CBS: Run Game Will Doom Bucs
January 9th, 2024
Conundrum.
According to a Philadelphia-based NFL columnist for CBS, unless Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales finds magic pixie dust for his run game, or unless he goes against his inner soul and goes pass-happy, the Bucs are doomed.
That is the analysis of Jeff Kerr. In the playoffs, Kerr believes it’s smart to lean on the run. Problem is, the Bucs have no effective run game.
The run offense will lead to early playoff exit: As well as Baker Mayfield played this year, he got next to nothing in the run game. Tampa Bay finished with 87.3 rush yards per game (31st in NFL) and averaged 3.4 yards per carry (32nd in NFL). Tampa Bay rushed for under 100 yards in 12 games this season, showcasing how ineffective their ground game was.
If the Buccaneers are one-dimensional in the playoffs, the NFC South champion won’t last long.
And yes, Joe checked the numbers. The Bucs were dead last in the NFL this season in rushing yards per game at 88.8 yards a game.
So this is the pinch Canales finds himself in. He is devoted to the run. But that run game is so bad good teams might feast off the Bucs as a result.
Will Canales be forced (against his will) to throw? When Canales did open up the offense, look what happened. They lit up the Packers and the Jags.
Right now, that two-game spurt looks like an outlier.
By the way, notice Kerr typed “early exit” for the Bucs in the playoffs if they try to run the ball. In another column, Kerr joined the Philadelphia media chorus calling for the Eagles to be one-and-done.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:38 am
Wow! CBS figured this out all on their own?
January 9th, 2024 at 10:38 am
White is a great pass catcher out of the backfield, but between the tackles he just doesn’t have it. He consistently runs into the backs of his linemen and his stutter step move is ineffective. Edmonds hits the hole hard, and is decisive in his running…he’s just small. Would like to see him get the ball a little bit more.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:41 am
All eyes will be on YOU Dave.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:42 am
If the Bucs come out aggressive on O we have a shot, if they do the dumb ground and pound it’s a wrap
January 9th, 2024 at 10:42 am
Hope Canales is reading this and takes it to heart…naw.. He will continue with his stupid Game plan because he knows nothing else. Hope Carolina hires him away.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:43 am
17 Games – 31st and 32nd Run in NFL
17 Games – 19th Ranked Offense
Playoffs Teams – Lowest TD, Points, and Points Per Game
Canales coached 3 good games against really bad teams. His ineptitude will be on full display vs Philly. Expect a blowout loss.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:43 am
The run game sucks, however, it seems the majority of the runs are up the middle where our weakest lineman are. Canales has to realize that his best chance of success is through the passing game.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:44 am
I definitely don’t like the matchup with Hainsey against Fletcher Cox and Jalen Carter. That’s a huge mismatch.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Godwin MUST be involved immediately.!!! only chance of a victory.. Both Eagles safeties are out! I’m a little worried about Swift, he tore us apart last game!! Go Bucs!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 10:51 am
It would be a breath of fresh air if we could run the ball at will.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Philly’s run game may doom Bucs. A lack of run game will certainly doom the Bucs. Canale’s offense will evolve in time.
January 9th, 2024 at 10:57 am
Even in 2023 NFL you still have to have to be able to run the ball and stop the run, especially in the playoffs.
Of course the playoffs don’t start until next week after the wildcard round.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Baker couldnt throw well Sunday. Thatbwas with the ribs. Now his ankle is ganked too. I donxt expect mmuch. Phili can sit off on the back end becaise Baker cant throw deep and probably will have trouble with accuracy anyway and their D line can just key on the run. A couple dumb end arounds here and there. A bunch of missed 12 yd passes and a bunch of Rachad White falling behind Stinnie and Hainsyley with Baker limping around. I know Phili isnt lighting the world on fire right now, but I suspect this game will look like the Carolina game except Hurts will be able to move and shoot.
Fingers crossed, but not expecting too much.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Can we please get Ko Keift on the field more to help with the running game?!
January 9th, 2024 at 11:04 am
Right. The Iggles are gonna rubber band Hurts finger together and suddenly all the locker room dysfunction will disappear, the defense will ignore Matt Patricia’s toxic a$$ and remember how to tackle again. Show me
January 9th, 2024 at 11:04 am
@VATom, that’s what I think too. Bowles likes to make the other team’s offense one-dimensional. Well, starting Baker is making his own offense one-dimensional. Not the smartest coaching.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:06 am
Realistic…. 😂
January 9th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Did anybody see the way Baker threw it last week? I’m sure his ribs contributed to the fact he couldn’t hit spit Sunday, but I wouldn’t expect he’ll be throwing much better this week. Baker is in no shape to drop back every snap looking to throw. We better get something out of the run game, because we ain’t going to get much from the passing game either. Truth is we can’t throw, can’t run, can’t hide. We couldn’t score a touchdown against the Panthers. Let that sink in.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:20 am
No news from CBS. Besides blocking issues in the run game is the poor decision making of Rashad White finding holes or doing his stop/studder step move. His role is as a pass catcher. You cannot put a round peg in a square hole which is what Bowles/Canales have done with White. Frankly, Edmonds runs harder and is smaller and can make quicker decisions in the run game.
