Draft Winner Ke’Shawn Vaughn
May 1st, 2023
Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Joe is happy for running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Leonard Fournette probably is, too.
The Bucs did not draft a running back last week, and they didn’t trade for one, either. That represents one giant exhale for Vaughn, Tampa Bay’s little-used back entering his fourth season.
And while the Bucs might sign another running back soon, whoever that is won’t come with the front office/coaches cheerleading that gets attached to draft picks.
Simply stated, Joe believes Vaughn will be given a real chance this season.
Vaughn had only 17 carries last season. That’s as many as he had against the Eagles in the opening round playoff win in January of 2022, and Vaughn played pretty well in that game.
That sums up how significantly Vaughn was ignored by former Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich last season, Joe believes. General manager Jason Licht has not been quiet on the subject.
Joe doesn’t think Vaughn is Pro Bowl material or a special running back waiting to make fantasy football players drool. But he certainly could be the kind of guy that comfortably delivers 130 carries for 550 yards and a few touchdowns in a 1b running back role — aka more than what Rachaad White did last season.
Vaughn’s hard and low running style with solid shiftiness should be a good fit in the Bucs’ new scheme.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Sean Tucker is no joke. He will challenge Vaughn for #2 duties, provided his health isn’t an issue.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Sean Tucker is going to be great!
May 1st, 2023 at 12:25 pm
I like our RB room especially since we added that burner to get to the edge in toss sweeps and outside zones.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Ran in a zone scheme at Illinois & Vandy respectively, so perhaps, this scheme change Canales is overseeing is exactly what Sneak needs to make use of his vision and his ability to cut’n’go. Skip Peete has some talent to work with in that RB room.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Tucker with a clean bill of health, which he apparently has of as of now, would have been drafted after the third round somewhere. If his medical comes clean he very well could be that back.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Every other team seams to be able to plug and play when it comes to their running backs. Hopefully we finally got on board like the rest of the nfl with Canales and will be able to do the same.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Sean Tucker will be the starter before the end of the season.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Probably more impact from undrafted free agent running backs than any other position. Just a guess. Off the top of my head obviously LeGarrette Blount. And Priest Holmes had a hell of a run. And I know there are quite a few more.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I like Sneak. The boob that stood looking like a cretin on the sideline when everything was going to sh!t, not so much.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:43 pm
They better give him a chance!!!!
May 1st, 2023 at 12:44 pm
He is a very capable RB rotation player, I have no problem with his ability and he was never really given much of a chance in the Brady Cinderella 15 minutes before midnight era.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:54 pm
The back is largely ancillary, it’s the line. Don’t understand why that’s so hard to understand. Emmitt Smith had basically hall of famers across the board, and a great coach, and a dynamic passing game. (For the 90s anyway) Had he played behind a crappy line, he wouldn’t have come close to the career he had. Fix the line, and the yards on the ground will come.
Brother D-Rok, I have to disagree. This running back room is suspect at best. Maybe a new offense will help. We can only hope.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Somewhere I read Tucker ran a 4.3 40 in HS.
May 1st, 2023 at 12:59 pm
@Steven007
Austin Eckler was UDFA and so was Arian Foster.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Redeemer,
Maybe not a great room overall, but I’m pleased the Bucs decided to add some speed to the room. Last year, IF we had a speedy back, we would have been slightly better running the ball.
Of course, I vehemently agree with you that fixing the O-line was Priority #1 this offseason. Whether the new additions pan out or not, is another matter – at least they tried to fix the problem with some fresh meat.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Yep. Sean Tucker will start by mid-season.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Entering fourth year still “unappreciated.”
We’ll see!
