Bucs Haven’t Shown Much In The Running Game
August 26th, 2012_t607.JPG)
While some Bucs fans are concerned by Josh Freeman looking inconsistent and tentative at times this preseason, that doesn’t bother Joe much. Freeman’s learning a new offense, with new coaches and receivers. It will take time, and he’s not turning the ball over, which is a great sign.
But alarming Joe this morning is the Bucs’ relative lack of success in the running game this preseason. The Bucs are supposed to be mauling at the line of scrimmage with their expensive manbeast offensive line and strong pair of running backs.
Through three games, LeGarrette Blount is averaging 2.6 yards per carry, and Doug Martin is averaging 3.6 yards. And these are two guys battling to win a starting nod.
“Run the football” is the identity of the Bucs offense, so Bucs fans were told in the offseason. There have been flashes, but not much more than that.
Now Davin Joseph is down.
In two weeks, the Bucs will need to run the ball against Carolina, a team they had zero success running the ball on last season.
Joe’s as fired up for the regular season as the next guy, but the Bucs have got to get the ground game humming right out of the gate. Without a dominant running attack, Joe’s not seeing how the Bucs avoid going 0-3 to start the season.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:19 am
LG looked slow hitting the hole. He needs to line up closer to Free.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:26 am
Trade for erict rhett
August 26th, 2012 at 9:30 am
It’s only the preseason but if Blount doesn’t improve this season he might be traded for a fourth rounder. Averaging 2.6 and 3.6 is bad news though. Very long season ahead at this rate.
I posted yesterday or the day before that next draft we may draft truebloods replacement. After The loss of DJ we now definantly draft o line early.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:42 am
LOL! Matt…too funny. Blount is our best RB…Martin just had more opportunities in the last game. Preseason. That’s the way it goes. This next game is going to be boring as heck.
August 26th, 2012 at 10:08 am
Pete
Explain to me how Blount is our best running back. His hesitation? His pass catching ability? His blocking ability? Blount will be a fine number two back. You’re kidding yourself if you think we’ll get anything better than a 3rd/4th for him. If we were to get rid.
This year Martin will prove why we invested a fest rounder on him
August 26th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Lack of faith fellow Bucs fans ? I think Martin is showing promising signs , let Blount get some IR , he won’t be any good this season if he plays hurt in Pre …. Schiano is a smart two edged sword, as Joe said as well Josh is learning, plus .. We’re going w/ the Tampa2 style D … It’s a learning process for the team , I am concerned about losing Joseph/ Big Blow
August 26th, 2012 at 10:23 am
It’s Preseason & I believe the playcalling has been the issue. We have attempted to run almost every time on first down.
I think in the regular season, we will mix it up more & be more effective.
August 26th, 2012 at 10:35 am
We’ve been running the ball just fine. Those averages are skewed because they’ve gotten quite a few carries inside the 5 trying to get a couple of yards for a TD. I’ve especially been impressed with Martin. He’s by far the better back. He has vision to run to daylight, he is a great blocker, he can catch the ball out of the backfield and he has the speed to hit the hole quickly. Don’t get caught up in the stats because Thomas’ favorite coach has told us “stats are for losers”. At least in this instance he is right.
August 26th, 2012 at 10:40 am
We should just do what the vikings have for 5 years and run left. That is our stronger side anyways. Especially now that Jospeh is gone.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:24 am
YPC is the most meaningless statistic in football, and is heavily skewed by outlier runs. A guy could carry 19 times for a yard each, then rip off an 81-yarder for a score, and his stat line reads 100 yds on 20 carries for 5.0 YPC and a TD. Pretty sweet, except 95 percent of the time he couldn’t get more than a yard.
Martin’s only had 27 preseason carries. He just hasn’t broken any long runs yet to boost his YPC. For example, if one of Martin’s 3-yard carries had gone for 43 yards, he’d be averaging 5.0 YPC right now. would that make you feel better?
