During Tampa Bay’s recent training camp sessions at Gesling Stadium, running back Bucky Irving continued to impress with his dynamic performance against the team’s defense. Exhibiting sharp cuts and quick acceleration, Irving executed a move that would have resulted in a likely 40-yard run if it occurred in a live game situation. Shortly after, he demonstrated exceptional agility on a screen play, gaining significant yardage with evasive maneuvers in open space. His standout play in practice reaffirmed why his 2024 rookie season was so remarkable.
Last season, the Buccaneers posted franchise-best rushing statistics, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt and totaling 2,536 rushing yards. The team surpassed 100 rushing yards in 14 of 17 games (82.4%) in 2024, a steep increase compared to nine of 34 games (26.5%) across the two prior seasons. Irving led the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL with a 37.1% missed tackle rate, highlighting his elusive running style, while forcing 76 missed tackles, the highest among rookies. As a 2024 PFWA All-Rookie Team honoree, Irving topped all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122), and rushing touchdowns (eight).
Irving’s 5.4 yards per carry set a new franchise rookie record and ranks third in NFL history for rookies with over 200 rush attempts, trailing only Adrian Peterson’s 5.6 (2007) and Clinton Portis’s 5.5 (2002). His total of 1,514 scrimmage yards ranks second in team rookie history, behind Doug Martin’s 1,926 yards in 2012. With training camp underway, Irving’s consistent dominance positions him for another breakout year in 2025.
Receivers Showcase Flexibility and Work Ethic in Practice
Wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan exhibited their physicality and versatility during Wednesday’s workout, reinforcing their value for Tampa Bay’s offense. Despite limited snaps in last Saturday’s preseason opener against Tennessee, both players maximized their opportunities by demonstrating crisp route running, strong blocking, and notable quickness on and off their breaks. Their ability to line up at different spots on the line of scrimmage provides offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard with more strategic options.
McMillan blends long, smooth strides with insightful route adjustments that disrupt defender coverage, while controlling his tempo throughout a route. Egbuka, a skilled route technician from Ohio State, impresses with his wide catch radius and superb ball-tracking abilities. Their combined efforts stood out during the practice session, boosting Tampa Bay’s offensive outlook.
“They did some good blocking. They only had a few chances to catch [in the preseason opener]; they both caught their balls. They were only in there for maybe 10 plays, I want to say, but they’ll play more this week. But they did a good job last week.”
—Bowles, Head Coach
Competitiveness in WR-DB Matchups Spurs Player Growth
One of the most intense training camp features remains the challenging one-on-one battles between receivers and defensive backs. These contests create a highly competitive setting that accelerates skill development for both positions by simulating realistic game scenarios. Receivers sharpen their route-running, release techniques, and contested catch abilities, while defensive backs improve coverage skills and footwork through press and off-man drills.
These matchups also allow players from both sides to communicate, learn from one another’s techniques, and refine their craft. For McMillan, these daily confrontations have been a vital learning tool, helping him better create separation and elevate his game.
“[It’s] a lot of just getting better, a lot of asking questions – ‘What were y’all doing on this? What leverage were you here?,’”
said McMillan.
“Just building off things with each other and learning about movements and how we can get better getting open.”
—Jalen McMillan, Wide Receiver
Implications for Tampa Bay’s Upcoming Season
Bucky Irving’s record-breaking rookie campaign coupled with his continued progress at training camp underscores Tampa Bay’s strong rushing foundation heading into 2025. The growing chemistry and complementary skill sets of receivers like Egbuka and McMillan add depth and flexibility to the offense, signaling a well-rounded attack.
The ongoing competitive duels between receivers and defensive backs foster sustained improvement, suggesting Tampa Bay’s squad is sharpening both offensive and defensive units. With multiple players rising in form during camp, the Buccaneers appear poised to maintain their upward trajectory and remain a formidable contender next season.