MEADOWLANDS, N.J. — The Bucs used the first preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday night to determine which young players would shine playing so close to the brilliant New York skyline.
Jalon Daniels didn’t need long to make his case. Taking over at quarterback to start the second half, the Kansas rookie sparked the Bucs offense, helping them reclaim the lead. He also may have done enough to move himself to the front of the race for the No. 3 job.
In a competition where every snap matters, Daniels turned his opportunity into a statement in the 24-16 win.
Entering the game with Tampa Bay trailing 13-10, Daniels quickly regained the lead for the Bucs. He went 4 of 5 passing for 57 yards and rushed twice for 8 yards. That set up the 12-yard TD run by Josh Williams to give the Bucs a 17-13 lead.
Daniels might have had a better game if not for several dropped passes.
After the Jets cut the lead to 17-16, Daniels converted a fourth-down situation with a tight throw to rookie tight end Bauer Sharp. He converted two third down opportunities with completions.
Daniels capped the 63-yard drive in 16 plays with a 1-yard TD run with 3:24 remaining in the game. Daniels finished 10 of 15 passing for 111 yards in the second half. That included a fourth-and-5 conversion at the Jets’ 37-yard line with quick throw to rookie tight end Bauer Sharp.
Connor Bazelak started at quarterback and was pretty underwhelming, going 12 of 20 passing for 72 yards in the first half; he was sacked once for a quarterback rating of 67.1.
He targeted Ted Hurst six times, but the rookie only caught two passes for 19 yards in the first half. Hurst was open for a TD in the end zone, but the throw was behind him and knocked away by Jets defensive back Mory Bamba.
With Bazelak under center, the Bucs managed only a 23-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin.
Bazelak got the start when backup Jake Browning was inactive after suffering a back strain in practice against the Jets Wednesday.
Daniels wasn’t the only young player who stood out Friday.
• Undrafted free agent Ayden Garnes began the preseason fourth on the Bucs’ depth chart at cornerback. With injuries sidelining Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison, the rookie from Philadelphia got his chance to start — and wasted little time making his presence felt. He stepped in front of Jets receiver Jelani Woods for a 47-yard interception return touchdown in front of a large contingent of family and friends who made the trip from his hometown of Philadlephia. The play tied the score at 10-all.
“Obviously, I’m not the biggest guy in the world,” Garnes said Wednesday at practice, noting he’s listed at 6-foot, 181 pounds. “You just see me walking, you probably think, ‘He’s just a regular guy.’ Not the biggest. Not the strongest. I can say I am one of the fastest. I can run. ...
“I want to continue to prove everyone else wrong, but to also prove myself right.”
He did that Friday.
• There’s much consternation about Vita Vea wanting to be traded. Rightfully so. The Bucs have added some veterans such as A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to go with Elijah Simmons in the meantime.
But don’t forget about Elijah Roberts. On Friday, he had a sack, a tackle for loss and two QB hits. Roberts started nine game for the Bucs as a rookie after Calijah Kancey went down with injuries.
• Cornerback Pepe Williams had 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a pass defensed. Williams has stood out the entire training camp and along with Garnes may provide the depth the Bucs need at that position with Benjamin Morrison still not practicing.
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