Shilo Sanders continues to impress Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brass this preseason.
Sanders earned praise from Bowles after the Bucs’ initial preseason game, a 29-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
Sanders, of course, is an undrafted free agent from the University of Colorado. That makes him a longshot for the Bucs’ final 53-man roster, especially on the defensively loaded Bucs, who have won the NFC South in five straight seasons.
But his play may force the issue, and the Buccaneers have been known to keep UDFAs more than other teams.
What Did Todd Bowles Say About Shilo Sanders?
Sanders had one solo tackle and a quarterback hit — which lit up social media — in the game Saturday. According to Pro-Football Focus, Sanders played 37 defensive snaps, which was the third-most of any Buccaneers defensive player.
When asked about Sanders’ game, Bowles was highly complimentary.
“Shilo played tough,” Bowles said, according to SI Bucs. “I thought he went in and did a heck of a job. He had some good tackles inside. He had a pressure on the quarterback as well. He did some good coverage things. So he did a good job when he was in there.”
The preseason opener is generally a litmus test for reserves hoping to make first impressions, since starters rarely play. That was the case Saturday, since projected starting safeties Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr did not play at all against the Titans.
The odds are still long for Sanders, since he was the fourth-string free safety on the team’s initial depth chart.
But Bowles had said that Saturday was the initial test, but there are still more to come — and Tampa Bay’s second game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, will tell more about his chances.
“There are a few tests that come up during the preseason,” Bowles had previously said. âHeâs got a chance to make it.â
What Did Shilo Sanders Say About His NFL Debut?
Sanders did not play the entire first half yet took the field, and he told Joe Bucs Fan of his emotions taking the field for the first time in an NFL uniform.
“I was comfortable before the game,” Sanders said. “I got on the field, I was like, ‘Dang, this thing feels real.’”
Sanders is trying to bring a physical element to the Buccaneers, but he is also adjusting to the NFL’s more reserved nature in practice — especially intrasquad practices and drills.
“You canât really be that physical at practice; thatâs different,” Sanders said. “You can hit and do all that [in college]. But in the NFL, you gotta take care of your teammates.”
But even though Bowles walked away impressed with Sanders’ play Saturday, the 25-year-old rookie still feels there is more to show the Bucs coaching staff before roster decisions are made later this month.
âDefinitely,â Sanders responded when asked if physicality is one of his goals. âWell, I think I left, like, a few big hits on the field.
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