Run To Win
December 28th, 2024
“Bucky, we need to light their arses up tomorrow!”
In recent weeks, the Stinking Panthers have been fairly stout against the pass.
In fact, Carolina has been good enough with its pass defense that the last time the Stinking Panthers gave up over 200 yards passing in a game was against the Bucs on Dec. 1.
Yeah, that was the overtime game, where the Bucs needed a miracle from Anthony Nelson to win.
How many yards passing did Baker Mayfield have that day? Try 209.
So with the Bucs facing a pass defense that may be overlooked, why not run? In their last four games, the Stinking Panthers have been gouged on the ground allowing over 200 yards a game this month, including 236 yards by the Bucs.
The Stinking Panthers have the No. 32 run defense in the league, and rain and wind is in the weather forecast.
Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen sort of pondered out loud this week that maybe he needs to get the ball to star rookie running back Bucky Irving more.
Well, if Coen has any thoughts about doing that, now is the time. The Bucs have their backs against the wall.
Joe doesn’t want to see Irving get any fewer than 15 carries tomorrow.
Ira Kaufman Has An Ominous Message For Todd Bowles, Talks Panthers Matchup, Defensive Criticism, Bucky Irving, Game Predictions & Much More
December 28th, 2024 at 9:58 am
Yes, we need to run…but we need to get Mike at least 125…
December 28th, 2024 at 10:06 am
2 week job audition for Bowles imo. Underperform and you might be gone, and I’m sure he is aware.
December 28th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Hubbard was just put on IR. Zero excuses to not roll the Panthers tomorrow
December 28th, 2024 at 10:24 am
TBBF, tomorrow may not allow Mike to get a lot of yards. That usually comes with the deep ball, and tomorrow is supposed to be windy. So not sure Baker will be throwing many deep balls. We can hope though.
December 28th, 2024 at 10:29 am
Welp…speaking of running the ball..Chubba Hubbard to IR. Go Bucs!
December 28th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Just need a W,,, that at least keeps us alive for week 18 ,,, A win ensures we have something to play next week , a loss, well let’s not think about that as it would take our 50% playoff possibility to about 6%,,,, man Philly giving up that lead to Wash really hurt us ,,, hopefully Washington can repeat win at home against Falcons
December 28th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Chuba Hubbard is on IR
December 28th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Way way more than 15 carries, they plan to take away something so they will take away Mike. We run till they cannot believe it then we pass to Mike and go back to more run and keep that going all game.
December 28th, 2024 at 10:58 am
This is inverted. For all our praise around the TB running game it still struggles to run when it needs to and if you discount explosives our running game looks a lot more pedestrian, given how many early downs Coen dedicates to rushing.
I rewatched the first Carolina game last night and it was total offensive systemic dysfunction and poor play calling and sequencing by Coen–and a massive over-reliance on running.
All of Tampa Bay’s losses have featured an over-reliance on running. We have been successful when we have mixed run/pass or gone pass heavy earlier in games (passing to open run, not the other way around. Running to open pass has led to penalties, sacks, INT).
The first half of the first Carolina game featured 11 first down runs to 4 passes and we produced 10 points.
The passing game had issues in the first Carolina game because of penalties, wasted first down runs (after the first quarter), drops, miscommunications, bad snaps. One bad INT and one INT on McMillan drifting off route depth.
The running game featured much too prominently in the game and we almost lost.
Advising this again is a mistake and misunderstands what works in this TB offense, but also overlooks the fact that our run-first offense is already in place and week after week is bailed out by the passing attack on third down, and late in game.
I see this week in week out in my color coded game log which allows me to easily see why series and drives fail and to identify Coen’s playcalling habits.
December 28th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Mike needs 1,000. Lots of short passes and a few long ones.
December 28th, 2024 at 11:22 am
This should be a very easy w for the bucs what with Hubbard on ir and Joe assuring us the Panthers of tanking. I’d bet $100 to a donut it will be anything but easy
December 28th, 2024 at 11:42 am
Liam needs to decide the offensive personnel on the field, not his boss. Also someone needs to tell the much hailed offensive line that they sucked out loud against the JerrySows, and their performance falls far short of their accolades.
Dink and dunk, run, and then shoot it to Mikey out of the slot and in motion. Then bust loose for a few shots. Offense must carry the team- defense is a fraud and now without Izzy who’s been the best player in the secondary.
December 28th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
@Watch More All-22 Before Commenting
Thx for your post. A welcome analysis even if it may not be in agreement with the narratives adopted by the masses around here. 👍🏼
December 28th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
What evidence do we have that this is not the case? I find it hard to believe, with defensive and HC responsibilities that Todd has the time to micro manage offensive personnel. ALL I’ve seen, heard, read etc indicates to me that Todd is hands off with the offense and defers to Liam.
Maybe you have sound reasoning or additional info to support your opinion. I’d be interested in hearing it if so ✌🏼
December 28th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
The defense gave up one touchdown to Dallas on a short field.
The defense gave up a second touchdown to Dallas after a freak 52 yard completion to Lamb. McCollum whiffed when he tried to bump Lamb; he whiffed again when he tried to grab Lamb; and yet, he still outran Lamb and was in better position to catch the ball than Lamb was until Lamb shoved McCollum’s shoulder spinning McCollum away from the ball.
