Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the newly finalized Buccaneers practice squad, headlined by two familiar-feeling additions. Veteran quarterback Easton Stick — turning 31 on September 15 — joins as Jalon Daniels' new mentor and emergency QB3, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Zach Robinson, who worked him out as a pre-draft coach back when Stick was piling up a 49-3 record and four national championships at North Dakota State. Rick explains why the Bucs wanted a steady veteran voice in the quarterback room over another developmental arm, and why Stick — who's barely played in six NFL seasons behind Justin Herbert and later with Robinson in Atlanta — won out over re-signing Connor Bazelak. They also welcome back cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, a key piece of the 2020 Super Bowl run (three postseason interceptions, including a momentum-swinging one in Green Bay), who brings much-needed experience to a young, thin secondary. Rick runs down the rest of the practice squad additions before previewing the two-week runway to the opener at Cincinnati, teasing — but not yet revealing — an area he thinks the Bucs could unexpectedly struggle.
Then it's over to the Rays, whose wild week came back to earth with a 3-2 loss to the Mets Monday night, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs late. Rick and Steve also revisit the controversial catch-that-wasn't-quite-a-catch from the Padres series over the weekend, still unable to find a rule that explains how a ball secured in the glove for two steps became a home run when it popped out at the wall. Tampa Bay's lead over the Yankees is down to four games with 25 left to play, and they set up tonight's rematch with Freddy Peralta getting a shot at revenge against the Mets team that drafted and developed him. Plus, Aaron Donald's stunning $20 million comeback with the Rams, and an early look at the Lightning's revamped roster ahead of training camp.
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