Buccaneers vs. Dolphins: Postgame Grades, Notes and Quotes for Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers closed out the 2015 preseason on a positive note, grabbing a 22-17 road victory against the in-state rival Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
Five takeaways on defense, two monstrous field goals from new kicker Kyle Brindza and impressive performances from rookie undrafted free agents at receiver helped the Bucs finish 2-2 for the preseason, giving them some positive momentum as they look toward the start of the regular season.
Brindza's field goals from 57 and 55 yards made him look like the immediate front-runner to steal the starting job away from injured incumbent Patrick Murray, while Keith Tandy was responsible for three turnovers to lead the defense.
The receiving corps led the way for the offense, with Adam Humphries hauling in four passes for 62 yards and the team's only offensive touchdown. Fellow undrafted free agents Rannell Hall—four catches, 63 yards—and Donteea Dye—two catches, 36 yards—also turned in noteworthy performances.
Tandy recovered a fumbled punt deep in Miami territory to set up Humphries' touchdown catch, then sealed the victory with interceptions on each of the Dolphins' final two drives late in the fourth quarter, including one in the opposing end zone.
A safety on top of Humphries touchdown and Brindza's field goals sent the Bucs to the locker room with a 15-10 halftime lead.
Linebacker Khaseem Greene gave the Bucs their biggest play of the night, jumping in front of a pass in the flat for the interception, then hopping up off the ground and weaving 98 yards down the field for a touchdown. The two-score swing helped stretch the lead for the Bucs, and could end up earning Greene a spot on the final roster.
Former Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman would drive the Dolphins down withing striking distance twice in the game's final minutes, but Tandy's interceptions locked up the victory for Tampa Bay.
Position Grades for Bucs
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| Position | Grade |
| QB | D+ |
| RB | C- |
| WR | B+ |
| TE | C- |
| OL | D+ |
| DL | C- |
| LB | C |
| DB | B |
| Special Teams | A |
| Coaching | B |
Mike Glennon had a few solid throws, but inconsistency and a pair of interceptions—one inside the red zone—keeps the quarterback grade down.
The running backs weren't given much room to run, as 25 of Mike James' team-leading 49 rushing yards came on a single carry. Charles Sims continues to disappoint this preseason, carrying the ball five times for zero yards. Doug Martin is clearly the top dog in the backfield.
The receiving corps was the brightest spot of the night for the Bucs, as undrafted free agents Adam Humphries, Rannell Hall and Donteea Dye all put together impressive performances. The Bucs will have some extremely difficult decisions to make when it comes to roster cuts at that position this week.
Cameron Brate's dropped pass early in the game was the biggest highlight of the night for the tight end unit, as the reserve failed to take advantage of his last chance to prove he belongs on the final roster.
The front seven gave up plenty of yards between the 20s, but clamped down when it counted most, just as the Tampa 2 scheme is designed to do. A pair of sacks and two turnovers created helps keep the grades for these two units acceptable.
In similar fashion, the secondary bent for most of the evening but didn't break, coming up with big plays and forcing takeaways at the most opportune times. Keith Tandy was responsible for three of the team's five turnovers, making a strong case to end up on the final roster.
Kyle Brindza's phenomenal night kicking the ball highlights the special teams grade, as the new addition nailed kicks from 55 and 57 yards. The Bucs gave up a kick return for a touchdown, but it was called back for a penalty.
The most impressive improvement in the coaching department over the last two games has been the drop in penalties. The Bucs racked up 14 penalties for 153 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals, but have combined for just five infractions for 40 yards in the two games since.
Brindza Booms His Way to Starting Kicker Job
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Prior to lasts week's game, the Bucs brought back veteran Connor Barth to challenge Patrick Murray for the kicking duties.
But after either kicker missed their only field-goal attempt of the night, Tampa Bay went looking for a third option, acquiring Kyle Brindza from the Detroit Lions.
Brindza wasted no time making his presence felt during Thursday's win over the Dolphins, nailing field goals from 57 and 55 yards and consistently landing his kickoffs in Miami's own end zone. Barth had a field goal blocked on Thursday night, while Murray was out with an injury.
