More Pro-Bobby Rainey Info
July 15th, 2015
Bobby Rainey got a lot of yards before contact.
Last week, Joe looked at the good and the bad from Bobby Rainey.
Now for some more good.
If Rainey can find holes, it seems the guy is one of the best in the league.
Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus has again crunched numbers and found when Rainey first gets a snap, well, he is among the NFL best.
Rainey, per Claassen, is No. 7 in yards per attempt before contact. Just to let you know who he rubs elbows with in this category, Rainey is just ahead of Steelers bellcow Le’Veon Bell. Rainey’s 4.2 yards a carry before contact is not quite a yard per carry below Jamaal Charles, who is No. 3.
Yes, Rainey goes down easy on contact. But the fact he is quick with the ball initially and can move the chains after the catch makes it beyond a mystery why Rainey was basically shelved after the team shat on the field of the Georgia Dome before the eyes of the nation.
If one didn’t know any better, one could guess the Bucs wanted to win the Chase for Jameis.
July 15th, 2015 at 6:48 am
Chase for Jameis started on spring of 2014! That was the plan…
July 15th, 2015 at 7:28 am
The running game is only as good as the offensive line in front of those running backs. You do not have to be a sage observer of football to understand that.
At all levels of football, it starts up front both on offense and defense and the Bucs have been weak at both, thus setting the table for all the futility that has been discussed here on JBF.
July 15th, 2015 at 8:21 am
One of these days the Bucs will get the lines fixed, meanwhile hurry up and wait. The next crack at that journey begins soon. There is a lot to look forward to.
July 15th, 2015 at 9:02 am
@ Buccfan37
I agree that there is a lot to look forward to and I imagine that Licht will have his eyes peeled on the final NFL cuts made just prior to the opening of the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens have excellent oline players but they can’t keep them all. For instance to make room for Hardy the Cowboys will need to begrudgingly let go of someone. Licht and company just need to “be on the ball” and not lose such opportunities.
July 15th, 2015 at 10:49 am
When you cry for Bobby Rainey (a guy the bucs picked up off the streets) to get the ball as if some conspiracy exist or as if he is the modern day Barry Sanders, I find that funny. He fumbles a lot and he is nothing special. None of our backs have shown to be anything special except for Martin’s rookie year. Why do you keep beating the Rainey drum?
July 17th, 2015 at 12:56 am
Everyone forgets that Pro Football Focus ranked the Buccaneers Offensive Line 8th overall in run blocking. Which makes everyone including myselfwonder how did they come up with that? Rainey is an indication of how there is a connection between running back statistical performance and offensive line blocking performance. Pro Football Focus grading provides an overall picture of a player’s success and the success of an offensive line as a whole. From the specific gap of the point of attack to run concepts and blocking schemes to first contact defender and location, all of which is utilized by NFL teams. Which player has the most success running ‘power’ concept plays? Who really faces eight defenders in the box the most often? Do players see a benefit from running behind a lead backfield blocker? How much help a running back receives from his offensive line in terms of yards gained before contact The fact that Rainey came in 7th overall for Most Pre-Contact Rushing Yards, is some justification of the 8th ranking in run blocking. Bottom line is that Logan Mankins and Evan Smith are very good run blocking, Dotson is a better pass blocker buy a decent run blocker. Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet should be excellent run blockers as well. Do you get my drift?