He’s A Receiving Back
September 22nd, 2020
Rare percentage. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Coaches don’t like to take running backs off the field if they can prevent it.
That means the guy better be a decent runner. And you would hope the same guy can be a decent pass blocker.
One critique of Bucs running back Ronald Jones is that he wasn’t much in pass protection so taking him off the field was sort of telegraphing what the Bucs would do.
Well, with Shady McCoy, Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich may as well be texting opposing defensive coordinators when he puts in the 32-year-old. No NFL running back is on the field for a greater percentage of pass plays than Shady. And this is coming from NextGen stats.
It seems 91 percent of the time Shady is on the field, the Bucs pass. So has Shady become so awful running that he can’t get touches on first or second downs?
LeSean McCoy has been used almost strictly as a passing down back this season, with 31 of his 34 snaps coming on pass plays (91%, highest rate in the NFL, min 30 snaps).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 20, 2020
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:04 am
“Coaches don’t like to take running backs off the field if they can prevent it.”
Yes, they do.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:07 am
For Byron Leftwich’s next trick, he will be sending a copy of our playbook to every coach we play the rest of the year! The first page is called “Every First Down”, and it features two HB dive plays (don’t tell Byron, but they are both the same exact play, just shown twice).
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:09 am
So Shady is speed in space?
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:09 am
Too bad he had a case of the drops against Carolina.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:15 am
not surprising…
chiefs stop giving shady touches because:
-fumbles
-doesnt run North and South
-drops
BL is putting shady and other players in position to be successful….BL is getting shady matched up with LBs out of the backfield….ADVANTAGE SHADY everytime….
defense “may” have an idea whats coming, but can they stop it?…..
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:15 am
I thought he played fairly well, but dropping the perfect pass from Brady would give me trepidation about using him the amount the Bucs have so far.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:16 am
What was down and distance? Were they obvious pass plays? If so then the telegraphing is not that harmful.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:31 am
So basically now teams know when McCoy is in there’s a pretty good chance it’s a pass play
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:33 am
Why tip your hand by playing a guy who’s clearly not what he once was, and has no future with the team? Fournette would be a better option on passing downs. One because he’s good at it, two the defense has to respect the fact that he can take a hand off to the house. I really don’t want to see any back besides Leo, and Rojo as long as they are healthy. If you want to fool defenses throw Vaughn into the mix. He was a 3rd round pick like Kamara was, and we know how good he was as a rookie. Arian’s is being lazy depending on an old vet, rather then coaching up his more explosive 3rd round pick. And Grayson, how is this guy even on the field? Some perplexing personal choices for sure.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:35 am
Exactly! Bucs aren’t going to run on 3rd and 7th.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:48 am
We seem to telegraph when we are running vs passing. Even the so so Panthers defense got us in the backfield too many times. So is it the personnel on the field, does the O-line have a tell? The tight ends? I get the sense the defense knows if we are running or passing on most plays. You can’t beat good teams that way.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:52 am
D-Rome Says:
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:35 am
What was down and distance? Were they obvious pass plays? If so then the telegraphing is not that harmful.
Exactly! Bucs aren’t going to run on 3rd and 7th.
***************************************************************
BINGO!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:55 am
I flow from the other side of the spectrum. I believe using as many faces as possible in sets will confuse defenses more than seeing the same guys all of the time. It enables you to create mismatches and use trickery to wear down a great defense. Instead of preparing for one guy defensive players have to prepare for multiple guys everywhere. That is hard to do for a DC and Defensive players to handle.
When you have so many good hands people on offense how can you not employ some trickery?
GO BUCS!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:00 am
Career catch percentages …
o McCoy 77.7%
o RoJo 77.8%
o Fournette 77.2%
Career rushing YPC …
o McCoy 4.5
o RoJo 3.9
o Fournette 4.0
Assuming that McCoy’s probably lost a step due to age, still looks like our 3 RBs can each get it done in both rushing & in the passing game. Suspect all 3 will get quite a few snaps & touches, although gut feeling is that Fournette will end up leading the pack with close to half of the RB snaps.
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:08 am
It’s still a tell.
91%???
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:18 am
I get that everybody is worried about the drops but this obsession that every player should be perfect in every situation is just ridiculous. They did not have a preseason and most of these guys that you’re complaining about played for other teams last year.
Take a breath. Do some yoga.
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:18 am
If Fournette looks to continue to grow into this offense, that’s the first reason he needs to be named #1 RB. Open up big time for the PA.
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:21 am
I actually like Fournette on 3rd down…..can run, can catch, can block….what’s not to like.
Shady is becoming less necessary.
In obvious passing downs, just go to an empty backfield and use 2 TEs & 3 WRs…..
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:37 am
TBBF … Empty backfield on obvious passing downs is an intriguing idea, but Brady seems to really like using his RBs as as an outlet (3rd or 4th option). I wish the Bucs were better at running screens (maybe they should watch some New Orleans tape?).
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:46 am
Defense
Glad to have you back…if you abstained from JBF to respect your family time…..I salute you!!!
I like the 2TE 3WR because the TEs can provide the extra blocking and can also be a downfield or outlet passing threat.
Bucs used this several times this year already…..
Not every obvious passing down but some.
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:53 am
We better have as many running backs as possible cuz we have the fourth best quarterback in the division and the best quarterback in the division isn’t even starting.
