More Questions Than Answers In Backfield
August 11th, 2017
Chant-worthy
The chants of “Twink-L-Toes! Twink-L-Toes!” rang loudly through the Bucs Uncensored/Stick Carrier watch party tonight in Clearwater.
The rowdy crowd was jazzed by Charles Sims looking electric (wait for it) running between the tackles during the preseason opener in Cincinnati.
Impressive stuff by Sims, including a second-effort and balance move that was damn impressive. Sims’ three carries for 23 yards had fans remembering how he ran for 529 yards on just 107 carries in 2015.
Tonight was no surprise. When Sims is healthy, which is rather rare, he’s an electric talent.
Doug Martin ran very hard but averaged 2.8 yards per carry on four attempts. Ditto for Jacquizz Rodgers. Small sample sizes for both, but neither was good enough, though both picked up some tough yardage.
Peyton Barber looked strong in his efforts, and Jeremy McNichols exploded after a nice move for an 11 yard gain. The rookie had just one more attempt, a run wide right that was stuffed for a one-yard gain.
Joe was looking for somebody to flash tonight. Joe will give that honor to Sims, with an honorable mention to McNichols, who Ronde Barber is very high on, per his comments on the game broadcast.
August 11th, 2017 at 11:05 pm
cant wait to see these guys running behind our starting o line.
August 11th, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Joe will you be at the Jacksonville scrimmages?
August 11th, 2017 at 11:09 pm
Sims is a 3rd down back – which isn’t a bad thing Joe, it’s 2017, teams have pass catching backs, it’s sort of been a thing for a few decades now.
August 11th, 2017 at 11:20 pm
It was the first preseason game for the OL and RBs.
August 11th, 2017 at 11:23 pm
Sims hit that hole like hes been on this site reading up on all the criticism from the fans.
August 12th, 2017 at 12:46 am
I swear I’ve been calling it this guy can do it all people don’t think he can run between the tackles but I’m telling you watch this year when he can do it all.
August 12th, 2017 at 1:00 am
Hey Joe,…how did The Mitigating Factor (Joe Mixon) look?!!
August 12th, 2017 at 1:01 am
A better evaluation will come when Marpet returns to the lineup.
August 12th, 2017 at 1:58 am
Sims actually looked good.
August 12th, 2017 at 3:19 am
After 2015 I thought Sims would blow up last year. Somehow if the Bucs could just rekindle the explosiveness and consistancy of our 2015 backfield. Just try to defend that with our first team reciving core.
August 12th, 2017 at 5:31 am
I thought McNichols looked pretty fast on that one run.
August 12th, 2017 at 6:20 am
The OLine depth appears to be a glaring issue – too horrible for even pre season – both T and the guards after the starters left were pathetic at best
August 12th, 2017 at 7:20 am
Deepest RB group in a very long time!
They need to step up this year!
August 12th, 2017 at 7:46 am
@Joe … “though both picked up some tough yardage.” And therein lies the real bottom line to me. One of Martin’s runs was a 3rd-and-short if I remember and he got the 1st down. Not by much, but he got it. Tough yardage; doesn’t do much for the average. Several others by Martin & Rodgers were runs on 1st down (golly gee); more tough yardage. Wasn’t hard to tell a run was coming based on the formation. Gosh, even the Cincy defense had those figured out. But again, it’s preseason … not much game-planning.
August 12th, 2017 at 8:07 am
With the exception of Blake Sims and Hansbrough, I thought the backs looked fine, a deep position on the roster.
It’s the first PS game for cripe’s sake!
I thought the OL looked pretty decent.
August 12th, 2017 at 8:24 am
So with Sims looking good, who does Jeremy McNichols replace? We usually only keep 4 guys right?
I think Martin stays.
Sims, if he continues to play well, stays.
Obviously, Quiz stays.
And Jeremy McNichols isn’t going to get cut.
Where does that leave Barber? Hmmn?
August 12th, 2017 at 8:25 am
Cobraboy, I thought the oline looked good considering it was their first game for two guys at their position (JR played the other side in the past, didn’t he?) and our starting right tackle is out (as usual).
August 12th, 2017 at 8:27 am
I also thought Martin looked pretty good. The whole average for him is a figure that is deceiving, because he was mostly used in short yardage situations.
August 12th, 2017 at 8:51 am
Joe I just want you to know that in week 4, I will be very heavy on the Doug Martin is our starter “I told you so” and “what were you thinking” chatter. Last chance to take it back this week!
August 12th, 2017 at 8:54 am
Btw. JBF is still the only place on the entire planet where you can find literature doubting not only Dougs role as our starter, but his place in the team. Not one other reporter is so naive
August 12th, 2017 at 10:04 am
I wouldn’t mind trading Martin for a dline man or a cb
August 12th, 2017 at 10:22 am
We have a reasonably “good” group of RB’s. We do not have a superstar. We do not need a superstar or All Pro…we need polished professionals who can make plays when the OL give them the opportunity.
Again I’m more concerned about our OL…if they jell and all the pieces fall together RB won’t be an issue.
August 12th, 2017 at 11:46 am
I like Martin’s running style. His knees are high, making him really painful to tackle low.
Contrast his style with Michael Pittman who looked like he was skating in the field, no high knee action at all.
Those who have played football know the difficulty of tackling a guy whose knees are churning.
I thought Martin looked quick.
August 12th, 2017 at 10:32 pm
If they let Chuck play more he will shine!!!