The Bucs And Zack Moss (Part II)
February 19th, 2024
Competition for Rachaad White?
It’s possible the Bucs will decide to repair their NFL-worst rushing attack by adding a quality running back, a proven performer.
That brings back to pending Colts free agent Zack Moss. He won’t be expensive, and it’s very hard to believe he’ll return to Indianapolis because they have Jonathan Taylor healthy.
Moss, 26, has 484 career carries for 2,076 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns through four seassons. Tampa Bay’s top-dog running back, 25 year old Rachaad White, boasts 401 carries for 1,471 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and 7 TDs.
Joe likes Moss. He breaks tackles and didn’t fumble in his 22 career games with the Colts. He’s not White in the passing game, but he proved last season that he can be effective out of the backfield, as he was in 2021 for the Bills.
Joe yearned for Moss when he might have been on the trade block back in October. and White was struggling mightily.
(Fun fact: Moss, 25, was the first running back selected in the 2020 NFL Draft after the Bucs picked running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Moss went to the Bills but was traded to the Colts midway through the 2022 season.)
Moss smells like the kind of running back that might only cost $2 million plus incentives. The Florida native competing with White for carries would put a smile on Joe’s face. Joe feels very comfortable saying Moss is better — and younger — than Chase Edmonds.
February 19th, 2024 at 9:55 am
We could just as well make another run at Bo Jackson…..
February 19th, 2024 at 10:11 am
Moss as the starter and White as the third down back?
February 19th, 2024 at 10:33 am
Difference between Indy being ranked 10th and Bucs being 32nd in Rushing in 2023 has little to do with who was running the ball. Try comparing Apples to Apples. Does Joe believe Mayfield would have as good a year if he was QB of the Patriots in 2023?
February 19th, 2024 at 10:38 am
I would rather have AJ Dillon but Moss would be an upgrade. Even though Moss is ranked slightly higher as a FA, those broken tackles at the LOS helps a ton. 1 or 2 extra yards by himself when White goes down immediately is what we need regardless of WHO it is.
February 19th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Ha, with the worst run blocking in the league Zack won’t do a damn thing here.
February 19th, 2024 at 11:32 am
White needs a running back to complement his style of play, not to compete with him. I’m sure the Colts running backs had better YPC than Rachaad White because they weren’t getting hit before they could even cross the line of scrimmage. Plus don’t the colts have Quenton Nelson? He’s one of the best guards in the NFL and I’m sure Rachaad White could have gained one extra yard per carry if he was running behind him instead of rookie rag doll guard cody mauch.
February 19th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Don’t agree with this Joe, need someone else like Chase Edmonds. I’d be open to bringing him back for one more year too actually. He’ll only be 28 in April.
February 19th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Jim Brown and Walter Payton would struggle behind the Bucs run blocking. That said, RB depth is a necessary upgrade and a thumper who can convert the tough short yardage situations is the preference.
But if Sloweszo really wants to improve the productivity of the run game instead of just eat clock, trenches, please.
February 19th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Getting a back like Moss, or even drafting one like Ray Davis, is a good idea if our interior o-line is improved. It also is the least expensive area to fix, in a draft where the talent is pretty close to what the Bucs need.
I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Moss – RB’s are relatively inexpensive right now as well.
Improving the o-line AND adding RB’s are completely attainable goals – and likely the plan, moving forward.
February 19th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Like your thinking Joe.
I think the draft is pretty weak of good running backs after the 1st two.
Rather pick a player that has more value. Licht has done a good job at that.
Remember 2019, all the calls on this site for the Alabama guy, Johnan Williams or Florida guy, Jawaan Taylor. Licht passed not only on those guys but picked no tackles.
Then sprang for the tackle in 2020 with Wirfs.
To me the value is getting a FA running back like Moss and passing in this years crop of FA.
February 19th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Yes.
February 19th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Trenches. Trenches. Trenches.
February 19th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
Sean Tucker
I’m still holding out hope for Tuck. 4.3 speed. He got a late start last year. Let’s see what he does with a complete off season.
February 19th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
If you can get him on the cheap I’d have no issues with his.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
I haven’t seen any 4.3 speed from Tucker. For that matter, he looked slower than his OL mates who couldn’t open a hole against a DL of disabled people. So, yeah – maybe he’s still got potential. Having speed and being able to use it productively are two different things.
February 19th, 2024 at 6:46 pm
So I was looking at the last 10 games stats for RW and ZM. Did not look at receiving stats, just running. In RW’s last 10 games he averaged 4.1 yards per carry and ZM averaged 3.7 in his last 10 games. Is he really an upgrade or competition? If you factor in receiving, well you know who to go with…..
February 19th, 2024 at 8:11 pm
Whoever they bring in to add to the running back room absolutely must be able to pass block. Beyond that, blockers, scheme, and play calling will be way more integral to fixing the running game than adding one more FA/rookie running back.
February 19th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
@gotbbucs
IMHO, we must get a new center. That’s only if we continue run up the middle. RW did a good job the last 10 games when the offense seemed to actually turn a corner.
February 20th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
funny m.Evans needs to finish his career in Tampa so his head going bald needs to finish shedding his locks in Tampa where it started
February 20th, 2024 at 10:51 pm
BakerBucs only talk about your crush you don’t deserve to talk about actual Buc players