“It’s A One-Game Season”
September 6th, 2012
Cadillac Williams launched his career with 27 carries for 148 yards. Bucs fans could see that kind of load on Doug Martin against Carolina.
The leader of the New Schiano Order has set no limit on Doug Martin this weekend.
The rookie running back’s carries will be based on feel and urge, so Schiano said today. Schiano said he knows it’s a long season, but that’s not relevant Sunday and he’ll worry about that kind of stuff in future weeks.
“You get to play this game this Sunday. It’s a one game season, you know, as far as I’m concerned,” Schiano said. “And then we pick up the next one after that. So, you know, you do everything you can to be 1-0 after this one-game season.”
Frankly, Joe would love to see Martin get 25 carries and passes out of the backfield. And see LeGarrette Blount get his 20+ totes of the rock and be used diversely, as well.
If the Bucs are doing that, they’re going to stay out of trouble and beat Carolina. Schiano says he loves to run the football. Joe hopes that passion is evident.
September 6th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Joe,
The 4 yards and a cloud of dust game plan is outdated and just flat out doesn’t work anymore.
Do you know what team had the fewest possessions from 2000 to 2010?
The Indianapolis Colts.
Do you know who the overall Number 1 offense was during that time period?
The Indianapolis Colts.
Teams playing the colts said “Lets runt the ball and keep Manning on the sideline and shorten the game”
That’s exactly what they did, they shortened the game, the problem is the game shortens for both teams and in the end the better offense still scores more points no matter if each team gets 8 possessions or 15.
My point is, it’s not going to matter if we Rush 35 times and eat up 40 minutes of possession if we don’t score TD’s and keep Cam Newton from breaking of 75 yard 2 play drives for TD’s.
I’m just sick of hearing about this “throw back” 1970’s offense people expect to see. Why why would you want to see a team run the ball when clearly, the only way to win in the NFL is to Pass and score TD’s.
Even the Steelers have become a Pass first team, with explosive wide receivers all over the field. I’m happy about Doug Martin and I think he can contribute but where has Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, and MJD gotten their teams? and I don’t think DM is even near their class.
This team 100 percent rides on Josh Freeman becoming an upper level to Elite QB. If he doesn’t we will meddle in mediocrity until we draft a different QB.
-Kyle
September 6th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
I agree with Kyle I think this season absolutely depends on josh, but I predict even not being a starter Blount will get more carries then he did game one last season, hell I think both Doug martin and Blount will individually get more carries then our amazing offensive coordinator ran last year game one.
September 6th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Well said Kyle. In todays game the run is used to slow down the pass rush and finish the game. There are very few defenses like the 2011 Bucs that will allow you to pound the football for the win. If Freeman is on then we will be a surprising force. If he continues his slump then we will end up just like last year. Doesnt mean running backs can’t put up big numbers but if you can’t get the defense to respect the pass then you wont be successful in the running game.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Joe here,
Fellas, the NFL runs in cycles. What is referred to as “today’s game” is fueled by changes in offensive styles, successes of some elite quarterbacks, and most of all rule changes to craft a pass-driven league and protect marketable stars. But what we see now won’t last forever. These cycles happen in all sports. The Bucs are going to push an older style primarily because the head coach believes in it and the quarterback isn’t ready to open it up, especially in a brand new offense. Embrace it.
September 6th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
You can win as a run-dominant offense if you play great defense. If you don’t play great defense, you’re screwed.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
When the 3-4 defense was all the rage those few teams that ran a 4-3 were successful because they were different and hard to prepare for a 4-3 once a year. Then everyone switched to a 4-3. Then it was difficult to prepare for a 3-4. Trends.
In last nights game, you saw a successful Cowgirl’s team that gave up their previous plan and got two Deon Sanders type cornerbacks at a very high price. They pretty much shut down Eli and his high flying passing attack but they simply could not tackle.
If we are the only team to run first and run successfully, we might be on to something. A new trend.