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:00 am
every saints fan saw the weak arm of drew last night….lol…and yet, NONE of them are asking for JW….lol…
they’re talking about injuries and weak defense….no qb drama…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:08 am
D.R.
I second TBBF…great to have you back.
I’ve never totally understood the “total” downside of a “predictable” formation.
So Shady’s in the game and they figure pass. Depending on down and distance doesnt’ a draw play or screen work?
BTW…yeah Shady dropped the TD but he caught two 3rd down passes just short of the sticks yet muscled his way to the first down.
If we telegraph doesn’t Brady get a chance to see how the defense responds and what they telegraph back?
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:14 am
At least a few commenters get it.
Jack made a great point. I dont recall every play Jack but I will answer you question……Yes McCoy is coming in on obvisous passing plays. You can almost relate it the same as using a five WR set. Your telegraphing you are passing in 5 WR sets too. This is same difference.
Instead of looking at the 91% a better number to look at would be success of the play. I have no idea but I do know when we throw to McCoy its was very successful on Sunday. He was getting first downs and moving the chains. And we hit him for a TD in a critical moment. He dropped the TD like a dunce but I will forgive him one time only for that boneheaded play. He’s proven he can catch the ball and that mistake wont happen all year again.
Shady can be a nice possession reciever for us.
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:20 am
If the saints wanna have a chance they have to play winston. Brees is done winston can open up the playbook for them. I can be realistic about situations anybody can see he is done. But for us Brady is fine his arm is lively anybody who doesn’t see that is just hating.
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:50 am
Shady fought for a very important first down for us I recall,
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Our backs are all flexible and can be used to run or pass. (Though McCoy has definitely lost a step, but he’s still shifty)
We just need Leftwich to actually mix it up with them instead of telegraphing it. It’s the same exact thing we did on 1st and 3rd downs all year last year, just with different RBs. And frankly it’s the same thing Koetter used to do too.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:03 pm
Brady’s arm is fine it’s his lack of willingness to stand in the pocket, make the though throw AND take the hit that he is lacking. Say what you will but when he’s got pressure there is net 0 chance something good is going to happen. It’s hard to win like that vs good teams.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:07 pm
At the same time Shady made some nice 3rd down conversions, so while the defense knows a pass is likely — it’s likely on 3rd down anyway.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Told you Brees is out of gas… Bags on the pumps folks.
Bucs have a golden opportunity this year.
GO BUCS!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Ok ndog whatever like I said Brady is making all the throws the film don’t lie.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Ndog that’s fair but realize it was ultimately bad decisions that cost Brady. Look at the game situation, Brady could shoulder decided to throw the ball away two times this year.
If he decides to scrub 2 plays…..2 plays!….. And there’s nothing to complain about. But he made bad decisions. Let’s hope he improves. Same thing we hoped from the last guy as a matter of fact.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Caine yeah….If you want a QB to worry about its Brees not Brady. He has a dead arm. And it’s been dead for a year at least.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:37 pm
1st play of second half. 3rd and 6.
McCoy enters for the obvisous passing down and catches a yard yard pass…..Weaves through 3 Panthers to run for 5 more. First down Tampa Bay.
Neither Ro nor Fo can make that play.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:37 pm
IMO….the RB we let go who played on passing downs as well as special teams was a better value for our roster. Licht got a tad carried away loading up the roster with names that are bigger then their actual production. Surprised we didn’t make a run at Peterson.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:40 pm
JimmyJack 43 year olds don’t get better they get worse.
Clearly
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Ndog we are not talking physical we are talking mental.
43 year olds also get wiser. His age wont affect his thinking. That part of his game could get better.
And you right age will make you worse at some parts like arm strength. For now all good in that department.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Byron Leftwich, what a joke OC….ALL we have is TB12. I hope they let the offence being run by him. QB+OC…..
BA = Lovie S 2.0
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:27 pm
TBBF & StPete … appreciate the kind words. This coronavirus situation has been rough on an awful lot of folks, but hopefully that light at the end of the tunnel is a cure and not the train coming in the opposite direction.
Bucs are blessed IMO to have 3 quality RBs (maybe 4 if Ke’Shawn Vaughn ever gets an opportunity). You can never have too many horses in that stable. It’s obvious that we’ve got a lot of ‘1-year rentals’ right now, and that we won’t be able to afford them all come next year. But hey, that’s next year’s problem. With the way our defense is playing this early in the season, I’m hoping we hit the playoff jackpot this year. Once in, anything can happen. Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:45 pm
Welcome back DR!
September 22nd, 2020 at 6:54 pm
Your right N DOG so just imagine how much worse Jamie’s is gonna be in 20 years. Of course no one will know since he will be out of the league in 2021
September 22nd, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Shady was brought in as a 3rd down back – to pass block and catch the ball. Why does that mean he’s a terrible running back? This nonsense that every back needs to be 3-downs like Emmit Smith is idiocy. Players have roles, and McCoy was always a great pass catching RB. Rewatching the game last night, McCoy looked really good in the first half in that role. Obviously he had the bad drop, which can’t happen, but he also got, by my count, two 1st downs in the 1st half where he made it happen, he looked like he should be stopped short yet was able to move the chains. Overall I was pretty impressed with his first half play, but obviously what everyone remembers is the dropped TD, which is fair since that was a huge deal.