Will The Bucs Shop For A Running Back?
August 15th, 2014
Injured and now lost rookie running back Charles Sims was drafted for a reason. He was going to play. His sweet hands and versatile style were going to be key cogs in the Jeff Tedford machine.
That’s why the Bucs drafted Sims so high, investing a third-round pick, which was a stout price in a league that has devalued running backs greatly.
Damn, running backs aren’t even drafted in the first round any longer. So the Bucs paid handsomely for Sims. He wasn’t going to ride the pine.
Now Joe’s wondering whether the Bucs will look to replace Sims? Every darn season good and great running backs are scored off the scrap heap. These are guys who can contribute big time and even become stars. See LeGarrette Blount 2010, among others.
The Bucs might desire better hands out of the backfield immediately. Hands aren’t a strength of Doug Martin (good not great), and Jeff Demps hasn’t exactly had sticky fingers through training camp. Bobby Rainey is an awfully small target and not a standout pass catcher, and it’s unclear what the regime thinks of seemingly buried Mike James, who Joe thinks is a hell of a football player.
It’ll be very interesting to see what Jason Licht and Lovie do next at running back. There’s no reason to think they’re just going to relax and rely on the remaining crew Greg Schiano men.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
I say they relax…Sims is slated to come back mid-season, and let’s be honest here they have more glaring holes to fill on the roster. O-line maybe?
August 15th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Yea…..I’m sure it’s our number one priority…
August 15th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Mike James is the sleeper in all these discussions. Put the ball in his hands before any final judgement.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Agree since we are pretty deep at this position, OL more important.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Sounds like you’re trying to will it to happen. I think they will be fine. What you may have lost with Simms just expands the role of our other weapons that are available. I also think you are underestimating the abilities of Martin. No he’s not Simms, but I think when he’s called upon he will do admirably.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Mike James HAS GOOD HANDS on top of being shifty. If he’s given the chance to show that again, there’s no reason why he can’t pick right back up where he left off. “Problem” solved.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
I hope to see a lot of James this year, he is the man I think too.
August 15th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
Kinda wished we drafted Gabe Jackson in the 3rd. Sims is legit just missing half the season and he is 24 dosent equal a road grader. Go Bucs!
August 15th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
James is a 3 down back all day. Solid pro
August 15th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
I also agree with these Mike James assessments. I was really bummed when he went down last season.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
OL and let him heal’
August 15th, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Fix the O-line. Nothing else will matter until that mess is sorted out!
August 15th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
Losing him really sucks, but if there is one position on this roster we could afford to lose, it is RB. I would guess maybe Demps may make the roster, then when Sims gets back, we’ll see what happens. Chances are, we’ll lose another back in that time. It will all work itself out.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Our O-line sucks sooooo bad, it doesn’t matter if we have any RBs or not.
If you only have .3 seconds until Cousins guy is hitting you- then might as well just put the RBs on the line, and put Oneil in the back field.
Why should an innocent guy get knocked out of the game.
Let Oneil take the beating . Lol
Why, Why didn’t we draft Garrappolo???
He looks like Brady Now!! A year behind McCown- NFL we’d actually have a Great QB in the making.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:42 pm
I wouldn’t waste time looking for another running back. We have Martin, Rainey, Demps, James and a fullback who’s convinced he’s a tailback … use the resources to find an O-Line that can block for these boys!! Although the though of our defense and their dominance gives me chills … we can’t rely on them to put up ALL of our points … build a wall behind which these backs can run!! Sims will be back … right when we need him to be …
August 15th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Optimistic view is we get to stash Sims on IR until midseason then he comes off IR and provides fresh legs and an additional element while we have the extra roster spot for at least the first 8 weeks.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Stupid article. Stupid website.
Joe thanks you for your patronage and warm wishes. –Joe
August 15th, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Sims wasn’t going to see that much playing time anyway as a rookie. I’ll be surprised if they don’t put him on ice for the season.
August 15th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Did anybody at practice notice when Sims came down with the injury? I have’nt read when or how it happened. I think it’s a bigger deal than just the Bucs are deep at the position, no worries. This pick at 3rd was an important pick, from Tedford and the offensive plans. A definite bummer of a mishap. I can’t recall that many plays for Sims in Joe’s practice recaps. Sims was going to have an explosive contribution to this years Bucs team. Hopefully that is only delayed.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:20 pm
@Capt. Tim,
Are you really judging Garappolo against the Eagles in the preseason? Eagles defense has been awful. Come on dude, jumping the gun just a little don’t you think?
August 15th, 2014 at 9:51 pm
Why does everyone on the Patriots look like NFL quality players.
