDERED i do think they have what it.
Takes they are just going to have to, overcome all.
Right so since this is the first episode of this,
season it's going to be a bit of a longer.
(21:21):
Episode after the break, here we're going to talk about
The bucks and what the projections are going into twenty twenty.
Five i'll discuss straight ahead all, right welcome back into
(21:41):
this edition of The Bucks, report part of The Bucks
report podcast. Network so glad you decided to join me today,
again follow subscribe wherever you find your, podcast leave a
five star, rating some, comments and tell your friends let's
blow up This Bus report. Podcast in this extended episode
here can excuse? Me can the defense be nasty again
(22:04):
for The? Bucks let's get into it the biggest question
heading into twenty twenty. Five can The buccaneers defense become
a strength? Again because you know what we saw last?
Year not. Great we were sixteenth and points, allowed eighteenth
in yards allowed and that's one of the worst mark
(22:25):
since twenty. Nineteen not Exactly Todd bowles proudest. Moment but
here's the. Thing The bucks are, still you, know just
trying to thrive and get. Better they went out and
Got Haysen, reddick former pro bowler still just thirty years.
Old you line him up with Ya Yad yabi and
that pass rush might finally have some teeth. Again, also
(22:48):
the rookie Cornerback Benjamin, morrison dude is everywhere in, camp, fast,
physical eyes on the. Ball pair him up With Antoine Winfield,
junior who might be the most underrated safety in the.
Lead there is no doubt that unit's got bounced back.
Potential Even Ted naguyan over the at the at The
Athletic Film, guy smart, dude he's listing The bucks as
(23:10):
one of the five defenses ready to break. Out so
definitely some work last season and hopefully they have rectified
that going into this season that you know that this
can be the, season LIKE i, said that they battle
and that they try to win that fifth STRAIGHT nfc seulth.
(23:32):
TITLE i really think they could make it interesting. Here
but the question is, here is this a top ten defense?
Again do they have the dogs to carry us to
the playoffs or is it just another year of Almost
and one of the Things i'll say about The bucks
is never count them. Out you, know there's been times
(23:53):
where it seems like you know they're, down but they're
never down and. Out And Todd, bowles you, know love
him or hate, him he is guy that gets the
most out of his. Players you, know we could go
into the weeds saying that he's not so good with clock,
management you, know the ability to want to go for
it in key, moments those kind of. Things but you,
know his resume in the back of his coaching football
(24:15):
card speaks. Volumes so, next let's pivot and talk about
the best wide receiver room in. Football, yeah you heard.
It that is what some people are saying about The
bucks in twenty twenty. Five let's talk about something that
Feels i'm gonna say a bit more fun. Here Because
(24:37):
i've talked about, Injuries i've talked about, Werfs i've talked About.
Mayfield let's end on a bit of a higher. Note
this wide receiver, ROOM i mean is. Stacked, evans we
know the. Deal eleven straight one thousand yard, seasons dudes
Chasing Jerry rice's, record which that's go territory if you.
Will and right behind, Him i'm talking about a guy
(24:59):
with the lead in league in receptions touchdowns before that
Awful week seven, Injury Chris, godwin and you, know you
take a look at. It Evans godwin both just, amazing
amazing wide receivers in their own, right and if that
was just the, case it would be. Good but it gets.
Better and then listen to This jalen, McMillan who's turning
(25:20):
heads as his third round steel and boom you Add
Amika egbuka first round pick making plays in camp like
he's been here for five. Years let's get, Hyped bucks.
Fans this is going to be the season, that at
a bare, minimum they win THE nfc. Self BUT i
have more dreams of grandeur if you. Will you've also
(25:42):
got third year quarterback In Baker mayfield who's got four legit,
options Plus Kid otten at the tight. End and here's the,
thing and maybe this is, bold but is this is this? Rate?
Here is this the best wide receiver room in THE?
Nfl hit me up On twitter At dan cass to
an eight or At Bucks. MINUTECAST i want to hear from.
(26:04):
YOU i believe it. Is. Now there are some good
teams out, there BUT i think that The bucks have
done some of the right, things you, know to really
make this team that much. Better and LIKE i, said
this is the first, Episode i'm just going to keep.
Rolling generally going to be a thirty minute. Podcast but
it's been a while SINCE i hosted one of these.
(26:25):
Shows so let's talk About Bucky. Irving let's get. Hyped
SO i talked about, Defense we've talked about. Receivers now
let's talk more surprising development from last, season and that
Is Bucky. Irving y'all Fourth rome pick only three, stats excuse,
me only three, starts but one and twenty eight rushing
(26:47):
yards over fifteen hundred yards from. Scrimmage that is the
definition of. Insane His week twelve performance is one hundred
and fifty two yards and a. Touchdown that was His
Hello world. Moment and now he enters twenty twenty five
AS rb one in the backfield that is deep AND
(27:10):
i think right out of the, gate we're not going
to have to just you, know, guess you, know is
it going to Be Rashad? White and what are we
going to? See and what's the book On Rashad? White
is he lacked those, bursts those aggressive, jigs you, know
to break through That bucky. Has When bucky's out, there
he is serious about running that. Ball you've Got Rashad
white still solid, again not cast in, shade still, Useful
(27:32):
Sean tucker bruiser with a sneaky. BURST Dj williams lurking
for snaps and according To Pro Football, focus The BUCKS
rb room is now the sixth best in THE. Nfl oh, yeah,
brother this team is going to be one to be reckon.
With bucky earned tremendous grades in fantasy if you are
(27:55):
into fantasy sports as, well if you could Put Bucky
irving in, mix that could be. Huge he had over
fifty or excuse, me forty six of goal to go
snaps and he's bulking up for a bigger role this.
Year that is the book On bucky as. WELL i
heard this From stroud on his, podcast is That bucky
(28:17):
is absolutely jacked this, year AND i think is going
to just take this team to the next. Level so
when we take a look at it, HERE i think
The BUCCANEERS i always say, surprised but at this point
should we be? SURPRISED i don't think that we should
be surprised based on how well that this team has.
Played so let's just talk about to close out, here
(28:39):
just to kind of come full circle and talk about the.
Questions who's? Out Baker mayfield, Questionable Michael pratt, Out Chris godwin,
Out Trey palmer, Questionable Kate otton, Questionable Tristan wurfs. Out
you take a look at it, There Desmond watson, Out
Anthony walker, Out David walker in your Preserve Levonte david,
(29:01):
Questionable Trey palmer, questionable And Cameron johnson questionable as. Well
so you, know you take a look at the team as.
IS i think, that you, know it looks pretty. Good
and you, know having worfs not in the fold is not.
IDEAL i get, that but you know it's it's it's
(29:23):
all a part of the. Game you're playing a full
contact sport. Here that that is just kind of how
the way things. GO i think The, buccaneers you, know
despite that, injury, uh still are in a good position
to do some truly great. Things all, right once, AGAIN
i want to thank you for joining me on this
edition Of The Bucks, report your go to podcast covering
(29:48):
The Tampa Bay. Buccaneers again Follow, Subscribe, Apple, spotify wherever
you find your, podcasts give it a five star, rating
leave some, Comments tell your, friends subscribe on. YouTube let's
blow that. Up let's get that over one thousand. Subs
this is going to be a fun, season and it's
going to be a fun season because of The Bucks report.
(30:09):
Podcast all, right, Guys i'll talk to you again next.
Time
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