RB Bucky Irving Grind, Jayden Daniels Overview & more

Rookie Bucky Irving has impressed throughout the offseason training program with deadly jump cuts and excellent contact balance. He has made the most of his blocks and the former Oregon star has shown off his skills with a downhill rush. Liam Coen’s revitalized ground attack has seen cutback lanes and offensive linemen firing off the line. Irving has an elusive spin move and the ability to run between the tackles. The rookie has received praise from head coach Todd Bowles for his preparation and commitment to the hard work.

“He’s here early,” Bowles said. “He’s probably the first player to come after me. When I go into the training room and train, I see him there. To be so young and to be there, The Starting early every day and not making many mental mistakes is impressive.”

The Bucs’ defensive unit will place an emphasis on ball recovery and getting off the field in 2024. On Sunday, the Bucs will host reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at Raymond James Stadium. Daniels has the ability to turn scrambles into game-winning plays and throw accurate long balls. He can attack from a variety of platforms, and Daniels was adept at using his speed on zone-read looks at the college level. Keeping Daniels in check and effectively setting the edge will be critical for the Bucs. Tampa Bay’s defense will need to be fundamentally solid and disciplined in week one, otherwise Daniels will exploit open spaces with his legs.

“From everything I’ve seen, he’s the right guy,” Antoine Winfield Jr. said. “(They have a) solid quarterback who makes the right decisions and is a dual-threat quarterback. He can run the ball, so we’ve got to do a good job of containing him.”

In the latest installment of the Behind the Buccaneers series, my latest long-form piece on Jordan Whitehead was published Tuesday night. The in-depth story details how Western PA shaped Whitehead’s downhill skills on the field. His physical style of play, reminiscent of the bygone days of smash-mouth football, sets the tone in the secondary. As Whitehead returned to the place that changed his trajectory, his encore with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is clear. In 2024, Whitehead will revive the number he wore in high school: 3 — a marriage of past and present. Click here to read the full piece: