Liam Coen Explains Why Bucky Irving Wasn’t Used More
December 27th, 2024
Bucky Irving chatter.
It was the weirdest thing. And Joe likened it to the loss to the 49ers when star Bucs running back Bucky Irving was nowhere to be found on a late drive to either tie or win the game.
On Sunday, the last time Irving touched the ball in the loss to the Cowboys was a run from shotgun for no gain. That was with 10:01 left in the game.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen confessed yesterday that he should have gotten the ball to Irving more but circumstances dictated otherwise.
The Bucs were playing catch-up and felt pressure to put the ball in the air a little more than they liked.
“It was more of a throw, hand it off to keep them honest type of thing,” Coen said. “It wasn’t really a ‘Alright, hey, we’re huddle-calling designed plays at that moment.’
“The way the thing was going, was just very much pass heavy and we, at the time, felt better about Rachaad [White] being in there.”
Irving and White each average 7.8 yards a catch. But what White does better than Irving is block and that’s a key reason why he was in the game and not Irving.
“He’s our best protector,” Coen said of White’s blocking.
Coen seemed to lean toward finding ways to get Irving on the field more late, regardless of blocking.
“We definitely want to get Bucky more touches and carries as we go, for sure,” Coen said.
Look, Joe believes in the Nick Saban School of Football, specifically winning close games. Saban said he learned in high school that clutch situations mean get the ball in the hands of your best players. That’s a philosophy he carried to the NFL and college jobs.
Right now, Irving is playing as well as just about any running back in the league, sans Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.
December 27th, 2024 at 4:24 am
Simple solution, have both on the field.
They need Bucky, the most explosive threat they have on the field during crunch time.
December 27th, 2024 at 4:33 am
If both are on the field it confuses the D. Which will go out and which stays in to block? Do both go out?
December 27th, 2024 at 4:44 am
Definitely get what Coen is saying. Bucky is a gem. We do need both Bucky and Rachaad. Tucker too.
December 27th, 2024 at 4:50 am
Doesn’t help the o line forgot to bring their Wheaties with them either still you have designed sweeps and 5 guys who can receive so both can be on the field at the same time. White can make plays but Bucky#7 is a play maker
December 27th, 2024 at 5:10 am
Baker was channeling Mahomes and Rachaad could’nt secure the ball, it all happened so fast in 1 second… the Dallas DB had the game of his life, he came to play, wish our DB’s could change games like that…
did you see Baker after the fumble? looked like somebody stole his lunch, he was planning to go get 3 points and win the game in front of his friends and family and got totally ripped off. Maybe Bucky would not have fumbled?
December 27th, 2024 at 5:57 am
MJ – Agreed, Baker was stunned for sure. We do need Bucky, White, and Tucker. And they must protect the ball going forward.
December 27th, 2024 at 7:28 am
If they don’t stop turning the ball over in critical situations it won’t make any difference. Baker, white, Irving & McMillen have all cost us wins at the end of games. Not a good way to finish!
December 27th, 2024 at 7:52 am
Uh oh. ““We definitely want to get Bucky more touches and carries…”
I smell “coach speak”again… Translation: “When it’s late and the game is tight, White will be the guy.”
December 27th, 2024 at 8:23 am
Can’t believe people are dumbfounded that in a game where the o line had been getting got and Baker was on the move, the team opted for their best pass blocking back in a pass heavy situation.
Joe loves to hurr durr about “put your best players on the field” but the fact of the matter is that White >> Irving at pass blocking. When you’re in a 2-minute situation you’re going to be doing a lot of passing.
Same YPC in the passing game for both backs, as detailed by Joe. White a significantly better pass blocking back. White is the better player in a 2-minute situation.
Tired of Bucky getting treated with Kid gloves here. He fumbled a way more critical game away. If he wants to get on the field in nut cutting time, learn to pick up a blitz. Guys a phenomenal back, but if you can’t pass block you’re going to be out of the game in passing situations.
