Better Bucky Irving In 2025?
February 23rd, 2025
Even better in 2025?
NFL folks like to say the biggest jump in play a player makes is from his rookie season to his second season. If that holds true for Bucky Irving, could the Bucs be looking at an all-time great?
The Bucs’ budding star running back’s numbers as a rookie were really staggering. His production had him right up there with some of the game’s greatest, including current running back studs, as pointed out by Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com.
Irving’s franchise record 5.4 yards per rush attempt average is the third-highest mark in NFL history among rookies with 200-plus rush attempts in a season, trailing only Adrian Peterson (5.6 in 2007) and Clinton Portis (5.5 in 2002). His 1,514 yards from scrimmage is the second-most by a rookie in team history, trailing only Doug Martin (1,926 in 2012).
Irving gained an additional 609 yards after forcing missed tackles in 2024, second-most in the league behind only Derrick Henry (753) per Next Gen Stats. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry on rushes outside the tackles (fifth-most among running backs, minimum of 50 such carries) and 5.3 yards per carry on rushes inside the tackles (second-most among running backs) this season. Irving, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs were the only running backs in the NFL to average over 5.0 yards per carry on rushes to each direction in 2024 (minimum of 50 rushes each direction).
OK, so Bucky is up there with Adrian Peterson and Clinton Portis in rookie production. Peterson, we should all know about. Portis for a while there was a damn good running back. His problem was he was a running back, and like so many, they burn out after four or five years.
Joe hopes new Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard uses Bucky in the very same way his predecessor Liam Coen did.
Coen, smartly, ran a lot of counter-gaps for Bucky in which offensive lineman pulled to bulldoze an easier path. That what Bucky was used to at Oregon. The strategy worked beautifully.
How Grizzard builds his offense and uses Bucky is a blank canvas.
Joe will remind fans that the last awesome Bucs rookie running back, Doug Martin, who ran for a stunning 1,454 yards as a rookie in 2012, wasn’t the same player in his second season. LeGarrette Blount, a 1,000-yard rookie in 2010, also saw his play dip the following year.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:06 am
“NFL folks like to say the biggest jump in play that a player makes is from his rookie season to his second season.”
I think this is a truce statement for other position groups like O linemen, D lineman; etc. Not really running backs. It seems that if you come into the league a a rookie and can run, or can’t run, that’s pretty much who you are.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:38 am
Lt Dan is spot on. RBs have the easiest learning curve on the offense when making the jump from college. It should be noted that Bucky wasn’t even the starter until late in the season. Who knows what would have happened to the Muscle Hamster’s record if Bucky had been numero uno from the outset. That’s not a knock. White had decent numbers as well and Bucky’s body frame still lingers in the back of my mind regarding season long health. Regardless great season, great performance and can’t wait to see what he does in 2025.
February 23rd, 2025 at 8:57 am
Hopefully Bucky’s foot surgery went well and the strength coaches get him stronger and can avoid the Bucs’ foot, calf, etc injuries…. I agree that RB’s don’t have a jump from year 1 to 2, although maybe in pass pro.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:09 am
Bucky has elite vision and footwork. I think last season was just an appetizer, he’s a beast.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:21 am
Just please dont run him into the ground…..if one of the others arent working to spell the payload 70/30, then draft Skattebo, but i doubt he’ll be there in the 4th.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:36 am
I’m with you MadMax. You’ve been saying it for a while now. Bucs need to get Scattebo however they can. Him and Bucky together would be unstoppable. Yeah, I know we need to draft defense for the most part but, I’d make Scattebo the exception. Like Bucky, he would be instant production.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:37 am
Give Tucker more reps. Keep Bucky steady Eddie. No need to over do it with him. We have Tucker which has showed speed and vision. Keep Bucky fresh for the route to the Super Bowl.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:44 am
Running back room is good. We need a day 2 QB to replace you know who. Any one of the guys from OSU, ND, Texas or IU will do. Let the guy sit and learn.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:49 am
Agree with Grizz. More Tucker less White.
February 23rd, 2025 at 9:53 am
Can you imagine if Bucky makes that leap and becomes one of the Bucs all-time great RBs? Let’s see, then we would have Irving, Evans, and Wirfs (ATGs) all on the same team. Then you throw in Mayfield (probably second only behind Brady, although I’m sure Mayfield will eventually rack up greater stats) and David (second only to Brooks), and we’ve got a hell of a team. Short of a decent edge rusher, no reason to believe we couldn’t get to, and perhaps win, another SB. (Oh how the optimism overflows in the off season.)
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:35 am
Bucky was the same in college. As one of several real good backs for Oregon, the more he played the more he produced. It got so when he subbed in the offense seemed to cook more. I think 50% for Bucky, 30% for White and 20% for Tucker is a good target.
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:52 am
Alright…where im at and i know the draft wont fall this way, but in a perfect scenario for me
Emmanwori
Shwesinger
Revel
Skattebo
Punter Kai Kroeger
February 23rd, 2025 at 10:52 am
As long as Grizzard doesnt try to use Irving like the Titans would Derrick Henry he’ll be a great
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:23 am
I freaking love Bucky. He found a way to energize the team and the stadium every time he touched the ball. That being said, let’s pump the brakes a smidge. Let’s remember that guys like Errict Rhett, Warrick Dunn, Cadillac Williams, Legarrette Blount, and Doug Martin also blew it the F up as rookies and, while they all ended up with varying degrees of success, none of them are even in the ring of honor and really Dunn is the only chance to ever be. I love Bucky, I’m hopeful for Bucky, the arrow is pointing up, but let’s maybe even get a full year in AS A STARTER before we give him a red jacket.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:36 am
Cadillac Williams also fell off his second year. Bucky will have a hard time out producing his rookie year but let’s see.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Bucky should pack on another 8 pounds of muscle during the offseason.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Too late for the White article, but since we’re still on RB discussion I’ll re-post here since Bucky is clearly our #1. Only time will tell if he can match or better last year’s output.
As for White, I wholeheartedly disagree with those who want to keep him.
Sean Tucker hauled in 37 passes during his last year at Syracuse.
There’s your new third down back.
Cut White, save the money (2 mil) to throw at a FA, and get a RB in the later draft rounds. Remember, unless your name is Barkley or Henry, and Bucky since I’m prejudiced, RB’s can be had for boiled peanuts.