“Tentative”
August 19th, 2017
The Buccaneers’ rookie running back, fifth-round pick Jeremy McNichols, looked like a rookie on Thursday night in Jacksonville.
Throw on McNichols’ college film from Boise State, and that’s not what he looked like in the second half versus the Jags.
“Tentative,” is how winning head coach Dirk Koetter described him. But Koetter said “reps” are the cure, and Koetter reiterated today that McNichols reminds him of where 2016 undrafted rookie Peyton Barber was at this point last season.
That’s actually a good thing. The Bucs have a love affair brewing with Barbers, who has made consistent strides.
After practice today, McNichols said he’s moved on from Thursday and is back in his playbook and is just trying to get better each day.
The good news for McNichols is more reps are coming his way. He’s the kind of guy who needs can take a lot of steps in the final two preseason games.
August 19th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Really? Better than Barber? I’ve thought Barber has looked good in every preseason and loved him since he got here. Especially for a number four RB. I haven’t seen this guy gain one yard yet.
August 19th, 2017 at 1:42 pm
I’m guessing the same people that told me on draft day that McNichols is the next Doug Martin, but of course better, you know because those guys get drafted in the 5th round all the time. I’m guessing they’re the same people that told me on draft day 2016 that Dan Vitale was the next Mike Alstott, you know because those guys get drafted in the 6th round every year.
I hope McNichols does light it up – well on the field anyways. The other thing I’m not a huge fan of with McNichols is seeing teammates like OJ around him – McNichols just looks permanently high. That doesn’t mean he is, he just looks like he is. I wonder if it has anything to do with being coached by Snoop, not in that he did drugs, not saying that at all, but I wonder if you’re within with 3 feet of Snoop more than say twice in your life if you get some incredible contact high that never goes away? Just a theory.
But seriously I hope McNichols gets it going – his college tape is good even if people have ridiculously high expectations for him saying he’d be a day 1 replacement for Martin.
August 19th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Lots of folks were claiming that McNichols was going to be a monster making Martin and Sims irrelevant.
I thought he would be competing with Sims for #2/3. No way. He’s competing with being active on Game Day. He may be #5.
I’ve seen little that excites me about McNichols. Many tout his virtues, but I’ve not seen much. So far. But the jury is way out.
I hope he picks up ST’s better than Koetter’s offense or he may be reminiscent of Kenny Bell.
August 19th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
I may be alone here…but I have a Meh-cNichols feeling about this guy. Looks upright and not particularly fast in highlights…feel like the Bucs waited a round or two too long to select a rb.
August 19th, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Jonbuc
Waaayyyy to upright spells injuries
August 19th, 2017 at 11:32 pm
McNichols was a decent back in a horrible conference. Its a uphill clime for this kid to make it in the NFL. I wish him the best!