Former Foe Talks Giovani Bernard, Who Says “I Am The Oddball”
May 28th, 2021
New Bucs RB Giovani Bernard
The Bucs only signed one significant outsider this offseason, so Joe has an extra interest in the guy.
Essentially, running back Giovani Bernard represents how the might Buccaneers offense can improve.
General manager Jason Licht even said third downs will be different because of Bernard. And Bucco Bruce Arians says Bernard will make the Bucs more of a 1980s kind of powerhouse.
Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote spent years playing for the Steelers and was there when Bernard entered the league with the Bengals in Round 2 of the 2013 NFL Draft.
So Joe asked Foote yesterday for a take on his former division foe.
“You definitely got to account for him in the passing game. He’s a three-down back. I remember playing against him. He’s a small guy but he’s a powerful little running back. He’s a mismatch on linebackers, so I’m quite sure him and Tom are going to have a good rapport together,” Foote explained.
Bernard realizes he’s the only new guy on the offensive block, so he’s attending all official spring practices at One Buc Palace and all the Tom Brady-led private workouts.
The goal is simple, Bernard said, stop thinking and learn the playbook quickly enough so he can play fast right out fo the gate this season.
“I am the oddball,” Bernard said, acknowledging that he’s the one dude on offense who doesn’t know the scheme.
Joe has no doubt that Bernard will catch up, and that Brady will babysit him along the way.
What impressive depth and furious competition the Bucs have at running back. Joe couldn’t be more impressed.
May 28th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Bernard was a really good add for this offense, it will add even more diversity for the team and open up the passing game by making defenders come up. If Darden is able to take over the return game for us we should be able to score at will as long as we don’t lose focus and go away from our tradition offense.
May 28th, 2021 at 10:19 am
Is it September 9th yet?
May 28th, 2021 at 10:23 am
I’ve always like Bernard. He isn’t what he once was, but still a solid RB. Love how he gets in space for screens and then takes off. He doesn’t skip around with the ball in his hands, instead, he gets upfield as fast as he can.
May 28th, 2021 at 10:35 am
Him doing OTA’s and working with TB is huge. He just may have a decent sized role.
May 28th, 2021 at 10:53 am
Its amazing how our offense clicked late last year with minimal rb production in the passing game. Teams congested the middle of the field on us because there was no threat of the back taking swing passes out of the backfield. Gio should open things up for our TEs and slot recievers even more- look for Godwin to really benefit by having one less lb/safety in the middle of the field to deal with.
May 28th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Bernard’s press conferences after his signing were impressive. He is an intelligent young man. Should have no trouble picking up the system. Good signing.
May 28th, 2021 at 11:35 am
Bernard is quality depth, but he’s not taking significant playing time away from Jones and Fournette, both of whom are 3rd down receiving threats with more talent and their pass catching flaws are overblown.
May 28th, 2021 at 11:49 am
No other guy on the roster can make a bigger impact than we had last year on offense than Bernard. OJ, due to in early injury comes in second.
May 28th, 2021 at 11:51 am
It’s hard for me to see how Keyshawn Vaughn sees the field or even suits up for some games…we are stacked at RB
May 28th, 2021 at 11:58 am
I can’t remember who it was, but I BA once converted a college Wide Receiver into a running back. If Darden continues to pack on the weight, I could see him being converted as a pass catching RB in the near future. He has great hips, change of direction, a nice shift move, great vision and a good bust, not to mention decent hands for a WR.
May 28th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
I didn’t like the signing. I think y’all believe you’re getting the Bernard of two years ago. While Brady appears to be ageless, running backs age in dog years. They often loose it fast without the aid of performance enhancers. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a +ped in his future
May 28th, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Like the pick, but don’t like the pic. He looks sad. All the other pictures, particularly those when he was sporting the stach, made him look like one cool dude. Hopefully, his demeanor will change once he starts racking up TDs.
May 28th, 2021 at 6:17 pm
Glad ge got rid of the mustache
May 28th, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Play book shouldn’t be a problem. He’s a third down back, not the lead dog.
May 28th, 2021 at 9:31 pm
Bernard is a threat out of the backfield and will force the defense to spread out and cover the flats. Just opens things up even more for Brady.
May 28th, 2021 at 10:15 pm
Gio doesn’t have to be a super star. He just has to catch the dam ball and have decent speed and moves to get past the first defender. All season long we saw our backs drop the ball or go nowhere after the catch. He doesn’t need to be a game breaker. Just get the first down!
May 29th, 2021 at 7:16 am
Bernard’s attitude is awesome. He wants and now finally gets to play for a winner and he’s going to show everything he’s capable of.