Bucs Running Game A Concern For Josh Freeman
June 15th, 2010
Joe has stated many times over recent weeks that he is of the belief that the Bucs have depth at running back.
In other words, the Bucs are deep in average running backs.
The numbers bear Joe out. The Bucs finished 25th last season in average yards per carry. Bucky Brooks, of NFL.com, suggests in a recent chat that unless one of the Bucs’ three clone-like backs has a stellar season, the growth of Josh Freeman as a franchise quarterback will be delayed.
Martin, Glasgow, Scotland
Hey Bucky, I’ve been looking to get an answer to this. Do you think Williams and Ward provide enough of a run game to take pressure of Josh Freeman. Or do Tampa look to bring in LenDale White or maybe even Marshawn Lynch? ThanksBucky Brooks, NFL.com
Martin, The Bucs’ running game has the potential to alleviate some of the pressure on Freeman, but one of the backs (Williams or Ward) must emerge as a legitimate threat in the backfield to create 8-man fronts. If they can get enough attention focused on the running game, Freeman should have favorable match ups in the passing game with Kellen Winslow II serving as the “go-to-guy”. He flew under the radar last season, but he should become a big-time weapon for the Bucs this season. Also, I wouldn’t expect the Bucs to pursue LenDale White. Though he has been a productive player in the past, I don’t think that he offers much of an upgrade for them at this point.
No, hell no, LenDale White is not the answer. The last thing the Bucs need is another plodding, bruising running back. The Bucs need a spark in their offensive attack and that would come from someone with lightning speed, who can hit the hole in a blink of an eye.
Joe loves Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham to death, but Joe doesn’t hold out much hope either of these two will rush for 1,200 yards this season. The jury is still very much out on Kardashian-chasing Derrick Ward. Peanut Smith, when he’s not getting concussed during an on-field assault, puts the ball on the ground too often.
June 15th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I’m going to forgive Martin since he lives in Scotland he must not have heard the ten thousand conversations over the last few months about how the Bucs are not going to sign any free agents.
I mean that has to be the only reason he would pull Lendale White and Marshawn Lynch out of his ass. Seriously don’t you think if they were going to do something like that it would have been done by now.
June 15th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
With Caddy and a change of pace back (Huggins?) as well as Graham at FB, the run game has some potential to be better than expected. Wouldn’t be surprised to see more flare, arrow and wheel routes coming out of the backfield either. Actually more concerned with the o-line returning to form and playing better than last year.
June 15th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I hope we look at some of the 10 draft RB who will get cut as camp goes on maybe a practice player type pick up. Use what we have bring in this player to learn as the season goes along and about game 8-9 bring him in. Huggins get. nary a word???
June 15th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Repeat after me “Kareem Huggins”,
Nah, if Caddy is healthy, he’s the man!
Graham outta the backfield, catching passes in the flats, that’ll help to
Hey RustyRhino, might wanna squirt a Lil WD-40 between the ears. You hung over? That was a hard post ta read, and yours are usually ok. Guess I’m not the only one who had a late Monday night? 🙂
June 15th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Oh, I never forgive anyone who lives in Scotland! Beautiful Place, but they ought put warning signs on the food over there!it’s enough to ruin yer tourist industry! 🙂
June 15th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Huggins – get him on the field. He’s young and fast. They haven’t put him on the field yet, so there’s a reason (maybe Joe knows), but put him out there and let us see him.
“Show me the money.”
June 15th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
bucfanjeff:
Huggins got hurt against Jacksonville in the preseason and never quite recovered. Remember, the Bucs cut him and when no one else picked him up the Bucs signed him to the practice squad. With Caddy and Graham getting the lion’s share of the carries, and a certain PO’ed high-ranking Bucs offical wanting Ward to get more carries, it didn’t leave much room for Huggins.
June 15th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Joe.. i don’t know how to email you/pm you… but please blast, I mean comment on Vacation Man’s latest NFC South coach rankings… He has Jim Mora on the freaking list.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Don’t worry everyone, we will be drafting with a top 5 draft pick in next year’s draft. We will be able to get a good running back then.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
It’s going to be a long year if we are already clamoring for the 4th string tailback, Kareem Huggins! Dude probably won’t make the roster, let alone see the field.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
lightningbuc:
Peanut Smith was the fourth-string tailback.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
lol Aye aye Cap’n lol
June 15th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Not at the end of last season he wasn’t.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Is it too early to start a “Draft Jacquizz Rodgers” campaign?
June 15th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
If the O line & the TE (hopefully Demar Dotson) can create the holes, Cadi & Graham can get the job done. Ward too has his moments and may be better with good blocking. The Giants had an awesome O line when Ward was there and his productivity was high. Calling the right play and reading defenses also is a big part. Some backs are great (AP Minn) but nearly all NFL backs can get the job done with blocking up front. If they don’t make their blocks it doesn’t matter who runs the ball. Even Robo-Back with a cannon is getting tackled for a loss.
June 15th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
If the Bucs want to draft a RB in next year’s draft with their 5th pick, then they need to lock up Penn this year to be on the safe side.
June 16th, 2010 at 12:00 am
People, we have a great running back in Earnest Graham but our idiot know it all coach Raheem just wastes him and doesn’t utilize his talents!!
June 16th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Nah, we’ll be drafting a DE first next year, then a guard. Might pick up a RB 3rd. Great lines make great RB’s, and still think LG needs help. Was worried about RT too, but after that SWEET catch of that Punt, Trueblood has turned the corner for me! He’ll be crying to play tight end after that highlight reel action!! Heard he’s changing his name to Jeremy “the Truth”, keeping it real Like my man Stylez G White!!
June 16th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Having gotten to the the edge of my ethnic banter capacity, I am no going to go borrow some WD -40 from my buddy, RustyRhino, and go Oil my aching head
June 17th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Nothing, I spend alotta time on trying to throw a lol humor on some of these post. And I get nothing, not even one sad Lil “lol”.
Sometimes I feel like my comedic genius is just really being unapprecited here(sob)