“He’s Close”

October 27th, 2017

Poised for a breakout?

It’s one thing to have an explosive running back who rarely has an explosive play after 1,000+ NFL carries.

It’s another thing to have an explosive 21-year-old, a first-round pick, who can’t bust one.

That’s latter predicament is what the Panthers are stuck in; the former is the Bucs’ issue.

They’re going bananas in Carolina because this year’s, No. 8 overall pick, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, can’t break a big one through 45 carries and 44 receptions in seven games.

He’s loaded with speed but it hasn’t happened, not even in the punt return game. His longest run is 11 yards.

Dirk Koetter talked about McCaffrey in a new video on Buccaneers.com. Koetter was intrigued that Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was saying last week that McCaffrey is “close” to breaking a big one. Koetter added that the Bucs did a lot of predraft work on McCaffrey and know all about his explosive capabilities.

Given how the Bucs are struggling to tackle consistently, Joe is a little concerned about McCaffrey in space on Sunday. At same point, he will have a big game.

The Panthers are going to keep feeding him touches until it happens. And Joe can already smell the Bucs defense getting overly concerned with giving up the deep ball, and the usual and rightful freakout over containing Cam Newton. McCaffrey likely will have loads of chances for his big day against the Bucs.

23 Responses to ““He’s Close””

  1. dooshlarue Says:

    Well CM22……enjoy a very good day this Sunday.

    Signed,
    The Buc’s Defense.

  2. Warrenfb12 Says:

    He will break out this weekend. Write that down.

  3. Kobe Faker Says:

    dont sleep on Jonathan stewart

    think they will try to hammer the gut ala peterson and mccoy

  4. Tampa Bay Tailgater Says:

    CM22….meet our linebacking core of LVD, KWON, & KB!

    Enjoy your day…

    FIRST DOWN….TAMPA………………………………………..BAY!!!!

  5. NFLNut Says:

    The kid is basically a slot receiver and gadget back … he’s NOT a real running back

  6. Mike Johnson Says:

    Every Sunday. some team..some player on the edge..who needs an extra push to jumpstart themselves..gets it from our Bucs. I won’t be the least bit surprised if Mr, Mccaffrey runs for over 150 on Sunday. Not the least bit. Our Bucs are notorius for beaming opposition players careers ahead..full speed.

  7. Captain Crunch Says:

    Facing the bucs always seems to help the other team if they’re struggling. Read-option + mobile QB the bucs D will need to stay discipline and contain the edge to slow down the panthers.

  8. Nick2 Says:

    Have a running back that just cant turn the corner? Or perhaps an aged back that most think hes got little left in the tank? What to do? Dial up the Bucs defense this little lightning in the bottle they can turn any average quarterback (i.e Case Kenum ) into Dan Marino. Running backs performance issues. Dont even worry they will be running like the 2nd coming of Jim Brown ini no time. And dont worry about the Bucs Defense, they dont care because the guy who should be chewinig their ass is 20 stories high in a luxury box. He cant shout that loud. So bring us your downtrodden players on offense and we will fix up their confidence in no time. *****Disclaimer****** Future results are not guaranteed and caution should be used for what to expect going forward as the Bucs Defense is lightyears worse than any other in the league.

  9. BUC MAN Says:

    PANTHERS WILL HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH THE BUC’S , THEY WILL RUN UP AND DOWN THE FIELD AT WILL AND KENUM , OH I MEAN NEWTON WILL HAVE A HAY DAY SEEING HIS RECIEVERS WIDE ASS OPEN ON EVERY PLAY , , TOUCH DOWN, TOUGH DOWN , TOUCH DOWN , C. PANTHERS WIN 38 BUC’S 10………

  10. ClodHopper Says:

    As a Hawkeye fan, I still have nightmares about this guy running all up and down Iowa’s throats in the Rose Bowl. Still hate that guy cuz of it too. Pissed me off the Panthers got him. Hope he doesn’t make me relive my nightmares this Sunday

    It’s weird. I hate him for running all over Iowa, but I fell in love with Saquan when he did just that a few weeks ago.

    Fck the Panthers!!

  11. Mikadeemas Says:

    Don’t agree with Mike Johnson too often, BUT, the Bucs have ALWAYS been “the cure for what ails ya”. Once the announcer says it, it’ll happen. This year alone, Palmer completes first 14 passes(a personal best), McCoy first(and second) rushing TD of the year, AP rushing for 2.6 yards a carry against 6 other teams, but against us…..5.2, etc,etc,etc! I STILL think we win. I always do and will, but dang, it ain’t easy being a Bucs fan. GO BUCS!!!

  12. Coach Says:

    McCaffrey benefits from the “Jason Sehorn Effect”.

  13. Not there yet Says:

    Oh he’s close alright, he’ll be in the rookie of the year conversation after this game

  14. Billy Sunday Says:

    Well then Doug needs to break out too if he does. Gotta match points this year, end of story. Run the play to Howard in the 1st quarter.

  15. Drew Says:

    CM22… we’ll lay down for you brother. (Up-Chuckaneer Defense)

    CM22… 320 yards of total offense, sets a new NFL record against the “Up-Chuckaneer Defense”.

  16. Pickgrin Says:

    Pretty foolish to draft a 3rd down RB #8 overall.

    Glad the Panthers went that way.

    If they were smart they would have taken OJ Howard.

  17. Not there yet Says:

    @Pickgrin

    Playing against ok Howard twice a year would have been a nightmare. Bucs should definitely make sure this division knows our tight ends will be a nightmare matchup the next decade.

  18. Q Says:

    Need a breakout game??? Come play the bucs defense….this kid will have 150 all purpose yards

  19. 813bucboi Says:

    hope we squeak out a win….we need it so bad….GO BUCS!!!!

  20. pick6 Says:

    time for Kwon to be Kwon and neutralize CMc and Cam

    mccaffery’s draft position will have people overrating him for a few years, just like reggie bush, another electric college player drafted extremely high who was only good for gimmick duty in the NFL

  21. LakeLand Says:

    Well , the Panthers are getting more from Cm22 than what the Bucs are getting from VH3.

  22. Joeypoppems Says:

    Yea I thought McCaffrey would’ve had more success so far this season. That OL is kind of a mess tho. The Kalils are killing them. Matt is killing them by playing because he is awful. Ryan is great and barely played due to injury this year.

    I would say that would be great for the Bucs, but they cant generate a pass rush against bad O lines anyway

  23. BlogTalkFootball Says:

    Bucs defense: if a player is struggling, they are the cure.