Bucs Actually Have Another Running Back
October 20th, 2013
Mike James tries to power his way to a touchdown in the second half of the Bucs’ loss to the Dixie Chicks today.
The word in the inner circles of the NFL is that the Bucs don’t have a quality running back other than Doug Martin. Bucs fans won’t necessarily disagree. That’s why Bucs fans were quickly pulling up their Bucs rosters on their smartphones to find out just who this mysterious No. 25 was.
Surely it couldn’t have been troubled Aqib Talib?
No, it was Mike James, you know, the running back from Miami that was a third-day draft pick? (Damn that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and his draft picks.)
With Martin suffering a shoulder injury deep in Dixie Chicks territory in the third quarter, James came in and got some needed yards up the middle to set up a one-yard pass to Vincent Jackson that gave the Bucs their first touchdown recorded in the second half this season (!).
James would finish with 45 yards on 14 carries, including a strong run for three yards on a critical 4th-and-1 inside the Dixie Chicks-5. Until the status of Martin for Thursday is known, it appears James very well could be the Bucs starting tailback against Carolina.
“I just wanted to do a solid job on pass protection and moving the ball and put something together and get us a win,” James said. He did just that; James had a key block on a blitz that kept a drive alive in the fourth quarter.
Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon seemed happy with how James took over for Martin.
“Mike James really stepped up,” Glennon told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “I’m not sure what happened with Doug, but Mike did a great job. He did a lot of things that were unnoticed. He picked up blitzes or we never would have had a touchdown from Vincent Jackson.”
James’ play didn’t come as a surprise to Schiano, also speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“Mike has been showing in the last few weeks that he is ready to be an NFL running back,” Schiano said. “We needed him today.”
October 20th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
You mean Mike James as the picture states……it was nice seeing that we have depth at the position. As your previous article, there is no need to force Martin back on a short week!
October 20th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
* Mike James… Mike Adams is 21 who instead of downing the ball at the 2-3 yard line let the ball dribble into the end zone for a touchback.
October 20th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
Mike James?
October 20th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Great job Joe, Let’s all pat the “rock star” for the Mike James pick..Every blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes….
Fire Dominic now!
October 20th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
At 0-6 and looking at losing seasons early as a Buc fan you start to look for silver linings….the season is lost…so lets develop some of these younger players….James, Owusu, Page, Wright, Banks…how about a dash of Means & Gholeson?
When are we going to see some Sherman?
October 20th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
Oh….forgot Glennon
October 20th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
James is a good back, who plays for a horrible coach
On a team with a wretched GM!
Fire Dom now !!!!
Fire Schiano soon!!!!
Tell Mike” Good job”!
October 20th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Easy now….let’s not prop up the Dirtstar for this pick just yet. James did ok in yet another loss.
October 20th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
Hey let’s keep fellating ROCK STAR for finding a marginal prospect in the 7th round, one whom will likely not be around in two seasons, while ignoring all of his missteps in Rounds 2-4.
ROCK STAR!!!
If Dominik is a ROCK STAR, Kip Winger belongs in the upper pantheon of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
October 20th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Marginal my ass
MJ can be productive in this league.
I don’t care about whether it was a Dom pick or not. I’m not defending him.
But MJ is a great RB to have.