Bucky Irving “Makes Us Right”
December 8th, 2024
Bucky Irving makes Cody Mauch smile.
So in the past week, twice, Bucs running back sensation Bucky Irving, who isn’t fully comfortable dealing with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club, has pleaded with throngs of local media to instead pay more attention to the Bucs’ offensive line and to give them some love.
Joe tries. Joe talks to offensive linemen and writes about them. Those guys generally like to talk and often have interesting things to say.
So last week Joe spoke to center Graham Barton and right guard Cody Mauch. Interestingly, when Joe asked them about Irving, both had the exact same thing to say.
And Joe believes they were genuine, not coached up by the Bucs media relations staff.
“Bucky makes us right,” Barton told Joe on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Mauch echoed Barton.
“If we end up missing a block, he makes us right,” Mauch said.
And both men’s faces lit up when Joe asked about Irving.
“Just how elusive he is,” Barton raved about Irving. “He is hard to bring down. We like having him. He can extend plays. We appreciate him a lot.”
When Joe asked Mauch about Irving’s ability to force missed tackles, Mauch raved.
“Oh, it’s unreal,” Mauch said. “He makes us look so good. … He has been fun to watch.”
And Irving also is fun for those guys — fun to block for a player like that. Coen likes to set up WHAM blocks to help spring Irving (and Rachaad White, too). And Mauch is all for a WHAM block, where he gets to pull and blast a defender trying to burst through a hole.
“Yeah, they’re always fun,” Mauch said with his toothless grin. “You look forward to that.”
Barton noted he believes Irving makes the offense hum. When Irving is getting chunks of yards, it benefits the entire offense.
“He’s a really talented player,” Barton said. “We are lucky to have him.”
Joe thinks Irving is having such a good past six weeks or so, his name ought to be brought up in Offensive Rookie of the Year chatter. It’s not, but Irving sure has support from teammates.
Said Mauch of Irving being one of the best rookies in the league, “Those who know, know.”
December 8th, 2024 at 12:52 am
Irving is definitely special at running the ball. But i don’t think he has the size to be a bell cow back. I think him and Rashaad are a perfect duo and we should try to keep them together.
December 8th, 2024 at 12:52 am
I just wish he was Tampa’s featured running back. Instead of riding the pines in crunch time. Like in so many games this year especially that 49ers game…. Bucky pretty much gives the Bucs the lead, and then as a reward, he is delegated to the pines in crunch time and the Bucs barely lose. That was a real head scratcher for me.
December 8th, 2024 at 2:29 am
I also thought he was throwing to Sterling a bit too much. Evans probably could have hauled in 150 yards of receptions last week if baker went to him more.
Mike seemed to be wide open on Bakers contested throw to Sharp in the endzone.
December 8th, 2024 at 5:54 am
Enjoyed hearing from Mauch and Barton about Bucky. Love the vibe Bucky is bringing to everyone.
Agree with other comments. Rashaad and Bucky are a good duo. Also thought Baker could have thrown to Mike more. Sterling needs to be wary of penalty calls today.
December 8th, 2024 at 6:30 am
I sure hope Bucky is 100 percent today. But a hard jolt on that hip will take the fight out of a good man quick. Really would help if he could get another week or two of light duty. I have always felt like White is a stud, and he is. But today I wouldn’t be surprised if Tucker gets out of his doghouse that we’ll find our three headed monster has returned. With a vengeance as they say.
December 8th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Sterling Shepard = Antonio Brown Lite
December 8th, 2024 at 8:02 am
BucBoi25, fully agree. RW isn’t great, but he’s a quality pro. And giving Bucky 25 carriers every game would be like eating too much ice cream and not enough vegetables. In the long run it ends up bad.
December 8th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Great hearing from our young offensive lineman and how thrilled they are about the new running back we all know how fired up everybody is with Baker and has his back and Evans and now the rookies getting the same shine. I agree with everyone the best results is him and white as a Duo and then using Tucker as a change of pace but also a punishing back. Bucs got a real strong three ingredients for running back just got to find the right combination of them, the running game will be almost unstoppable with this offensive line, good days ahead let’s go BUCS!!!
December 8th, 2024 at 8:44 am
I played both tackle spots Joe. I can tell you the greatest thing for us was watching our RBs 30 yards downfiled on a long one. The thing that ticked us off the most was making a great block and having the very same RB cut the wrong way or hit the wrong hole.
Just saying…
I think Bucky has been hittting the right hole and in the odd moment our guys don’t get the blocks they want he gets positive yards anyway. Most of the time.
Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2024 at 8:49 am
We used to call those trap blocks. Yeah ask any O lineman and he will have that same grin Mauch had. 🙂
Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Got Barton to talk about cut-back runs and how it can screw up blocks and draw flags.
December 8th, 2024 at 11:20 am
OROY will most definitely go to either Daniels or Nix, barring something crazy happening over the next 5 weeks.
I’d guess Brock Bowers is probably next on the list. Maybe Bucky after him… just the way the league goes. Love some Bucky. We’re very fortunate to have 3 talented RBs.
December 8th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I’d imagine the players are getting tired of being asked about Bucky and Baker in every interview or press event.
I guess they understand that certain reporters have narratives that they’re trying to get to tho.
I think they’re called “leading questions”?
Anyway, go get em Cody…. You big dogs keep opening them holes 💪🏼