17 games in 32nd in the league in rushing. You got one playoff chance to make some radical changes. If you fail at something over and over, you have to use your brains and find a way to succeed.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:23 am
If the Bucs try to run the ball like they did the past two games they are going to get their arse handed to them and this game will be a blowout for the eagles.
THEY MUST OPEN THE OFFENSE AND PASS TO EVANS AND GODWIN AND WHITE!
January 9th, 2024 at 11:26 am
We couldn’t score a TD because Baker couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.
He also held the ball too long and had his hands hit several times on the throw.
He looked dis functional out there.
Hainsey isn’t gonna magically stop Carter and Cox and it will look worse against Philly than it did against Carolina.
If our game plan is to ignore the run and drop back and pass it will be 21-0 early.
Im not saying you HAVE to run either, because screens are an extension of the run.
If we don’t run scheduled plays in a TRUE West Coast style, it could get ugly.
And for the Love of God please audible to a run with 5 guys in the box.
And where is that I Formation that started to look great and even Canales mentioned some cool things you can do misdirection wise?
January 9th, 2024 at 11:29 am
The Eagles may be vulnerable enough that a good game by the Bucs (not the slop they’ve delivered most of the season) could get us past the wild card round. From there, they are toast. Most likely though, they won’t even make it past the Eagles. It’s not just that the running game is bad, it’s that the pass defense is awful and the pass rush is awful. It’s not a good team overall.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Here’s a crazy idea,
RUN OFF TACKLE & OUTSIDE ZONE RUNS!!!!!
Stop trying to pound it up the middle between guard & center!!
Hainsey gets overmatched in every game……
Also ADD SOME PLAY-ACTIONS PASSING!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 11:33 am
The headline should say “ineffective passing game will doom Bucs”
– the run game is ok, it’s the passing game that has been terrible the last 2 games
January 9th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Hope Canales is re-watching the Regular season Philly game to see how the offense got crushed.
The Bucs better play a hurry up no huddle offense if they want to keep the pressure off of Mayfield. Do I expect Canales to change much? Nope he has his 5 plays on the play sheet and he is too stubborn to change.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:39 am
What the hell ever happened to Sean Tucker. Is he that bad? Does he not know the offense? Sprinkle some fairy dust and throw him in there once and awhile. Rachaad lowers his head and tries to drive through an imaginary hole that doesn’t exist. Chase Edmonds shines from time to time. Runners by committee, it can’t hurt. Sudden death guys, sudden death.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Mayfield should not be starting unless he is healthy enough…but…
January 9th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Buc4evr Says
“Do I expect Canales to change much? Nope he has his 5 plays on the play sheet and he is too stubborn to change.”
I’m not sure it is entirely up to Canales. Bowles got himself a rookie OC so he would have a yes-man.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:50 am
One and done but at least we get Bowles back next year an this playoff loss/game and we ruined the Stinks Fans season.
January 9th, 2024 at 11:55 am
True Buccaneer Bonzai. I think it’s more over Bowles who has told Canales what he wants with that run run run philosophy. I do think if the Bucs come with screens and slants to start the game, it may open up the run game a bit and give the Bucs a chance to win
January 9th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
I love Edmonds. He should get so many more carries.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Considering it may be pouring down rain Monday night (thanks FLORIDA) we’re going to get a game even uglier than a normal Bucs game if that is even possible. That combined with the Eagles looking god awful and may be without AJ Brown and Devonte Smith, I do not see a scenario where that game wont be absolutely hideous. Poor way to close out wild card weekend for the rest of america
January 9th, 2024 at 12:06 pm
if BM comes out like last week the pass game will doom us as well.
ugly, ugly football……..
January 9th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Here’s an idea. Joe has had me in the moderation doghouse for a year or more. Maybe it’s time to ease up on that? I never figured out what it was for anyway.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Baker will dome this teams run
January 9th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Here’s a crazy idea, get the ball to our speedy WR’s , short and on the move!