September 6th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Miguel,
so you are saying what’s old is new? I mean I guess that could work. The true “base” defense in the NFL is the Nickle when you look at averages based on offensive formations. More teams use 3 wide so often it forces the issue. Once teams invest heavily in playing nickle the will be at a disadvantage against a heavy run first team.
I can see it.
Back to Joe’s comment,
He basically said our QB isn’t good enough to run the offensive needed in the NFL to be successful so we will run an offense we know to not be successful to cover up his short comings.
Why not go like the lions, spread it out, let Josh take his lumps and learn and then start playing big boy football like the rest of the winning teams?
I’m just not buying this whole throw back game plan.
September 6th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Every coach wants to run the ball because that’s what you do when you have the lead. If not, you have to pass to come back. Don’t think for a second the bucs won’t air it out too, bc look who they brought in to catch balls this year. Its just a matter of using the run to set up the pass versus other teams using the pass to set up the run.
As much as everyone focuses on the offense and Josh Freeman’s need to rise to ELIte status, it also depends on the defense staying healthy, and living up to the potential they have as well.
If you can stop teams AND make the game short, then you win. Even if they have Peyton Manning. I guess we will find out week 13 eh?
September 6th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
I say BS on being a run first offense Schiano tres to reveal as little as possible.we will run the ball but Josh has a good deep ball I see a old rams greatest show on turf offense.hopefully Martin can somewhat resemble Faulk.
September 7th, 2012 at 12:42 am
That comparison to the Indianapolis Colts is true, but completely invalid. Not sure if anyone has noticed, but we don’t have Peyton Manning on our team. The Colts offense was great because of Manning. They didn’t really need to run the ball, because he could literally carry the team and make any WR an All-Pro. Josh Freeman is a long way off from being elite. Let’s not kid ourselves. Does he have the tools to be elite? Probably. That doesn’t mean he is there yet, or will ever be. If he has to throw the ball 30-35 times a game we will lose (see 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers). As an offense, you have to do what gives you the best chance to win. Having a balanced attack gives us the best chance. I don’t give 2 sh!ts what any other team in the NFL does (or what the stupid “trend” of the NFL is, that is what we will need to do until Freeman proves he is a big time QB. And no, you don’t just let him get back there and fling it all over the field to become elite. You can’t throw 20 INT’s a year and expect to be playing in January.
September 7th, 2012 at 1:50 am
U have to run and pass!!! You 1st couple posters are probably the same group who said the BUCS WR had no separation last year. NO S##T THIS IS THE NFL THEIR IS NO SEPREATION!!! Some of you posters know zero about this game of Football. Ask the Patriots if you can throw your way to a SB win. Ask the G-men, who have used 3 RB’s the last several years, if they could have won their last 2 SBs if they would have thrown the ball every down. Sure you get big plays out of the Passing game BUT U NEED TO RUN THE BALL TOO!!!! Our Team D is not deep at all! We have to run the ball to keep our terribly low D-depth off the field as much as possible. Sure if we get a couple years of drafts with some great Defenders we can be an awesome D and throw the ball a Crap-load “if we so choose” BUT this year is not the year.
Frankly I don’t think Free has the confidence, quick decision-making and anticipation yet. So he could use a couple years of growing too. However that didn’t stop me from buying my second BUCS season Tix this year. I can’t wait till Sunday with the GATAS game in-between. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCS!!!
September 7th, 2012 at 9:39 am
@ Miguel. You are absolutely correct. We will be tough to prepare for because teams are setting up to stop the pass. With covering linebackers and safeties. We may be able to bring back smash mouth football.
September 7th, 2012 at 10:31 am
USMC-BUC
“Back to Joe’s comment,
He basically said our QB isn’t good enough to run the offensive needed in the NFL to be successful so we will run an offense we know to not be successful to cover up his short comings.”
I re-read the article twice, no mention of QB.
September 7th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Miguel
“The Bucs are going to push an older style primarily because the head coach believes in it and the quarterback isn’t ready to open it up, especially in a brand new offense. Embrace it. “