3.4 Yards And A Dark Cloud
October 3rd, 2016
Leading a feeble charge
Among the many things killing the Bucs’ season is the absence of a running game.
Tampa Bay has gone from the penthouse to the outhouse.
Last year, the Bucs were lethal with their ground game, tied for the NFL lead with 4.8 yards per carry. Doug Martin and Charles Sims could not be slowed down when they weren’t fumbling.
This year is a different story. The Bucs have become bottom-feeders averaging 3.4 yards per carry. That’s a radical change and represents a rushing attack that’s been consistently subpar. Tampa Bay averaged 3.2 yards per carry on opening day and hasn’t looked back.
Charles Sims is the Bucs’ leading rusher (Joe uses the adjective loosely) with 116 yards on 41 carries. That’s a dreaful 2.8 yards per carry.
Jacquizz Rodgers seems to have no trouble — 13 carries for 69 yards — except Dirk Koetter rarely gives him the rock.
Joe doesn’t think the problems have anything to do with Kevin Pamphile replacing retired Logan Mankins. The sorry numbers are about lousy running back play and the playcaller.
If the Bucs can’t fix this next Monday night at Carolina, then Koetter will know exactly what his top priority will be during the bye week that follows. The Bucs aren’t going to win many games with their offnese totally out of balance.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:04 am
#Offensive Line
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:07 am
Free-pass Licht is undoubtedly forcing his round 3 pick into the game plan over Rodgers.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:07 am
Martin had like 640+ yards after contact. From the moment the off-season began last season he ran possesed in that contact year. He repeatedly made defenders miss in holes. Didn’t come in with the same enthusiasm this offseason.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:24 am
Luke Stocker
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:26 am
We don’t have the luxury of handing the ball off behind the best offensive lines controlling clock and not turning the ballover over like dark has in Dallas.
Or we don’t have the luxury of a qb not having to force throws because he knows is defense will shutdown the most dynamic offense in the league like Wentz.
Then add to the fact that your 2nd round kicker can’t hit a consistent field goal. Sorry guys our qb actually has to make a few plays.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:30 am
It seems like we played some of the better defenses in the league this year!! (unlike last year) Key the ran and they can man coverage our receivers seems to be the blueprint!!!!!!
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:30 am
don’t seem to be using extra blocker as much on O-line,but they do seem to use fullback some.With the exception of relying on Sims too much,don’t think Koetter has forgotten how to call plays.Pamphile is not the only change to O-
line.Dotson is also a change.Tired of this Sweezy s&#t.Thought he could help the run game but we should not paying big bucks for players to rehab!
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:35 am
With the exception of Martin and Stocker, the O is not the walking crippled like the D is now, player-wise. So, what’s stopping Koetter from calling a basic short passing game? I don’t get it. Knock off the long bombs, the picks are killing us. Brate had some good catches yesterday. I missed the storm delay, turned off the radio before it was called. Nothing like listening to a team beat itself AGAIN! 🙁
Kudos to Gholston! He came to play.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:43 am
Joe this has to be said ur boy jameis only looks at Evans people are open I’m I the only one who knows this
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:47 am
Who is our fullback this season?
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:47 am
Wth was Brate doing on that 3rd and 1 fumble?? Cut him immediately it looked like he was scared of contact on that play.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:49 am
the dancing poodle is the problem!!! …isn’t it obvious?!….CHARLES SIMS IS A HORRIBLE RUNNER, PERIOD!!!!! Rodgers or Barber? as the lead back, poodle gets the 3rd downs, simple as that…
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:56 am
Brate motioned in front of von miller and let him go to block nobody smfh. I think he was scared. He should be cut.
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:02 am
@Joe
C’mon where is a Brent Grimes article?? Don’t be scared of Miko. He’s horrible. Again she was right about Tannehill and dolphins fans were right about him. Time to move on entirely too many tds. At least this time he wasn’t bodied he was just destroyed by Sanders.
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:14 am
Yes Simms is no Martin, yes the Denver front 7 can play. The Oline is better suited to pass block it seams right now. That said I didn’t like what I saw from the team in the final minutes on both sides of the ball. The defense had quit, as did the Oline. Luckily the Panthers are no world beaters this year, but I think this teams weak mental make up is about to spiral off into a trustfully depressing regression.
