Running Attack Better; Not Good Enough
October 8th, 2024
“Hey Buck, one of us has to get 90 yards. You feel me?”
Joe is still waiting.
Sure, Rachaad White (finally) had a huge run for the Bucs in Atlanta. “A” run. A 56-yard run. It was awesome! First big run for White since, what, Munich 2022, Indianapolis last year?
Bucky Irving, too, has shown flashes. Still, the Bucs’ running attack. The Bucs are still in the bottom half of rushing, barely. The Bucs rank No. 20 in total yards. An improvement from last year, no doubt. But does the Bucs’ running game really make defenses sweat?
Joe would suggest no. Here’s why.
Per a Twitter from Pro Football Reference, only three teams have gone longer between 90-yard games from a running back than the Bucs. Not 100 yards, just 90.
So while it was fun to see White finally break loose on a run, and it’s fun to see Irving give the Bucs run game some life, there’s a lot of room for the Bucs to be able to holler how they’ve got a good running game.
The final drive against Atlanta was a perfect example.
Days since each team last had a player with 90+ rushing yards in a game:
1 – JAX, BAL, CAR, NYG, LAR
8 – ARI, MIN, SFO, WAS, CHI
15 – PHI, SEA, DET, IND
21 – ATL
22 – LAC, NWE, GNB, NOR, KAN
25 – MIA
29 – HOU
274 – NYJ, TEN, CIN, LVR, PIT
295 – BUF
302 – TAM
330 – CLE
379 – DAL…— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) October 7, 2024
October 8th, 2024 at 8:06 am
We can run okkkkaayyy… But NOT when the other team is expecting it, like when we went three and out trying to run out the clock. THAT should have been Godwin time
October 8th, 2024 at 8:19 am
Rashaad White is marginal coming out of the backfield to catch a pass. As a running back? Terrible.
October 8th, 2024 at 8:22 am
Agree totally with the observations about the running game.
Again though I see a LOT of promise. Coen at least knows how to game plan and call plays a major upgrade at OC over Canales.
The OL and indeed the entire team has a TON of room for growth. The backs have flashed enough that when everything comes together the running game should finally be strong enough to provide some balance to the offense.
I think the Bucs lucked out with the schedule. KC and other tough teams right before the BYE and then that stretch run with two games against Carolina, sorry LV is in there.
This season is going very well! IF the Bucs can get healthy they could be the team that NOBODY wants to meet in the playoffs.
October 8th, 2024 at 8:27 am
Why 90?
Just like WRs, you only need 58 ypg avg to be considered elite with 1k yds.
Why is it ok for WRs and not RBs?
October 8th, 2024 at 8:41 am
It’s coming!!! Love how creative the new OC is and he’s really just getting used to everyone. We cannot let that man leave the building after this year lol
October 8th, 2024 at 9:03 am
Frank the Tank, I hate seeing RW taking too much criticism. He is pretty darn good as a pass catcher although I understand you may call him a terrible runner. I think he’s a marginal runner. If you watch his catches last year man he went hard North South with sharp cuts. Some big TDs. But running from a one man backfield he just doesn’t have that whatever those great running backs have. And he could have had a better line which it’s getting better. At least I haven’t seen him fumble late in a game and he’s not injured all the time. Bucky has the running back moves we want and it’ll take 2 backs to get us where we need to be rushing the ball. So quit bashing RW. Joe does enough of that.
October 8th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Coach Rah knew the Bucs were going conservative, that’s why he was playing his FS (Jesse Bates) in the box. It was Bates who stripped Chis Godwin and Bucky Irving. The SS ( Justin Simmons) was playing in the box protecting the screens, outside runs etc.
October 8th, 2024 at 11:31 am
I think R. White would make a heck of a slot reciever.
October 8th, 2024 at 11:37 am
The running game is fixed if you simply start Irving and sub in White. Give Irving 8-10 more carries and he’ll rip off chunks. Unfortunately he fumbled in a critical time of the game, setting back Bowles trust in him. White is THE issue in our running game….its not the line or play calling, its Whites lack of vision and decisiveness. He’s gotten better but he’s not making any huge leap in production at this stage of his career. I would roll the dice with Irving even if it comes with some growing pains.
October 8th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
At least we’re not Denver!
October 8th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Less 1st down runs. Pass to set up the run. Less wide zone. More mid zone & gap runs.
There u go. Fixed it 😎
October 8th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Keep pounding that rock !!
October 8th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
And if we’re going to “pound it” let’s do it from a 2 back formation. Those runs have been wildly successful 👍🏼
October 8th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
A stat that has nothing to do with a good offense or winning.
October 8th, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Come on man , Tucker could be helpful! Come On Bucs!!!! It’s a long season which is like a season and a half for Bucky, and now technically Tuckers first real season. Let heavy is the head that wears the crown play out with White.