How Is Jacquizz Rodgers Succeeding?
October 26th, 2016
Doug Martin-like?
The Bucs offense, if it isn’t clear by now, was built around Doug Martin.
Feed Martin the ball 25 times and watch the passing game open up. Well, when Martin went down, that didn’t happen. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter went all-Mike Martz and, for a variety of reasons, the offense blew up in Koetter’s face.
One reason was the offense became predictable. Part of it was America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, wasn’t (isn’t?) quite ready to become Kurt Warner.
Since the Bucs went back to Ground Dirk, the offense has blossomed like it did last year. Why? Because of a virtual clone, if you believe Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Speaking about the offense today in his weekly presser, Monken touted Jacquizz Rodgers as being a virtual clone of Martin, which has enabled the offense to be productive and more importantly win games.
“It has a lot to do with [other reserves pressed into starting duty],” Monken said of the offense’s recent success. “Jacquizz, the style of runner that he is, a downhill, one-cut guy that I think lends itself [to fitting the offense]. Doug [Martin] is that way. Doug has a little better feet and can hit the long [run] but they are similar that way.
“We lose sight of, I mean coaches, that the guys in that [locker] room are talented. Sometimes we pigeonhole them and say, ‘Hey, this is what they are capable of doing.’ And probably they are capable of more.
“If you believe in them and develop a plan which maximizes their skillset, which we are paid to do, I thought we did a nice job of that Sunday.”
Imagine that? Find what a player can do best and build around that as opposed to force-feeding a system down a guy’s throat.
The way Rodgers is running the ball, when/if Martin does return, that’s a helluva one-two punch the Bucs can throw at defenses. Joe honestly does not expect Martin back before the Bucs host the Bears Nov. 13, and that may even be a stretch. No inside information there at all, just Joe reading the tea leaves.
October 26th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
I honestly don’t think we’re going to get an effective Doug Martin back in 2016. He obviously has a pretty severe hamstring problem and those linger even after a player returns to the field. Not to mention the fact that his football conditioning needs to return after so much time away. I think it’s going to mostly be the Jaquizz show for the rest of this season.
October 26th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Quizz/Ant Smith/barber
better shape than alot of other teams
we can help the run game by pulling the safetys away from the box , if we can stretch the field and get behind the safeties
There is absolute no doubt the raiiders def coordinator will be aware when shep is on the field and how to set the defense accordingly
I see me13 seeing less doubles and more open space to separate
alots of options for koetter to cause havoc,… then you add alittle uptempo which is another element ans i dont see us scoring less than high 20s-30 per game
October 26th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
Smith can fly! They need to get him a screen pass or two in games.
October 26th, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Hey Joe’s, had to let you know, I complained to the CBS station in Tallahassee for airing the patriots/bills on Sunday instead of the Bucs game. Turns out the meteorologist Mike McCall is a big Bucs fan and told me he would see what he could do. Woo Hoo!! They changed it!! Go Bucs!!!!
October 26th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
He does remind me a little of Doug. It really is a godsend that we were able to get this guy off the street.
The offensive production is only a surprise to those who think you have to hurl the rock 40-50 times a game. A solid run-game masks a lot of deficiencies like keeping the defense fresh on the sidelines, clock management, and a young inexperienced QB.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:15 pm
YES!!!!!!!
Watching the Jameis PR. All they were talking about was Shep
Hope the reporters hammer questions to Koetter about Sheps snap totals and getting him on the field more
Shep is the X- factor
Im Praying Koetter the clown can actually think
I hope koetter has cecil shorts, martino, DD practising being gunner in the special teams…LOL…I know Koetter isnt doing this
we get shep +40 snaps, Im finished posting
October 26th, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Yeah, and we know what Sims can’t do because the run game was a mess with him in there…no between the tackles runs for him ever again…strictly a 3rd down back…a wasted pick too
October 26th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Quizz is doing a great job filling in for an injured Doug Martin. I’d say a ton of credit for the running game’s resurgence also has to go to the Oline. Having Stocker back now is a huge boost to the running attack as well.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Well i think they did try but they tried to keep running with Sims which was a huge failure. I have to wonder if they started Quizz those two games what the outcomes might have been? It was clear pretty quickly that Sims just isnt good as in a RB role.. the dancing behind the line was unreal. Would like to see Barber continue to grow..
October 26th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Hit em again harder. Pound the pigskin relentlessly. Go Bucs!
