Bucky Irving, Rachaad White And The Bucs’ Run Game
October 3rd, 2024
More carries on the way?
In 2022 and 2023, the Bucs had the worst rushing offense in the NFL.
After four games this season, the Bucs’ run game is still bad. Just not that bad.
Rather than being the caboose of the NFL in running, the Bucs are eighth-worst. Progress!
Still, even with the improvement, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler gets the sense a change is a comin’ for the Bucs. That’s Bucky Irving may be getting more snaps.
Tampa Bay is running an equal-share backfield with Irving and Rachaad White, who remains the starter and played well Sunday against Philadelphia with 49 yards on 10 carries. But Irving’s skill set is hard to ignore, and opposing coaches are game planning for him as if he’s a focal point of the offense. There’s a lot of buzz about Irving in those circles. That usually says something. Irving’s shifty running style and big-play potential will keep him in the lineup, and when Tampa Bay needs to grind out wins with the run, there will be plenty of carries to go around.
Now where would Fowler get the intel that opposing coaches are game-planning for Irving when they play the Bucs? Probably from those very same coaches — after they play the Bucs.
Joe is torn on this subject. Of course, Joe would love to see Irving get more carries. He brings an energy to the game, and more importantly, results and production.
However, Rachaad White is such a dangerous pass-catcher that Joe wants him on the field.
With Mike Evans sort of dinged up — he was taken off the injury report yesterday — Joe would like to see White get a bunch of targets tonight and maybe save Evans some pounding to help him heal up for the slimy Saints a week from Sunday.
Joe already noted this week that Cade Otton has the third-highest percentage of targets from Baker Mayfield. Chris Godwin is first and Evans is second. Joe would like No. 3 to be White.
Who do you trust with the ball in his hands to take it to the house in the passing game, Otton or White?
October 3rd, 2024 at 4:35 am
Irving will get more touches. But he won’t become No.1 on the depth chart even if he runs better than White. Not until he gains the OC’s confidence in picking up blitzes in passing situations. White is our three down back for the foreseeable future.
October 3rd, 2024 at 6:28 am
With both Palmer & McMillan out tonight, I predict we’ll see more plays with BOTH Rachaad & Bucky on the field. Also have this feeling that Barton College’s own Kameron Johnson will get a few more snaps tonight (maybe an end around or something similar).
October 3rd, 2024 at 7:38 am
Breakout Bucky! Tonight, he establishes himself as a star in the making. Speaking it so.
October 3rd, 2024 at 8:23 am
Love watching Case plow through defenders on those sideline passes!
October 3rd, 2024 at 8:42 am
What Jeffrey said. Watched one play that Bucky was blocking, at this point, it looked to me he had not been asked to do much blocking in college and the effort didn’t match the way he hits the hole.
Bucky’s shiftiness is special and it seems like he squirts by some defenders before they can line him up to make a tackle.
October 3rd, 2024 at 8:55 am
Some QBs say don’t even worry about picking up the blitz, just flare. When Bucky is in there it seems he would go the Aaron Jones route in that regard. Just fill the vacated spot.
I don’t think Atlanta can stop a 2 back set. NOBODY has done that this year to them. They like to play Top Down Cover 2 or Quarters and a 2 back set would force them to bring a safety into the box. Especially with Anderson out. That leaves a lot of man for Mike and Godwin.
Im thinking the Bucs show just how far ahead of Atlanta they are on both sides of the ball.
October 3rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
Troy Anderson who is out tonight had the game of his career last week against NO.
He had about 16 tackles and a pick 6.
He runs a 4.42
JD Bertrand who was selected in the 5th round runs a 4.68.
He won’t be able to flow and fill inside out like Anderson does.
We might actually see some outside zone runs this week.
Either way, I would hate for my rookie, slower LB to have his 1st game against a team who runs a 2 back set. Let’s find out how disciplined he is.
October 3rd, 2024 at 10:11 am
Don’t have time to flare if your Right Tackle is getting plowed like a Vegas ho.
October 3rd, 2024 at 10:31 am
The Bucs are so predictable. Once again, they’re sticking with bad players for too long.
Michael Clayton.
Peyton Barber
Gerald McCoy
As soon as Bucky is RB1, and White is the 3rd down back, the offense will open up.
October 3rd, 2024 at 10:55 am
White has amazing hands. Bucky dropped an easy screen pass that was beautifully set up because he looked ahead before catching the ball.
I would like to see White targeted a lot tonight, keep him in to block for the sieves on the right side of the line then release for quickies. Feed Bucky some left side draws behind Wirfs and Bredeson.
Running will be hard because the Fowlclowns will have 8 and even 9 in the box to take away the short passing game and the run.
This one is on the coaches to perform.
October 3rd, 2024 at 11:06 am
move white to slot receiver, motion him in the backfield occasionally for blocking, running plays, screens, routes from backfield. this this is easy. also have bucky back there sometimes. split rbs, one stays in to pick up the blitzer on option route other rb, if no blitzer, rb to the flat as an outlet while the other runs a route. cmon coach!
October 3rd, 2024 at 11:54 am
You can never have too many weapons!!!
So White is a decent runner and a great receiver. Bucky is a great runner and decent receiver.
IE both guys are competent in both areas but they clearly have differing skill sets.
It’s up to Coen to maximize their individual skill sets with his game planning and calls during the game. Coen has said it’s a work in progress and he’s learning the strengths of all his players. I think Coen has already made great progress identifying strengths and balances and will continue to get better.
There is only ONE rock. ME13/CG/Otton/Shep and the rest have to realize that some weeks they’ll get served a lot, other weeks it’s another guys opportunity to eat. Same for the RB’s.
October 3rd, 2024 at 12:13 pm
This is a good situation for the Bucs. Perhaps that’s why BI7 and RW1 split their snaps about 50/50. I would like to see the Bucs dominate time of possession again tonight. Long scoring drives puts pressure on the opponent to make something happen. Of course you have to finish the drive with points! A mix of pass and run can do it!
Tonight should be a tough game. The Bucs need to bring their A game to Atlanta!
October 3rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
The legend of Bucky Irving starts in ATL
The chants of Bucky Bucky!!! All over TAMPA BAY will be heard tonight
Go get it!! GO BUCS!!
October 3rd, 2024 at 5:07 pm
I agree with Joe 100%. White is not the kind or runner that breaks through the line and drags guys with him for 7 ir 8byards like our opponents seem to have but what White does have is he is an awesome open field runner. He is great like Joe said as a receiver and is able to get 10 or 15 yards regularly. If we used a 2 back set this would give us a very variable offense and opponents wouldn’t be able to tell if it’s going to be a run ir a screen pass which White is also great at.
October 3rd, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Agree with Dave’s points above. In addition one of the eight or nine is Grady
Jarrett who is a stout DT that affect both the pass and run game that we have to account for.
October 3rd, 2024 at 11:45 pm
Todd Bowles need to be FIRED!!!! How in the heck do you run the ball 3x sitting on a 3 point lead? You are not up by 10 nor 17 points. Show me your rational? Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were beating the Falcons defense and you resting on a 3 point lead? Really???? The guys played their hearts out and for you to do something stupid as that shows you don’t belong in the position you are in. At the end of the season I hope you are gone. You are a player killer. How do you not lean on your passing game, which was affective throughout the game, at a time like that? Another thing—-Todd Bowles needs to give up on calling the defense and focus on what he can’t do…..coaching!!! He made a horrible decision with a 3 point lead. I will be overjoyed once he’s fired!!!!