Schiano Wants Two Backs Running The Ball?
November 6th, 2013
Joe nearly drove off the road Monday when he heard Greg Schiano talking on the radio about how he wants to have two guys running the football and to lighten Doug Martin’s load when he returns. That just didn’t seem to fit the head coach’s philosophy, based on what’s played out on the field.
Martin, when healthy, was pounded at a pace that approached NFL records. Consider that Martin has missed 2 1/2 games with an injury, the Bucs had an early bye week, and Martin is still 11th in the NFL in carries this season.
Before Martin injured his shoulder, by Joe’s count, Mike James, Brian Leonard and Jeff Demps combined for a grand total of five carries — five! That doesn’t sound like a coach that wants two guys running the ball. And Schiano’s comment especially surprised Joe considering how much he lauded Leonard during the preseason.
“Hopefully, we’ll get Doug back. I think what we’re building is some real quality depth at the position. And we’re going to be able to, when Doug does get back, be able to, you know, not have to have so many carries on his plate, and be able to have them both carry the football, which is really what you want as a head coach,” Schiano said on WDAE-AM 620 Monday. “It’s a tough league to have one guy take every touch.”
Joe believes the bellcow use of Martin is a Schiano thing, not a Mike Sullivan move. Sullivan was with the Giants for years when they used multiple backs more effectively than any team in the NFL.
As Joe’s written many times before, Joe hopes Martin is kept out this season and starts the repair and recovery process on his shoulder immediately. There’s no reason not to in a lost season. And now that James is emerging impressively, he’s earned the carries and could prove extra valuable to the Bucs. If James can keep up his pace behind a revived Bucs offensive line, then he could become coveted in the offseason trade market and/or make Tampa Bay more attractive to a potential new head coach. (Who wouldn’t want two stud young backs?)
Regardless, if Martin does return this season, Joe’s going to hold Schiano to the two-back comment.
November 6th, 2013 at 10:42 am
I like the Martin and James running combo. I’ll believe it when I see it. Schiano is too stubborn. It’s funny how everyone was so worried about losing Sullivan at the end of last season yet everyone can’t wait for him to leave town with Schiano. I like Sullivan’s background. There is no way he has gotten stupid in one season. I’d rather see him interim coach than wanstaedt or one of the other schiano clones. Oh and Joe, I think you would stand a better chance in holding Obama accountable for “You can keep your existing policy” statement versus schiano’s two back statement. You must have taken schiano out of context. LOL
November 6th, 2013 at 11:51 am
With some help up front from the OL, James and Leonard should be a strength, maybe better than an injured Martin.
I’m not going to pretend I’m Todd Torecetti (sp), but why not give the reps to James?
November 6th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Why would you even mention trade when you have an additional solid running back knowing life slam of back is not long. Than we have another article if we trade complaining we have no depth at the RB position. YOU HAVE TO GUYS THAT CAN PRODUCE IN DIFFERENT WAYS AT SAME POSITION ..be happy we have this instead of wondering why we don’t when suggestion a trade.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
i like a 2 back set…and now that we have a qb thats accurate and has touch our uncovered fb could catch a few balls put where he cant drop while in stride
November 6th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
It’s so embarrassing that he still has a job. Why does it take the obvious for him to say and possibly do the obvious? If he can’t win on Monday with what’s going on with the Dolphins he may go winless.
November 6th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Wow, Who would of thought that using 2 RBs to prop up the run game was a good idea, pure genius on Schiano’s part, the man is a football savant. Maybe next he’ll tell us when it gets tight in the 2nd half, he’ll call off the stunts and let our DL pin’em back. After that, maybe we’ll see Tim Wright split-out more, big rangy WR/TE lined up on a nickel back/linebacker wouldn’t hurt, would it?
November 6th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Absolute BS. Another reason to get rid of Shiano. He said the same thing last year, then gave away Blount for a candy bar and a box of chocolates. I hated that trade, and now look at Blount. The only way Schiano uses another back outside of Martin is after he runs Martin into the ground.
November 6th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Joe… all these reversals (2 RBs instead of 1, promising to have more man2man Revis on D) sounds like Schiano sees the writing on the wall and his way, just ISN’T working and he better switch it up or he won’t have to sell that Jersey house of his.
November 6th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
When he to whom one speaks does not understand, and he who speaks himself does not understand, that is metaphysics.