October 26th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
You know, Tmax hasn’t commented for the past few days. I wonder why that is? Rodgers has been a pleasant surprise and will be a nice 2 headed monster paired with Martin. Imagine a split back formation with both? Go Bucs!
October 26th, 2016 at 3:42 pm
@kobe…I agree…shep needs more pt….he is an x-factor….GO BUCS!!!!
October 26th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Brian, it’s not the sand lot. The RB has to know the plays, blocking schemes, protection, etc.. you don’t just grab a guy and throw him in. The upside was He worked with DK in ATL, so he got up to speed fast.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
I’m totally impressed by Sheppard. He is fearless running across the field and has good hands. I can’t judge his speed since he hasn’t had any deep routes and targets beyond 15 yards.
Being a special teams standout shows a willingness to give up his body. That helps a receiver who is used to hitting and getting hit.
Would like to see him off special teams and get more targets. He may just be a solid #2 receiver that Jackson couldn’t become due to age/injuries.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
This oline is good!! I have never seen the bucs hurt that many players in a single game.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Don’t give up on CH34 yet!!!! He really brings something all the other running back do not!!! He is great at the screen and bubble passes!!! But If you line him up to run straight up the middle on Denver then it will look really bad!!!!
But CS34 did have a good game in the Rams game to have a 4.23 per carry average!!! as well as 69 yards in the passing game!!!!
October 26th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
@Pickgrin
That is a great point about Stocker. Sometimes all the pieces except for the final piece are in place and then you complete the package and BOOM.
October 26th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
LOL, just saw Koetter the clown PR
He is going to keep Shep as a rotational 20 snap part time player
This idiot is unbelievable
he also said Martin is going to start and bypass over Quizz when he is to step on the field…
no slowly getting back to gamespeed/timeing/adjustments with the injury…Quizz is immediate backup
LOL!
Now you guys see?
We have the players and the talent in our lockerroom to make the playoffs and this coach wont make it happen…unfvkinbelievable
October 26th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
@Kobe Faker
I hope that’s not true about Martin. No way in hell would he be immediately ready for more than 10-15 carries.
And on Sheppard….(rolling my eyes)
October 26th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I feel Kobe is by far the bigger clown if the contest is between himself and Dirk. Get a grip man.
October 26th, 2016 at 4:53 pm
Louis very frustrating
concerning martin, im actually hoping he doesnt come back. Hamstrings can last the whole year and martins hams are his bread and butter with his jump cuts and extreme change of direction
concerning Shep? LOL. Lets pray for another lights out performance when he is in for his 20 limited snaps. we have to bear it when cecil trys to do whatever he is doing out there and freddie martino? wasnt he the lead singer and pass away a few years back?
**Getting worried with humps production last few weeks. Whats up? Lol another reason to get Shep
Maybe we can tatoo Sheps name on Koetter the clowns forehead
October 26th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Anyone recall the original timetable for Martin’s return?
3 weeks.
What kind of Obamacare doctors are the Bucs employing?
October 26th, 2016 at 5:01 pm
The guy had a setback in rehab. Whattya gonna do, drag him through the streets of Tampa behind a pickup?
You prefer the guy to really push it, tear his hamstring so he won’t play until 2017? Would that make you feel better?
Does it suck Martin can’t play? Sure. Thanks to Rodgers, he’s not really missed. Yet.
October 26th, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Realist really? Simms has had how many tds in his career here in Tampa? I liked what I saw from Smith on the screen .Rodgers is every bit as good as Simms catching the ball, as a blocker and far far better as a runner. If I ever have to watch the Dancing Bear shuffle his feet …… over rated waste of a pick
October 26th, 2016 at 6:14 pm
I like to see more screens with quizz and ant smith…
We will not be able to lineup and just run it down their throat
Del rio ex linebacker/defensive coordinator plan is going to stop loadup against the run
I think there will be alot of opportunities over the top and we need to gas that defense by going uptempo
Im scared koetter thinks we are still at san fran and does his run run pass on 3rd and long routine
I can read this clown like a book
October 26th, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Quizz did well against an absolutely atrocious run defense. Lets hold the parade over 1 and half good games.
October 26th, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Oakland’s defense is just as bad as San Fran’s. I see Quizz having a real good day.
October 26th, 2016 at 9:27 pm
Antone will get what were Sims screen plays, and his speed will kill. This is the best offensive crew we’ve put on the field. This could start to get fun.
October 27th, 2016 at 12:41 am
Imagine that? Find what a player can do best and build around that as opposed to force-feeding a system down a guy’s throat.
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That, in a nutshell, is the very essence of what good coaching is.