More Run Talk Without More Running Backs
April 5th, 2012
- Might LeGarrette Blount soon find an old friend in the Bucs backfield?
More fuel for the likelihood of the Bucs drafting Trent Richardson was dished out indirectly by Davin Joseph recently in a “Buccaneers Insider” video on Buccaneeers.com.
On his impressions of what the Bucs will look like this season after meeting with offensive coaches this week, Joseph over-emphasized what Greg Schiano has been telling everyone since his first moments on the job; the Bucs will pound the rock.
“He made it very clear that we are going to major in running the ball. And so we’re going to run the ball. (laughs) And so we’re going to run the ball. And we’re going to have fun,” Joseph said.
Now Joe would enjoy watching LeGarrette Blount pound out 450 carries in 2012, however that’s completely unrealistic in today’s NFL. But the Bucs only have Mossis Madu on the roster at running back outside of Blount.
Surely the Bucs can find a studly scatback in the second or third round of the draft, but one would think the Bucs would want at least a 1a-caliber power back to share carries with Blount and/or back him up, if they are really going to be a run-first, smashmouth club.
Where’s that guy going to come from?
April 5th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Doug Martin in the second round .
April 5th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Let the debate begin
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
the projected 3rd Round RB’s look really strong this year… Kiper doesn’t have Lamar Miller going until the 3rd. We need a MLB or OLB in the second and a DB in the first (I’d be ok trading back for Mark Barron although it is unlikely) Hell if we need a back up Cedric Benson is still available as are a few guys who can help LaGarette get the job done.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
I just cant wait till were set whether we get mo or t-rich.I cant wait for the year to get started.
Tampaaaaaaaaaaaa baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
April 5th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
I just hope Blount doesn’t get angry and demand a trade if we draft Richardson. Cause then it’d defeat the whole purpose of drafting him! Blount will want out and t Rich will be only RB we have.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
T Rich in the 1st or a some guy from the 2nd. If we wait until the 3rd, we’ll probably (thought not necessarily) miss out on some quality talent.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Dont assume T-Rich will be there. It makes all the sense in the world for the Browns to take him. They have no starting RB. Yes they need to help Colt Mccoy with a receiver but a solid workhorse back is always the QBs best friend. I see the Bucs getting Claiborne.
April 5th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
If you can get Lamar Miller in the 3rd, you do, and you pat yourself on the back. Kid can play.
April 5th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
There are two debates outlined in this piece – whether Trent Richardson will be the RB chosen in round 1 to fashion Schiano’s proposed run-first offense or can Legerette Blount be that every-down RB that will be given the bulk of the carries. Today, I chose to recuse myself from either argument.
But I will comment on this. I like the idea of a run-first offense with a complementary tandem of RBs as we saw with the Giant’s offense. My understanding from Freeman’s presser is that we will be using some variation of that offense. I will let Schiano choose the RB or RBs that is reminiscent of the Ray Rice prototype to make this style of offense effective. I think of equal importance is the FB in this scheme. If that is Martinek, Dunsmore, or Evan Rodriquez, again I will let them decide, but an improvement is needed.
Finally, this takes a lot of pressure off of Freeman to throw more frequently and especially in 3rd down situations. It gives the WRs a better chance to get open and separate because the LBs can no longer play off or forsake the LOS.
We now have the people up front to make this style of offense potent, we just need to pick the right RBs to give teeth to the beast!
April 5th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Doug Martin or Boom Herron anyone?
April 5th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
However this works out, I’ll just be happy to see someone in a Pewter helmet “rumbling, bumbling, stumbling” into the end-zone on the highlights week after week again!
April 5th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
This is some smoke by Schiano (see Minnesota Vikings) to ensure that the Browns take Richardson which means 2 things. It means he won’t have to listen to the rhetoric when Richardson is franchise and he didn’t draft him (because he’s going to be) and so that he gets his guy in Mo Claiborne. I think we have a back on our radar and his name is Doug Martin. He is a perfect compliment to LGB, he is great in protection and out of the backfield and plays every down like its his last. He will make LGB earn his starting reps. I think team Dominik is scared that Martin is not there in the second. I know I would be, dude is a beast and would be great on a team with an elusive runner already tied up. That being said there is plan B for RB, in Miller or LM James. All of the quality CB’s will be gone in the first, there will be no starters left. We need another CB to start. Hello Brees, Ryan and Newton…. we will get gassed without secondary depth like we did last year. The argument that we should try and win with all out Offense is nonsense. We might not win it all by trying to improve the defense but we will get one step closer to having a perennial powerhouse.
April 5th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Doug effing Martin. Done.