Just night and day to what the bus are.
Who ever the pats cut we should pick up.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Mallett to Brian Tyms. ……
Wow.
We can get both. Tyms won’t make the team and Mallett is gone.
August 15th, 2014 at 9:59 pm
@jo_mama,
Not sure if you’ve ever noticed, but those “quality NFL players” usually don’t do as well once they leave NE. They have a great system, great coach, and (in my opinion) the greatest QB in the game (maybe all time). That tends to make everyone else look really good. Having a great QB solves so many problems.
August 15th, 2014 at 10:11 pm
I’m not an expert. But I do know what quality football is supposed to look like.
The Pats as a “hole” look pretty darn good. They have about 38 players they are going to have to cut.
If their coaches are good at evaluating Talent I would look at picking people up.
I don’t have any confidence in bucs coaching or front office
August 15th, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Chargers, Broncos, Redskins are loaded at the position
(Chargers)
• RB Branden Oliver
• RB Kerwynn Williams
(Broncos)
• RB Juwan Thompson
(Washington)
• RB Evan Royster
• RB Lache Seastrunk
August 15th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Brady is not close to being the best QB of all time. He doesn’t beat manning in any major statistical category or Farve, Montana. He (Brady) was a contributor to those 3 Superbowl wins along with a good defense and system. He did not carry those teams to those Superbowls he just did his job. Cheating has nothing to do with the Pats lack of Superbowls its a lack of the other components not doing their job on a high level.
If u have a great D and good special teams with a qb who will do his job u can win the big one ala Flacco and ravens, Wilson and seahawks, Bucs and whoever the hell that was at qb, etc. Manning, Rodgers, Moon, Marino oh and that guy who led washington to a Superbowl (1st black qb to do it). Those QB’s carried their teams and they don’t come around that often
August 15th, 2014 at 11:10 pm
Hawaiian- yeah, you’re probably right.
But Damn- he looks good. Mallet too!
Bet both of’em could play Guard better than cousins!
And that’s not only funny- it’s probably true!
August 15th, 2014 at 11:16 pm
I really like the kid. Im happy we drafted him. We have good running backs , but we won’t be passing to them all the time. We have still have the Dunkaneers. Give them the ball on passing downs. Then sneak a few in to the running backs. Whatever Tedfords plans are, are pretty much the same.
August 15th, 2014 at 11:20 pm
On the bright side, he wont hit the dreaded “rookie wall” once he does come back. Like someone else said he will be fresh and ready to go. And with how advanced medicine has become nowadays, I’m sure he’ll return sooner than expected.
August 15th, 2014 at 11:50 pm
btw, 6-8 weeks doesn’t mean he’ll be gone for half the season. we’re still in preseson.
he could be back game 5 of the regular season.
August 15th, 2014 at 11:51 pm
He won’t be fresh and ready to go. He’ll be stiff and rusty.
August 16th, 2014 at 12:08 am
@ BuccaneerBonzai
yea, sure it will take a week or two to knock off the rust, but compared to the rest of running backs who will be playing in his stead, yes you can bet he will be more fresh and ready to go once he does knock off that rust. btw were looking at him being out around 12-14 weeks according to NFL.com, so counting preseason, he would indeed be back around mid season.
August 16th, 2014 at 6:07 am
How about go shopping for a guard????
August 16th, 2014 at 6:47 am
Def relax we got 3 solid RBs guys that can produce and other guys that can catch the football. He’s gonna be missed I wish him a speedy recovery!!!
August 16th, 2014 at 8:20 am
I’d use Lane.
August 16th, 2014 at 8:22 am
The Bucs do seem snakebit, not the garter variety but the rattlesnake. I am generally highly optimistic of their chances at success, yet the Sims injury dampens my enthusiasm. What in hell is wrong with this team, so little advancement overall in all these years. To pull a win is like pulling aching teeth. I better have a coffee before I bum out totally.
August 16th, 2014 at 10:08 am
Joe had his 24-hour new cycle moment with this story.
August 16th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Mike James can take up the slack, and then some, just needs a chance.
August 16th, 2014 at 11:22 am
It hasn’t been that long ago most were scratching their heads when the Bucs drafted RB Sims. Now he’s out with an injury and the Bucs need to go find a replacement?!?!
Come on now guys, relax. Martin, Rainey, James & Demps are more than enough for now, let’s talk about it again in a few weeks as the regular season approaches and the waiver wire is crowded with RBs. Besides, both Rainey and James deserve a shot after their fill-in performances last year and Demps can absolutely change a defensive formation just being on the field.