Poor Running Stats, No Problem
September 20th, 2010
The Bucs’ defensive mastermind/head coach sees his team’s ugly rushing stats, but he says they don’t represent reality.
Cadillac Williams ate up plenty of clock, had some good runs and kept his defense off the field yesterday, Raheem Morris said.
“It’s not about how much success you have running the ball. It’s about doing it,” Morris said at his noon news conference. “You gotta go up in there and you gotta run the ball. …Success comes with our offense keeping our defense off the field. …Perception is not reality when it comes to the running game.”
Now Joe praised Greg Olson’s commitment to the running game yesterday. It was impressive and showed great maturity from last year, even if it wasn’t very successful. Joe gets that throwing 40 times a game, for this team, isn’t going to work. And Joe understand’s Raheem’s point.
However, Joe knows that the running game is, in fact, broken. After watching the Bucs-Carolina game again, it’s clear to Joe that it’s both the offensive line and Cadillac Williams, who finished with 27 carries for 51 yards.
Somehow, the Bucs, if they’re going to play winning football all season, must improve the running game. That’s reality.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Couldnt Huggy bear fix all this with his explosiveness? and do you think brandond jacobs could be useful through a trade?…
September 20th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Well, of course, Brandon Jacobs would be useful. Huggins has never taken a handoff in the NFL. Who knows????
September 20th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Do we really want another giants cast-off…. Ward didn’t exactly work out for us.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
You are right Joe, Rah is sugarcoating the situation. We will see what our roster has to offer pretty soon in the way of RBs. If Caddy isnt getting it done against the Steelers, I hope they sub in quickly to see what we have.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
i think brandon jacobs would help but i dno how his personality would help the team.. anytime u throw a helmet into the stands whether the helmet slipped or not is a problem.. that helmet could have hurt someone bad hes lucky he didnt hurt anybody or he wouldnt be asking for a trade he would be asking how many teams are interested in him after being realesed. Dont get me wrong the guy has game and is a bruising back but so is blount id rather take a chance on blount than jacobs less money and younger fresher legs
September 20th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
After the last game Olsen said Caddy can’t make it a full year unless we reduce his workload. Then they went out and did the same thing yesterday. Caddy was nearly killed on a couple of plays. But he’s never going to complain. We need to see some other running backs and soon.
September 20th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
They should activate Blount asap if the coaching staff had a clue they would have by now. Raheem Moron is a tool.
Blount is mule, who can run like a deer.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
The running game is not working because they don’t respect our WR. I watched the film. Both teams we have played have kept 8 men in the box. This is challenging Freeman and the young WRs to beat them! So far, we have, lol. But so far, no one has respected our passing game. They are committed to stopping the run. I think we will run some 4 Wr spreds, to open up the Running game. As Freeman, Williams, stroughter, etc become more and more effective, you’ll see the running game open up.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I still think Rahd had a lot to do with Steve White leaving. It’s disgusting having Rahdom still posting his hate riddled crap on here. This should be Bout football!
September 20th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Once again, this is a process of progress. The team is still growing and learning. They are young guys. It will take time.
As this season goes along, the progression we should see is players like Benn working their way into the offense on a regular basis. We should see guys like Huggins and Blount get more touches as they spend more practice time during the week as the #2 or #3 guys. Blount had NO practice with the team before the season started, give him time to learn the offense. Maybe after the bye week he can help produce. Huggins has been hampered by a groin injury. Maybe after the bye week he’ll be healthy and help the run game.
Thing is, this team should actually get better as the season goes on. Sure, other teams will have film and be able to better game plan against us, but the players themselves should be getting better. Freeman will not have a thumb injury after the bye week, he’ll have his timing down after losing precious practice time with the WRs. The DTs should continue to grow and improve the more they play, which will continue to help Crowder/White/Moore/Black on the edges. What we’re seeing is the beginning of what is to come, not the end result.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
“As Freeman, Williams, stroughter, etc become more and more effective…”
What the???
Freeman only throw for 150 yds a game and still has issues with 3rd down conversions. How are all those other WRs going to get the ball?
September 20th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
So why was he released?
So why was he undrafted?
No way you can pin Blount’s punch at Boise State for him not getting drafted, and getting released by the Titans. Far more players have done worse and been drafted, some times in the first round, and never released.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Freeman is a 150 yd average per game type of QB.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
So why was he released?
-He punched a player in camp.
-They have Chris Johnson.
-They figured he would clear waivers because of all that baggage.
So why was he undrafted?
-Because of the tourette-punching syndrone.
But he did very well in pre-season.
He is strong and fast.
Mike Williams slipped to the 4th because of his issues. Look at him now.