Those runs will come in the regular season as he gets more opportunities, and when he’s in the game late against tired defenses, and his YPC will go up.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Blount has PROVEN it in the NFL. Martin hasn’t proved anything YET. To start the NE game, MArtin didn’t exactly look dominant. I think he had 10 yds on 7 carries. Blount is a bruiser who will beat you into submission and break your will, but it’s a process and it take Blount some carries to get to the end of the process. We are in a great position with our two-headed RB attack, just hope they are BOTH used and we aren’t force fed Martin to justify his draft status. Blount has been one of the the few bright spots for this team over the last 2 seasons, dont understand the media’s and some fans motivation to drag this guy down and criticize him at every chance they get.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:35 am
I’m not worried about our running game one bit. Now the passing game…that’s another matter. Freeman has looked terribly inconsistent and inaccurate so far. Aside from a couple passes to VJax he’s done almost nothing at all this preseason. That’s where our concern should be, because if Freeman doesn’t play well this team won’t get more than 5 wins.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:37 am
“If he(Blount) doesn’t improve, he might be traded for a 4th round pick” WTF!!! You are an idiot!!! There is NO RB, drafted when or since Blount entered the NFL that has more rushing yard than LGB. Yea, that’s right, NO one drafted the year Blount entered the league has as many rushing yards as Blount. Not 1st rounders, no 2nd rounders…NO RB has has as many yards from scrimmage that entered the league the same year as Blount.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:39 am
Agree FLBOY…concern is defintely the passing game, especially the intermidiate game. Would sure like to see more 12-20 yard passes.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:57 am
I said he could be traded I didn’t say he will be traded. Just because no one has more yards doesn’t mean he’s great. Get your head out of your ass. Blount isn’t that good. Granted he has a few highlight plays but other than that he doesn’t do much and he’s so one dimensional. But, I really do hope he proves me wrong.
August 26th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
And Blount hasn’t proven anything yet. He’s had one good season. Michael Clayton had one good season and then had nothing but mediocre seasons. Great run blocker though.
August 26th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@Matt
If Blount isn’t that good and he’s one-dimensional, then who in the hell is going to give a 4th rounder for him? Those high picks only get traded for very good players, not guys that by your definition aren’t that good.
August 26th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I have been solidly in LGs camp, not wanting to just grant Martin the staring spot because he is a first round pick. Having said that and watching them both in preseason, Martin seems in another league from Blount. If the way ahead of LG is not clear, he seems unable to improvise and find a hole. He is able to smash through on occasion and that is a huge asset but to me, Martin is very dangerous every time he gets the ball. Martin has earned the starting nod.
August 26th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Flyboy in Dallas
I’m not saying he’s bad. He’s good at what he does. Hes a poor mans Brandon Jacobs.
What do you think his trade value is? 4th roud picks aren’t polished players they have faults (like Blount) a 4th is not a high pick. 4th rounders don’t often start in the first season other than mike williams.
August 26th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@Matt
I don’t see any way at all they trade Blount. You know why? Because where else will they get a backup RB as good as him? He basically gets paid peanuts right now and if he’s the #2 RB he’s probably one of the best backups in the NFL. What more could the Bucs ask for? It’s a win-win for them and trading him away gets them something less valuable in return. What you’re proposing really doesn’t make any sense for the Bucs. It would be like intentionally shooting themselves in the foot.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
What I’m saying is if he doesn’t produce then they MIGHT try and see what they can get. Especially if Michael Smith can break out and Blount wants to get paid. I think they’d be silly not to try and trade if Smith can show his worth. But don’t get me wrong I like him but I’d rather have Martin in the game and use Blount more sparingly. People who think Blount is on the edge of the pro bowl are kidding themselves
August 26th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Matt I think it is you who is kidding him self. Blount the last 2 season have averaged i think it was 5.3 yrds per carry. Even with the grotesque year the Bucs had last year.
Blount May have his faults like not hitting the hole harder and not being able to side step as good. Fact is he will hit a couple of 2-4 yarders but every so often will break off a long run (does it a couple times a game).
