Running Game Mysteries
October 20th, 2017
The Bucs’ edge rush issues and the eye-singeing play of Vernon Hargreaves have been a great distraction for the mysteries in the Tampa Bay rushing attack.
Here’s a few pieces of meat to chew on:
1) Where’s Peyton Barber? Dude looked good and powerful on opening day, yet he has just two carries since.
2) Jacquizz Rodgers was given a game ball by coaches for his powerful effort against the Giants, 16 carries for 83 yards, yet he’s been neutered with just six carries in the next two games, both losses.
3) Doug Martin, with fresh legs, and a strong game and practices under his belt, opened up Sunday’s effort in Arizona with nine carries for 16 yards. You can’t blame that all on Martin, but he made some bad decisions during that early run. And he’s got three drops in two games as Team Glazer pays him about $440,000 per game.
What exactly is the answer here?
The Tampa Bay offensive line is completely healthy. Fans were told Ali Marpet moving to center and adding nasty J.R. Sweezy to his right would mean much more mauling by the line, along with a blocking-mature O.J. Howard. Also, the Bucs’ mighty weapons on the outside should be softening up the run defenses.
Joe’s not looking to assign blame in this post, but winning head coach Dirk Koetter needs to figure out something quickly — before the Bucs enter another draft (again) desperate for an A-list running back.
October 20th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Where’s Scooby-Doo and the mystery van at?
October 20th, 2017 at 11:43 am
I came to the conclusion these coaches have no idea what there doing. I can’t believe they are paying that kind of money. Licht is suppose to be so great, then why didn’t he sign Peterson & Houston?
October 20th, 2017 at 11:45 am
Why isn’t Barber playing more? It seems these coaches have a one track mind.
October 20th, 2017 at 11:50 am
We are too predictable. We’re not putting these backs and receivers in situations that showcase their different talents. Almost every time a team goes up on us, we hear crickets from the run-game and I’m not talking late in the 4th quarter either. This offense looks forced. A great oracle once said, “Free your mind, and your a$$ will follow!”
In other words, let the creativity flow.
October 20th, 2017 at 11:53 am
In the very near future, Dirk will give up play calling duties guaranteed
October 20th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Oline looked pretty good overall the first 4 games – but not good at all vs Cardinals. So there’s that.
Martin’s #s and performances will continue to improve as long as he stays healthy.
Offense will start to click – hopefully sooner than later.
Dline needs to figure out how to get to the QB – and the secondary has to get on the same page if we have any chance of making a playoff run.
We need a complete game and an A effort from all phases of the team this week to get out of Buffalo with a win. Hope the players are pissed at getting horse whipped last week by an average team. They better be.
BRING IT BUCS! Show us that this team will not lie down and quit on this season in the face of a bit of adversity.
October 20th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Koetter will call the most obvious run plays it makes me want to puke. They’ll try to throw or play action on first down, then if that doesn’t work, he’ll stack the oline with Doug as the single RB and give it to him to be stuffed. Try to mix it up you idiot.
October 20th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
if you think dirk is magically going to start “pounding the rock”…you got another thing coming!!!…GO BUCS!!!
October 20th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
AtLanta buccaneers??
October 20th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Here is a thought Joe! The Bucs should try not to be blown out of the game in in the first quarter. That will usually have a pretty big impact on the amount of touches the RBs will get.
October 20th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
pickgrin nailed it. The run blocking in AZ was just terrible. Basically non-existent.
I counted at least 4 times in the 1st half when Doug was hit by a Defensive Lineman the exact second he got the ball in his hands. Reminded me of last year….
When we led the league for the most runs that were stuffed behind the LOS.
October 20th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
there’s no mystery. when you can’t stop anybody on defense you are probably playing from behind and not getting alot of snaps relative to the other team with which to catch up. in the reasonably close games our running game has been acceptable. in the blowouts…even if you get around to running how are you going to get the peyton barbers of the world into the mix when you can’t even get around to your #1 or #2 runner
October 20th, 2017 at 4:38 pm
in the last 2 road games i think the bucs have fallen behind 48-0 before their first score. that’ll pour cold water on any attempts to get the run game going
October 20th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Damn that’s a great point pick6
October 21st, 2017 at 11:53 am
Tom said: I came to the conclusion these coaches have no idea what there doing.
BINGO!