Leftwich And The Run Game
October 5th, 2019
Crafting run game.
The past couple of weeks the Bucs have somehow breathed life into the run game. Combined with the sharp play of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, the Bucs offense has been, at times, dangerous.
Currently, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has the Bucs offense ranked No. 8 overall in the NFL.
But forget Bucco Bruce Arians and his magic working with Jameis. That was almost expected. What Knox is impressed with is what Leftwich has done working CPR on the Bucs’ run game.
Leftwich has also managed to get something out of the ground game, which was essentially nonexistent last year. As a team, Tampa is averaging 113.3 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. That’s not great, but it’s more than serviceable alongside the league’s eighth-ranked passing attack.
Only three teams are averaging more than the 30.8 points the Buccaneers are.
Yeah, the 3.8 yards a carry is nothing to celebrate, except when you look at what the Bucs had (or didn’t have as a running attack in previous seasons.
As Joe pointed out yesterday, there are signs this running attack is about to get better.
The Bucs are going to need all hands on deck Sunday at the Superdome. The Saints defense is surprising, too.
October 5th, 2019 at 5:30 am
If the bucs had lets say a melvin gordon or a david johnson. They would easily have a top 5 rushing offense in ypg and ypc
October 5th, 2019 at 5:30 am
Rojo gets 11yds then next thing you know he is tripping over his feet. He is just a tad better than Charles Sims was
October 5th, 2019 at 6:03 am
RJ has 4.7 yards a carry and Barber has 3.4 so there is a difference in WHO runs the ball.
October 5th, 2019 at 6:11 am
Biggest Arians quote of the year has yet to be reported on, probably because it doesn’t fit the America narrative. Friday after Panthers TNF game, Arians called the Bucs a “run-first team” and drilling that into the O-line.
That explains the enhanced running metrics!
October 5th, 2019 at 6:17 am
941–
Last week, as most of us know, Rojo had two runs, one of 50 and another 25-yarder called back.
It is indeed astounding, under your scenario, how he remained vertical past the 11-yard mark, to tack on those extra 53-yards.
Melvin Gordon has played four years. Last year he averaged 5.1 YPC. His previous three years, he averaged 3.5, 3.9, and 3.9 YPC.
This year Rojo, in part time duty, is averaging 4.7 YPC and has looked damn good doing it.
Melvin Gordon is 26 years old and wants a big contract.
Rojo is 22 years old and will still be playing under his rookie contract for another two years.
The Bucs are in salary cap Hades and couldn’t afford Gordon even if Rojo was under preforming.
Please explain the rationale behind your post.
To me, euphemistically speaking, it is … confusing.
I need to be enlightened …
October 5th, 2019 at 7:16 am
“The new modern offense uses the run to compliment and setup the pass
Have the defense guessing and the offense unpredictable
The use of Play action after a good run is essential to chunk yards/explosive plays
BL needs to be better using playaction
My Dad and I
Is going to slap each other every time he runs the ball 5 straight times”
Son of Kobe Faker
October 5th, 2019 at 7:42 am
JA you are talking about rojo 4.7 yds per carry on limites duty. As a full time back rojo would not be a 4.7 yds per carry rb. Rojo has no equity in the passing game either. So when u look at melvin gordon, you need to look at a hell of alot more than just his ypc. Look at his touchdowns in the redzone. Look at his total touchdowns. Look at his receiving work. 50 catches! Look at his yards from scrimmage. He is one hell of a pass blocker. And guaranteed to score inside of the 10yd line. That aint rojo man. Rojo is nothing more than a complimentary running back, hence why he isnt starting right now!
October 5th, 2019 at 7:42 am
941BucsFan—
You are getting dangerously close to earning the coveted 5-Finger Salute over at FauxBucsFan on Twitter. Keep up those kind of comments.
October 5th, 2019 at 7:45 am
and as far as you saying rojo long runs were called back.. well lets think for a minute, they were long runs for a reason (people were holding to make those long runs) so his “long runs” being called back is equivalent of a defensive end sack getting called back because he jumped offsides
October 5th, 2019 at 7:50 am
JA
One of the best posts of the week!
Made your point with stats and solid conclusions…and without name calling…and instead of just the typical boring ad hom bs you took the time to “gently” and cleverly get your disagreement expressed.
“To me, euphemistically speaking, it is … confusing.
I need to be enlightened …”
That’s the way to do it. Well done.
October 5th, 2019 at 8:18 am
We have good enough backs, and O line to run the ball. The difference between this year, and the last two is now we commit to it. Look at Atlanta’s run numbers since Dirk came back as O.C.. Freeman a pro bowl back only carried the the ball 12 times last week!! While Ryan threw about 60 times. Koetter used his backs as pass blockers, not runners. Rojo only carried the ball 33 times all of last season, that’s crazy. It’s so simple. If you want a better run game, you just have to run the damn ball!!
October 5th, 2019 at 8:20 am
941 bucsfan. You really feel as if you’re saying something but your argument and points are really weak. JA’s argument trumps your points hands down!
October 5th, 2019 at 8:30 am
“(Rojo)…is just a tad better than Charles Sims was”.
Joe, you really need to add a “thumbs-down”, “thumbs-up” feature to your comments. The crazy comments on here are just unreal sometimes
October 5th, 2019 at 8:48 am
“RJ has 4.7 yards a carry and Barber has 3.4 so there is a difference in WHO runs the ball.”
Without those 2 penalties Rojo gets 149 yards and 308 for the season. That’s a pretty respectable 5.9 YPC for the season.
“as far as you saying rojo long runs were called back.. well lets think for a minute, they were long runs for a reason (people were holding to make those long runs) so his “long runs” being called back is equivalent of a defensive end sack getting called back because he jumped offsides”
One run was called back because of a “double shift” which had nothing to do with the run. The other was because OJ did not release the the guy he was blocking once Rojo had passed him. That makes a holding call very easy for an official to spot if the defensive player can not turn and pursue. They” usually raise their arms and wave to the refs. Again it had no effect on Rojo’s run.
The fact that he did have runs of 24 and 50 yards has the same effect on the defense and DC as a one not called back. It’s like trying to unring a bell.
Future DC’s will not discount Rojo and the Tampa Bay running game.
October 5th, 2019 at 9:24 am
An effective run game is not necessarily about getting big yards. It’s about the *threat* to get big yards, forcing LB’s closer to the LoS.
In that regard, through four games the run game has been very successful. I doubt I’m the only one who thinks “wow” when a back gains five yards.
We aren’t used to that in BucLandia…
October 5th, 2019 at 9:57 am
Buclandia? Good one Cobra!
October 5th, 2019 at 10:57 am
941 try watching the games
October 5th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
941…
Your comments must be a joke or you are just screwing with us all, or your just a freaking idiot that has no Football experience or insight!!! Which one is it !!’n
October 5th, 2019 at 1:17 pm
Cobra you nailed it.
October 5th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Hodad,
You saying that BL and BA won’t make adjustments at halftime?
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but half time adjustments or lack thereof was something negative with koetter. Is it OK with bl?
October 6th, 2019 at 12:12 am
@941 must be watching tape of last year.
You can’t explain away 4.7 ypc.
October 6th, 2019 at 12:15 am
Like he just woke up from a year long coma and the 1st thing he did was post about Rojo.
October 6th, 2019 at 2:01 am
To all yall saying I dont know what im talking about… Try this….. Good Running backs dont ride the bench to someone averaging under 4ypc.