It was Day 4 of Buc's Training Camp, as tropical storm Emily, rained on players at One Buc Place, but that didn’t stop these guys. The Bucs practiced right through it, as though it was a regular training camp workout and the sun was shining.
“We did everything just how we had it scripted,” Head Coach Dirk Koetter said after the morning practice. “You’ve got all this stuff going on, you add the wet field, the wet ball, those are great challenges for us. It’s great work.”
“We can’t ask for better conditions than this,” new wide receiver DeSean Jackson added. “As a wide receiver, you hate playing in this weather.. it’s hard to catch the ball.. but this is great work.”
And then Coach Koetter gave the media horde some quotes to chew on, where he actually named names. In this case, the most improved player in camp so far, through four practices… can you guess who it is?.. how about Kendell Beckwith?
“After four practices, he’s probably our most improved player, as far as a guy where he started and where he is after four practices,” said the coach.
Beckwith is a third-round draft choice out of LSU, who is coming off a torn ACL. Not just a serious knee injury, but a torn ACL he suffered just 8 months ago.
“He’s been cleared by the doctors,” said Koetter. “It really is a good story, kind of an amazing story, how fast he’s back. It’s only been eight months and very few guys come back that fast.”
“I’m still doing maintenance and keeping up the treatment on it, but so far, so good,” Beckwith said after practice. “I feel good. I’m not really thinking about it. Especially a day like today, we had a little contact, that was good for me. I feel like myself again.”
After playing middle linebacker at LSU, Beckwith has been moved mainly to strongside LB, the SAM position. And he’s adapting quickly. He’s running with the two’s (second team), and pushing Devante Bond who’s lining up with the starters.
Could it be long before a pair of LSU Tigers.. Kwon Alexander is already the starter in the middle.. are starting for the Bucs at linebacker?
If you enjoyed reading Buc's Day 4 Report: Storm Doesn’t Slow Rookie LB - Starting to Shine, see 813area sportswriter Dave Wirth's other Training Camp articles on his profile page, as well as his reports on the Rays and other local sports teams in Tampa and Pinellas. Register and stay connected to Sports in this area as well as fun things to do in Tampa and the area's top events, restaurants in Tampa, bars and clubs and much more. (Cover photo credit MacDill AFB)
