A Real Bucs Running Game?
September 21st, 2015
Rookie guard Ali Marpet continues to move bodies on defensive lines
Tampa Bay ran the football well in preseason, was successful against the Titans before the game got out of hand, and yesterday, the Bucs pounded the rock in New Orleans.
NFL.com ranks the Bucs as the 13th-best rushing attack after two games.
At 3.8 yards per carry, the Bucs are tied for 19th in the league.
Doug Martin is at 4.1 yards per carry. Charles Sims sits at 3.8. Neither guy has broken a monster gain. They’ve been more steady than spectacular.
Joe will take that all day. It’s an improvement, with two rookies on the line and now with a center who just arrived, veteran Joe Hawley. He was signed last week and played a load of snaps yesterday after Evan Smith left with an ankle injury. Smith really was struggling in the locker room after the game.
A real play-action threat is emerging, and that’s a true gift from the heavens for a pocket passer like Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:07 am
I’m not a huge fan of EDS, but I will say that the running game seems to take a dive after he left.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:15 am
The Buc Bulldozers clearing a path for the win.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:18 am
I think the running game took a dive because the play calling was so predictable. Evan Smith was caught loafing more then once yesterday, and his shot gun snaps are way to slow. Still wonder why Warren did not get any time. I will wait and see if/when another C takes over, then judge if he is an upgrade over E Smith
September 21st, 2015 at 10:22 am
There’s nothing an O-Lineman LOVES MORE THAN RUNNING THE FOOTBALL!!
“It’s as simple as that” – Lovie Smith aka “PROTECT America’s Quarterback at ALL COSTS!!”
September 21st, 2015 at 10:24 am
Last year Rainey got 4.3 yards per carry.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:28 am
I too wondered what happened to Warren. I thought he had a decent preseason but apparently Lovie and Warhop did not.
The strategy and running game were not the problem with the final Q.
After going the entire game without a turnover we fumbled it away on two consecutive possessions!!! We had a great screen pass for big yardage but the braindead call on Hawley for “tripping” a guy downfield on a rolling block negated it. Officiating in the NFL so far this year is just horrid. Yesterday it cut both ways but it seems to me the refs are still calling like preseason..much..much too closely. No harm no foul!!! If it doesn’t effect the game keep the hankie in your pocket!!!
Re the fumbles. I give Fameis slack. He was trying to run clock and in the split instant made the decision that throwing it to the cheap seats would stop the clock. He clearly tried to hang onto the ball and get to the ground but N.O. made a good punch.
Doug’s fumble was the worst. He’s an RB trying to run time off the clock KNOWING that the defense was going to be punching and ripping at the ball.
Ali Marpet continues to look like a beast and Donavan Smith played well. But I saw Marpet getting after a guy a bit after the play when the guy was trying to give either Fameis or one of our RB’s “the business”. Marpet has a nice mean streak…something I haven’t seen on our OL since Frank Middleton.
September 21st, 2015 at 10:32 am
@StPeteBucsFan
“Marpet has a nice mean streak…something I haven’t seen on our OL since Frank Middleton.”
AMEN brother! He seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder on EVERY PLAY!
September 21st, 2015 at 10:43 am
Does this leave Warren as our backup Center? Is Edwards available to sign to the P.S. or is he injured? The only OL position on the PS is Fragel.
I wonder what Doug YPC wold be without all the penalties? It seems like every time he rips one off for 8 and 15 yards the flags fly on a suspect holding call.
Speaking up suspect calls did anyone see the refs pick up that flag on the helmet shot on the WR in the GB/SS game? It looked way more flagrant than the flag the Bucs received to set the tone for the TB/TT game.
September 21st, 2015 at 11:10 am
Way to go Mongo. Salute to you bro. I’m waitin on it.
September 21st, 2015 at 11:11 am
Yo Joey!
Any chance you can throw together a video of their blocking (hi’s and lows)? Would love to check it out but idk how all that copyright stuff works, as a matter of fact I’d probably tell me ‘no’, but doesn’t hurt to ask am i right.
just no more mic’d up links to mccoy jaja
September 21st, 2015 at 11:43 am
Ali Marpet man-handing grown men. I like!