December 27th, 2024 at 8:44 am
Well no news here. The Bucs were behind and needed to be pass heavy! Good game plan by Dallas to make the Bucs take Bucky out of the game by forcing them to abandon the run. It was clear when they decided to take the football first what their plan was. The Bucs D helped them to execute their game plan to perfection. The Bucs rely on White for his blocking and it appers at this point, he is the better blocker. Hopefully Bucky’s blocking skills catch up to White and they can keep both in the game. The defense needs to help by getting off the field!!!
December 27th, 2024 at 9:39 am
Don’t forget how wonderful the defense played!! Once again they made a back up QB look like an all pro. 24 points SHOULD be enough to win provided the D/C makes in game adjustments to stop at least a few drives.
December 27th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Bucky and Tucker are smaller backs. That was a straight forward explanation so you can’t shoot holes through that couch coaches, if you make Bucs play from behind this will happen but we just happen to have a top scoring offense. Cooper Rush has us playing from behind, the pass defense was horrible as usual but this game ball security was another issue it was the perfect storm. This offense will never be able to depends on Bowles to bail them out when they are failing.
December 27th, 2024 at 10:03 am
Out coached both on Defense and Offense. I just seemed Rush had more time to get rid of the ball in a clean pocket. I thought the Bucs line collapsed all too often too quickly.
December 27th, 2024 at 10:24 am
To me, it is simple. This HC has painted himself into a corner.
If the Bucs lose one of their last two, he should be replaced.
Two seasons in a row with long losing streaks after good starts.
The Defense, which is his alleged forte, has regressed.
Don’t want to hear about injuries.
Where are the playmakers? They need to rethink how they are picking defenders in the draft.
December 27th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Uh Oh Bowles is rubbing off on him.
December 27th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Yes I agree Joe but at the same time I watched buckey help chip block someone which let a free man take down baker. If the ball isn’t going to Bucky then he’s blocking then he’s not the best player to have out there white is not saying white is a better RB but his blocking is deff a lot better than Buckys. Seems like the Bucs that game had fumble prob. A lot of them.
December 27th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
In obvious passing downs I see no upside to playing Bucky over RW
December 27th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Irving is special.
White is not.
This team is run by morons.
If we make the playoffs…either Detroit or the Vikings are going to come here and beat us by 20.
I hope we clean house instead of this mediocrity baloney they been selling us
December 27th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, why put White in so he could fumble the game away?! It’s not like Bucky ever fumbled in a crucial late game situation which led to the Bucs losing a game… Oh, wait… He did that also.
Moral of the story is sh@t like that happens and it could have just as easily happened of Bucky was on the field. White was in there because he can block, while Bucky is an impressive RB, his blocking still needs quite a bit of work.
December 27th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
I like Bucky, If he’s able to put on a few more pounds in the offseason and improve in blocking, there is little limit to where his talent can take him
December 27th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
First commenter “August 1976 Buc” said it best, why not put both of them on the field?
And wouldn’t that cause the defense to have to play a little tighter at the line with more one-on-one receiver coverage benefiting Evans?
December 27th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Doesn’t matter how well he’s running the ball if he can’t pass block when needed.
For reference, please see the block he missed that led directly to a huge Mayfield sack earlier in the game.
December 27th, 2024 at 5:38 pm
New England would play with 5 LBs or 6 DBs, depending on opponent or the injury situation it faced. Troy Brown played both ways, he wasn’t the best WR or best DB but he filled the role. Bowles has his script. Been successful. And sometimes not so much.
December 28th, 2024 at 6:35 am
What Coen didn’t say was that Irving was getting abused in pro pass protect last game. That’s why he got used less. He certainly does not want other opponents abusing that weakness.
December 28th, 2024 at 10:30 am
I know it all doesn’t sit well but the Cowboys already had a couple of our guys on the sideline. They were playing dirty and I didn’t want them to put Irving over there with the other guys, for how many months into our next season will we be without him. Chris is a bigger reason but somebody pulled the plug to soon this time for sure. His next run could have put him over a thousand and possibly won the game as well. We gotta get nastier up front now.