Another Confidence Game For Ke’Shawn Vaughn
January 9th, 2022
Ke’Shawn Vaughn has become a factor.
His hands were clean and so was his game.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn didn’t stir any Pro Bowl thoughts this afternoon with his first shot at being Tampa Bay’s No. 1 running back, but his game was sound with tough running out of the end zone, sure hands out of the backfield and plenty of grit to build much-needed confidence.
Vaughn caught both his targets today, was a sound pass blocker overall, and finished with 10 carries for 29 yards and a touchdown.
The numbers are not special, but perhaps most importantly, Vaughn proved he can be trusted. Joe also has to think Vaughn is feeling as great as anyone could have imagined he would be as the playoffs approach.
In the last three games, Vaughn was given a golden opportunity to crumble under the pressure and the spotlight. Instead, his three-game total was 25 carries for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus four catches over the last two games for 26 yards.
The sample size remains small for Vaughn’s body or work, but it sure is encouraging.
If the Bucs get Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones back healthy next weekend, and with Vaughn and Le’Veon Bell thriving, would any playoff team have a deeper backfield?
January 9th, 2022 at 10:23 pm
They’re playing on sunday! At 1 pm. Not bad.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:24 pm
First play of the game for offense he whiffed on pass protection and helped Brady get sacked, but great day the rest of the way. Glad he stayed healthy, we’ll need him.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Hello Vaughn, good bye Rojo next year.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:25 pm
LFG! Good job vaugh … meow
January 9th, 2022 at 10:26 pm
He’s been okay but he’s going to the bench next week when Playoff Lenny gets back.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:28 pm
And bell is a better addition then shady last year.
Get bell out their running short crossing routes since we are down receivers
January 9th, 2022 at 10:29 pm
He almost got Brady killed to start the game.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Um, he caused a sack. He’s a bum.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Hey that’s 5 yards a carry, can’t complain about that. Obviously one big run booster that one, but eyeball test shows him pushing for extra yards. I did feel this game some plays Panthers got some yards too easy. Just schemes open so first guy to tackle was yards down field. Also felt a couple times guys waited for panther player to come to them before tackling instead of going up and getting him
January 9th, 2022 at 10:34 pm
@Brett if you watch it again he made the initial block but Brady didn’t get rid of the ball. It was like 5 seconds and then Brady got sacked.
January 9th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
Bell caught his first TD pass as a Buc. Think it will be his last?
January 9th, 2022 at 10:51 pm
Yup that was not in Vaughn at all. You aren’t expecting the back to act like an olinrman and hold the blitzer for a fee seconds.. you’re. Just expecting them to slow them down
January 9th, 2022 at 10:54 pm
He recovered well after getting beat for sack on the Bucs’ first offensive play, although Brady did hold the ball for quite a while on that play.
January 9th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Bell got good hands almost like a receiver
January 9th, 2022 at 11:21 pm
Miller had most rush yards. Crazy
January 10th, 2022 at 12:03 am
When Fournette return I’ll put him n Bell on the field at the same time. One would play the slot for CG.
January 10th, 2022 at 12:13 am
Fournette will be back for the playoffs and Vaughn will be the back up with some Bell thrown in. These last couple of weeks have shown me that Rojo will be gone next year because Vaughn is proving to be pretty competent and just as explosive.
January 10th, 2022 at 12:43 am
He looks nimble and might on his feet. Didn’t like that one pass block whiff, but he looks better overall. Would like to see more Bell, Fournette and Gio.
January 10th, 2022 at 12:43 am
Light on his feet.
January 10th, 2022 at 8:35 am
Let’s not forget Vaughns poor pass blocking that allowed a sack on Brady.. that part of his game need to work
January 10th, 2022 at 8:44 am
Brady held the ball too long on that sack. Yes, Vaughn could have held his block longer, but Brady was at fault there.
January 10th, 2022 at 11:09 am
I agree. That sack was on Brady.
January 11th, 2022 at 8:57 am
Vaughn just needs to play. Great to think we have such depth at running back position. It’s going to make “play action” even better. GOBUCS!