By Tom Krasniqi

Wait for it.  It’s coming.  Not soon enough.  Training camp has been a grind for the Buccaneers in head coach Greg Schiano’s first NFL season.  The intensity and tempo has been extremely hot, almost as hot as the weather was on Tuesday and for much of camp for that matter.  But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  Camp is winding down and the players can’t wait.

“It was a good camp.  It’s definitely always good to make it through a camp healthy. Yeah, I’m looking to the end of camp and continue to get better”, says middle linebacker Mason Foster.  Foster says the difference for him personally from last year to this year is significant.  Last year, he was a rookie starting at a pivotal position without the benefit of a full offseason.  Now, he looks more comfortable.  He’ll be even more comfortable once camp breaks.

 Training camp is all about building chemistry and preparing for the season from a mental and physical standpoint.  But at the same time, it’s taxing and players will be more than happy to put it in the past.  “Who’s not ready for camp to be over with?” says defensive end Michael Bennett.  “That’s just one of those things we have to do together.  Every year, this is the hardest part of football [being in training camp].  The season is the best part so we look forward to playing in the games”. 

Schiano has repeatedly talked about the need to use the blazing heat and humidity to the team’s advantage.  Each training camp practice has been nearly 3 hours long but with a purpose.  The Bucs need to conquer the heat and use it to their advantage when opposing teams make that visit to Raymond James Stadium in September and October.  “There’s an ultimate goal that we’re reaching for and that’s going to take us a long time to get there”, says Bennett.  “It’s good that we’re working hard in camp.  This heat….Coach always talks about this heat is going to be our friend.  It’s definitely becoming our friend or it’s going to be other people’s enemy”.

Camp is scheduled to break after Wednesday’s practice.  While many players are looking forward to the end of camp, wideout Mike Williams will be sad to see it go.  And he’s in the minority with that opinion.  Williams is having a terrific camp and looks to be in outstanding shape.  “It’s kind of fun right now”, smiled Williams.  “I can’t wait until the season [begins].  It’s all building up to Carolina the first week [September 9^th season opener] so I can’t wait until that”.  Neither can the rest of us.  Let’s end camp already. 

News & Notes:

• TE Luke Stocker didn’t practice on Tuesday.  He looked dazed when he left the practice field yesterday.  When asked if Stocker suffered a possible concussion, Schiano would only say that Stocker wasn’t feeling well and will be re-evaluated.  WR Arrelious Benn (knee) is probably still “a few weeks” away, according to Schiano.  Benn was jogging on the side. 
•  Schiano says the offensive and defensive systems are approximately “90-92% installed”.
• Play of the day: WR Mike Williams with an acrobatic catch against safety Mark Barron on a 4^th and long pass over the middle from Josh Freeman in the 2-minute drill.  The drive resulted in a game-tying field goal.
• A couple of muffed punts in practice on Tuesday.  One by Sammie Stroughter and the other by rookie Michael Smith.
• WR coach P.J. Fleck runs around the practice fields like a madman.  His enthusiasm can be felt all over the complex.  What else would you expect from a coach wearing cleats.
• WR Tiquan Underwood had a splendid catch in traffic near the sideline.  Big plays by Underwood are becoming a daily occurrence.  He’s having an outstanding camp.    
• Tuesday’s practice was the last practice of camp that was open to the public.  Training camp is expected to break after Wednesday’s practice.  Schiano says that he might have something planned for a team activity.