TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers are scheduled to kick off the regular season in 27 days when they travel to New Orleans. This year there's less time for Tampa Bay to get up to full speed. Monday marked the official start of training camp. It was the first full-squad, padded practice of the preseason.
"There was a good ebb and flow. The offense won some drills, the defense won some drills," head coach Bruce Arians said after practice. "I like the effort. I thought the enthusiasm was good. And the hitting — you could hear the practice."
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady wasn't made available to the media after day one, but Arians said he isn't worried about the six-time Super Bowl champion getting up to speed.
"He’s throwing to the right guy all the time. 7-on-7 is what it’s supposed to look like, completion after completion. He’s right where he needs to be. I’m not worried about him," Arians said.
Bucs tight end O.J. Howard said Brady does almost as much coaching as he does playing during practice.
"When he speaks, everyone listens," Howard said. "When guys can listen and we can get on the same page that he’s on, he can trust and make that throw."
Unofficially, Brady's first interception came courtesy of rookie defensive back Parnell Motley. Rookie safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. had a forced fumble and recovery during his first training camp practice. Arians said Winfield will be competing for a starting spot this season.