Martin has shown the burst and blocking ability. At the same time i haven’t seen that “home run” run during anytime he has had ball. He seems t be to small. Idon’t see Martin running anyone in the NFL over. His only advantage is he can hide behind the O-Linemen but the moment he gets tocuhed he normally goes down.
I wouldn’t be so quick to just give up on Blount and send him packing. I have a strong feeling if we do our run game will become flat. Like it or not Blount is still a really really good RB. He doesn’t need less carries, he needs more carries. To soften up the defense and allow Martin to take advantage of that.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
At least to start the season the competition is over:
Martin is the bell cow, barring injury or an unexpected fumbling or off field problem he will remain the starter for years.
Blount will spell him and get 6-8 carries per game on average.
Time starting rallying around our stud – Martin.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@ Matt
In this day and age of the NFL there is no way the Bucs are looking to trade Blount. It’s a two RB league at the very minimum, some teams involve three RB’s on a regular basis. We’re not a team that is in any kind of position to be trading our better players, and yes, Blount is one of them.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Let’s not forget, Blount gets stronger towards the end of games. If you take him out after the 1st qtr. his avg. will be low. The man is a beast! When it’s all said and done he will be the best RB the Bucs have ever had!
August 26th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Blount isn’t going to be traded, that would be silly. He’s a very good RB but he is limited as to what you can ask him to do well. Martin, on the the other hand, could be seen blocking defensive linemen the last game and doing it well. He is the complete package and he is absolutely the starting RB for this years team. I can’t believe someone said he was too small. Apparently so is Ray Rice and Maurice Jones Drew….yeah…they suck. Seems like Martin fits right into that mold.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
I’m not giving up on Blount you’ve ignored what I jut said. We need at least two good backs. Id prefer to use Martin and Blount 50/50 but I have a feeling that if Blount doesn’t do well then he might be gone. (only if smith performs).
My point was that If Blount doesn’t produce then we MAY try and get rid. Not many teams use three backs. I’m not against it but if Blount wants more money then he might have to go.
August 26th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
I really don’t get all the disrespect with Blount, especially from the media. He is 1 of only 2 RB’s in NFL history to gain 1000 yards his rookie season, led the NFL in YAC’s and is making minimum wage. If not for Blount Tampa would not have a highlight reel to watch the past 2 seasons. He was Pizza Hut Play of the Year winner. I have said before Blount will not be in Tampa next year.
August 26th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
Well Said 941
August 26th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Blount will be a star in the league for years to come if not in Tampa, most definitely somewhere else. If he walks next year we’ll regret it.
August 26th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
I think this sends the wrong message. When we drafted Martin with a first rounder he became the starter,not that he beat out Blount. We can say that our backup QB has look better than Freeman,but can’t say Martin has look better than Blount. Players and fans have 2 worry about if he draft someone high they will b the started instead of beaten out someone for the job(If u want 2 b the man u have 2 beat the man wooooo!-Rick Flair) By doing this u R going 2 lose the respect of players n fans,cause we deserve the best we have playing not the highest draft pick.I’m not saying Blount is better but Doug haven’t done that Rick Flair yet. Us fans have 2 ask urself who would rather not face,Who do u want 2 go 2 a battle with u Blount or Martin and @this time I think we would love Blount. Hey U always can ask Aaron Rodgers what he think
August 26th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Mbaby:
Apparently you don’t watch the games, yes they are blacked out by a watch them on delay.
Schiano started the pre-season with Blount as #1.Blount and Martin both played pretty well against the Phins. From that point forward, including the scrimmages with the Pats, Martin haddock left Blount in his dust – not even close both statistically and blocking etc.
August 26th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
It’s a passing league.
Most defensive coordinators (except Raheem) can shut down the running game.
We go as far as Free takes us vs. Cam, Drew, and Matt.
Passing also opens up running.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
They wont be dominant until they use Blount regularly and often and Martin sparingly. Martin is not ready to carry the team. Blount has proven he can but needs the touches.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
This Smith guy looks pretty darn good. I think Tampa will keep him, and he may just surprise some people if Blount or Martin get hurt.
