Ben Bredeson: Run Game Starts Up Front
September 29th, 2024
Left guard Ben Bredeson talks battling Eagles defense.
The Bucs’ run game this season is, well, Joe will just type it that the results rhyme with “bass.”
What’s new? It’s been that way for two years.
Can’t blame Byron Leftwich any longer. Can’t blame Dave Canales (he has a better run game in Carolina than the Bucs). And no, you can’t blame Robert Hainsey any longer, either. He’s only taken one snap of offense all year.
Kind of hard to blame a dude who watches from the sidelines.
In comes the Eagles today. The have a gnarly defensive front with none other than Jalen Carter.
Joe spoke with Michigan Man guard Ben Bredeson last week about the Eagles. Bredeson played the last three years with the Giants. Since he faced the Eagles twice a year, he would know something about them.
“They are a very skilled group over there,” Bredeson said. “They have been really deep.
“They are a fast, physical group. They have been a solid defensive line for many years. Nothing has changed.”
Hey, just like nothing much has changed yet with the Bucs as far as developing run game.
Bredeson told Joe he and his fellow offensive linemen know a run starts with them. So they have to find a way to to help out Bucs running backs against a strong opponent.
That task has become even more difficult now that right tackle Luke Goedeke has been ruled out for today’s game for the third consecutive week. Back again is swinging saloon doors Justin Skule.
Not good.
The way Bredeson feels, if the Bucs can somehow handle beastly Jalen Carter, that’s half the battle.
“He’s very good with his hands and quick off the ball,” Bredeson said. “You have to account for him on every play.”
If somehow, some way the Bucs can get their run game going, that ought to help the passing game and maybe, just maybe, Baker Mayfield might be able to deliver the ball to Mike Evans for a change.
September 29th, 2024 at 12:09 am
Maybe Sterling Shepherd has a game like David Moore did several times last year. At least Baker trusts him. He obviously doesn’t trust McMillan.
September 29th, 2024 at 12:23 am
Guess noone knew there was a whole season of tape on Bredesen from last year. If they knew, they didnt watch it. Or look at his last in the league ratings.
Or read his scouting report- where it noted that Bredesen had the 3rd shortest arms on a linemen ever measured in The History of the NFL. If you know, you know how much that matters.
Mauch was as bad as Bredesen. But everyone was commenting how” Players make a big jump from year 1 to year 2”.
Mauch was REALLY BAD. And guess what? He didnt make a big jump.
If anything- he regressed.
And while Graham Barton flashes signs of talents, he has played badly.
Hes played Left Tackle for 3 years in College. Now, we expect him to adjust to two completely different positions on the line. As different possible. Oh, while also adjusting to having grown men charging him on every play. Some of the best athletes on Earth. Yeah- that’ll csuse you to struggle.
I didnt think you could have a worse interior line than the Bucs had last year.
But they may have done it.
And WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE THE PROBLEM SINCE MARCH. And our GM did Nothing. Again.
Personally, I wish theyd start Trask. And Id feel bad for him.
Lichts excuse for a line is going to get our QB hurt.
September 29th, 2024 at 12:33 am
Someone told me RB R. White was added to the injury report with an illness. Is this true? I can’t confirm this.
September 29th, 2024 at 12:40 am
Yes. Joe’s written about it twice in a few hours.
It was in the article about the updated injury report.
It’s also in “Gameday Tampa Bay.”
It always helps to read Joe.
September 29th, 2024 at 2:51 am
Poor Baker and the RBs are forked again. Shame.
September 29th, 2024 at 2:55 am
Don’t sugar coat it @ Capt. Tim. Lol. Licht has to come off some of that cap money and trade for a guard or two. Probably kind of tough to find now. It could be some offensive offense to have to watch all year. Better get some insurance for Baker. If they can’t find anyone on the market they need to put in other guys. They can’t be worse.
September 29th, 2024 at 6:38 am
Wonder how it would be if Opeta hadn’t gotten hurt?
September 29th, 2024 at 6:43 am
Mauch has been just as bad at pass pro as Skule, but no one including Joe wants to call this out for some reason. They’d rather blame Skule for his problems too.
September 29th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Ya don’t say?
September 29th, 2024 at 8:33 am
It will take some different formations, some trickery, maybe some trap blocking etc, to get this running game going. You can’t just rely on the basic 11 personnel, which the Bucs has been doing.
Maybe Bucky and Rachaad in the game together
Maybe some 2 TEs sets
September 29th, 2024 at 8:44 am
Nah duh
September 29th, 2024 at 8:50 am
All talk, Bredeson is horrible as well as Skule and Mauch. They will never develop a run game with these losers. Barton is a rookie and will get better, but he also looked bad last week. Weak and slow Oline that can’t back up all their BS talk. Philly is going to kill the Bucs today. Feel sorry for Baker playing behind these azz clowns.
September 29th, 2024 at 9:28 am
White is just not an NFL type up the middle runner. Why keep put a square peg in a round hole….or no hole at all.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:01 am
They can put the White sucks issue to bed quite easily. Play Bucky the whole game. Nothing to lose.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:04 am
Last week before the game I said our offensive line would have a big game. Because they were disrespected so badly by the media. I was wrong. But I’ve seen Baker disrespected the same way this week. So I think he’ll have a big week this week. If he does (questionable ) that means he’ll have to have the OLine fired up. I’ve seen Baker have his best games under similar circumstances. We obviously haven’t shown signs of improvement as an offense yet. But when we do Baker and the Bucs keep receipts. Today 300 yards passing 100 rushing and a victory. After last week’s beat down it’s time to see what kind of offense this team is going to have. And we’re going to find out how this group responds to real adversity. And we’re gonna find out soon.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:33 am
Thanks for the optimistic outlook @Kenton. Steady to get demoralized after watching last Sunday. We’re all just hoping it’s not as bad as it looks and a little more time together will iron out a lot of the problems. Injuries always suck. At least we didn’t get a bunch of holding penalties and Baker can still walk. Chin up. Go Bucs.
September 29th, 2024 at 10:35 am
It’s easy.
September 29th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Where is our rookie?? Skule needs some help in my opinion man. These guys were not ever touched most of the time last week. Just try not to get Baker carted off the field. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
September 29th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
So the run game is “ace”? 😂