Bubblicious
August 30th, 2019
Too late or just enough?
A bubble player actually got announcers to say his name because he actually did something Friday night.
Something positive.
In the last preseason game of the 2019 season, it was the last chance for many players to flash and demonstrate they can make plays — or be told to go home and call Vince McMahon for work in the XFL after Hurricane Dorian passes.
One guy on offense who has sort of a cult following is former North Dakota State running back Bruce Anderson. The undrafted free agent actually had nice runs tonight and showed he can catch the ball.
Anderson ran for a team-high 70 yards at 3.5 yards a clip, not shabby for a Bucs running back. Granted, he was going up against DMV clerks and Waffle House managers.
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians gave Anderson props after the game.
“Bruce had one of his best days,” Arians said. “He’s been struggling with a little Achilles tendinitis. Tonight he was finally healthy and I liked what I saw.”
Joe cannot say if Anderson had a good camp or not because Joe rarely watches camp meat in practices. Joe tries to focus on players more likely to have an impact with the team.
Anderson played like a guy who not only has skills but with a little work could be an asset. The question is, will the Bucs keep three running backs or four, or five? And if they keep four, could Anderson be that fourth running back?
Basically, it boils down to whether Anderson, with potentially a higher ceiling, might be a wiser choice than 30-year old Andre Ellington who has seen his best days.
Of course, guys on the bottom of the roster make the team due to special teams play. Joe honestly cannot offer any information on Anderson’s skill level on special teams.
August 30th, 2019 at 12:25 am
Anderson is a better option then Ellington. Bigger, stronger, younger, faster, and cheaper. Ellington was out of football for a reason last year, if he’s cut, no team would claim him. Wish we would’ve seen more of Anderson this preseason.
August 30th, 2019 at 12:39 am
Is anyone really afraid that another team would come in and sign him to their 53? Very doubtful. He looked slippery, but that’s against 4th and 5th stringers. He got a lot of hype in the offseason from the fantasy football nerds as a guy that would come in and start for us, but before this game, I can’t recall him doing anything. Anyways he seems like a safe guy for the PS, which isn’t a bad thing since the Bucs do promote guys from there and play them.
August 30th, 2019 at 1:20 am
Bruce the third looked amazing. He’ll be on the practice squad for about 2 weeks till someone gets hurt. I think Dare has a chance to be our starter though by seasons end. My number one trait in a running back is field vision and Barber and Dare have it. I seen Rojo miss a couple opportunities for long Carrys last year not seeing what was in front of him. People always say he always got hit in the backfield and never had a shot. That was true most of the time but with his speed he had some wide open lanes he straight missed. Hope that’s correctable honestly I dont know but hope it is. Opinions?
August 30th, 2019 at 2:33 am
I watched Matt Waldman’s YouTube breakdown on Bruce Anderson a few days after we signed him as a UFA. He compares his skill set favorably to David Johnson. It’s a great breakdown I highly recommend it to anyone who’s interested in leaning more about the guy. I predict he gets one of the 10 practice quad spots and gets brought up to the 53 quad during the season.
August 30th, 2019 at 3:01 am
Dare put on some amazing moves tonight. When Ronde said it was a great 1 yd run, be wasn’t kidding. That was hop-step-Barry-Sanders like…. Nice.
Lets hope we won’t need to see nor discuss the 4th running back this year unless its mop up duty.
And for that matter I hope we have a better exterminator for the injury bugs. We have had more than our fair share.
Suc It Injuries!
In BA I Trust!
August 30th, 2019 at 7:21 am
Dare O. And Bruce Anderson both looked very serviceable. Ball carrier vision is the same whether going against starters or scrubs and both were hitting holes with nice momentum.
These guys also looked good catching the ball out of the backfield. Especially on the designed short yardage routes!!!! What a play calling concept! (Shakes fist at cloud shaped Dirk Koetter)
August 30th, 2019 at 9:52 am
I think he made the practice squad last night. We actually have a fairly solid RB group
August 30th, 2019 at 10:28 am
I think Anderson was fighting to make the practice squad. If the Bucs keep 4 RB’s they may not want a 5th on the practice squad.
August 30th, 2019 at 11:41 am
If Ellington gets cut he will not be on the PS. He will just wait for an injury & get called back. I don’t think no team will sign a 30 yr old rb who was out of the league all of last year.
August 30th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Practice Squad for Anderson. Ellington likely getting cut.
I see the Bucs rolling with 3 RBs to start the year so they can keep 6 WRs and 4 TEs.
If injuries happen to RBs at some point during the season – its very likely that Ellington would be available and eagerly awaiting such a call to come back if needed. He was out of football last year and is a year older now so……