Two Days To Get A Running Back
October 30th, 2023
Is he available or not?
Joe isn’t sure about jumping into the deep end of the pool.
Thursday in the depressing loss the Bills, Rachaad White for the first time since Week 2 showed some signs of life in the run game. You know, a few strong runs.
For him, that’s substantial.
Is that what Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has preached weekly — that the running game takes time? Or was White’s glimpses of being an OK back more a sign that the Bucs were facing one of the worst rush defenses in the league?
This brings Joe to a beastly running back many fans prayed would wind up in Tampa: Derrick Henry.
The current Titans bellcow was, per weekend reports, taken off the trade market. However, Nate Davis of USA Today says the tea leaves suggest Henry is still likely to be dealt by Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline.
Davis seems pretty convinced Henry, in the final year of his contract, is not chained to Tennessee. But of the teams Davis suggests should be in the market for Henry, he omits the team with the second-worst rushing attack in the NFL, the Bucs.
How badly do the Bucs need to add a running back? Well, aside from the obvious, how much do you think just an average running back would help Baker Mayfield?
It’s one thing to have a one-dimensional offense with a stud quarterback. Right now Mayfield has to carry the offense and Joe is willing to guess that is not what the Bucs planned when they signed him.
October 30th, 2023 at 3:48 am
Typical bucs will do nothing at the trade deadline #!!
October 30th, 2023 at 4:13 am
Could our Bucs be quietly tanking?
October 30th, 2023 at 4:14 am
Four dash Three. Back to the Den of Depression and the beginning of the lost years once again, sigh. The do-nothing Bucs will sit idle upon their hands and hope for the best. In my opinion, the coaching staff is sub-par, and there’s no fire in the player’s belly. This is a mediocre team at best.
October 30th, 2023 at 5:06 am
White has pictures
October 30th, 2023 at 5:08 am
As a Buc fan from day one it is painful to go through this scenario again . Next year comes the rebuild again . Bowles will not be back . New coaching staff . Arians was the best hire since Gruden ! Hopefully we can get a look at Trask . Mike gotta take the hometown discount if he stays . We have some outstanding young pieces . This franchise has been a QB wasteland for so long . A few temporary winners but never a cornerstone ! Time to rest and get it right !
October 30th, 2023 at 5:28 am
The titans just won their rookie QB’s debut, they’re not trading Henry. That’s like looking at the girl next door you’ve known for years who just got engaged and deciding wow she’s actually beautiful I need to make my move. You’re too late!
October 30th, 2023 at 5:51 am
It sucks but looks like Licht aint gonna get an RB1 which we don’t have!
October 30th, 2023 at 5:55 am
If they had beat ATL and had division lead plus wins over them and NO, they might had swung on a guy like Henry. As it is? I doubt jump on any trade. $3.6 million in space per OTC isn’t gonna buy you much without gymnastics, and most teams are going to want a player not a pick. Stinks but options look limited
October 30th, 2023 at 6:25 am
Perhaps Colts are willing to part ways with Moss? There’s got to be a back out there we can snag on the cheap. Need somebody who can at least move the pile and get those tough yards. Our current backs are soft like butter. Season ain’t over, 32 teams in the league and 28 of them are mediocre. Bucs still control their own destiny.
October 30th, 2023 at 7:06 am
Sals right Licht will do nothing at the trade deadline he will pickup Ronald Jones or whatever scrub is available. But in Jones defense hes a harder runner than what we have now.
October 30th, 2023 at 7:39 am
Watched the Bengals vs 49ers….both Mixon and McCaffrey had multiple attempts facing an immediate defender in their face and yet they make quick/decisive cuts to salvage it into a 4 yd gain. Our backs simply aren’t good at the main job of being a running back….rushing. The run blocking is average but people running the ball are below avg. they have to go out and get a back that runs with authority to give this offense any chance of success.
October 30th, 2023 at 7:41 am
I understand going after a RB but he won’t do much if the OL doesn’t help much just like how they’re not helping Baker much.
October 30th, 2023 at 8:07 am
I think we should sell. This was always supposed to be a transition year. I don’t want us to get stuck as an annual 7-10 team. Rip the bandaid and look to the future!
October 30th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Typically everybody will blame Mayfield. How bout a run game?
October 30th, 2023 at 8:44 am
And I repeat:
Don’t need a running back – got one. He looks good when they throw him the ball and he’s got someplace to run. Out of the backfield the only thing he can run into is the bodies of his “blockers”, who are being thrown to the ground in front of him by the defense.
Barry Sanders could not run behind this line.
Mike Alsott could not run behind this line.
This line cannot run block and they cannot pass protect. The only plays they do well are the “False Start” and the “Holding – offense, number (*)”. They give a whole new meaning to the term “offensive line”. That, they are.
They remind me of John McKay’s comment when asked about the execution of the offensive line. Reply – “I think they should all be executed.”
Those are the facts, and they are irrefutable.
October 30th, 2023 at 9:16 am
@ John
I agree.
The Bucs have the worst interior o-line in the NFL.
Another running back won’t make a bit of difference at this juncture.
October 30th, 2023 at 9:39 am
After Levis exploded for 4 TDs King Henry isn’t going anywhere.
October 30th, 2023 at 9:47 am
I tell you what Joe – after a week of reading the same article I think you are on to something – lets trade for a RB ONLY if they will take JTS off our hands.
October 30th, 2023 at 9:53 am
So what should the Bucs do?? Trade a 2nd for a 30 year old RB when the team is average at best and barely a playoff contender?? When they can put that into a RB that is 21 and they will get 4 plus years or of??
I don’t get this strategy at all
October 30th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Not going to happen. In fact, I doubt any moves of any kind will be made by the Bucs. Bowles’ “we’re good with what we have” mentality from last year has carried over to this year. Perhaps he is simply loyal to a fault.
October 30th, 2023 at 10:47 am
Sometimes it just seems like they just enjoy losing. I sure hope not. You can put any QB back there & he’d be running around & trying to throw the ball away just like Baker is with no OL.
October 30th, 2023 at 11:12 am
“Four dash Three.”…Saint Viktor
Hey, Victor, that is Three dash Four. Big difference.
BTW, the Bucs will stand pat. Book it!
October 30th, 2023 at 11:16 am
What Sense does it make to Trade for a running back with No Offensive line… How smart are You…if you are going to make a trade bring in some Guards or Center bringing in a running back with no one to block for Him
October 30th, 2023 at 11:36 am
I agree with an earlier comment probably the best the Bucs could do would be to pick up Ronald Jones. I know that makes a lot of people groan but he does run hard. Also, I think everyone needs to cut Canales a little break. It’s his first gig as offensive coordinator and like it or not the man is in the middle of a learning curve with this offense. We basically have an offensive line which is well, offensive. Maybe there will be a change in personnel in the O-line or maybe not. Let’s give the man a full season before everyone hangs the man. Give him a damn chance.
October 30th, 2023 at 11:40 am
This is the make-or-break moment for the season. It’s evident the Bucs need literally one thing to improve the offensive dynamic.
If they make a move, they’re serious about winning. If they don’t, they’re content with mailing it in on the season and 2023 is just a circle-J.
AND PS: I don’t want to hear anyone complaining about the lack of fans in the stands during seasons like THIS. Yes, it is upsetting to see, but you know what? If the owners can take a year off from putting a winner on the field to get their finances straight, then the fans can take a year off from paying full price to watch bargain-bin football.
October 30th, 2023 at 11:40 am
Agree, if the objective is maybe win 1 more game at the risk losing some of our best players next year. The Bucs will be challenged to keep their best players next year as we finish our exit from “cap hell. Additionally, even a great running back doesn’t make the. Bucs a Super Bowl team. The Bucs need to keep their players and have another outstanding draft. I believe the Bucs can truly compete next year if we keep our best players and have a solid draft. Do the Bucs need a running back absolutely! Remember we are shopping at the Dollar Store this year.
October 30th, 2023 at 11:54 am
Why bother?
October 30th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
i’m totally cool with them bringing back rojo
October 30th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
What about the quarterback Brady liked..stetson Bennett from the rams. Why did the bucs management ignore Tom’s recommendations
October 30th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
These dudes make RoJo look like OJ Simpson, without the felonies.
October 30th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Bucs should be sellers at the deadline.
October 30th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
We need a center 2 guards and a right tackle
October 30th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Hate to be Captain Obvious, but losing Jensen screwed last year and this year in terms of establishing a running game. IMO Licht got caught by surprise both years. Look for a R2 or highly regarded FA center next year. Put it in the bank
October 30th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Ronald Jones is a free agent
October 30th, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Dalvin Cook for a fourth rounder, he’s been a healthy scratch for the Jets, pull the trigger JL and bring Cook back to FL
October 30th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Levis looked sharp for TN yesterday but they still are a long shot to even grab a Wild Card spot. They’ve mentally moved on from Tannehill at QB a while ago and with Cousins now out for the season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Vikings make TN an offer for Tannehill. With all of that going on, regardless of the team allegedly telling Henry they don’t “plan” to trade him, plans change so the right offer could still get Henry, especially since he’s a FA after the season and can still be dangerous.
Should the Bucs try to get him? As a fan, hell yeah. He’s the only back that makes sense. We need a powerful back with vision and experience. Will it help us win the division? Couldn’t hurt. Can we find the roughly 6.2M to pay him? Probably. Is it worth it just to make the post season but be one and done? Probably not but anything can happen in the playoffs.
FWIW, Joe pointed out the success White had running behind Wirfs against Buffalo. He was also running behind Stinnie who was in for Feiler at LG. Coincidence? I still think R. White is tipping his pitches and eyeballing his primary gap pre-snap. LBs are taught to key on a RBs eyes. That’s why guys like LaDainian Tomlinson wore the dark shields. I know our plays are predictable but …..
October 31st, 2023 at 12:01 am
This is insanely naïve.
First, with what money?
Second, if you don’t already know this, you are extremely naïve… They are rebuilding. There’s a reason they have so many rookies and undrafted free agents. They’re figuring out who is going to be here next year and the year after.
Baker Mayfield is nothing more than a stopgap for 1 to 2 years. Next year they’re going to get their franchise quarterback. Personally, I hope they move up to get Caleb Williams but there’s a lot of good quarterbacks so we shall see.
Anyway, the point is, they should be trying to acquire a draft picks
October 31st, 2023 at 2:01 am
LOL I will be waiting for Joe’s rant when the Bucs stand pat at RB.
Sorry Joe…I can’t resist.
Go Bucs!