April 5th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Agree with Jaret, I have family in Cleveland, talk is Trent is going there to replace Peyton Hillis who they lost.
Tampa will not have to worry, Richardson will be long gone.
April 5th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Tampa can still find excellent running backs in the later rounds like Doug Martin, David Wilson, Lamar Miller, Chris Polk, LaMichael James and Cyrus Gray, for example.
All is not “lost” if Trent Richardson is gone to Cleveland before we pick.
April 5th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Doug Martin. He’ll start over Blount but Blount will get his fair share of carries.
April 5th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Claiborne in the 1st, Lavonte David in the 2nd, best available RB in the 3rd
April 5th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
If the Bucs are going to be a “run first, smashmouth club”, then why not take a PREMIUM running back in the 1st round? At number 5.
Embrace TR, Bucs fans. He’s coming.
April 5th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Doug Martin will go to Giants at last pick in 1st round. Lamar Miller will be gone in 2nd half of round 2. David Wilson FUMBLES. LaMichael James is not a “primary” anything, and been injury prone, but speedy.
Bucs have to decide, if TRich is there at 5, do they want Lamar Miller as a pretty complete, speedy, 3 down back at top of 2nd round, or not. Otherwise, draft TRich, fantastic RB, then take best available LB at top of 2nd round, CB 3rd round.
April 5th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@ Jaret and Apple Roof
Chicago spent some good coin on Michael Bush, so they DID replace Hillis with a damn good back…..if Blackmon is there, NO WAY does Cleveland pass on him (no pun intended)…if Claiborne is there ya gotta take…unless you get a nice juicy deal to move back, BUT…still stay in the top ten or twelve…then if you can get another high 2nd round pick, IMO you take Kirkpatrick and then Martin and Janoris Jenkins in the second in that order…that being said, I think the Pats are eying Martin with their second 1st round pick…in that case you take Jenkins and then Kendricks from Cal….third round will still have either Miller or James…
April 5th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I agree with “bucbelevr” above. Better than 50% chance Martin is gone by our 2nd pick, LaMichael is too small (nice piece, but probably 3rd rounder), what little I know about Miller scares me, he’s got the combine stats, but is he a natural runner or durable enough for NFL? If we wait on RB the talent drops off a lot more than we might think. That being said, my favorite Tier 2 RB is Polk from U of W. He’s big enough, shifty, tough runner, and most importantly for us…… he can catch out of the backfield.
April 5th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I’ll be very surprised if the Giants take a RB in round 1 when they know the value they’ve gotten out of Bradshaw as a 7th round pick. There are too many RB’s to be had mid to latter rounds. Still, they do need a RB so it could happen. If Martin is gone then we’ll pick up the next best RB available but we’ll probably wait until Rd 3.
April 5th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Did Cadillac sign with anyone yet? He and LGB worked well together.
April 5th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Noleriff .. The Bears replaced Peyton Hillis with Mike Bush “??
Really ??
April 5th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Lamar Miller will remind of lot people of #28, if available in 2nd round, let’s get him.
April 5th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
I think with the depth at RB in the draft this year. We need to address CB and LB or atleast one of them before RB. There is no other CB like Mo just like there is no other RB like TR3. But our need a CB is a way more pressing issue. It is a passing league and we can’t even begin to stop it at this point. Take Mo at #5 and it is possible Mark Barron could slip to the 2nd. Our secondary would be instantly better!!! We have the O-Line now to help out Blount and Josh. And VJax to help out as well. Our D cost us way too much last season. If Barron is gone in the 2nd take the best available LB. 3rd round we can look at LaMichael James or Ronnie Hillman to compliment Blount and have 2 great Defensive players to boot! This is a no brainer too me.
Drafting TR3 makes no sense to me at this point. Sign Ryan Grant and draft a speedster in the 3rd and let our new OLine and coaches do the rest!!! If Blount can’t hold on to the ball then we have 2 new replacments for him! GO BUCS!!!
April 5th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I’m against even drafting a running back…but if we do, it should not be before the 5TH ROUND.
We need too many defensive players. A running back can be found in the undrafted free agents if we must.
We only have 3 picks before the 5th round this year…they need to ALL go on defense. We have 5-6 holes on defense we need to address…and the offense’s only needs are OT & RB.
OT may not need to be addressed. we have Blount and we only need depth at rb. Personally, I’m more than skeptical as to whether we will be a run first team. The giants were near last in running the ball. I agree it is smoke and mirrors.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
I think we need 2 of our 1st 3 picks to be on D. But we HAVE to get a speed RB. It hurt us last season and will continue to do so if that doesn’t change. I’m all for signing Ryan Grant and pairing him with Blount. But we still need a speedster!!