An A-Game Of “Hide-And-Go-Seek”
October 29th, 2016
Assessing the offense
Count to 10 and the Bucs’ hide-and-go-seek master will be long gone.
That’s been the case quite often, and the Bucs are desperate for that to continue Sunday against the high-flying Raiders.
Donovan Smith was on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week talking about the emergence of Jacquizz Rodgers as the Bucs’ exploding fire hydrant of a 5-6 running back.
Smith said Rodgers has made life easy.
“Have you seen him? He doesn’t need that big of a hole to get through, which is great,” Smith said. “He kind of plays hide-and-go-seek behind us. He’s doing a great job.”
Is Rodgers making the offensive line look good? Or is the Bucs’ O-line so damn good that a nobody running back can pound the rock with success? That’s an unknown right now. The 49ers and Panthers defenses were weak tests the past two games.
Smith and his radio compatriot, guard Ali Marpet, agreed that the line has done a great job establishing an identity and imposing its will. And no, they don’t miss throwing 40+ times a game.
“To me personally, it is the greatest thing in the world to be able to just manhandle the guy in front of you and see our running backs run free,” Smith said.
It’s a dialed in effort on the line, Marpet said, one born from precision work. “It really doesn’t matter who is behind us.”
October 29th, 2016 at 8:31 am
We need you Mr.smith and Mr. Marpet to have that we are the ones to turn this organization around ! Be nasty with you techniques and have mad heart and passion to get r done for the ” skill players ” and this team can follow you young nasties all the way back to the playoffs
October 29th, 2016 at 8:41 am
The O-line couldn’t make Doug and Sims look good earlier this year (or vice versa). Rodgers may just be playing good football right now.
October 29th, 2016 at 8:43 am
I like the confidence displayed by Smith and Marpet, just hope it does not cross the line into OVER confidence, as it did after the nice ATL win.
Also, credit for the Bucs running success should be given to both Rogers and the Oline. Sims was not able to do it. So keep up the good work boys! Go Bucs!!
October 29th, 2016 at 8:46 am
@Donovan Smith … “To me personally, it is the greatest thing in the world to be able to just manhandle the guy in front of you and see our running backs run free.” That has to be one of the greatest lines I’ve ever read on JBF.
October 29th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Joe not sure if you saw the Football Outsiders article showing Bucs Oline dominate: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/word-muth/2016/word-muth-tampa-bay-good-day
October 29th, 2016 at 8:54 am
@MJB, thanks for that link. Nice article on the Bucs Oline.
October 29th, 2016 at 9:14 am
Our offensive line is starting to jell. This is so important. That’s why I HATE head coach/gm musical chairs so much. Football is a group game. The players could be Einsteins, but it means zip if they don’t have the time TO GET USED TO PLAYING TOGETHER AS A UNIT! Man, has that craziness the last few years driven me bonkers!! Factor in the usual dose of Buc (Karma) Luck. 🙁 I want to see them play their best game yet tomorrow. Especially on offense. We’ve got enough healthy receivers. Go Tampa Bay Bucs!! Win one at RJS, okay?
October 29th, 2016 at 11:12 am
Tough to tell. Charles Simms is taller back but he dances to much and doesn’t hit hole. So he struggled as the starter. Looks like our small backs are hitting some small holes and some occasional big holes as well
October 29th, 2016 at 11:12 am
THats what she said
October 29th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Rodgers, like Martin, takes the ball, reads the line and quickly hits the hole without hesitation, that’s why they are both successful.
Sims III was NEVER that kind of runner. He pauses, stutter-steps while trying to decide which gap to hit and by the time he does, the gap closes. Hate to see any player get injured, but thankfully Rodgers was already on board when Sims was.
Once Martin comes back strong for the second half of the season the duo of Martin and Rodgers will make the Bucs offense very versatile which will open up the passing game to slice up defenses down the filed. If they both stay healthy for the rest of the season I expect Jameis to be a top 5 QB in yards by seasons’ end.
And it starts tomorrow. Only question is, can the defense stop David Carr?
October 29th, 2016 at 8:07 pm
Yeah yeah, no false starts, no holding calls.