May 1st, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Speaking of Fournette – I find it quite telling and interesting that no a single player we released has been signed anywhere else as of today…
Neither has –
– A. Hicks
– J. Jones
– C. Nassib
– K. Rudolph
– G. Avery
– W. Gholston
– B. Perriman
Shows you how old, slow and mediocre our roster really was last season…
May 1st, 2023 at 1:15 pm
I really think assuming that the medical red flags have been cleared that Sean Tucker and White are going to share the 181B running back roles. If there was one flaw in Tucker’s game watching some film it was that he was not the best in past protection. So I could see White being the main three down back and Tucker getting another 10 carries a game in obvious running situations or third downs where pass protection won’t be required.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:17 pm
Yeah I think this article is premature because Sean tucker is probably going to be rb2 and Vaughn might again rarely be seen.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Lenny can now state that his lack of production in ’22 wasn’t his fault, else the Bucs would have made far more effort at grabbing new backs
May 1st, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Sneak has always looked good to me, too. If his fumbles are history, he’ll be plenty good enough.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:24 pm
The biggest winner from the draft was Baker Mayfield…….if the Bucs drafted a first round QB then Mayfield would likely be toast no matter how well he played…..now, if he plays well, he could be extended with a large multi-year contract.
What about Trask? He may struggle to be the backup again….depending on the FA vet brought in.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Agree with most on here – Sean Tucker
Watch his tape. Check out his stats. Best back on the team.
Tucker and White will split reps.
KV didn’t duck anything.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Marine buc, Julio signed with the Falcon.. 2 year 11 M per yr
May 1st, 2023 at 1:38 pm
Marine Buc Says:
May 1st, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Speaking of Fournette – I find it quite telling and interesting that no a single player we released has been signed anywhere else as of today…
Neither has –
– A. Hicks
– J. Jones
– C. Nassib
– K. Rudolph
– G. Avery
– W. Gholston
– B. Perriman
Shows you how old, slow and mediocre our roster really was last season…
^^^^^^^^
Hard to believe a roster spot was wasted on Kyle Rudolph last year.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:39 pm
@ Info
What? When?
I totally missed that one.
The Falcons got ripped off… Julio is toast. Those knees are DONE.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:52 pm
Maybe they will actually use him this season.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:53 pm
@ Joe in Mich
I agree. They wasted an opportunity to develop a younger player.
I’m not saying having a few veteran players are bad. I actually think it is a good thing.
But I believe Jason Licht got spoiled by the high production he got from Brady, Gronk, AB, JPP and Suh…
He thought he could repeat that success with signing Rudolph, Jones, Hicks and Nassib…
Needless to say the results were lackluster and we got a horrific ROI from these players in 2022.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Marine, agree on the roster last year. They wasted Brady’s last season with a pack of stiffs. Old and oft injured players isn’t what he deserved. Dont even get me started on Rudolph.
May 1st, 2023 at 1:56 pm
@ Info
According to SportTrac and Over The Cap Julio Jones is still unsigned.
Do you have a link?
Or are you just bustin my chops?
lol
May 1st, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Vaugh may “SNEAK” up to play a major role in 2023
May 1st, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Julio is cooked. He was probably in the best shape of his carrer last season. He just cant stay on the field anymore. Guy made the best catch I’ve ever seen, in the biggest game of his life. When you’re done, you’re done. Someone needs to tell him it’s over.
May 1st, 2023 at 2:40 pm
@ Marine and Redeemer
You don’t think Julio Jones and Kyle Rudolph came Brady approved? I would wager to guess that they were signed because that’s who Brady requested.
Kind of like the subject of this post, Vaughn. Vaughn didn’t see the field because Brady didn’t want him on the field. Brady only wanted the self preserver Leonard Fournette sitting over his left shoulder protecting him. Brady had no interest in grooming young players. None.
There wasn’t an offensive roster in football last year that had more old turds floating around in it than the Bucs, and they were here because one guy wanted them here.
Brady made the bed, and then he had to lay in it last year. Brady had the same fairy tale ending that almost every aging superstar QB has for his last season, the sound of a career ending thud on the floor.
May 1st, 2023 at 3:52 pm
If the new scheme / o-line results in better blocking, I think we could be just fine with a White / Vaughn / Tucker? rotation.
