Koetter: Backfield Speed Increase Visible
July 31st, 2018
Coach sees it
There’s more juice in the Buccaneers backfield, and Joe is not talking about rookie Ronald Jones.
The man kicking it up a notch is 24-year-old Peyton Barber. For now, he’s the clear No. 1 running back and he appears to be adding to his lead.
Today, Joe asked Koetter about Barber’s claim of significant offseason weight loss and gaining of speed. Koetter agreed that Barber has done both.
“I think he does [look quicker]. I think he does,” Koetter said of Barber. “I thought that one [run] in the indoor [facility] the other day that one toss play that he hit up the middle, I thought it showed up there. He’s about 228 right now. Last year he was around 235. So, yeah, I think he has looked a little bit quicker.”
Joe can really sense the strong confidence Koetter has in Barber. And hey, why not? Koetter and his staff have developed the guy, and Barber has proven himself through 163 career carries. And it’s not like Barber was a college nobody; 1,017-yard season at Auburn (in 2015) is not accident.
July 31st, 2018 at 12:06 pm
If we end up with two great capable backs then that’s a win for the Bucs!
July 31st, 2018 at 12:06 pm
I have been pulling for this guy the last 2 years. Every time he was given the opportunity, he outshined Doug, but they kept going back to Doug. People kept blaming the O LINE to make excuses for MARTIN, but Barber and even Jaquez Rogers were able to produce behind that same line. Just look at the YPC
July 31st, 2018 at 12:11 pm
Great to hear. I hope the young lad has tremendous blocking skills to boot. Let’s go Bucs
July 31st, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Barber has earned the right to start, but Rondo is a change of pace lightening quick take it to the house back to compliment Barber. We need them both. Look what Georgia did last year with their tandem of backs!
July 31st, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Reginald, I think it was a good combination of both……Martin clearly underperforming and a pretty bad Oline!!!!!
July 31st, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Thunder and Lightning backfield version 2.0… !
July 31st, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Licht has really hit the jackpot on some UDFA…..>Brate, Humphries & Barber along with some others……it really helps to have them on the team.
July 31st, 2018 at 1:00 pm
off season championship secured.
Boys of summer strike again.
July 31st, 2018 at 1:00 pm
dirk still running “toss” plays….lol….I see he hasn’t learned a damn thing….
regarding barber, not worried one bit….a hungry dog runs the fastest….this kid has been starving for years…..he’ll eat this year….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
July 31st, 2018 at 1:16 pm
It’s easy to root for a good guy. Treats his Mama well. Bought her a house the 1st year in the league.
July 31st, 2018 at 1:35 pm
He earned it his college tape is fun to watch too
July 31st, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Yup, always rooting for a guy like Barber.
Hope he makes the most of his shot!
July 31st, 2018 at 1:50 pm
the bucs have been horrible under the licht watch but i will give him the preseason the bucs are dominating too bad no one cares…. he shoulda drafted darius guice too
July 31st, 2018 at 1:56 pm
he shoulda drafted darius guice too
BINGO!!!!!!
and from what im hearing guice is the real deal….explosive…quick…and has hands…..redskins cant believe he lasted until the second round…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
July 31st, 2018 at 1:57 pm
To hell with the speed thing. How bout WIN increases Koetter? Are they visible?
July 31st, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I would not rule out Shaun Wilson who runs in the mid 4.4 range. The kid returned a 98 yard, 96 yard and a 76 yard kickoff in his college career. He also had a 69,68, and 46 run against Kansas which overall was a 245 yard game against Kansas. He also had long runs of 85 and 89 yard runs. Scouts says he has some incredible juking skills. If he was bigger than 5’9″, 185 pounds he would have been drafted pretty high. Watch out Sims and Jacquizz!
July 31st, 2018 at 2:33 pm
Sims might be odd man out…
July 31st, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Let’s be honest here…Barber has not earned the right to start. He;s getting the nod because there is no one better. He’s lucky he was not cut before last season.
That said, he’s getting the opportunity and it seems he’s making the best of it.
July 31st, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Casey Morgan Says
“Sims might be odd man out…”
Not unless some camp meat steps up. Or a FB.
Peyton Barber
J. Rodgers
Charles Sims
Ronald Jones
Other options are Shaun Wilson and Dalton Crossan. Not really a battle there.
July 31st, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Shaun Wilson is more of a returner, so he might make the roster on special teams.
July 31st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Why am I not wild about our backs ?
I would have taken Guice and then Bo Scarborough late
We would have had violent running game
July 31st, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Jason Licht has his preferred guys in the running game. But considering the Running game has been in the dumps, some new blood might be called for.
I just don’t see it happening. Maybe they will make the practice squad.
Tight ends will be
Cameron Brate
OJ Howard
Austin Johnson (also FB)
Alan Cross (also FB)
July 31st, 2018 at 3:21 pm
bamafan
I think perine had 300yards against Kansas a year or so ago…lol…hell im 31 with a bad knee and I could probably get 120yards vs Kansas….lol…
but Wilson does have talent tho…..I like him
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
July 31st, 2018 at 3:51 pm
2 headed running attack wow Brate and O.J. this can quickly become the best Offense. Jameis MVP if he just plays smart. He’ll probably break the 7TDs in a game record too
July 31st, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Bash an Dash
July 31st, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Barber is a JAG, it’ll be week 13 before this joke of a coaching staff realizes 3.5 ypc is Barbers ceiling, 3-9 record will hopefully be the final nail in the coffin, hopefully the next staff has schemes from this decade, it’s time these relics retire
August 1st, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Just read that Ronald Jones had….THE WORST, THE WORST pass blocking over the last three years in ALLLLLLL of college football. Top that off with he’s dropping passes left and right. Starting to realize why NOBODY was talking about this dude.
My chips are on Barber.