“Don’t Put All Your Eggs In That Basket”
December 13th, 2024
Bucky Irving
Bucky fever hasn’t found its way to one prominent Tampa Bay fan who used to wear a Bucs uniform.
Joe is almost in disbelief after hearing what former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) was saying about electric Bucs rookie running back Bucky Irving.
Irving has yet to miss a game but Beckles says Irving’s various injuries are a massive red flag and fans might want to dial back the hype.
“You think at this time next year we’re still going to be talking about Bucky Irving, a guy who’s a rookie and has had back injuries and hip injuries and foot injuries? Alone they’re all terrible,” Beckles said on his In The Trenches podcast via YouTube. “All together? Don’t put all your eggs in that basket.
“Is he talented, yes? … Bucky’s not durable. You didn’t finish two games in a row and I’m to believe going down the way he’s going to be available in the playoffs? You’ve never played football then. It don’t get easier as the weeks go along.”
Joe has a big “C’mon, man” for Beckles. Let’s see if Irving grinds through his injuries down the stretch before judging his durability.
Beckles referenced Irving being a smaller running, which he is, of course. But Joe’s seen plenty of second-year running backs in Irving’s size range explode in their second seasons. Former Falcons RB Devonta Freeman comes to mind as does Tarik Cohen of the Bears in the past decade.
Freeman, at 5-8, 205 pounds, was a beast for a few years. Irving was 5-9, 192 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine.
No, Joe’s not putting every egg in Irving’s basket, but the guy is a hell of a versatile talent.
December 13th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
I remember watching Bucky at Oregon and I would say ” I wish the Bucs had a RB that could break tackles and make people miss like Irving”. I was look at this lil dude, not going down after contact. This is why I was excited when we drafted him. he does not disappoint.
December 13th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Would be interesting to see how many games starting RB play on average each season? I assume that positions has a tone of injuries.
December 13th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
One of the few times I agree with Beckles. History has not been kind to backs in Bucky’s weight class especially ones that take as much solid contact as him.
December 13th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
3 man rotation ,,, Body blows and wear down the other team
December 13th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
I mean…. He didn’t even get injured on a run play and he had a dozen more touches after being injured…Plus he’s played allegedly, all season with a toe injury that may need surgery after the season. Kid is tough.
Hope his body does hold up… and the coaches never put him back there on kick return again.
December 13th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Sure doesn’t help that our wonderful H/C had him returning kicks when he was clearly the #2 RB. They could continue to rotate him White.
December 13th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Beckles a has been gas bag
December 13th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
I agree with Beckles. I really like Bucky but I don’t think he’s a 20 carries a game kind of back.
December 13th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
We seem to have 3 RB’s that can contribute so use them to cut down on the punishment they take.
December 13th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
Beckles is such a downer.
December 13th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Same would apply for Godwin…..he’s closing in on 30 with major knee and ankle injuries. Irving probably should have sat out a week and given his body a chance to recover but he’s still available for the season where Godwin seems to be gone by the end of the season every other year. Dude has missed games in 5 of 8 seasons. He’s finished on injured reserve 2 of the last 4 seasons. I would be super hesitant to pay him another $20 million salary…..odds are he’s going to miss games, particularly late in the season.
December 13th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
Compared to what we have going on in the defense, Bucky is pretty durable. He takes a lot of punishment for a few extra yards and gets back up for another down. the guy is tough. I can’t say that about our CB’s or Safeties.
December 13th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Rachaad has been pretty durable
December 13th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
For the first time in a long time, I kinda agree with Beckles but I have a solution. STOP having him return kicks!!!
December 13th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
What Lightingvinny said.
December 13th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Beckles might be on to something…. That being said lets give the kid some rope and see how the season ends. Definitely need more than 1 season to call someone injury prone though. Saquon Barkley has definitely been injury prone is entire career, but is still a top 3 back in the league
December 13th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
OBJ released by the Fish today. Bucs need to pick him up for the rest of the season.
December 13th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
Using him on a kickoff late against Atlanta was a poor choice. That was the injury that triggered his hip & back pain. Bad move by Bowles. Bucky should be kept in bubble wrap until after Xmas. A healthy Bucky is just what the Dr ordered for the Bucs to make a deep run in the tourney. I’d lean on Rachaad & Sean down the stretch.
December 13th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Love Bucky but he is 5-7 maybe 5-7.5 and I doubt he is 192 lbs. Durability will always be an issue but lets ride him, sensibly, as long as we can.
