Jason Licht On Bucky Irving: “He’s Going To Be A True Pro For The Rest Of His Career”
December 14th, 2024
Bucky Irving has made an impact.
Will Bucky Irving suit up tomorrow?
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said the team won’t know until the rookie warms up prior to the game against the Chargers in Los Angeles.
So Joe understands why Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht seemed rather coy with popular national sports TV and radio personality Adam Schein when Licht appeared Wednesday on “Schein on Sports,” heard on “Mad Dog Radio” exclusively on SiriusXM.
There, Schein asked Licht if Irving could play and admitted he’s concerned about Irving being a little guy and with potential endurance issues.
“We’re doing everything we can to get him ready,” Licht said. “He didn’t really have a setback [against the Raiders].
“Just his back tightened up and [Bucs trainers and coaches] saw he wasn’t himself down on the field. They just wanted to shelter him a little bit. Get him off the field.”
Irving had a catch and run for 15 yards and carried the ball four times for three yards before the Bucs shut him down. Still, the Bucs ran for 152 yards.
“We’re fortunate we’ve got Rachaad White and Sean Tucker on our roster as well who are outstanding players, too,” Licht said. “We need all three of them to make this run.”
Licht made no secret of his belief that Irving was just the shot in the arm the Bucs’ run game needed when he was drafted.
“Bucky has been a breath of fresh air for this organization,” Licht said. “His attitude, his professionalism. He meets with [Bucs senior offensive assistant] Tom Moore every day at 5 a.m. for like 10 minutes.
“He just can’t wait to get to work every day.”
Despite having a troubled upbringing, Licht said (Irving’s father died when he was a toddler and a brother was shot and killed when he was in high school), Irving exudes a contagious positive attitude in the running backs room.
“He didn’t grow up in a great house like most of us did,” Licht said. “And he still has a great outlook on life.
“He’s going to be a true pro for the rest of his career. I’m excited about his future.”
The numbers say it all. When Irving got more carries early in the season, the Bucs offense and the run game started to take off.
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December 14th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Took a chance this morning to look at his Oregon highlight film. One takeaway that I think Cohen could implement more is the use of counter plays with pulling guards or a tackle. Our O-line is athletic enough, his big gains seem to be where he cuts and makes a guy miss before taking off. Why not design more plays that way and let Tristan Whirfs grade the road ahead? Excited of what is still to come from Bucky!
December 14th, 2024 at 8:24 am
I hope we’ve learned a lesson by not having Bucky return a kick with 2 seconds left in the half……good way to get a great player hurt.
Thanks for that, Todd….and while we are on the subject…..thanks for Godwin also.
December 14th, 2024 at 8:42 am
New drop ad on the home page is super annoying, Joe. I know you gotta pay the bills but it’s a bit much.
December 14th, 2024 at 8:58 am
The Chargers seem ripe for a beat down.
December 14th, 2024 at 9:02 am
@Leighroy: backs tire with an expanded workload…and so do OL.
Big Uglies get fatigued, too.
December 14th, 2024 at 9:38 am
Sadly, chronic toe and back issues means a short 3 year injury plagued career for our little hero.
December 14th, 2024 at 9:58 am
Jeff you’re a overweight 42 year old that lives with your grandparents and steals your grandmas phone to be a hateful troll now go clean your room
December 14th, 2024 at 11:11 am
I wish most of us grew up in a great house.
December 14th, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Should have finished the sentence with unlike Devin White.
December 14th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Jeff is hereby disowned from the name Jeff.
Your new name is Squid (Sorry Squids, had to give the sucker something to go by).
December 14th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
It’s going to be a healthy (compared to the Bucs) Chargers vs. the Bucs tomorrow. Bucs can pull this one out, and if they do, I can’t wait to read the comments on this site. Hope no one strokes out.