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:23 am
@iamkingsu You’re turning on Martin after basically one game that he played? (Which we actually won?!) Please use logic and less emotion.
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:25 am
Bring back Mike James and do it now!
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:34 am
Once again we give the guy who is gaining 2 yardser rush all the carrys while Rogers gets little to none and he’s the only one producing. Smfh. Really Koetter? Stop trying to force something that isn’t working. It’s sad because Rogers is similar to Dougy in size and running style so why not kept the game plan we have and insert Quizz into Dougy’s role? Cause what were doing now is not working and it’s like banging your head into a wall. We’re noticing how much this team is runs thru doug, he is the motor to this offense and was the biggest reason to Winston’s success as a rookie. He took all the pressure off him and didn’t force him to put the game on his shoulders like we are now. And I think not just Winston but the entire O line owe alot of ther credit from last year to Doug. Cause both of them look average at best.
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:38 am
Where is Alstott when u need him ?
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:58 am
One game wasn’t enough to write off Sims as the primary running back. I trust adjustments will be made now. And, yes I think no fullback and Stocker’s absence have contributed to the problem.
Also, the game situation hasn’t helped. Early turnovers coupled with playing very good defenses.
Martin didn’t run any better before he was injured.
We have to use more screens and short passes. We have absolutely no speed at WR…..and I repeat…..we need Russell Shepard in for Vjax on some plays.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:11 am
The formula for winning in the NFL is really pretty common for all teams.
1. Have an effective rushing attack.
2. Get pressure on the opposing QB.
3. Stop the opponents rushing attacks.
4. Protect the Football and stop careless turnovers.
5. Avoid penalties, especially ones that extend the opponents drives and end ours.
6. Have a QB that at minimum can manage a game and be somewhat accurate. Pay attention Jameis!!!
7 WR’s need to get some separation and not drop so many balls.
We were able to do most of those things against Atlanta and we beat them in their house. We have not done any of these things since and look at the results. Add in the injuries to our DL and lack of quality depth along with a terrible secondary and we lose our pass rush and any slappy QB in the league will look like the next coming of Joe Montana.
Sadly, the results that we can expect Monday night will be pretty bad due to the lack of being able to do the steps I listed above. Anderson to Olsen and Benjamin should be all they need to destroy our defense with a depleted DL due to injuries and a secondary that is extremely sub par. This is the sad reality plus the Bucs are now having internal dissension which will take away from their individual efforts because they do not have enough pride in themselves as individual players to give their best efforts.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:16 am
Simms is a poor man’s Darrell Sproles. Only good if you get him the ball in space.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:17 am
Bucs have played 3 top defenses in a row and have been exposed for who they are right now … an average team at best with zero depth. Losing Martin & Stocker has really crippled this offense by making it one-dimensional. Sims is a good complement to Martin, but he’s not a feature back. Neither is Rodgers for that matter. Even if we had Martin in there however don’t think it’d matter: the OLine is woefully under-performing this year (and yes, they do miss Mankins leadership). Run-blocking has looked terrible and the pass-blocking is going to get Jameis killed if it doesn’t improve. Our WR corps amazes me … top secondaries like we’ve seen just blanket them. Drives me nuts that Jameis holds the ball so long but he’s a play-maker and no one seems to get open. Long way to go to be a contender, but coaching isn’t the real problem here. We simply don’t have the horses.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:59 am
@Defense Rules
You got it….we don’t have the talent. That team along with Arizona was far better than we are.
We beat Atlanta in their house and they are now 3-1 beating Carolina.
Although, I thought we were a better team than the Rams….they have beat Arizona & Seattle.
October 3rd, 2016 at 11:13 am
Remember on MNF back in 00 when Dunn got stuffed and lateralled back to Shaun King? Sims remembers….
October 3rd, 2016 at 11:20 am
I have 2 words for Charles Sims:
NORTH and SOUTH.
For the love of Barry Sanders, stop dancing behind the line of scrimmage!!!!
October 3rd, 2016 at 11:48 am
These poor, clueless Bucs
October 3rd, 2016 at 11:54 am
@demboyz and @bighog…I agree….GO BUCS!!!
October 3rd, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Whatever happened to mike James?
October 3rd, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Mike James and Bernard Pierce are both Available.
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:50 pm
should have franchised Martin…I would 1 year that guy to the grave….
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Mike James and Rainey both better backs… Wasted pick.