Other than those two drives, the Bucs defense dominated the Dallas offense forcing 5 punts and four long field goals of 49 yards, 53 yards, 58 yards and 58 yards again. The Bucs forced punts were on drives of 2 yards, 13 yards, 13 yards again, 8 yards and 8 yards again. That are some damn fine numbers!
The average NFL drive lasts 2:45 seconds. The Bucs only allowed Dallas two drives that lasted that long; the outlier was the opening drive for a FG that lasted 5:54. In the second half, Dallas drives were held to 2:34, 3:53, 1:38, 1:39, and 0:56. With the game on the line, the Bucs defense kept getting the ball back for the offense.
In the second half, despite two turnovers by the Bucs offense, the Bucs defense limited Dallas’s second half time of possession to just 12 minutes and 11 seconds, they gave the ball back to the offense five times and only gave up 3 points.
In contrast, the four longest drives by the Bucs offense ran off 21 minutes and only scored 3 points.
In the first drive, White ran once for 4 yards, and Irving ran once for 3 yards. The rest of the plays were passes. The Bucs turned the ball over on downs on 4th & 3 at the Dallas 48 after only running the ball twice and possessing the ball for 4 minutes and 9 seconds.
Second drive, 3 passes and a punt in 1:37.
Third drive, Irving ran for 3 yards, 15 yards, 8 yards and a 2 yard touchdown IN ONLY 3 minutes and 15 seconds for the entire drive. How is it that the Coen felt like he didn’t have time to run the ball?
The fourth drive lasted 5 minutes and 1 second netting 25 yards and ending in a punt. The drive began with Irving running for 5 yards and 4 yards, and then White running 2 yards for the first down consuming 1 minute and 55 seconds of game time. Irving ran one more time for 7 yards for another 44 seconds. Total time devoted to run plays was 2 minutes and 37 seconds for a gain of 17 yards. The remaining 2 minutes and 24 seconds were spent trying to pass the ball for a net gain of 8 more yards and a punt on 4th and 10.
So, how was there not time to run the ball more? Running was what was working!
Now, the hurry up offense at the end of the half also worked. White made the only run for 4 yards to convert 3rd and 4 as the hurry up offense went 71 yards and scored a touchdown in 57 seconds.
The second half began with Irving running for 7 yards and 4 yards, White catching a pass for 5 yards, and Irving running again for 5 yards. A Durham pass and fumble gained 3 yards, and then Irving caught a pass for 12 yards. On first down, Irving only gained 1 yard. For 4 minutes and 59 seconds, RB runs and passes had moved the ball from the Tampa 38 to the Dallas 25. Now, faced with the first 2nd & long of the drive, Coen takes a deep shot to Evans – holding, back up 10 yards; 2nd & 19, sack fumble lose 21 yards; 3rd & 40, incomplete pass – punt after pissing away the first 5:53 seconds of the second half trailing 23-14. Taking the shot to Evans on 1st & 10 at the Dallas 26 when the RB’s had gained at least 4 yards on every play of the drive? That at least would have had the element of surprise. In a 9 point game and already in range for a 43 yard FG early in the 3rd quarter, taking a deep shot on 2nd and 9 was a big roll of the dice. On the next play, 2nd and 19, still in range for a 53 yard field goal, the call should have been, “NO BAD BAKER, NO SUPERMAN! NO CAPED CRUSADER!” Run the ball, a quick bubble screen, run the ball, a quick timing route to the outside with Brady’s discipline to air mail it into the stands if it’s not their immediately, run the ball! Anything but holding the ball in the pocket gives you three points, a one score game and plenty of time to KEEP RUNNING THE FOOTBALL!!!
December 28th, 2024 at 5:13 pm
Someone needs to understand what the role of the head coach is in terms of situational management and personnel. White on the field at the end of games is absolutely a head coaching decision. Who starts is absolutely a head coaching decision.
Whoever the back is, they need to hold onto the ball with two freaking hands. Two games have been lost because of critical last minute fumbles, one by Bucky, one by Rachaad. Coaching that in situational drills apparently has lacked.
So here we are at 8-7 when any random bot could have managed the games for us to be 10-5. Or better.
Shame.
December 28th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Mistakes, penalties and turnovers, this is the tale of the Buc’s season. Plenty of blame to go around. Despite some very talented players, we still manage to find ways to lose games more disciplined teams would win. Untimely penalties and turnovers have to be coached out of this team or new players and coaches brought in. The in game mistakes and clock management are inexcusable coaching. This team is not far away. Licht and the Glazers have to decide if the current staff is capable of making the necessary improvements or if they are the problem holding the team back. A shake up is definitely needed. Todd may not have lost the team but he also doesn’t have them playing like champions.
December 28th, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Excellent analysis by both Watch more 22 and Toopanca. Players and coaching on both sides of the ball and the pitiful special teams (except for Kicker) are all part this win/loss record. Front office not getting serviceable ILB or edge factor in too. Playoffs or not this team needs some new energy to get over the hump. Undisciplined teams rarely are champions unless their talent is simply overwhelming.