Buccaneers @ Jets
Final Score: Buccaneers 13, Jets 6
Writer: Chad Simpson (@CaoChadTTV on Twitter)
Coming up with jokes to pad this article was more interesting than the game itself. Injuries and dull play were the headlines. Sean Tucker and Trey Palmer do their best to secure offensive roles.
Three Up
- Trey Palmer – The lone TD of the night, Palmer was everyone’s hero for a brief moment. The injury to Gage opens the door for Palmer to secure a role behind Evans and Godwin.
- Sean Tucker – A solid game coupled with Vaughn’s miserable outing and no Chase Edmonds was the best possible outcome for Tucker, who fights for meaningful snaps.
- Kyle Trask– Doing a solid job keeps him afloat in case Baker doesn’t pan out
Three Down
- John Wolford – You never want your preseason derailed like that.
- Ke’shawn Vaughn – Might get his walking papers soon.
- Israel Abanikanda – Injury may end his hopes of fantasy relevance.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterback
Kyle Trask: 20/28, 218 Yards, TD | 4 Carries, 7 Yards
Trask had a great game, creating the lone bit of excitement when he connected with Trey Palmer for the only TD of the game. He did a good job of game managing after being thrust back in after Wolford’s potentially serious injury. This likely doesn’t change the pecking order in Tampa, but an outing like this gives hope that Trask could be a starting QB in the NFL at some point.
Notes
- Clean deep ball to Palmer for a TD
John Wolford: 4/4, 57 Yards
Carted off and hospitalized with a neck injury. We at QB List wish Wolford a speedy recovery.
Running Back
Sean Tucker: 7 Carries, 37 Yards | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 18 Yards
Tucker had a solid if uneventful game. clearing over 5 YPC and being involved in the passing game, Tucker looks to push Edmonds for #2 duties. If Rachaad White struggles, he could potentially take over the starting job by year’s end in Tampa.
Ronnie Brown: 7 Carries, 19 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Is it 2005? Quick, somebody call Reggie Bush.
Patrick Laird: 9 Carries, 20 Yards
Ke’Shawn Vaughn: 4 Carries -8 yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
Got to wonder if Vaughn can even make the team with Tucker healthy and performing better.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Trey Palmer: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 33 Yards, TD
Palmer provides all of the excitement in this game scoring the lone touchdown of the game on a 33 yard pass from Trask.
Notes
- Great job of getting clear of the defender in the end zone on his TD reception.
Missed Opportunities
- More targets could’ve led to a huge game for Palmer and extended viewers bed time a few more minutes.
David Moore: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 18 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Leads Bucs putrid pass game in targets. manages an impressive, by Bucs standards, 2-18.
Cade Otton: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Cade Otton is still a breakout candidate as Baker Mayfield is at least slightly better than the kids from the Backyard Football game that were trotted out tonight. Actually, that is a disservice to those kids, they would’ve done a better job out there.
New York Jets
| HOF Game | Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterback
Zach Wilson: 9/13, 70 Yards | 2 Carries, 41 Yards
Well I think I’ve seen enough. Wilson surely has done enough to beat out newcomer Aaron Rodgers for the starting job on the Super Bowl favorite New York Jets. Oh sorry I think I went into an alternate universe for a moment.
In all seriousness, despite the nothing line, Wilson was accurate and avoided turnovers. He continues to show marked improvement over last season.
Tim Boyle: 13/24, 106 Yards INT
Not even my editor could get me to say more about him in 2023. EDITOR’S NOTE: I tried
Running Back
Israel Abanikanda: 4 Carries, 30 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
Izzy’s night was derailed by a thigh injury in the fourth quarter of this game. With Cook in town, the pressure is on for a quick turnaround from injury to avoid being on the chopping block.
Notes
- Looked effective before the injury, averaging over 7 YPC.
Missed Opportunities
- Crucial opportunity to shine derailed by a thigh contusion.
Zonovan Knight: 8 Carries, 33 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Thrust into extended duty with the injury to Israel, Knight had a mediocre night capped off by a turnover.
Missed Opportunities
- Failed to shine in extra opportunity to secure roster spot
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Allen Lazard: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 16 Yards
Nothing night, nothing learned with Lazard. Until Rodgers sees the field with the 1st team offense for a real game we won’t know how involved Lazard or Hardman will be in this offense.
Mecole Hardman Jr.: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
Nothing night, nothing learned with Hardman. Until Rodgers sees the field with the 1st team offense for a real game we won’t know how involved Hardman or Lazard will be.
Jason Brownlee: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 50 Yards
Brownlee led the game in targets and yards in the first standout game from the UDFA. After flashing early in camp he took a step back in his first two preseason games, but this should help get him back on track. With all that depth in the WR room, he likely has an uphill climb for a roster spot.