Still Room For Running Game To Grow?
April 8th, 2025
Bucky Irving
Could the Bucs get better running this season? It’s almost irresponsible to suggest they will. Joe thinks they could.
But there is little room to improve.
In 2022 and 2023, the Bucs were horrid running the ball. Dead last in the NFL both years. Yick.
Then, for the 2024 season, the Bucs got a new offensive coordinator and took a shot on a smallish runner from the PAC-12 (RIP). All of a sudden — BOOM!
Any team that finishes in the bottom five in any category, when that team improves to just middle of the pack, that’s usually a helluva coaching job. Well, former Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen pulled a near masterpiece. He took the rotten Bucs running game and turned it into the third-best in the NFL.
How good were the Bucs? It didn’t matter who ran the ball, they produced.
Per Bucs media relations, running backs Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker all had over 400 yards of offense (rushing and receiving). The Bucs were the only team in the league to have three backs with 400 yards or more of offense.
Irving had 1,122 rushing, White had 613 and Tucker had 308.
Each averaged over five yards a touch.
So could the Bucs be a better running team? Well, Bucky will have a year under his belt. So will center Graham Barton. Both were rookies last season.
On paper, the Bucs could be better if they stay healthy. Still, they would have to be the first- or second-best running team in the league to be better.
Joe would be quite content if the Bucs finish in the top-five. That ought to be good enough to stack wins and return to the playoffs.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:10 am
What a great picture.
Bucky really did leave defenders grasping at threads a bunch of times in his rookie season…..
With Barton and Mauch having the full off season to continue their development – and all 5 starting OLine players back for their 2nd year together as a unit – it is very conceivable that the Bucs run game could improve over last years excellent showing.
April 8th, 2025 at 12:25 am
If Grizz schemes it up right there’s no reason we won’t be better running he ball next year!
April 8th, 2025 at 3:45 am
That’s what I love about the NFL, all it takes is one year to go from the worst at something to amongst the most elite.
I don’t think our rushing game will take a step forward, I think if anything it will take a bit of a step back now that teams have had time to study Bucky but I do think it’ll make the passing game that much easier for Baker since you’ll see a few more defenders being honest near the line of scrimmage!
April 8th, 2025 at 4:38 am
will be tough to repeat our OL health. concerned about our backup OL in a couple spots
April 8th, 2025 at 4:39 am
Feeling good about Grizz and rookies already having a year of playing. True on staying healthy too.
Less penalties needed. Graham had around thirteen his first season. Rookie mistakes. He now has had time to learn and prevent them.
Agree with others commenting too. What Farmer said could ring true. Coaches are going to scheme better now knowing what Bucky can do. They really were not ready for him last season.
April 8th, 2025 at 5:44 am
If Cam Scattbooboo is there in the 4th round when we pick…take him!!! That guy would definitely help us be better!
April 8th, 2025 at 8:55 am
I have no doubts at all that we will be top 5 yet again. It’s bound to make our passing game better too.
April 8th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Give Tucker alot more touches and our running game can definitely improve just because of that.
April 8th, 2025 at 9:46 am
If the opposing defense knows what you’re gonna do, you become a lot easier to stop. That was the problem back in 2022 with Byron; we were so PREDICTABLE even fans knew it was gonna be a run. Same to a lesser extent in 2023 with Canales.
But that changed in 2024. Coen was very good IMO at disguising plays. Play design & play selection, combined with a better TEAM (OLine, Bucky, etc) executing those plays, led to some incredible production.
Can we improve on that? I think it’s possible, but a lot of that will depend on Griz IMO. If he does a great job of keeping the opposing defenses off-balance, Bucs have a great chance to be even more productive this year.
April 8th, 2025 at 9:56 am
We also have to thank Dave Canales for takingGoodwin and Gilbert with him to Carolina. Be grateful they were replace by Kevin Carberry who did an awesome job.
April 8th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Sean Tucker.
Sean Tucker.
Sean Tucker.
April 9th, 2025 at 10:37 am
I think the Bucs can be contenders but I’m the cockeyed optimist.
My major concerns…HEALTH…HEALTH…HEALTH!