“The Steal Of The Draft”
December 30th, 2024
Man, Joe loves how Bucky Irving love is finally flowing effortlessly inside One Buc Palace.
Earlier this season, it felt like a lot of players and Bucs decision-makers were mindful not to throw too much love at Irving to protect fellow running back Rachaad White’s feelings.
Irving got his second start of the season yesterday and his prior start only came because White missed a game injured.
Todd Bowles’ postgame comments were simple regarding the decision: “Bucky was playing better,” he said. Collectively, Bucs fans could be heard screaming: “That’s been obvious for months, Coach!”
No huge deal. Irving has 44 more carries than White this season, so Irving was getting plenty of action already. But Joe is glad the team formally has come around to hanging the bellcow on Irving.
Consider how ESPN insider Jeff Darlington went on record with the Bucs’ new gameplan before yesterday’s game in his report from The Licht House.
And then there was Buccaneers legend Mike Evans saying Irving was “the steal of the draft” after the game.
Joe will agree with Evans, considering Irving was a fourth-round pick.
Does Irving ever have a bad game? In addition to his 1,033 rushing yards on only 188 carries, Irving leads the NFL in catch percentage (45 of 47) and is averaging an impressive 8.8 yards per catch, which bests White’s strong season receiving last year.
As Joe has noted, it appears the Buccaneers control the “Buckyneers.com” internet domain and are pointing it to their official website.
If Irving can keep rolling, Team Glazer might have to consider going all-in and blowing out Buckyneers merch.
Embrace all things Bucky. Joe has.
December 30th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
To quote Bucky: I mean…..hahaha I love this guy! Everything about him and Evans is absolutely right. He is the steal of the 2024 draft without a doubt!
December 30th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Pretty sure Liam helped us with this pick. He was all in on Bucky.
December 30th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Or Irving can just drop the ky in his name and just go with Buc. That’s probably the most logical
December 30th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
You also get what you earn, and the fact that Bucky is there before dawn with Tom Moore says a lot about him and his character. Good kid. Really reminds me of Alvin Kamara a bit, only from the standpoint of how we use him, similar long speed as well. Bucky however atleast gets 1k yards of rushing..
December 30th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
He has the second most yards per touch for a rb this season.
1. Gibbs @6.3
2. Bucky @6.1
2. Henry @6.1
That’s pretty awesome.
December 30th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Great RB pickup, but it starts with the oline picks that were made. A great oline makes any RB look good.
December 30th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
We got Bucky. And we got The Duck.
Playoffless falcons are dirty ducks
December 30th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
how in the world is Buc-ees NOT signing Bucky to be promoting them is beyond me!
December 30th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
When I first read the headline I thought this was going to be a story about Kyle Trask. Diidn’t he look skillful yesterday handing off the ball to another third stringer. What acumen. I don’t want to knock Trask that much but want to throw shade on Licht for wasting a valuable second round pick in his bust of a 2020 draft.
December 30th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Buccaneers new lucky charm mascot…
The Mallard 🦆
The Buccaneers fans need to make sure there are ducks at each game.
December 30th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Knowing what we know now, would you still be comfortable waiting to pick Bucky with our 4th-round draft pick? I imagine seeing him on the board in the 3rd or second round and the Bucs did not pick him. How much would you be freeking out? Also how much has our 1st round pick Barton contributed to Bucky success?
December 30th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
I pray he gets compensated $$$ commensurate with his production ASAP .
December 30th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
There was a comment on here that said a good offensive line makes any rb look good. There are several on this roster but only one is great. Asinine fan to say the least .
December 30th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
49ers DB Malik Mustapha was also a grand larceny in Round 4 and has had a huge year on the defensive side of the ball.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Robert the line and scheme matter first and foremost. I think Bucky is great and a clear upgrade over White but look no further than the difference in Whites YPC this year to last as evidence of the OL and scheme importance.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:25 pm
Surfing the www as I do I stumbled across a hypothetical 2024 redraft and what each team should have picked. Bucky went to the Dallas Cowboy’s with their late 1st round pick. The article had the Bucs picking a CB who’s name escapes me
December 30th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
SB~LV – I pray your prayers go unanswered. I love Bucky, but absolutely disagree as a fan of the team.