May 1st, 2023 at 4:18 pm
@ gotbucs
“You don’t think Julio Jones and Kyle Rudolph came Brady approved?”
No – I’m sure he did… As did several of the duds we had on this roster last year.
However – Jason Licht is the GM (last time I checked) – he gets applause for the roster we won a Super Bowl with.
He gets thumbs down and heckled for the roster we had last year.
That’s the way it works.
May 1st, 2023 at 4:20 pm
@ gotbucs
I still think Jason Licht is a solid GM and I really like the new direction the team is taking.
But I will criticize him when he misbehaves…
May 1st, 2023 at 4:51 pm
I never liked this guy, and Sean Tucker will make us all forget about him.
May 1st, 2023 at 5:03 pm
SEAN TUCKER!!!!! WOW!!
May 1st, 2023 at 6:05 pm
@ Joe in Michigna and Marine Buc. Totally agree with the 2 of you regarding the slowness of this team. The one common denominator with all of our picks is speed, more speed and just a bit more speed. I love the philosophy that Licht employed. Sure, they may not be refined but that’s why coaches get paid the big bucks. Obviously there is a lot of risk but the reward is a 5th round diamond n the rough like Tyreke Hill. I think Julio being signed by ATL is fake news. There is no way unless they signed him to a one day contract to retire a Falcon.
May 1st, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Can we revoke the nickname Sneak? I don’t know when or how he obtained it, but nicknames should be reserved for accomplished players. Tucker will have the backup job by mid July.
May 1st, 2023 at 7:16 pm
Our only weakness now on offense could be at QB. These 2 guys have the opportunity of a lifetime. One of them must rise to the occasion and grab the bull by the horns. Our defense should be good this year but our offense will sink or swim under Canales. Bowles wants to play ball control and time of possession. Last year was an abomination. We need to get a lot better
May 1st, 2023 at 8:41 pm
All this Sean Tucker disrespect is great. He’s gonna play with a huge chip on his shoulder. Before the combine the draft scouting reports had him going in late 2nd or early 3rd. His heart issue is common and 90 percent of the time has zero effect on the athlete and most of the rest are fine with monitoring. This was just a really deep RB draft and teams had other good options. This guy could easily be the steal and the draft. He needs, like most backs coming out, to work on his pass pro and gain lower body strength. Don’t believe anyone who tells you he lacks break away speed. 4.3 football player who happens to be a track star.
May 1st, 2023 at 10:23 pm
This year, the plan seems to be to use draft capital to build up the defense. Once the organization clears some cap space next year, the shift will be to shore up the offense, particularly the Tight End and RB positions. This also depends on how Kyler Bakerfield handles the QB position.
May 1st, 2023 at 11:09 pm
Chase Edmonds is going to have to work his a$$ off to make the team with the new addition of Tucker (who is a beast)
May 2nd, 2023 at 12:30 am
note:
watching sean tucker’s highlight tape reminds me a lot of tiki barber
May 2nd, 2023 at 2:23 am
Vaughn has to work his way out of the doghouse. He was put there for fumbling the ball too much.
May 2nd, 2023 at 2:42 am
Nice to get some good info on Tucker here, guys. A little additional research on him lets me understand your enthusiasm for this guy. I will be watching what I can of him as the offseason workouts commence.
May 2nd, 2023 at 10:32 am
Fournette wanted to play for a winner, but no one wants him to play for them. So will he sign back with the Bucs? Is winning as important to him as playing?
Not sure they’d want him, but he’s still not even 30 years old.
May 2nd, 2023 at 1:50 pm
No just no on Fournette. Like the guy, but he’s washed. In the NFL difference between a stuff, a 3 yard run, a 15 yard run and a home run are decided by increments of a tiny fraction of a second. Its why RBs fall off a cliff at 29. They turn home runs and 15 yard runs into 3 yard runs and stuffs.
May 2nd, 2023 at 2:14 pm
“Vaughn has to work his way out of the doghouse. He was put there for fumbling the ball too much.”
1 career fumble? a fumble that he recovered?