Bucs Win Preseason Opener While Resting Their Starters While Rays Lose 3 Straight

Bucs Win Preseason Opener While Resting Their Starters While Rays Lose 3 Straight

Author: Tampa Bay Times August 17, 2026 Duration: 37:27

Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick break down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason opener in New York, where Tampa Bay held out its starters and let backup QB Jaylen Daniels take over in the 2nd half — and he delivered, going 10-for-15 for 111 yards with a rushing touchdown while engineering a pair of comeback scoring drives. The guys explain why Todd Bowles kept Baker Mayfield and the first team out of the game (joint practices with the Jets did most of the work, and that brutal MetLife Stadium turf didn't help), then spotlight the standouts: rookie safety Ayden Garnes' pick-six, corner Damarion Williams' 11-tackle night, and Elijah Roberts flashing as a run-stopper. They also flag a rocky special teams debut for new coordinator Danny Smith, give an update on Emeka Egbuka's turf toe, and preview Saturday's home game against Kansas City — the one preseason tilt with no joint practices, meaning the real starters should finally see the field. Plus, Rick and Steve dig into where things stand on a Vita Vea extension and Baker Mayfield's new contract.


Then it's over to the Rays, who followed a nine-game road winning streak by dropping three straight to the Orioles at home, blowing bullpen leads in excruciating fashion all weekend. Shane McClanahan is activated tonight as Tampa Bay looks to salvage the finale and avoid the sweep before a road trip back to Baltimore.



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For a daily dose of Tampa Bay sports talk that feels like a conversation with the most plugged-in friends you have, there's Sports Day Tampa Bay. This weekday podcast from the Tampa Bay Times is anchored by award-winning journalist Rick Stroud and co-host Steve Versnick, who bring a newsroom's rigor and a fan's passion to each episode. Instead of just rehashing scores, they dig into the nuances behind them-the strategy shaping the Buccaneers' defense, the roster decisions facing the Rays front office, or the playoff mentality driving the Lightning. The discussion naturally spans the full spectrum of local teams, including USF athletics, providing context that often gets lost in quick headlines. What you'll hear is analysis grounded in decades of institutional knowledge and reporting access, offering a perspective that turns the day's news into a deeper understanding of the games and the people who play them. Tune in each morning for this essential, insider-focused update that has become a routine for fans who want more than the highlight reel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Sports Day Tampa Bay
Podcast Episodes
Baker Mayfield Feels 'Disrespected' and 'Undervalued' By Buccaneers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:55
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Baker Mayfield's comments regarding his lack of contract extension with the Buccaneers. He said he felt 'disrespected' and 'undervalued' while being dissappointed team wouldn't give him…
Bucs Defensive Tackle Vita Vea Requests A Trade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick on Vita Vea's request that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade him as he enters the final year of a 4-year contract that will pay him more than $17 million this year. How will this impact the de…
Rays Have Won 6-of-7 & Bucs Rookies Report To Training Camp Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:32
Rick Stroud and Steve Versnick are back from vacation as the Tampa Bay Rays have won 6-of-7 including 2 straight shutouts of the Guardians. Plus the Buccaneers rookies report today for Training Camp and the veterans repo…
Rick and Tom Telling Old Press Box Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Rick Stroud is joined by Tom Jones to reminisce about old Press Box stories of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.