The Notre Dame product's outstanding performance likely made him the favorite to win Tampa Bay's starting kicker job.
Defense Racks Up Takeaways
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After getting shut out in the takeaway department in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Bucs forced five turnovers in their road win over the Dolphins Thursday night.
Three of Tampa Bay's takeaways came from reserve safety Keith Tandy, as the West Virginia product ended each of Miami's final two drives with interceptions to seal the game and helped set the tone early in the game with a fumble recovery on special teams.
The biggest "splash" play of the night came from linebacker Khaseem Greene, who dove in front of a pass for an interception, fell to the ground, then hopped up and raced to the end zone for a 98-yard pick-six.
Despite being outgained 462-234 in total offense, the turnover battle was once again the great equalizer, as Tampa Bay's defense made up for the offense's shortcomings and played a huge part in securing the win.
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GM Jason Licht Announces Signing of CB Tim Jennings
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After being released by the Chicago Bears earlier in the week, veteran cornerback Tim Jennings visited the Buccaneers on Tuesday, but ended the visit without signing a contract.
During the television broadcast of Thursday night's game, Bucs general manager Jason Licht revealed the team had indeed agreed to terms with Jennings, according to PewterReport.com.
Over his nine NFL seasons, Jennings has made the Pro Bowl twice and amassed 463 tackles and 20 interceptions, nine of which came when he led the league in 2012.
Jennings is plenty familiar with Bucs head coach Lovie Smith and the Tampa 2 defense, considering his time spent with the Chicago Bears. Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was also on the Indianapolis Colts staff when they selected Jennings in the second round of the 2006 draft. He gives the Bucs more quality depth and experience in a secondary that could use both.
Head Coach Lovie Smith on WR Adam Humphries' Performance
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Heading into Tampa Bay's preseason finale, there was a logjam at the bottom of the depth chart at receiver, where a handful of rookie undrafted free agents have been jockeying for position throughout training camp.
Clemson product Adam Humphries made a strong push for consideration, hauling in four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Lovie Smith acknowledged that Humphries has the skills to be a successful slot receiver, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune:
"When we say true slot, we mean he’s shifty and quick. Most of the good slot players you see have those skills, that ability to find creases inside. And he’s just continued to make plays throughout camp. He came in as an unknown and he’s made us take notice of him. It was a good finish to a strong training camp.
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Humphries is battling Rannell Hall, Donteea Dye and Kaelin Clay for the team's last roster spot at receiver, but he looks to be one of the favorites after his performance Thursday night.
K Kyle Brindza on His Debut Performance
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The newly acquired Kyle Brindza wasted no time making his push for the Bucs' kicking duties, drilling field goals from 57 and 55 yards while consistently landing kickoffs in the end zone.
With Connor Barth yet to impress and Patrick Murray out with a knee injury, the former Detroit Lion took advantage of his opportunity Thursday night.
"I knew I’d still have to prove my worth,’’ said Brindza, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. “But I just went out there and did what I do. I didn’t think it was going to have be long field goals like that, but you just go out there, do your job and hope for the best."
The Bucs clearly weren't satisfied with Murray's performance so far in the preseason, bringing back Barth prior to their third preseason game. But after both he and Barth missed a field goal in last week's loss to the Browns, the Bucs went shopping for a potential replacement. And it looks like they've found one in Brindza.
Head Coach Lovie Smith on Turnovers
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Turnovers giveth and they taketh away, and Tampa Bay experienced both sides of the coin in Thursday night's win over the Dolphins.
The Bucs were picked off twice by the Dolphins, but registered five takeaways on defense.
"It’s good to take the ball away, but when we take it away we can’t have a turnover deep in our red zone. We should have another score," said head coach Lovie Smith at halftime, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. "We’ll try to tighten those strings up in the second half."
The Bucs won despite being nearly doubled up in offensive yardage by the Dolphins, proving how vital turnovers can be in determining the outcome of a game, regardless of what the rest of the stat sheet says.
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