Another opportunity
Mickens may have inside track on the job returning kicks
TAMPA — The Bucs’ Jaydon Mickens knows how it works. The receiver/kick returner needs only a sliver of light and he will try to exploit it.
So when running back T.J. Logan suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury last week, Mickens knew there was an opportunity, and he is running with it.
The 26-year-old is making the best case to stick around this fall with the Bucs as the sixth receiver and primary kick returner.
Because there are no preseason games, Friday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Raymond James Stadium will be the first chance for the Bucs to evaluate players on special teams at full speed and with full contact.
In addition to Logan’s injury, first year receiver John Franklin III was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee in practice. Receiver Tyler Johnson, a fifth-round pick from Minnesota, has been out with a soft tissue injury.
That’s opened the door for Mickens, 26, a two-time AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2016 for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s bounced around on practice squads with the Raiders, Carolina and Bucs and had a few call ups to the active roster.
In fact, he played one game for Tampa Bay last season, was cut last July 31 and signed with the team again nine days later.
“I always was told they want a lot of vets out there,” said Mickens. “There’s going to be some young guys that are going to contribute and do what they need to do, but when it comes to the vets and knowing how to play the game and knowing how important it is without a hiccup or a mistake, it’s going to be vital — especially for this football team.”
Special teams mistakes often decide games early in the season because rookies are still learning that phase of the game. As a result, special teams coach Tyrone Armstrong said the Bucs will have to lean heavily on experienced players.
When I talk about a core group, I’m talking about the punt unit, especially,” Armstrong said. “You’re going to want to have some veteran players in there because of the lack of contact, the lack of preseason games. You don’t get a chance to see
who can actually go play, so it does slow your evaluation down.”
An undrafted free agent out of Washington, Mickens made the Raiders practice squad in 2016. But his biggest success came with the Jaguars. In Week 10, he returned a punt 63-yards for a touchdown. He had a 72-yard punt return one week later against the Seahawks.
Mickens has caught the football well in practice, giving him an edge over Bucs free agent Cyril Grayson. The injury to Logan put him near the top of the depth
chart. Scotty Miller and Sean Murphy-Bunting also have been returning kicks.
‘’Every man’s injury is another man’s opportunity,” Arians said. “And ‘Mick’ came in here last year and did a nice job. We brought him back, he’s running faster. He’s in great shape. He’s in the competition for the return job and the sixth receiver job.”
And he has what the Bucs need, especially this season: experience.
BUCS SIGN SHIPLEY
When Tom Brady is your quarterback, you need experienced depth on the of
fensive line. That’s why Arians is reunited with center A.Q. Shipley.
Shipley started 51 games over five seasons with the Cardinals, including 48 over the last four years. He spent 2018 on injured reserve.
“Q is a hell of a player, a hell of a leader,” Arians said. “Gives us great veteran depth on our offensive line. Allows us to do some things in case of injury, in case of COVID and a guy I trust the utmost.”
BAD KICKING DAY
In the battle between kickers Matt Gay and Elliott Fry, the winner may be — neither. Both had a rough performance Thursday. Fry missed three field goals, while Gay missed two of five attempts.
QUOTE OF THE DAY “The best thing I can say about Tristan, you don’t really say his name too much. As a rookie offensive lineman, that’s a beautiful thing, right? Any time you have to say his name a lot, there’s probably issues. But with Tristan, I’ve haven’t really had to say his name once or twice so far.”
— Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich on rookie tackle Tristan Wirfs