December 13th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Obj has been washed for years and would rather be a celebrity than play football
December 13th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Buc4evr. Absolutely not. Huuuuge hard pass on OBJ. Dude is done. Also why would we want the guy who through a huge fit about his qb in Cleveland? Who also happens to be our qb right now. His little hissy fits got Mayfield ran out partially, I thank him for that, but it would be a bad Idea. Plus I don’t think he meets the character traits this franchise values. I’m sure he’s a good dude, I’ve heard wonderful stories, but his perception is that of a diva who does not like Baker.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Buc4evr. I Second Leopold Stotch comments. Even with the injuries to our receivers Baker still would prefer throwing to the guys we have.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
OBJ was all about OBJ in Cleveland. He was a huge distraction and a very undisciplined route runner. His idea of receiving was to run out to an open space and wave his hand in the air. Very opposite of ME13 and Chris Godwin.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Hope Bucky heals quickly but I think the competition for RB 1 has Rachaad in that position anyway. RB 1 and RB2 get about same amount of touches. The real competition is RB 2 and RB 3. If Tucker can get 20 touches this Sunday he’ll do enough to at least have that competition in the stretch run. Be smart to make sure Bucky is ready for the playoffs because he is our best “pure” runner.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
I’m not so sure size has anything to do with injuries, after all lineman can get injured pretty quickly. But RBs get hit a lot and anything can happen. Same with snap counts. Only time will tell….
December 13th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
We need our backs healthy. People were calling for Bucky to get more touches and got their wish but he may have been over used against Carolina. Live and learn.
Get him back 100%. RW will play well and it’s a chance for Tucker to show that he can be a bigger contributer as a blocker, runner, pass catcher etc.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Yeah I would’ve considered him coming out. I was just iffy on him because those conferences are usually always high scoring & they don’t really see that many good Ds.
December 13th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Bruh did you really cite Tarik Cohen? Yeah he had a great sophomore season, but was effectively done after his 3rd year.
Absolutely, as Beckles was talking about small running backs fading in Year 2. –Joe
December 13th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Warrick Dunn was the same size as Bucky…..Just sayin.
December 13th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
Beckels is right. Joe freeman cohen didn’t last long. RB take a beating. Don’t get me wrong I want more Bucky. Get the guy 50 touches a game and we have a better chance to win but he prob doesn’t last a full season or worst he only plays a few years. Let white handle the bulk and splash Bucky in. Buckys a star just curious how long he will last
December 13th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
2 thumbs up Says:
December 13th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Warrick Dunn was the same size as Bucky…..Just sayin
Warrick Dunn was also hardly ever out with injuries. One of the most durable players we ever had.
December 13th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
Another thing that would reduce his wear and tear is using Tucker.
December 13th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
Emmitt Smith, 5 ft. 9 in., 221
December 13th, 2024 at 10:00 pm
Warrick Dunn was small too, and his career went well. So time will tell…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 13th, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Who else is going to the game this Sunday?!
December 13th, 2024 at 10:35 pm
I’d be worried if Beckles was on the line but seeing he’s not, I’d give Bucky a fair shot at hangin around for a couple of years. The Bucs have a good rotation of 3 backs so none have to carry the ball 20 times a game.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Emmitt was nowhere near 220. At Florida he might have been 195, maybe but not likely. But nobody could avoid the hit better than him.
December 13th, 2024 at 11:38 pm
Use Tucker and White…if NEEDED then bring Bucky. But try to rest him for the later games when it matters most
December 13th, 2024 at 11:44 pm
I seem to remember a certain Warrick Dunn, who was actually smaller at 5’9” and 187 lbs., played for 12 Years in the NFL. What made him so durable and last so long was that he knew how to avoid the big hit. Bucky just has to learn how to avoid the big hit like Warrick Dunn.
December 14th, 2024 at 1:18 am
Hey, the head coach knows best and we’re lucky to have him. Record, defense performance, everything. Go Bucs
December 14th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Bucky probably should have sat last week but he wants to play so I get that. Beckles called the foot injury to AWJ as a bigger deal to come back from than everyone else thought. Now he’s hurt again and probably will take the offseason to get healthy.
December 14th, 2024 at 8:40 am
I remember them running the wheels of Cadillac Williams
December 14th, 2024 at 9:02 am
I remember the same being said of Warrick Dunn and look at the career he had.
December 14th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Emmett Smith is my all-time favorite running back. I am excited to see what kind of career Bucky will have. The comparison to Warrick Dunn is warranted. Irving is quick but not fast. He does not have the break-away speed that Emmett Smith or Barry Sanders had.
December 14th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
@Senile Senior
I love Emmit Smith but he was never a breakaway speedster. 40 = 4.55
December 14th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Three things:
1) As others have mentioned, Bucky shouldn’t have been on special teams when he got hurt. Bowles yet again showing his incompetence – if his defense does its job, he wouldnt have had to put Bucky in for a spark.
2) Bucky is young and he’s adjusting to the rigorous of the NFL season. Hopefully he learns from this and takes a game.off if he needs to (like he should have done against Carolina).
3) He’ll now have access to trainers and physio and nutritionists for a full off season, which should help with his strength and ability to recover.