The ninth day of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2017 training camp was a little bit like the first eight. Just more so.
It was certainly hotter. After working through a run of rainy days, the Buccaneers had their time in the sun on Friday and Saturday, and the latter day was the most oppressive, from a weather standpoint, of camp so far. As much as the team does to protect its players and keep them hydrated on muggy days, two hours in the Tampa August heat is difficult to endure without serious fatigue.
The Buccaneers may not always want to subject the players to the heat – the enormous indoor facility rapidly rising to the south of the practice fields is an indication that the team wants an option to escape the sun – but when they do it becomes a worthwhile test.