It will open every thing else up, been waiting for that all year. Palmer and Thompkins, Thompkins has the best moves on the team!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
If the game is played on a sloppy field than the Eagles have a better chance of winning as Swift is a way better runner than anyone on the Bucs. The Bucs can’t run well on a dry field, let alone on a soggy one.
If the field is wet but it isn’t raining or windy, the WR’s have a huge advantage as the DB’s will be sliding around.
You can’t predict the weather this far in advance of the game. Those forecasts are only good about 72 hours out.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Doomed I say doomed!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Passing game likely to doom bucks. Let’s keep it real.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
go4theface: no one is making America watch/listen to this game. Just going to be diehard fans rooting for their teams.
January 9th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
It has for the past two seasons. Einstein’s def of insanity at it’s best!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
It’s obvious how to stop us: smothering man defense, drop safeties into coverage. By the time someone gets open Baker running for his life. They’re daring us to run against that front 4, and we probably can’t
January 9th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Any reason the Bucs can’t have White and Edmunds on the field at the same time? Even if they start in the backfield together, one can motion out. If they are only getting 2-5yd screens or swing passes, being available on either side should keep the defense honest. Who knows, they make one guy miss and it’s 10+ yds. Corners roll up and Evans and Godwin are free behind them for quick outs.
I’d like to see the Bucs use a steady diet of short passes and runs to control the clock on multi-play drives. Explosive, chunk plays may be sexy, but hard for the Eagles to do much of anything if they don’t have the ball. Just my 2 cents.
January 9th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
If we are Going to win on the run offence we must first get fred warrner Blocked.
He killed us last time we played. He’s all over the field stopping the run in the screen plays as well inside and out. #1 priority is to block warner>
January 9th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
You’d think after 17 games he have figured it out. Why keep running up the middle?? And, it ain’t gonna work Monday. But keep hoping. If we get blown out again in the playoffs, I see new coaches in our future.
January 9th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Orlbuc – Yes I get that, but some people ( A LOT of people) are fans of football first. I am excited for KC/Miami, I am ESPECIALLY excited for LA/Detroit. Its the playoffs, i plan on watching all with a little DFS on Fanduel, playing the spread on hard rock app and lots of Chivas Regal. Optics matter. It’s Mon night football, and the playoffs, people beyond philly and tampa are going to watch ok, and theyre going to tune in into what will surely be a game that has the potential to be unwatchable. Expanding your brand/footprint/relevance matters, and everyone sure enjoyed the extra attention when Brady was here so lets not act like we dont care about it now
January 9th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Edmonds is not better than white. We need a big boy runner again. The defense knows what we are going to do. Run it twice so its 3rd and 8 and throw an int. The throwing windows are closing faster on mayfield when we played good teams. Then we start to see the ints or strip sacks. He tends to hold the ball too long sometimes. There d line destroyed our guys the last game we played the eagles. Prove me wrong again baker! Go bucs and can you actually pass to the best duo in the league? Chris and mike. Seems like baker just pics a favorite every game and some how otton has more catches than evans and godwin. Put durham in when we are in the redzone. What are you doing canales?
January 9th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Runndoc stop day drinking there is nobody named Warner on Philly he plays for 49ers .
January 9th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
The run game was working fine in the 2nd half of the season.
It all comes down to Baker, if he’s trash like he’s been these last two weeks, with everything on the line, the Bucs will get blown out. If he’s good, like he was the prior 2 weeks before that, then the Bucs have a very good chance to win.
January 9th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Todd Bowles dooms Bucs. Even the run game can work if it weren’t for the 1970s Bowles attitude of needing to prove physicality by running right between Hainsey and Stinnie or Mauch. Or better yet, having Baker stand still in shotgun and hand the ball to a standing still back who then gets his legs amputated by the A-gap blitz that no one picks up.
So frustrated. It doesn’t have to be so bad, but Todd chooses this. Why he needs to be a real estate mogul starting Tuesday.
January 9th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
If we need help in the run game there’s a young man on the bench that may be able to help,just saying!!!
January 9th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
The Bucs have what 3 new offensive lineman starting and one who moved from the right side to the left. Pretty much an entire new lineup from last year with a couple exceptions. They’ve struggled to run the ball, but are actually pretty good in pass protection. Not Great Not bad! Going to need a little west coast offense against the Eagles to have a chance. Godwin will have to be in the slot also Cade Otten will have to step up. White will also need to find a way to get those dump off
January 9th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
We will waste 40% of our offensive snaps trying to run up the gut for less than 2 yards per carry.
After the game Canales will tell us that he needs to make adjustments faster.
January 9th, 2024 at 8:38 pm
Philly 42 Yucs 6