Turning-Point Opportunity For Bucky Irving
October 13th, 2024
A new development could boost Bucky Irving’s profile.
So one Joe at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters is among the crazed Bucky Irving fans across the nation of Buccaneers faithful. (Free Bucky!)
The other Joe likes Irving but needs to see more to be sold.
Regardless, there is no denying that Irving has been an eye-opening rookie. He’s the Buccaneers’ leading rusher and is ranks 21st in total yards among NFL running backs, despite playing part-time.
Irving’s 5.6 yards-per-carry average ranks fifth — FIFTH! — in the NFL among running backs with 40 or more carries this season.
He’s been a welcome change to the Bucs’ stuck-in-the-mud running game of the past two years.
Today against the Saints, Irving figures to get his biggest workload of the season as starter Rachaad White is listed as “doubtful” with a foot injury. It seems White will play, but Joe can’t expect him to get his usual action, especially on the turf of the slimy Saints’ dome.
Joe hopes White plays. First, he’s never missed a game since being drafted in 2022. That’s impressive. Second, he’s a super-reliable pass catcher and a solid pass blocker. But a bad wheel on a running back is hard to ignore.
What intrigues Joe is what Irving might do as a pass catcher, if he gets more opportunities today. That was considered a strength of his out of college and he’s caught 8 of 10 balls sent his way with the Bucs.
If Irving thrives today while getting, say, 15 or 16 carries instead of his usual nine, and he gets the job done in the passing game, Joe wonders if Todd Bowles and playcaller Liam Coen will have a changing of the guard at running back going forward.
Forget the many fans who want it to happen. The Bucs have shown they’re so obsessed with an improved running game that the mind-numbing era of handing off to White might end peacefully.
October 13th, 2024 at 7:53 am
I doubt that White plays. RB D.J. Williams was brought up from the practice squad for today’s game. I think we will be better off with Buck and Tuck anyway.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:01 am
Bucky won’t break the 50 yard mark today. Bowles will force the run and castrate the offense. And Bowles has his special defense with 20 yard cushions for the DB’s all ready to go. Clueless Todd loves to go full turtle against NO. Saints 30 Bucs 22
October 13th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Still like Rachaad….but very happy with Bucky
October 13th, 2024 at 8:12 am
Jeff, if the Bucs go full turtle against the aints with the saints starting rookie QB, the score will be more like 38-7, aints.
The aints always play all world against us.
When the Bucs go full on 20 yard cushion D, it’s a one sided track meet, where the aints do all the runnin up the score board.
This is generally when the Bucs flop little, like a fresh caught catfish on the dock.
Hopefully, with all the hurricane distractions here, coach has our Bucs ready.
We are soon to find out.
Any diva reports?
October 13th, 2024 at 8:26 am
This is Bucky’s opportunity to prove he’s the Bucs #1 and starting RB.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:32 am
If Todd Bowles continues to hinder offensive innovation and scoring with his conservative approach, it’s time for a serious reevaluation. Just like Robert Saleh, he must be held accountable for stifling the team’s potential. His “code turtle” mentality is counterproductive, especially when the team needs to embrace creativity to secure wins. We all hope he learned from the disappointing performances against Denver and Atlanta. If he can’t adapt and drive the offense forward, it may be time to blue-shell him out of One Buc Place. The team deserves a leader who prioritizes innovation and seizes every opportunity for success.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:35 am
@Jeff… to be clear, you’re in the camp who thinks Bowles micromanages everything and that he’s telling Coen what to do? Yeah, so this is contrary to all the interviews and all the posts right here on JBF… so, you’re simply not paying attention. This is Coen’s offense, he’s calling the plays on game day. Situationally, 4th and Short, deciding to kick, Bowles call. Everything else on the overall game plan for offense is going through Coen.
Amazing how much hate there is for Bowles because he doesn’t lose his mind at the podium and/or on the field. Licht needs to find him more help if this team is going to make a deep run this season.
October 13th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Btw, this will be a big day for JBF world headquarters to finally give all the fans the gigantic middle finger to all those who have been fighting them over defending not only White as RB1 over Bucky, but the Bucs brass for the stupid decision to draft a Center in the first round to replace stud center Robert Hainsey… You could not ask for a better setup, other than if Canales was still calling the plays up the middle of this offense. Hainsey starting at Center, and Bucky getting the RB1 snaps! The article is already written, they just need to copy, paste and enter!
October 13th, 2024 at 10:28 am
This should be a brutal game. The Saints always play to injure our players. The refs always let the Saints hold all over the field. If the Bucs can overcome that they just may fly home with a victory!
October 13th, 2024 at 11:12 am
Eat Me Jeff.
October 13th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Rachaad White is inactive. The rookie better know those rascally Saints will be ripping and punching every ball he touches. But I believe the kid has the right stuff to overcome and has a big day.
October 13th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
I like Bucky a lot, but I really wanna see Sean Tucker too. He did an outstanding job last week.
October 13th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Fred, you got it! Did they rip “code turtle” out of the playbook? It sure seemed like it. What a game!