Bucky Irving Is NFL’s 10th Leading Rusher; Sets Bucs Record
January 6th, 2025
Did Bucky Irving have a bad game this season?
Maybe not. Yeah, one could argue Irving’s fourth-quarter fumble in Atlanta cost the Bucs a “W.”
Irving is forgiven. The rookie superstar finished the regular season with 207 carries for 1,122 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. And he was prolific as a receiver (47 catches for 392 yards).
That rushing total was 10th-best in the NFL this season. More important, Irving’s 5.4 yards per carry ranked tied for fourth in the NFL among full-time running backs.
That 5.4 yards-per-carry mark also set a Buccaneers running backs record. The previous best for a single Bucs season was held by Ronald Jones, when he averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 192 attempts as the Bucs’ bellcow back in 2020.
In 2005, Michael Pittman had 70 carries for a whopping 436 yards (6.2 yards per carry) as a complement to Cadillac Williams. But that was just five carries per game, so he wasn’t a full-time ball carrier like Irving or Jones.
What makes all things Irving even more exciting is he’ll return next season with experience and most likely his entire offensive line, assuming the Bucs can re-sign Ben Bredeson in free agency.
January 6th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Who doesn’t love Bucky?
January 6th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Oh wait….
Rachaad White might not be totally enamored with him at the moment.
January 6th, 2025 at 9:47 am
Imagine if he played from the beginning of the yr.
January 6th, 2025 at 10:03 am
I’ve been a fan since ’94 and the statement I’ll make goes doubly true for you old timers since ’76… “I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE BUCS OFFENSE IS NOT THE PROBLEM!”
January 6th, 2025 at 10:07 am
You know, two or three games were lost by fumbles or mishaps at the end.
I judge the Defense a little more harshly because of the legacy of this franchise.
This is a pretty damn good team. Some holes on Edge, LB and DBs. But what they have done is pretty remarkable, compared to the history of this franchise.
It’s a new season, now. The point of the regular season was to get here. They have.
Bowles delivered.
January 6th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Joe: “re-sign Ben Bredeson in free agency.”
Bredeson’s play seems to be dropping off lately and seems to be the weak link in blocking and holding calls. I’m in favor of re-signing him but with a team-friendly deal. The Bucs have Klein waiting to play but he has no experience. Seems like a training camp battle next year.
Let’s see if Bredeson and the OL can regain their form after being dominated by the Saints DL. Beat Washington – LFG!
January 6th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Didn’t Baker lateral to Bucky for a huge gain? Correct me if I’m wrong. Those are the kind of plays I wish Coen would call more often. He’s got the players for it. Yeah Bucs, 10-7!!!!!!!!!!!
January 6th, 2025 at 10:21 am
Bredeson will probably get a two year deal from us
January 6th, 2025 at 10:23 am
And unlike Pittman, he was never tackled by a field stripe…
January 6th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Hoping Opeta comes back strong. He seemed better than Bredensen.
January 6th, 2025 at 10:31 am
JOE can you run a story how Bucky got his nickname from his late father. His real name is Mar Keise Irvin. He left Minnesota in college because of the loudspeaker not calling him Bucky and went to Oregon. It’s a really cool story and one I would bet many Buccaneer fans have no idea about and would enjoy! Bucky is the man and we all love the guy! Go Bucs!
January 6th, 2025 at 10:32 am
Really have to give Bucky Irving props! He literally forced the Bucs to play him as an every down back. White didn’t even see get a stat against the Saints. Not sure if he even saw the field, but may have thrown a block or two.
January 6th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Tucker averaged 8 yards per carry yesterday 🤔
January 6th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Yeah SB, I can imagine him playing all year, and him not being available or as fresh going into the playoffs……
January 6th, 2025 at 10:56 am
68 would not be missed and can be upgraded IMO
January 6th, 2025 at 10:56 am
It is great that the offense is not the problem.
Bring back Coen, Godwin, Bredeson and they’re pretty much set.
Gotta load up on defense in FA and the draft.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Any idea what Ben would be looking for next year? I’d love to have him back but with Klein and Jason’s eye for oline talent, I’d rather try and build up the D if he wants a lot of $$$.
Not sure any NFC team can beat us if we upgrade ILB and OLB.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:10 am
I’m hoping Elijah Klein takes Bredeson’s spot from him, guy is monster.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:19 am
His total yards for the year is amazing considering he wasn’t the starter for most of the first half. Think what his numbers might be if he had been anointed RB1 from Week 1.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:34 am
I really like how Coen is creating plays that include both Irving and White on the field at the same time. This is clearly creating confusion among opposing defenses. I may be wrong, but it seemed that Coen didn’t call those plays as often against the Aints. Perhaps, it was a matter of trying to get Mike Evans the ball for the record. If this team is 100% healthy on both sides of the ball, the sky is the limit.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:39 am
That wasn’t a called play. Mayfield said it was a pass play, with the primary receiver being Mike Evans. He pitched to Bucky, who was in pass pro, when the play broke down.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:49 am
I feel like Bredeson is kind of the weak link (he has been decent but lots of penalties). The run blocking has been terrific every game. The pass blocking has had a couple stinkers (Carolina part one, Dallas).
But with Mauch improving, and maybe bringing in someone to compete with Bredeson if we re-sign him, I think the line will continue to be a strength.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
I know Sua Opeta was seemingly winning the LG competition in camp when he got hurt. Hopefully he comes back and competition makes the line even better.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Bucky is amazing.
I have one concern. His size.
He took some hits this year and clearly played through a couple of injuries.
