Penn Says Bye Week Helped Running Game
October 12th, 2010
Yes, the Bucs’ running game is struggling. Donald Penn admitted as much during the Total Access show on WDAE-AM 620 on Monday Night.
However, the rushing attack is on the upswing. Cadillac Williams averaged three yards a carry in Cincinnati (his average entering the game was 2.5) and Earnest Graham broke a 61-yard run through a big hole.
Penn explained that thorough, intense study during the bye week had a significant impact that should lead to improvement and consistency.
“The bye week we sat down and we watched every single play that we had called in the run game throughout the preseason and through the first three games. And we watched every play one after another. You know, to see if we had anything that was lingering over, if we were making the the same mistakes, I think that helped us a lot,” Penn said. “Seeing that and watching just one play every single time, you know to see the things that were consistent, and to see the things that were bad so we could fix it, I think it’s showing dividends. I think it is, really. I think it really played over into [Cincinnati], and I think it’s going to still play over.”
Penn, with clear frustration in his voice from the Bucs’ lack of consistency running the football, went on to talk about how the offensive line feels it has to do more for Williams. In response to a question from a caller, Penn also said Graham and Williams are the best running backs on the roster.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
No offense to Penn, but I’m not buying Caddy is better than Huggins at this point. That says more about Caddy than Huggins.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
we will see if we can run better with the lead…if we do get one…watch from the web…cpu…
October 12th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Bucs draft Mark Ingram next year if he’s available when we pick… Another weapon for Freeman!
October 12th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Of course Caddy and EG are the best running backs on the roster. Running backs do a heck of a lot more than just run the ball. That is what most seem to forget. Caddy may not run as well as, say, Blount, but Caddy surely knows the offense better, which he means he is not as likley to be confused when the play changes, and he surely undertsands his blocking assigments better than either Blout or Huggins. Patience people . . .
October 12th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
i’m all about being positive and patient with this young team but i’ve been patiently waiting for the bucs to have a decent running game for at least a decade.
October 12th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
This is a really tough call. With Caddy, we are not getting a very good running game. That may change, but 4 games in it doesn’t really seem like it’s going to. However, his pass protection is very good, which is beneficial for the passing game. Also, he doesn’t fumble the ball (knock on wood). One of the biggest reasons I think we are 3-1 is because we are winning the turnover battle. I don’t know how the other running backs are with ball security, but I doubt they have as much ball security as Caddy, at least this early in their careers.
October 12th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
The Penn is mightier than the Ward.
October 12th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Caddy knows the offense better, Caddy knows the offense better, Caddy knows the offense better. Give that crap a rest. The running backs coach knows the offense better too maybe he should be the starter? You can know the offense inside and out but if you are completely washed up it makes no difference. The guy can’t run or catch for that matter. Graham knows the offense too but doesn’t run like my grandma. At this point anyone defending Williams must enjoy suck ass offense.
October 12th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
And I’ll say it again!! EVERY team we have played this year is putting 8 players in the box. They ate doing the Opposite of what we did to the BenGals.. We shut down the run, and dared Benson to beat us. He couldn’t! Every team we’ve played has shutdown the Run, and Dared Freeman and our Rookie WR to beat them. 3 times we have!! Until a team fears our passing game more than our Running game, all of our RBs will struggle! But since we keep winning, teams will realize soon that Freeman is the most dangerous player on this team. I expect the Saint to focus on the Pass this week!! Then we get an honest opportunity run
October 12th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I agree 100%, Tim. When we burn teams with the pass, getting behind the safeties in the box, they’ll back up. When we hit screens, or pick up blitzes, they’ll back up. Then we’ll see the run game open up. Until then, we won’t have any success running.
The other thing to remember is O-line/blocking penalties. I calculated Caddy’s ypc average if those 4 plays (2 in week 1, 2 in week 3) that were called back due to holding were factored in. Those 4 plays were for 58 yards. It would have bumped his ypc over 3 before this last week. I know, still not great, but you can see how a few penalties (that weren’t even near the run lane, except the Winslow one) changed his average. If he’s getting 3.5 now, he would be better if we can move the DBs out of the box.
I’m still not sold on the line. The right side has been horribly bad. So far, I think Joseph is the worst and Trueblood close behind, blocking wise. And Penn has been beat more in pass protection than run blocking. I think we need more runs to the left. Vincent has done pretty well. Maybe Derrick will let us know the PFF numbers for the guys in this week’s “What the Buc”.