I think Blount has the physical tools.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Javier, you should watch the games. Freeman was doing a great job of converting 3rd down. I think 4 3rd down conversions were of 8 yards or more. One was a 3rd and 17, in which he threw a 40 yard pass to K2.
And yes, they will get more effective as they have more time together. Freeman has been hampered by a thumb injury, limiting his practice time with the WRs. A little more practice and he probably hits a couple of those go routes on the blitzes instead of overthrowing them. He’s missed a couple each week now, and the more time he has, the more likely he’ll be to hit some of those.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I do not agree with Coach Morris on this ““It’s not about how much success you have running the ball. It’s about doing it,” Morris said at his noon news conference. “You gotta go up in there and you gotta run the ball. …Success comes with our offense keeping our defense off the field.”
If we can get okay just 3.5 yards every running play 2 *3.5 =7 leaving us with a 3 rd and what? 3 so we can have that “option” to run or pass for the first down. Maybe just maybe even can use the play action pass in that situation and get a big play. But only if the running game gets positive yards.
The last 5 runs we had in the game yesterday we gained 2 yard total. 2 out of the 5 where for positive yards 1 and 5 respectfully then 2 plays for 0 yards and a – 4 yard effort. and we are trying to run out the clock. if we get a few more positive yards in those 5 last plays we have a better win.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
“They figured he would clear waivers because of all that baggage.”
That doesn’t matter, he can still get plucked off the practice squad. Once a player is cut, he’s chum in the water – period. Personally, he’s probably a little on the slow side mentally.
Marshawn Lynch can be traded for – uber talented on a sh!tty team.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I still think Rahd had a lot to do with Steve White leaving…… Did I miss something ?? Go Bucs !! Go Rays !!
September 20th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Caddy has lost a step and it shows. He’s an all-effort guy and I appreciate his work ethic and commitment. In both games, the defense is waiting for him on outside runs. We need speed to the hole. Look at Chris Johnson. The dude has pencils for legs, but he hits the hole so fast, one cut and he’s gone. Speed kills.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@bambam – and Freeman missed williams (on the all out blitz) by the hair on a knats ass.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I absolutely agree with this article Joe.
@ Javier 🙁 I thought you were gone at least until we lost a game. I guess not but that is fine. It is like the balance of life. Without idiots we could not determine who is intelligent. Without evil we would not see good etc…
September 20th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
SebringSmitty- “Rahdomdabest” who Steve white protested about on several occasions, due to Rahdoms racist comments. Joe actually removed Rahdom’s post on one such occasion, and told him he was in his last strike.
September 20th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Javier…Once again you show your ARSE! Freeman had a 102.4 passer rating for the Panther’s game, and he has a 85 passer rating for the 2010 season so fqar. This is pretty good. The QB position is not just racking up passing yards (see Tony Romo). Freeman managed the game well, he made great decisions, and he was careful with the ball. he was not sacked and did not throw an INT.
I do agree that Blount will be a good player for us. I do not have a reason why he was undrafted, but sometimes guys just get overlooked.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Joe, are you admitting that the offensive line needs to run block better? You laughed in my face before when I said our poor yards per carry last year weren’t all the running backs fault…
September 20th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Blount (power) and Huggins (draw, sweep) need to mix in vs the steelers.
Little/No tape. Caddy can’t do it himself.
They’re not going to be practicing for a big back or a speed back.
They are going to focus on Williams and spying Freeman.
Draw them in… let them blitz throw to K2, Stroughter (hot read) and Bailout
September 20th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Joe here,
MIchiganBucsFan – “laughed in my face” sounds a bit harsh. Last year is not this year.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I was just using an expression with “laughed in my face”
I’m not a writer like you Joe I don’t always know the best words to use to describe things haha
September 20th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
MichiganBucsFan:
Simply, put, the Bucs running backs are mediocre. Joe’s been writing this for damned near a year. The numbers just don’t lie. People don’t want to believe this because Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams are such nice guys.
Even Marshall Faulk on the NFL Network indirectly said this two weeks ago when he said a good running back can overcome bad blocking. Joe’s not buying the bad blocking.
If the Steelers can manhandle Chris Johnson and Michael Turner, Joe’s confident that Cadillac Williams isn’t keeping Dick LeBeau and Mike Tomlin up at night.
Picking up other people’s trash off the street hoping for All Pro performances isn’t going to cut it.
September 20th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
I’ll repeat it! The running game isn’t producing, because teams are not respecting our WRs. They are loading up the box on EVERY play to stop the run. They are daring Freeman to beat them. And he is beating them. But until one of our WR warrants double coverage, teams will shut down our run. This is a system problem, not a RB or OLine issue! I’ll keep saying it!!!
