The Bucs & Gus Edwards
March 11th, 2024
Todd Bowles wants a dangerous running game. Jason Licht and Baker Mayfield want one, too. Bucs fans join them in yearning to see the Tampa Bay rushing attack break its two-year streak of ranking last in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt.
Blame the offensive line. Blame the playcaller. Joe gets that it’s a group effort, but Joe is among the few that won’t hesitate to blame the running backs stable.
Rachaad White? Not good enough when he takes a handoff. He’s improving at he’s got a strong work ethic, but the Bucs need help at the position.
Enter pending Ravens free agent Gus Edwards. Joe is a big fan, and it has nothing to do with Joe cashing in on the guy in daily fantasy last season.
Edwards reminds Joe of harder hitting Rachaad White. He’s got low mileage on his tires for a running back about to turn 29, and he breaks tackles and appears to have decent hands. Edwards also has five years of solid service under his belt with the Ravens, the team for which he scored 13 touchdowns last season.
For the first time in his career last season, Edwards took on a full-time rushing load and was solid at 4.1 yards per carry.
In this running backs market, what might Edwards fetch in free agency, a maximum of $3 million plus incentives? Again, if the Bucs are serious about their running game, they’ll add serious competition for White, Joe believes.
Ideally, that comes in the form of a draft pick who also plays good special teams. But Joe would be very happy with a veteran upgrade to Chase Edmonds at No. 2 running back.
March 11th, 2024 at 10:52 am
Been hammering the table for him. 100% best back out there to compliment rachad white. Bring Edmunds back as well on the cheap and draft a guy mid rounds and the backs will be good for the season.
March 11th, 2024 at 10:58 am
Him or AJ Dillon
March 11th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Lt. Dan is down. Gus Edwards, a RB draft pick and fix the interior line. Done.
March 11th, 2024 at 11:14 am
I am a big fan of Gus Edwards. As a Miami Hurricanes fan, I hated to see him bolt for Rutgers, but he is a New Jersey kid. He would be a great addition to our team and would bring a very physical running style with him.
March 11th, 2024 at 11:16 am
we need a RB, but not another White. was thinking mor MJD type…
March 11th, 2024 at 11:19 am
NO to AJ Dillon. Like I said in an earlier comment:
You don’t want this. AJ Dillon is as big as Derrick Henry with tree trunks for thighs, yet could never beat Aaron Jones at GB because Jones ran *harder*. And now GB is letting him go and (presumably) keeping the older Jones. That tells you all you need to know.
March 11th, 2024 at 11:31 am
I completely agree with Joe about the need to add another starting quality HB to the mix considering how many good ones are on the open market
March 11th, 2024 at 11:32 am
Edwards over Dillon, easy.
March 11th, 2024 at 11:37 am
No one could run behind our horrible line.
Not even Walter Payton.
Mauch was rated at 43., Hainsey at 50., and Stennie at 51.
Nobody is gonna gain yards behind those slackers
Mauch gats a rookie pass
Compared to Wirfs at 87, an Goedeke at 83.
Fix the line. White will fix the running game
March 11th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Had him on my fantasy team last year, did real well
March 11th, 2024 at 11:41 am
I’d be pleased to have Edwards but Cam Akers is much, younger, would be cheaper and has history with Coen so I’m guessing that’s what has the best chance to happen.
March 11th, 2024 at 11:41 am
Whites a great receiver and should be a great third down back. We need a RB1 who can run it with great vision and can make tacklers miss.
March 11th, 2024 at 12:14 pm
Gus edwards too old, get a really good center and left guard, bulk up cody mauch and draft Trey Benson in round 2.
March 11th, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Always like Gus. Tough runner with some MOJO. Problem is he has never been healthy. This would be a nice pick up. I don’t see White staying healthy. Gus is more than competent.
March 11th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
March 11th, 2024 at 11:37 am
No one could run behind our horrible line.
Not even Walter Payton.
Mauch was rated at 43., Hainsey at 50., and Stennie at 51.
Nobody is gonna gain yards behind those slackers
Mauch gats a rookie pass
Compared to Wirfs at 87, an Goedeke at 83
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Agree with Captain. Need a #1 tight end as well. None of these have to be big money dumps. There are plenty of good O linemen and tight ends swimming around in rounds 2, 3, and 4. Find them and improve the line. That needs to be the first priority.
March 11th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Sign him
March 11th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
OL is an absolute priority in the Draft this and every year, our need for quality IOL is desperate. If you build the OL, everything else works better. JL needs to find two gems in the draft this year because our center/guard position is awful. I don’t care where they are picked just upgrade the OL and Bowles will find it much easier to to execute his beloved running game that is outdated in every level of football in 2024. Championship teams run the ball effectively, not ad nauseum. The OL is critical to keep Baker upright and give the Bucs a chance to win 9 games again in the worst division in football at any level.
March 11th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Derick Henry anybody?
March 11th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Would love this. The other FA RBs I can think of, don’t fit us like Gus. Of course a Henry or Barkley would but they will cost more and I am sure they view other teams as better contenders to join. Best case scenario, Henry stays patient, thinks the NFC is an easier path to a title, likes what the Bucs do in the draft and FA and takes a chance on us. Other than that, give me the Gus Bus!
March 11th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Gus Edwards is a good runner, but always a part time player. Also, I’m not sure about him having good hands – he only has 37 receptions over 5 years. I’ve used Edwards for years in fantasy as a spot starter, since when he’s started he’s been good – but I don’t think he’s anything like White.
This would be a good signing, certainly better than Vaughn or Tucker wasting a roster spot all year.
March 11th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
I believe the free agents will take a peak around and look at the pieces teams have and jump on a winner. Will the FA look at Tampa and see a winner or will they go else where.
I think the Bucs have the pieces to remain strong, hope others see that also.
Ko says Derick Henry…. I just watched him once last year at the end of year and he tore them up. So he still has something. I would think too expensive but you never know.
March 11th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Baker and Emily are friends with Quads and his wife Anna. Perhaps they can suggest to them to move to Tampa. Quads, for those that don’t know, is Saquon Barkley.
Grass surface, better weather, less workload over a 17+ game season, easier on the body, no state tax. Betting Licht could work a 3 year deal similar to Baker’s, in that if the Bucs wanted to end it after one or two years they could with little to no downside.
March 11th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
Get Cam Akers or Gus Edwards
Get Tyler Biadasz (pronounced ‘bad-ass’) at center from Dallas.
March 11th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Packers cut Jones, would be a nice addition, no idea what it would cost though, injuries are still a concern with him though