I absolutely want to see Rachaad and Sean continue to get snaps in every game, just to take some of the pressure off Bucky and help keep him healthy.
GO Bucky GO!!
RUN Bucky RUN!!
SCORE Bucky SCORE!!
January 6th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
DoooshLaRue Says
“Rachaad White might not be totally enamored with him at the moment.”
I don’t see why not. White plays a mostly different role, and he’s had plenty to time to claim the top spot.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
He reminds me a lot of Warrick Dunn.
Now, if we only had a Mike Alstott!
January 6th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Rashad White has played great this season and yet he gets crapped on by a fans
Bucky was not as effect of a runner yesterday without rotating with White for much of the game…..
Coen needs to get White out of his dog house and get back to what has worked so well in the run game, which is not making Bucky Irving a workhorse back
January 6th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Bucky Irving had a decent Stat line yesterday, But it was clear that something looked off with the run game.
Stop trying to make Bucky Irving Derrick Henry And let him rotate because that’s what gets the run game going.
Unless White was hurt, It was an inexcusable game plan by Liam Coen. If Coen tries to do the same thing next week, the Bucs will be A first round bounce in the playoffs.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
One could also argue the facemask penalty that wasn’t called on the hard to miss play also contributed to the fumble. Thanks refs for calling a clean game.They sure caught the one yesterday the Saints bellyached about.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
For whatever reason, Coen has gotten away from the swing passes to Bucky and White so Whites snaps are down. Whites a good blocker and would be a great FB in an I with Buck or Tuck at TB.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
IF THE BUCS KEEP COEN …
Bucky will own the single season rushing record next year all-time rusher after year 5
Baker will be passing yards, TD, and wins leader after year 5
January 6th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Bucky… is alive….
January 6th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Bucky=warrick Dunn 2.0. Same height and size too. We love Bucky!!
January 6th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Yeah you could be looking at the best RB in Bucs history if they keep Coen!!
But I totally agree that his limit should be 17-22 carries.
He is never going to be a Bell-Cow, but look at What Jaymr Gibbs did for Detroit.
Same type of back!!
McMillan playing so good, makes you wonder about Godwin next year.
If the buy a few FAs for the defense, it wouldn’t be crazy to go WR/RB in the 1st.
Can you imagine Treveon Henderson with Bucky?
He is probably a 2nd.
What about Isaiah Bond and that speed in the late 1st?
Detroit has been winning with speed and talent on Offense for 3 straight years.
LFG Bucs!!!
January 6th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
“Yeah you could be looking at the best RB in Bucs history if they keep Coen!!”
News flash. Bucky Irving will be great WITH or WITHOUT Liam Coen!!!
January 6th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
White lined uo at receiver a few times… u honestly like the dual back plays.
I wish Godwin was healthy right now and otten..this team could eat the middle of the field with them.
January 6th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
If he gained some weight and speed he would be a someone has posted before very Barry Sanders like. Would live to see that!
January 6th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
He’s too skinny to be a reincarnation but Cam Skattebo would be the best option to help recreate Dunn and Alstott. Yes, because he’s white is a part of the equation. It’s not as much as one might think, it just brings the similarities to the attention when seeing highlights of a handoff near the endzone.
Skattebo would need about 10, maybe 15 pounds to more fully mimic Mike. He’s shorter, so he wouldn’t need be quite as heavy, and he already runs with the battering ram determination.
The team can use the attitude Skattebo brings to the lockerroom. The more guys like him in the building, the better, imo. Help counter the stoicism of Todd.
January 6th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Residing on the left coast I saw a bit more of Bucky than a lot of Bucs fans. When he was drafted I really liked the pick. He exceeded my expectations. Give this scouting dept and team leadership a lot of credit for what they are getting out of mid-round picks. Keep it up.
January 6th, 2025 at 9:25 pm
Don’t need to resign Bredeson…..
Bring back Sua Opeta who is a physical monster.
Hopefully he’ll be healed up in the spring time and then you’ll have Elijah Klein battling as well. Elijah is wide as a refrigerator and I think he’ll be hungry to impress….
Yeah if we try to trade Rashaad White in his last year, then definitely go after Skateboo!! Kid was really impressive.
Would give us the thunder & lightning again…
January 6th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Steal of the NFL Draft PS White got no rushes yesterday!
January 7th, 2025 at 12:13 am
Not sure if Buc fans realize just how that 5.4 yards per carry stat compares to the all time greats. Barry Sanders career average was 5.0. Rookie year for Barry was 5.3. He averaged almost 100 yards per game for his ten years.
If Bucky can stay healthy he can be a superstar. He definitely has the talent, as well as a great young offensive line.
Joe you make me wonder yet again what Cadillac could have been without the injury.
Go Bucs!
January 7th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
I like Bucky, White is a class act, but Tucker is the best running back. He has the size, power and most of all speed to take these 20 to 30 yard runs to the house.
Culp should be used in the slot with White to replace Goodwin. Culp is bigger, stronger and faster. White is critical in the locker room. Ko Keift should be all fullback, tailback, tightend, and backup tackle.
If Coen was as great as many of you state, he would better use the talent at his disposal.
Additionally, Jarrett and Palmer are solid WRs that could become as good as McMillan if given the chance. We have a lot of talent not being used.
Finally, on defense, why are we not moving up Wisdom from the practice squad. I believe he was the leading tackler in every preseason game, yet never given a chance. I think Funderburg looked good as a rookie corner when he was allowed to play.
Neither coach does a good job of using the talent or time management.