REAL Training Camp Battles To Watch 2018
We're almost there. Just two weeks away. Two weeks away from putting the pre-preseason rankings behind us. Of course, that sets us up for the post-preseason rankings sure to come, but that's an annoyance for a later date. On July 25th, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open up training camp for the 2018 season. There won't be an HBO crew this season. There won't be a buzz of high expectations from a national media standpoint.
There may or may not be a gang of rabid fans awaiting the team for many of the dates open for public viewing. But there will definitely be something many believe has lacked throughout many training camps over the last few seasons: Competition At The Highest Level.
The term "training camp battle" has often been used to describe the fight for placement on the depth chart at any given position. I've never been a fan of that usage of the term. Instead, here I'm going to look at some intriguing matchups between players on the opposite sides of the ball. These potential matchups during camp will go a long way in determining just what to expect a month or so away when the score is actually kept.
Evans vs Davis
Right off the bat, this potential matchup is one of the most exciting in all of training camp. Going into his 5th season, Mike Evans has established himself as a serious offensive weapon. Over four seasons, he's shown growth in every weakness he had coming out of Texas A&M. At 6'5", 230lbs, he's usually a physical mismatch for CBs. He routinely boxes out smaller opposition to make contested passes in and out of traffic. He's made a reputation for himself by being able to high point balls that go over the heads of defenders. But in few weeks, he's likely to find himself across from one of the biggest defenders he's faced during an offseason program.
Carlton Davis, the 2nd Round draft pick out of Auburn, stands 6'1" and weighed around 216lbs during the draft process. That's similar to the size of Xavier Rhodes, Evans' closest physical matchup last season. Both Rhodes and Davis have been noted for tough press-man coverage and being nuisances to WRs on the outside. The last player that Davis is going to get his chance to face is one of the League's very best at WR.
It should be noted that Evans did fare well against a bigger defender in Richard Sherman(6'3") during the 2016 season. However, going up against a physical CB constantly for a few weeks is gonna be interesting.
Vea vs Marpet
Arguably, the most exciting changes to the roster were made in the trenches. Both the offensive line and the defensive line have undergone a major transformation. The moves on both sides leave us with some serious pairings to watch for.
My favourite: Vita Vea vs Ali Marpet.
This matchup should be somewhat of a litmus test for players.
Going into his 4th season, Marpet has been a fan favourite since his arrival. He went from being an underdog to being the most consistent on the offensive line during his first three seasons. At 6'4" and 306lbs, he's become a rock for the offensive line even while moving positions from RG to Center. This season, he's moved again. For the 2018 season, he's expected to be the RG. This training camp, he should find himself across from the 2018 1st Round draft pick, Vita Vea
That's big-time competition. Like, really big.
While they may share the same height, the 346lb Vea is somehow an even more impressive specimen than Marpet. But per defensive line coach Brenston Buckner, size isn't everything. While Buckner has had some time working with Vea, it shouldn't be fully expected that he'll display his learnings full throttle when the pads come on. He'll just be getting started on his long journey to play at the NFL level. The Vea vs Marpet contest is likely to be the struggle of power vs technique at this stage of both players' careers. Yet, it's literally one of the biggest battles one can see along the trenches over at Once Buccaneer Place over the course of training camp.
Cappa vs McCoy
This one looks like a joke, right? An All Pro-caliber, six-time Pro Bowl veteran lining up against a rookie from the football powerhouse in Arcata, California, Humboldt State?? Well, don't take this one too lightly. It was just three seasons ago another lineman from a little-known football program showed up and earned his stripes lining against the Buccaneers most revered player.
There's not much left to say about the Bucs’ most consistent player, most trusted leader, and arguably the true face of the franchise. For eight seasons, this 6'4" 300lb hip thrusting, breakdancing, smiling hulk has been a rock for the team. Despite the constantly changing defensive philosophies and schemes he's adapted to, he's stayed the most dangerous DT in the division and he's not slowing down just yet. 285 tackles. 48.5 Sacks. You know what you're getting from McCoy.
Conversely, Alex Cappa is an enigma. There's not a lot of videos to be found of Cappa against high-end competition. He did have a good week at the Senior Bowl followed by a solid showing at the combine though which solidified his draft status from the Bucs front office. At 6'6" and 305lbs, Cappa's likely to find himself on the interior of the offensive line even though it's been mentioned that he'll have a chance at tackle as well. If/When he does line up at guard, there's a good chance at that the guy across from him will #93. "Welcome to the NFL, rookie!"