September 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
“Gary Says:
September 20th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
You are right Joe, Rah is sugarcoating the situation”
Yeah, which is OUTRAGEOUS because a real coach would never do that. A real coach would come out and kill the confidence of his team by saying “Our offensive line sucks and our RB sucks.” Yeah, that’s what a REAL coach would do!
My goodness . . .
September 20th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I have to admit, I think Joe has been right this entire time about our running game. That being said, I don’t care if we had Barry Sanders back there yesterday, there was no place to run. There were times where the Panthers were damn near taking the handoff from Freeman. That’s on the offensive line. I do, however, admire our commitment to the running game. There is no way that would have happened last year. Then again, we didn’t really dominate anyone last year like we did yesterday.
I like the signing of Blount, but it’s foolish to think he can just step in as a rookie and run for 100 yards a game. It’s not as simple as just taking the ball and running to the hole. He has to learn the entire offense, especially pass protection. Obviously he’s not ready to play, or he would be playing. Has this regime not at least proven to everyone that they will play the best players? He played in the Pac 10, where defense is optional, so let’s not get too excited. I doubt most of you have ever watched him play a full game in college (In Hawaii, I’m subjected to way too much Pac 10 football). He’s a good player, but he’s not the savior. Give him some time. I can just about guarantee you one thing, he won’t smell the field against the Steelers, and that’s a good thing.
September 20th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Brandon Jacobs? Really? We have a better version of Brandon Jacobs right now. His name is MeGarrette Blount.
Look, our line isn’t great at run blocking. They aren’t as horrible as some think though either. There were quite a few run plays yesterday were there was a nice opening and it looked like it was going to be a big run…but Caddie got maybe three yards. It’s time to start seeing what Huggins and Blount can do for us coach. They are both more explosive than Caddie, Huggins is so quick he can turn those small openings into big gains instead od 3 yard runs and Blount can actually shake a tackle or two and make plays too. Caddie just isn’t gettiing it done. I’m not saying quit using Caddie all together, but he is a very mediocre running back with two bad knees. 25-30 carries a game for him is just bad any way you look at it.
Get Blount and Huggins in the picture now or Caddie won’t even be an option anymore because he’ll be injured.
September 20th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I say quit fooling around, and put Blount in right now. At least he will punch the opposing team out for stopping him.
Seriously, I agree with Capt Tim. Teams are stacking the box, daring Freeman to beat them. We can expect Pittsburgh to do same Sunday, with a big difference, they are ball strippers on every running play! Whoever our RB’s are, they better hold ON to the ball Sunday in Tampa!
September 20th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Joe…I agree with most of what you said above, the backs are not getting it done. I disagree on Blount, just becasue he went undrafted and did not make the first team that signed him does not mean he will suck (see Priest Holmes).
September 20th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I agree with Steve White that we need kick Stevens to the curb and keep Gilmore in the game to block, all the while looking for a new TE that can block well.
September 20th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
JimBuc- I have a lot of repent for you and your legendary tenacity. But, you’re running around posting like you’ve lost your mind!! You’ve won. Only the absolute stupidest of the haters( zero, Javier,rahdomdaracist) are still trying to spew their stupidity. And they’ve become a laughing stock. You’ve won. Now, for the sake of this post, and us real Buc Fans, act like you got some damn sense!
September 20th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Caddy has always run the same…high effort but always averages under 4 yds per carry. He takes a lot of punishment instead of picking his spots to try and get the extra yard. He always seems to be running right into people instead of going sideways, taking a smarter route, or making people miss.
Everyone likes the guy…he’s got a lot of heart, but we’ve seen the same thing over and over….he is who he is at this point which is an average back.
I would love to see Huggy get 5-10 carries..and then 5 or so to Blount once he gets up to speed.
September 20th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Love caddy and the fact he dont fumble but we need a spark and to add on to that his knee problems oh oh scary
September 21st, 2010 at 5:10 am
Hey!! Let’s put Huggins or Blount in! They are both totally inexperienced and one is a rookie! That’s the guys we want handling the ball against the number one unit in forcing turnovers!! Good thinking! We are ready for the Steelers. Let them come. Freeman has probably earned enough respect to get Tomlin to guard against the pass, and Freeman scrambling! That alone will free up Caddy, and you’ll see the running game start to open up for us. Starting rookie RBs is NOT the formula for winning against Pittsburgh
September 21st, 2010 at 5:50 am
I agree with the Capt on this one. Let’s see what Blount can do after the bye, when he is ready. This week will be the student against the master, and I think Morris is ready!
September 21st, 2010 at 9:45 am
Both teams have good defenses and the edge probably goes to the Steelers. The Steeler offense is bad with no QB to boot. The Bucs offense is pretty good and scoring points. Steelers offense is one dimensional right now and can be exploited. Raheem will be all over this and the Bucs should be the favorite. Whatever you do, don’t bet on Pittsburgh this week.