The Bucs want to enhance on particular groups. That assertion has seemingly been true for a number of years now, and it’ll be as much as particular groups coordinator Keith Armstrong to show round. What would possibly work very well in his favor in 2023 is the truth that Tampa Bay got down to get sooner and smarter all around the discipline this offseason. Early returns point out that the staff succeeded in doing so, and the rookie class specifically seems primed to assist Armstrong’s models in an enormous method.
“I’ll inform you what, this group right here is de facto good,” Armstrong mentioned Tuesday. “I’ve not had an issue with these guys in any respect. It’s a younger group. They’re very thinking about the whole lot that we’re speaking about, and they’re keen. I’m very pleased with the group that we now have. They’re working arduous. It’s a very keen group.”
Smarts, velocity and a willingness to do the soiled work on particular groups emerged as a theme of the Bucs’ rookie class earlier this summer time. Fifth-round linebacker SirVocea Dennis known as particular groups “big,” mentioning that he made certain to be on all 4 models throughout every year of his school profession at Pitt. Sixth-round broad receiver Trey Palmer, who possesses elite velocity, mentioned he desires to be “the best punt returner and kick returner.” Head coach Todd Bowles pointed to broad receiver Kade Warner as an undrafted free agent who has the aptitude of manufacturing on particular groups, and he’s not the one one.
Armstrong had nothing however glowing critiques for the rookies he’s been working with in coaching camp, praising fairly a number of of them and lauding their skill on particular groups.
Keith Armstrong Says SirVocea Dennis “Checks All Packing containers”
Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
SirVocea Dennis has been a participant who has stood out again and again all through the early days of coaching camp, thanks largely to his nostril for the soccer and excessive soccer I.Q. He is aware of the place he’s imagined to be positionally and reads the quarterback nicely, which has led to some massive performs all through rookie mini camp, OTAs, mini camp and now coaching camp. And, true to his phrase, Dennis has taken the particular groups aspect of the sport critically.
Keith Armstrong is lots happy with the previous Pitt star, as he’s confirmed to be coachable along with placing his smarts, toughness and athleticism on show.
“The very first thing about SirVocea is he’s what I name a ‘one-timer.’ You inform him one time, it’s carried out,” Armstrong mentioned. “He strains up, you inform him one time, ‘Hey, watch the twist.’ Bam, picks up the twist. Excellent bodily. He’s a bodily soccer participant, sensible soccer participant and he can run. That’s what you’re on the lookout for. Powerful, sensible, athletic. He checks all packing containers. I’m very pleased with him.”
Dennis is taking part in on all 4 particular groups models identical to he did at Pitt, and he’s clearing a path for himself to shine in that section of the sport simply as a lot as he’s flashed on protection up to now this summer time.
Keith Armstrong Thinks Trey Palmer’s Velocity Can Assist In Totally different Methods
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Trey Palmer ran a 4.33-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL Scouting Mix, and he has a case to be one of many quickest gamers within the NFL. Naturally, he could possibly be a match as a return man for Keith Armstrong’s particular groups models. He’d must wrestle the job away from second-year returner/broad receiver Deven Thompkins, which may show troublesome. Nevertheless, Armstrong thinks that as Palmer continues to adapt and study the NFL, he may assist in alternative ways on each unit.
“You take a look at a man like Trey as a punt returner clearly,” Armstrong mentioned. “He has to study to handle the sport on this league, when it comes to honest catches, peter calls, and all that sort of stuff. He does have the expertise. He does have velocity. He can catch the ball, all these forms of issues. The place he may assist us is probably as a gunner, taking part in a 5 on kickoff protection, we wish some velocity inside. On punt return, he could possibly be within the vice though he’s a receiver. He may probably line up inside on a slot, coming off the sting as a rush man. He could possibly be an enormous 4 participant.”
Kick and punt protection have confirmed to be downside areas for the Bucs in latest seasons, so having Palmer convey his velocity to these models could possibly be an enormous assist. Cornerback Zyon McCollum – a fifth-round decide final 12 months – used his velocity to turn out to be a particular groups ace for Tampa Bay as a rookie. Palmer doing the identical can be a welcome sight for Armstrong, to say the least.
Which Different Bucs Rookies Can Make An Influence On Particular Groups?
Bucs ST coordinator Keith Armstrong – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Dennis and Palmer aren’t the one rookies who drew compliments from Keith Armstrong on Tuesday. Sixth-round cornerback Josh Hayes – who’s a tough hitter – is one other one who may function closely on protection models.
“Josh Hayes is a man who brings some bodily toughness to your unit,” Armstrong mentioned. “He’ll present up much more in video games when you find yourself actually going after one another. I feel he’s a type of guys that’ll make you say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that.’ He will not be the four-two man, however he’s going to hit any individual, and you’ll realize it. I’m wanting ahead to seeing him.”
Athleticism and velocity are two defining traits of Tampa Bay’s rookie class, and third-round edge rusher Yaya Diaby embodies each. He’s 6-foot-3, 262 kilos, however he strikes extraordinarily nicely. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard sprint on the Mix, and he can clearly deal with. That’s why it wasn’t a shock when Armstrong talked about him by identify when requested about different guys he want to see get an opportunity on particular groups.
“Yeah, Yaya. I might say he can be a man who will make you say, ‘OK, I’d prefer to see that,’ Armstrong mentioned. “I want to see Yaya on punt. I’d prefer to see Yaya on kickoff. He’s very athletic and bodily. It’s on tape. It might not be a shock if I noticed him escape a block, make a deal with on kickoff, and run any individual down.”
There’s rather a lot for Armstrong to work with all through the remainder of camp and the preseason, and it’ll be intriguing to see how the whole lot shakes out. If the Bucs enhance on particular groups in 2023, their offseason additions – and their rookie class particularly – may show to be an enormous purpose why.
