Chris Braswell "Playing Faster"
Chris Braswell, the 57th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has flashed throughout training camp. He contributed 329 snaps for the Bucs last season after a stellar collegiate campaign in 2023 for the Crimson Tide. He stuck it out at Alabama in a crowded group of outside linebackers instead of entering he transfer portal and the decision paid dividends. Braswell possesses burst out of his stance to attack the edge and he collapses the pocket with impressive acceleration. In Year Two, Braswell is headed in a positive trajectory for 2025, maximizing his skills in the trenches.
"He leaned up a little bit and it is allowing him to play faster and he is coming off the ball a lot faster than he was last year because he knows what to do and knows how to do it and now, he is just letting his ability take over," said Todd Bowles. "He has worked all year with Yaya [Diaby] and they have become very tight and his work ethic is outstanding and he is putting it to use."
Injury Updates
Todd Bowles shed light on several injuries impacting the roster. Both wide receiver Trey Palmer and tight end Cade Otton are dealing with hamstring injuries and have missed several practices. In addition, inside linebacker Lavonte David is dealing with a leg injury and the team is being cautious, keeping the legendary player off the field. David missed the previous two practices and has taken on a mentorship role from the sideline out in the Florida heat.
"He is day-to-day right now," noted Bowles of David. "He is just a little sore with his leg and we are just going to take it day-to-day and wait for him to be healthy. We are not putting him out there right now."
Competition Breeds Success
Throughout the offseason, the Buccaneers' defensive coaching staff has stressed takeaways ad nauseum to give the ball back to the offense. The narrowed focused has paid off, with several players racking up both interceptions and pass breakups, including Antoine Winfield Jr., Bryce Hall, Tykee Smith, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish and Kaevon Merriweather, to name a few. As players on the defensive side of the ball have been eating, sleeping and breathing turnovers throughout the offseason workout program, the instruction has led to muscle memory and manifestation on the field.
"That is exactly what we have been harping on and what Bowles was harping on during OTAs," described Zyon McCollum. "We watched turnover circuits weekly as a defense and it is really translating. I feel like the past couple of seasons we have talked about it a lot and came up short but to see that we are now capitalizing on that, everybody is taking it very seriously and we are going out and executing."
After the Buccaneers selected Benjamin Morrison in the second round of the draft in April and double-dipped in the third round at cornerback with Jacob Parrish, the team's depth grew significantly. Now, cornerback is loaded and the production of both Parrish, who has taken significant reps at nickel, and Morrison, who had an interception in the indoor practice, has led to enhancement in the room. The infusion of youth has forced each individual to level up their game to earn playing time. McCollum, the club's primary starter opposite Jamel Dean, has blanketed receivers throughout camp and has displayed his speed and high-point skills. When asked about Morrison and Parrish, McCollum dished on the added fuel to the fire.
"This is probably the most competitive room that I have been in since I have been here," said McCollum. "Adding two guys like that who come in and just play with that fire right off, it just lights a fire in everybody and so that entire room, speaking for everybody, I know and can confidently say that we all come out here knowing that we have to be at the top of our game in order to stick around."