He has speed AND some power. In College he was sidelined behind a very special back. But I like what I am seeing from him, so far.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
This ain’t the 70s and we don’t have Kick, Czonka or Morris.
Guys are throwing for over 4000 yards routinely.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
You are an idiot. Blount carry the team?
In 2010 Freeman and Freeman alone carried the team. Last year Blount was below average and the team went 4-12.
Blount hasn’t carried a team anywhere – since maybe high school.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Many of those 4000 yards are to running backs. Arian foster had nearly 700 yards receiving last year. RB needs to be a part of the passing game.
Blount can’t learn the offense completely. He is a second string back.
August 26th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Thomas, Put that Blount down. You have smoked enough for one day LOL. I am not as concerned about the RB as I am about Josh Freeman. Did he have a good year in 2010 or did teams just blow him off not expecting much. Last year opponents had our number in every situation. Predictable football. What I have observed about Blount at practices is that he is very teachable, and until this year there has been no one there to teach. You can teach the playbook, you can teach protection blocking and I have witnessed much natural talent from this young man which is the only thing that can’t be taught.
August 26th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Blount will punish nobody if he doesn’t hit first and stop dancing at the line.
Trade his butt for a RG. Develop Martin, Smith and Madu.
August 26th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Regardless of the Martin VS Blount argument , I don’t worry too much about the running game. Since forever! Prolly since the Bucs started, our backs have needed a whole game to get their full rythe
August 26th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Well, that went well. At any rate, I’ll be worried if they pound all game long & never get it going. Even Alstott needed a good part of the game to get going good. With 2 quality backs, the D should get worn down by the 3rd quarter. We won’t see anything like that until the real games start.
August 26th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
damn, thomas. i was going to say “good job” for your earlier posts. you had a dissenting opinion but didn’t name call or rant.
however, then you just start spiralling down out of control, and lose it. really, what happens with you? is it bipolar disorder? what happend in 3 hours?
on topic: i believe in schiano. he will put the best team on the field and switch it uo if he needs to.
in schiano we trust
August 26th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Can’t believe I’m siding with Thomas…(I just threw up in my mouth a little..)
but if you have been watching the games you would have to come to the conclusion that Martin is the superior back. I personally don’t think Blount is in the same league with Martin but Martin does have to go out and perform in the regular season. I’m sure he will.
August 26th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Talking about trading Blount is stupid.
RB’s go down people.
We need depth. Dont worry, they will both have plentyof carries.
Wait to speak until each one has had 100 carries this season.
In regards to our TE problems.
We need to line up Demar Dotson at TE occasionally. Like San Fran did to us last year. Also Erik Lorig needs to start to line up at TE sometimes too. Providing blocking depth in case of an injury.
August 26th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Teacherman – exactly right.
I dont want Blount traded, I want him on this team. Blount will be a good backup, cheap insurance policy in case Martin gets hurt.
It is not bashing Blount to honestly admit his flaws and Martin’s superiority. Schiano wants to win and will always play the best player.
Blount is capable of exciting leaping tackler runs – that is very low on the list of what makes a great NFL back – how many tacklers did Emmitt Smith or Curtis Martin jump?
August 26th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Schiano wants to win?
Who woulda thunk it……..
August 26th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
I have never seen such big ass babies that it really matters who starts. The coach has said how it will be this year and it will be his decision to change not ours. And guess what. He does not give a damn what anyone likes or dislikes. This is a TEAM. Have some of you figured that out. We know Thomass has not. He thinks the coach should get his approval and only the players he wants and approves of should stay.
I have faith in the coach. He will used all players at the times he needs to to get the job done. And if the job is not getting done he will replace them no matter who it is.
August 26th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
I like Michael Smith. Martin looks real good. Blount has been best running off tackle, but inside he has been sluggish. Blount needs to run the play and trust that the hole will be there. It does seem like Blount isn’t very smart, but I hope he does well.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Lol Martin had been good in some preseason action but till he shows that he’s superior through an entire season it’s foolish to say he’s a better back than Blount.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Martin can tire them out and Blount can punish them. Most teams will be more afraid of Blount.