This is the dream. This is what every GM hopes to get out of players on their rookie contracts. They’d take 53 Bucky’s if given the opportunity. It’s how you build depth in your roster. It’s how you can afford to pay your all-pro LT all-pro LT money when he becomes an UFA for example.
Bucky will get his chance to cash in in 2028 either as an UFA or via franchise tag. But short of wholesale changes to the collective bargaining agreement before then, the only way he is getting “compensated commensurate with his production ASAP” is by holding out and winning a contract dispute.
Are you praying for a Bucky holdout?
December 30th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Does Irving ever have a bad game?
Against the Raiders (albeit due to injury). Against Det, Bal and KC he was pedestrian. Can’t forget about that ATL fumble.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Killer draft by Jason.
Bucky, Barton, Tykee… J-Mac. Even Culp showing potential early.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
Love Bucky. Talented runner. Hope we keep splitting carries between him and Rachaad though. White’s biggest issue this year I think was the pressure to bust a big play with Bucky’s emergence. White really wanted to be the Bucs RB to crack 1k. Prob not easy to feel the momentum swinging to another player, but he’s handled it like a consumate professional. White is easily one of the top #2 RB’s in the league and he’d start on a lot of lesser teams. Running back by committee ftw.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
Leighroy , your post is a perfect example of why the jury system scares the HELL out of me
SMH 🤦♂️
December 30th, 2024 at 4:28 pm
Yep, Bucky was the steal of the draft. I just hope he last longer than Doug Martin..aka, the muscle hamster.
December 30th, 2024 at 4:58 pm
@GoneGator
Yeah most of the players the Bucs took this year I would’ve considered taking. I would’ve taken Barton. I wasn’t too big on the Braswell pick. I would’ve considered Tykee. I was torn between McMillan & McCaffrey (Christian’s brother Luke) but I would’ve chosen one of them. I would’ve considered Bucky. Wasn’t too sure on Klein & yeah I would’ve considered Culp. I thought Culp had the potential. Only reason I would’ve shied away from Bucky, McMillan & Culp (if so) would be because those conferences never really play against good defenses & I just wasn’t sure how they’d be able to adjust to better defenses. Same with Mahomes. I would’ve consider Mahomes also but that would’ve been the only thing that would’ve shied me away from it is because that conference doesn’t really play against good defenses either but Mahomes is turning out just fine.
December 30th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
I know what i saw while watching those oregon games….how he flew under the radar till the 4th rd, I’ll never understand.
December 30th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
Unleash Brother Shaq on the aints
Make it now
December 30th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
I feel kinda bad for Pete Best now that Ringo is on the drums. Not bad enough to want to revert back to old Pete though.
December 30th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
It is shaping up to be an incredible draft class.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
Pass out duck callers before the game, and encourage the fans to use them when the “Aints are on offense.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Hey Coen: Start calling more QB options with Baker and company. Also, line up Irving and Rasheed in the same backfield and start getting imaginative (god forbid). Go Bucs!!
December 30th, 2024 at 8:42 pm
Orlbucfan- Coen uses them both together in the Pony Package quite often, actually. But I do agree that we could do it even more! 😎
December 30th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
The fact that it took to week 17 to start him is coaching malpractice. It was obvious he should get all the touches after week 5
December 30th, 2024 at 11:48 pm
Itzok, he is injured and a rookie….. if you were in charge our best weapon would be already done for the year.
December 31st, 2024 at 1:49 am
@orlbucfan – White and Irving have been lined up in the backfield dozens and dozens of times this season, starting in week 2 vs the Lions. Not sure what you’re whining about Coen for… we also have a top 3 offense.
December 31st, 2024 at 2:49 am
Itzok. The fact it took the Bucs 17 weeks to start Bucky is coaching malpractice. Ahmen brother! I’ve been beating on that drum all year.
Just think, to have a running back with Emmitt smith vision and capabilities and not start him will remain a complete mystery to me till my end of days.
December 31st, 2024 at 11:42 am
Bring back the lawn chairs, I guess we should just cut the OC for making OC decisions? This is the NFL.
December 31st, 2024 at 12:52 pm
The steal is UDFA Sean Tucker also. Huge difference for this offense. He can return kicks and he can make huge splash plays as a lead back also. He does whatever the team asks and he’s only 23. Crazy. I’m a huge fan hope to get his jersey soon. 🙂