October 12th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
You guys ripping the O-line are pretty much defeating your own points. you point to 4 holding penalties as the reason our run game sucks? 4 holding penalties in 4 games is actually pretty good. Actually this O-line has not been penalized much at all this year. In fact Tampa is is the least penalized team in the league this year at only 4.2 penalties per game(thats for the entire team not just the O-line) There is no arguing facts.
Cadillac Williams rushing facts(2009 and 2010- taken from NFL.com)
Rushing TD’s in last 20 games- 4
Rushing TD’s in 2010- 0
100 yard games in last 20- 1
100 yard games in 2010- 0
Runs of 40+ in ENTIRE CAREER of 909 carries- 1
How can anyone look at these numbers and not see the obvious truth?
October 12th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
The TRUTH!
You can’t handle the truth!
October 12th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Its appearant that the Capt Tim charcater believes we shut down the Bengles running game. People, we all know the Bucs are 3-1 and this is a very good thing, but this team could very easily be 1-3. So give the team at least 4 more games before even considering them to be a solid and dominant team. I mean look who we have beat and look at our running game and inconsistancies on both offense and defense. We are still a very young team. Don’t expect too much for petes sake.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Hey Buc You,
Forgive Cap Tina as she’s full of Flavor-Aid. The Bucs are lucky to be 3-1 instead of 1-3.
As for Penn saying the running game has improved? GMAFB! The better watc a LOT more film
October 12th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I mean Benson ran for 144 yards. Talk about being drunk not on koolaid, but just plain drunk. Is Capt Tim an alcoholic? I swear I recall him mentioning this before.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Mr. Sucky and Ur Buced- let me explain this really Slooooly for you dumb ass short bus riders. I said we took away the pass , and Dared Benson(the Rb!! , you two stupid Fu*^ks) to beat us! While he ran for 144 yds,he DIDN’T beat us, a’s the BenGals are to dysfunctional to sustain long Drives!! I said teams are doing THE OPPOSITE to us, you Dumb asses! They are taking away THE RUN, and Daring Freeman to Beat them. WHICH HE HAS!! You morons think the team could be 1-3 instead of 3-1?!? That’s the stupidest, most ignorant thing posted here since RahDom the racist got Booed off!! Ya, and you two COULDA BEEN rich and intelligent!, instead of the stuid , ignorant losers you are!! Lmfao
October 12th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
First two games, the defense did a good job shutting down opponents in the 2nd half, not just the run, but the opposing offense as a whole. These last two games, they’ve struggled especially against the run in the 2nd half.
As for Caddy only having 4 rushing TD’s last year, that’s true, but he also had 3 receiving. 7 TD’s in a year we only won 3 games is pretty good. Beyond that, he and Graham are still the guys we need on the field the majority of the time, as they are the most prepared to play every down. They know more of the playbook than Blount or Huggins. Huggins has had limited practice time, which does affect his performance in the game. I was glad to see him get in the game last week, but he’ll be worked in slowly as he progresses. Blount will see more time sooner, as he will be working short yardage situations where he has to hit a gap with force. So long as he knows the gap, he’ll be fine. But, when it comes to protections, blitz pickups, and routes he needs more time to learn. He’ll continue to see more carries, but in a manner that suits his progression with the team.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
The Bucs were not successful at shutting down Benson you drunk. The guy ran for 144 yds. Now go pick another topic to be wrong about.
All you had to say was Freeman to Mike Williams is money in the bank. That was your easy one.
But if you want to believe that the defense surrendering 144 yes to one running back is shutting him down, then go right ahead. Afterall its your world drunky.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Read this on a espn comment on our power rankings in 07 thoguht it was relevant to now
” But Cadillac Williams is struggling and Earnest Graham came off the bench to rush for 75 yards (on eight carries) and two TDs in the win over St. Louis. For now, Gruden says Cadillac’s the starter”
Sounds familiar.
October 12th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
On the flip side of the coin… Maybe Caddy busted a few of those runs because someone on the Oline commited a holding penalty. Not saying, just saying.
So using the argument of well had the penalty not happened his ypc would be better is not a good argument. Reason is you could also argue that had those penalties not happened, the runs affected by them could have just easily been stopped for a loss, etc….
