Special Teams Took Priority
December 20th, 2016
Explanation for being inactive.
Joe has been getting asked why the Bucs’ top rusher, Jacquizz Rodgers, was not active Sunday night.
Joe has answers.
It was a numbers game. More to the point, it was a special teams numbers game.
Yesterday, Dirk Koetter held his day-after presser and noted Rodgers was inactive because Peyton Barber needed to be active for special teams.
Rodgers, Koetter said, was the odd man out.
“It was a hard decision at the end and with [tight end] Luke Stocker coming back and [running back] Charles Sims coming back, between the wide receivers and the tight ends and the running backs, we were just going to have to sit one guy out,” Koetter said. “And right now, Peyton Barber is starting on four special teams and Jacquizz is starting on two special teams. Shoot, we love Jacquizz, he’s a major contributor, but right now it’s just hard to get that third guy any carries on offense behind Doug [Martin] and Charles. So, that’s the way we went last night, that doesn’t mean that it will be forever.”
Joe would have loved to have seen what Barber could have done once or twice, but clearly that did not happen.
Joe understands how Barber being on four different special teams units could make him difficult to sit.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:05 am
Probably would of played RT better than Cherilus.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:14 am
Makes sense. Sims served his purpose, but I still can’t get past thinking that Rodgers should have been the #2. That way, we have the option of sitting #22 down when he had the kind of game that he had. It’s a tricky place to be, and it’s easy to second guess today knowing what the outcome would be. It’s mostly just frustration that Martin isn’t performing.
Perhaps we should sign him to some Darelle Revis one year deals. He seems to need that kind of motivation to perform. So, let’s dangle that carrot for him. Every year is a contract year.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:17 am
I wondered why Jacquizz wasn’t out there Sunday night. Much as I hate to say it, I think Martin needs to ride the bench this week and let’s see what Rodgers can do. He just seems more explosive than Martin this year…especially with our less than stellar offensive line play.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:23 am
We need Desean Jackson
December 20th, 2016 at 7:30 am
Move Simms to reciever, problem solved. Chuck is not a between the tackles runner, Quizz is, we need him in the backfield.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:33 am
@Hodad – They tried that a few times. It didn’t really yield much in terms of results.
Also, love your restaurant in San Diego. Lived right down the street from it and went there all the time.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:37 am
This line is weak at Center and tackle until those spots are upgraded the run game will suck no matter who is carrying the rock
December 20th, 2016 at 7:39 am
@JoeBucsFan Tank you very much Joe.
I was wondering why Jacquizz was inactive and now I know.
I disagree with our HC on this one. I think It would have been a better thing to have a guy able to run and have first down and eventually score point than just a ST guy but we all agree I’m a nobody and Dirk Koetter is an NFL HC so he is probably right.
December 20th, 2016 at 8:48 am
I have suggestion to our current rb woahs, who runs between the tackles like a healthy DM and catches a football and slashes just as effective as Sims but alot faster??? Dalvin Cook that’s who. Coach K stated last week a need to get better football players around Fameis, go get Dalvin Cook (who hasn’t declared for the draft yet but who I’m assuming isn’t coming back Tally what for)rb problems solved. He’s Jamal Charles 2.0 just slightly faster.
December 20th, 2016 at 11:31 am
He was playing so well. I don’t agree with him being inactive especially with Martin struggling so bad. Atleast Charles Simms got to show off his dance moves behind the line of scimmage on national tv I guess.
December 20th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
I’ve seen enough josh huff. He’s like my 3 year old, once he gets going, runs in to something and falls down after a few steps.
December 20th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Joe when I seen special teams I thought you professional football analyst would have a article about how no teams has scored a kick or punt return on us all year. A true fan like me knows that there usually a botch up that get one took to the house on us by now. This is the BEST unit we have every had. That shows good depth.
You guys and gals know it’s true. We just need a boost from them. Go get Devin Hester for these last 2 games. Huff is not working! I said in the offseason to pay Cardelle Patterson but Nahh. Now he leading the league but I’m just a fan how knows nothing about football. Ha
December 20th, 2016 at 12:42 pm
NOS-BOS
As an FSU fan – I’m very aware of what Dalvin Cook is capable of and like most of us who have seen him play over the last 3 years – would LOVE to see him in a pewter and red Burger King uniform.
That said:
A – we have WAY bigger needs than to spend a 1st round pick on a RB
B. Cook is projected by many to be a top 10 pick and is very unlikely to be available whenever the Bucs pick in the 1st round. So if its a bad idea to spend a 1st round pick on him when we have many other more important needs, its a worse idea to trade up and spend 2 picks on him for the same reason – only multiplied….
Trust me -I get it. Cook is a dynamic player and I’m sure Jameis would LOVE to have him on our team as would I. But the cost is too high and the need in other spots (WR, Safety, DL) is too great.
December 20th, 2016 at 12:54 pm
On topic: Joe I think Dirk is confused on how to use the plethora of back he has on the roster. Quizz can return the running game back to normal. He just run angry and hardly get knocked backwards. Forget his size Heart is what make a warrior. No disrespect to Doug because I like him a lot but I see where he got his nickname. He looks like he’s running on a hamster wheel when the Oline is playing horrible. So I’m thinking a Non blocking olinemen made that name up. Doug is a nice guy but he should punched his lights out. So quit disrespecting the model citizen because if he went Aqib Talib YALL will run him out of town. If you get the MUSCLE HAMMER some day light he can be Sonic the HedgeHog. He can’t get pass the first level without a DT in his face. C’mon man