September 21st, 2015 at 11:44 am
Marpet is the steal of the draft.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:18 pm
As a football fan I would suggest that the big gains might be BECAUSE of the penalty more often than not. I also agree that a penalty could be called on almost every play, on both sides of the LOS.
Our OL is WEAK, period. They have been tasked with protecting a relative statue, Jameis, on every passing play. Lovie made it clear that keeping Jameis healthy is more important than a holding, clipping, nut-stomping, eye gouging, tripping or any other infractions that prevent Jameis from being injured. The sooner we all realize that the better.
Now, our rookie LT being SLOW off the snap is another story.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Yes, Marpet does seem to have that mean streak, so necessary to be a great run blocker in the NFL.
When asked what he likes better, run or pass blocking, you could see the evil grin on his face when he said “Run Blocking”.
Many O Lineman are basically just Fat Boys, with some Cardio. Marpet is different, he is a big Athletic dude, a Linebackers worst nightmare when he pulls.
I am glad we went up and got him.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:41 pm
This draft by Licht is starting to look pretty special. If Kenny Bell comes back next year with the improvements we have made at QB, O-line and linebacker I would have to give our GM an A on this draft. And then you have Mark Dominick questioning the Bucs O line and saying Jameis look scared. Hey Mark your the guy who left the O-line in shambles. Yes Lovie got rid of Zuttah, Joseph and Penn but at least now we are somewhat postioned for the future and will only get better. How hypocritical of Dominick to be judging the Bucs talent at O line.
September 21st, 2015 at 12:44 pm
@Chris
Many O Lineman are basically just Fat Boys, with some Cardio.
LMAO. Virtually ALL of them in DivIII.
In the early 80’s I got to cover East Tennessee State, Va Tech and Tennessee.
One of the major differences I noticed every year at the “preseason press days” to meet the players was the body types of OL.
ETSU has some 300 lb guys and other big guys…but their “big guys” were 6 feet to 6-3″ and all sported major dunlaps…big ole boilers hanging down.
Tennessee’s big OL were different…they were BIG…6-4 and taller and relatively slim waistlines. They had some fatties but not many. Most of their fatties, like in the NFL were NT’s to anchor the DL.
September 21st, 2015 at 1:18 pm
warren must be in lovies doghouse or something…in the bengals game he was our starting center and did a great job run blocking and in pass protect…him and marpet sure opened up some big holes together…maybe lovie wanted to see what he has in his newest acquisition because he already knows what warren can do..or maybe dirk was a little more comfortable with someone he worked with before…idk..but I would like to see warren get a shot at center..his shotgun snaps were quick and on point and I thought he called out protection pretty good..GO BUCS!!!
September 21st, 2015 at 1:44 pm
With Marpet, you now have another good player on the team. Evans, Marpet, Jackson, David and McCoy. Then there are some average players and the balance may make a few teams practice squads. This is my early season evaluation which like anything is subject to revision.
September 21st, 2015 at 2:23 pm
So an offensive lineman with a bit of a mean streak is good, I agree with that.
I think that is much better than say, oh, a DT that’s so nice that he helps opposing players off the ground.
I’ll take mean and nasty in the trenches every day of the week.
September 21st, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Waly Says:
September 21st, 2015 at 11:44 am
Marpet is the steal of the draft.
—————————-
Marpet was not a steal. He was only a steal if you believe what some of the arm chair GMs on this site was saying after we drafted him….that Lovie and Licht reached for him in the second round, yet the rest of the league had a second round grade on him as well. He is performing as a second round draft pick should…..a competent starter with the potential to grow into much more. Its as simple as that!!
September 21st, 2015 at 4:33 pm
Keep playing with that chip on your shoulder Mongo and someday you’re going to get paid!
September 22nd, 2015 at 2:23 am
Mo Downs is correct. The OL is weak. Anyone who feels differently should grab a cold beer and watch a reply of yesterday’s game. Donovan Smith is below average at best. He is slow and not good enough to pay LT. He needs to move to guard if he is going to have any success in the NFL. Play after play he would get burned by Jorden. He does not stay with his blocks and appears lazy at times. Just like the scouts said. Cherlius is another one. Same characteristics as Donovan. Mark my word they are both going to be exposed next Sunday by Clowney and Watt. Koetter better have a game plan for two TE and help from the FB when Winston goes to throw.