October 13th, 2010 at 12:01 am
we released Chris Bryan
October 13th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Exactly, PieRat, which just goes back to my argument that the O-line can’t open holes for our backs unless they hold. Sure, Blount had a few good runs against the Steelers, but what did he do against the Bengals? Not much. If we’re talking purely rushing yards, I’d say go ahead and get the young guys some carries, because until we get some blocking, no back will gain much, might as well get them more experience. But, we’re not talking purely rushing yards, a RB has more responsibilities than that and that’s why Caddy is in the game more for now. That’s not saying it’s a permanent thing, but Caddy gives us a better chance to win at this point because of his abilities other than just running.
October 13th, 2010 at 12:36 am
THis is the kind of stupidity that brings this site down:
Buc You Says:
October 12th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
The Bucs were not successful at shutting down Benson you drunk. The guy ran for 144 yds. Now go pick another topic to be wrong about.
Buc You Say, that is not even what Capt. Tim said. Capt Tim was passing on to you what Morris said about the game plan, which was — let me type it real slow for you — to shut down the receivers by playing a lot of Tampa-2 shell and let Benson beat them, if he could.
Yeesh, we no know you cannot read, but do you at least know who won the game?
October 13th, 2010 at 5:37 am
Thanks JimBuc! By the way, how’s Redemption feeling! No body on this post deserves it more than you. They all Ganged up on you, all damn Summer! But in the end, you were right, and they were as stupid as you thought. Congrats!! The pathetic Rahdom is back, with new Name number 4- “Buc You”. I don’t even have ta run it down! It’s RahDom! NOBODY else In FLORIDA is that plain, boldface, Stupid!! Lmao , how long til you have ta change this name RahDom! You gotta be the most pathetic person I have ever witnessed! Just stick to your Klan Rallies. You aren’t mentally capable of expressing yourself amongst normal people! Stick to the Caves, pal, stay outta the light!
October 13th, 2010 at 7:02 am
Capt Tina don’t get your panties all bunched up. The Bucs SHOULD have lost to Cincy. Being down by 7 points all the Bengels had to do was run the ball against the Bucs. Instead they allow Palmer to toss that INT to Talib – good play Bucs.
The Bucs didn’t shut down Cedrin Benson. The Bengels ‘gave’ this game to the Bucs like the Saints gave the Bucs a win a few seasons back when Payton called a stupid reverse play a few years back…Cincy’s coach deserves to take the responsibility for this loss.
As for the game against Cleveland it was a tight game and could have gone either way. The only game that the Bucs have dominated this year was at the Panthers – the Bucs dominated. Against Pitts the Bucs got dominated.
The problem with Flavor-Aid goofs like that drunken Captain Tina is that these people confuse good breaks with talent. Freeman is looking better but if that throw in the endzone was to Stroughter instead of Williams there is no TD. The throw to Spurlock on the sideline – should have been overturned as the ball showed movement.
The Bucs running game is anemic and unless and until it improves the team will continue to sputter.
October 13th, 2010 at 7:06 am
JimBuc,
Capt Tina wrote, “We shut down the run, and dared Benson to beat us. He couldn’t!”
Don’t tell me this is what Raheen said because Tina didn’t quote Raheem.
Whomever wrote that quote is just plain dumb. Running backs rushing for over 100 yards means your defense got beat.
October 13th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Exactly Mr Lucky. And then the drunk tried to accuse me of being one of his other screen characters that he enjoys fighting with.
Capt Tim the drunken sailor, you typed it drunk, own it.
Don’t say crap that’s not even true. Pull your head out your ass you low life.
October 13th, 2010 at 8:51 am
Buc yourself, you are Rahdom. I checked! Yer pathetic, 4 new anonymous post names!!! You should kill yourself- 🙂 just sad!!!
October 13th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Yo ho ho and another bottle of rum………for the Capt!
October 13th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Mr. Lucky , you are the stupidest poster I’ve ever seen post here. Obviously Benson beat nobody!! He was a loser Sunday, you idiot, or are you so damn ignorant you fo no the difference between winning or losing! A loser like you should be an expert on losing!!! We shut down the passing game, and dared benson to beat us He didn’t ! We win they lose! You two are stupid beyond belief! And rahdomthe racist has already proven what a loser he is