How About A Quick, Change-Of-Pace Back?
April 14th, 2022
Alabama RB Brian Robinson.
If you talk or listen to NFL analysts outside the Tampa Bay area, it seems a common denominator they discuss when looking at Bucs needs is a lack of speed.
The Bucs are good. Damn good. Should contend for the NFC title. But if you think about it, the running backs are plodders. Imagine what a quick, change-of-pace guy could do?
So far, two running backs the Bucs have been linked to, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller and Alabama’s Brian Robinson, are plodders. Why not get someone speedy?
Georgia running backs James Cook and Zamir White are quick. Iowa State’s Breece Hall is fast. If you want to reach into Day 3 of the draft, South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong is very quick.
Speed F’s up a defense, You can’t fake speed. Speed kills.
Joe isn’t against Robinson or Spiller, just that Joe would like to see speed at the position.
When Joe read from the PFF tribe how they comped Robinson with Muscle Hamster, Doug Martin, Joe was like, “Nah man.”
The memories of Muscle Hamster getting caught from behind twice when he was seemingly on long touchdown runs against Washington are not memories Joe wants to relive.
Joe didn’t like that!
April 14th, 2022 at 9:35 am
Oh for a Carnell type RB in Red and Pewter!
April 14th, 2022 at 9:39 am
Back when the Redskins had John Riggins they would bring out Joe Washington and he’d gouge big chunks till the defence adjusted.
April 14th, 2022 at 9:48 am
4.53 40 for Robinson smh
April 14th, 2022 at 9:51 am
we’ve never had any luck with the quick shifty types short of Warrick Dunn.
good luck finding his clone. not only as a player, but a quality person.
April 14th, 2022 at 9:55 am
We need a plug and play Left Guard so our line can protect Brady w/o the RB having to block. Second some DE Beef, then maybe a RB in 3rd pick
April 14th, 2022 at 9:57 am
Not too concerned about later rounds on a WR or RB….
But, the early rounds we need at least 1 or 2 starters….
A good pick would be a player to replace JPP, Suh or Gronk…
Sure, they may come back…..but the positions are thin.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:09 am
Speed Kills, and you can’t coach Speed! You either have it, or you don’t.
Alvin Kamara is a prime example of this. If you miss a tackle on him, he can take it to the house on any play.
I agree, if we are to take a Back in this draft, pick a speed burner, who can also block and catch.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Should’ve talked about some natty analyst that’s not actually watched a Bucs game and doesn’t know what the roster looks like way. The highly unlikely doesn’t get me all antsy in my pantsy two weeks before the draft.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:18 am
*Shouldn’t
April 14th, 2022 at 10:22 am
Kamara ran a 4.56 surprisingly
April 14th, 2022 at 10:26 am
Man let’s get on with it already. I’m so tired of all these crap shoots.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:43 am
These last two weeks are painful. It’d be cool if they could spread the draft over two weekends. Do the spectacle of Round 1 on a Saturday. Then do the rest the next weekend however fits best. Then its one less week on insanity & also gives us all a full week to digest round1.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:47 am
reminds me of Lamar Murray, as long as any back we draft can pass protect we’re good. Let Rojo be a testament that no matter how good you are as a runner, if you whiff on a chip or blitz pick-up, Brady won’t trust you for long.
April 14th, 2022 at 10:54 am
Dline / corner/ tightend with first 3
April 14th, 2022 at 10:59 am
James Cook is probably the best receiving back in the draft. If we could get him in the 3rd round…
April 14th, 2022 at 11:14 am
James Cook would be ideal. Plays like Kamara.
April 14th, 2022 at 11:14 am
I agree here
The best part of the article was your line, “Speed F’s up a Defense”….well put, very true and great use of the capital F 👏
And you definitely “can’t fake speed”. I imagine if Jon Gruden had write this article, it might’ve went something like this, “…and if you don’t speed (juice), you FAKE IT” 😂
April 14th, 2022 at 11:16 am
don’t have ** speed (juice)
F’ed that one up 😂
April 14th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Excellent analogy.
Before that when Cardinals had Terry Metcalf and Jim Otis, when defenses started to spread out to defend Metcalf outside, Otis would bludgeon defenses up the middle.
And of course, Warrick Dinn and Mike Alstott did this too.
April 14th, 2022 at 11:44 am
I loved this article Joe, and completely agree that we need speed at the RB position.
Ford out of Cincinnati has elite game breaking speed and runs great routes with great hands.
Cook out of Georgia has elite home run hitting speed and runs great routes out of the backfield.
I would love to get one of those guys in the 3rd round.
April 14th, 2022 at 11:57 am
WD40
April 14th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Dameon Pierce from the Gators fits the bill; he was under used in Gville and will be a difference maker in the NFL
April 14th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Darden has serious speed. He didn’t F up anything but his own returns.
April 14th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
There is nothing I despise more in a running back than stutter-steps (maybe fumbles, but it’s close). Robinson rarely, if ever (never?) stutter-steps. ‘m hoping we get him.
April 14th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
This is why I’ve been hoping Brady could’ve recruited/sniped former teammate Cordarrelle “Flash” Patterson from the Falcons this off season. Instead, Patterson, (30) just re-signed a 2-year $10.5 million after a monster season in 2021. This gifted beast of a utility player (RB, R, S and STs) played for the Patriots in 2018 and was the Pats’ secret weapon, go to player who always delivered when needed. Yeah, he’ll be 31 in August, but just wait until he starts giving Todd Bowles fits again 2x year. The guy is an electric freak with the softest hands and so tough to cover and tackle with huge YAC numbers. I just enjoy watching him.
April 14th, 2022 at 3:11 pm
I kind of like Zander Horvath in the later rounds. Reminds me of Alstot & is also a great blocker.
April 14th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
If we could find a guy that could jump from the backfield to the slot….AND return kicks…that would be a great pick.
April 14th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
40 yard times are the most ridiculously overvalued stat in existence. Running the 40 for the clocker is vastly different than GAME SPEED with all the equipment on. rarely does a RB run 40 yards in a straight line , he jukes , he cuts , he start stops, he reads his blockers. Terrell Davis has the best post season numbers ever , But he was a 4.72 40 yard guy. Marcus Allen glided down the field like he was on rails , but he was a 4.55 40 yard guy. Emmit Smith ran away from many DB’s , but again he was a 4.55 40 yard guy. A better metric is knowing football speed , and you cannot time it with a stopwatch , but you will know it when you see it.
April 14th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
It’s been a long time but I remember both Marcus Allen and Emmitt Smith greatest abilities were along the line of scrimmage and picking the right seam in the NFL.
But I agree they both had enough game speed to be HOFer’s.
April 14th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Brady’s most successful seasons in NE featured Shane Vereen, Dameone Lewis, James White. And Cordarelle. Change of pace+pass catching.
They’ve already committed for better and worse to Lenny, and Gio (4.5 40). Keyshawn (4.5). Gio’s spot should have been for a the change of pacer.
Are they going to carry four backs on the roster?
Breece Hall, Zamir White, James Cook, Dameon Pierce, Pierre Strong all good options.
But that is another draft pick committed to offense, when defense is the much more urgent need.
April 14th, 2022 at 11:58 pm
Would love Hall but NOT taking him in the first round. He’s a tough runner with speed and can catch.
I think Cook could be the same type of back and you can get him in the later rounds. He has a lot less mileage on him and can put on about 10 pounds and probably not lose any speed
April 15th, 2022 at 8:45 am
Licht is the best, but he and his scouts stink at finding running backs in the draft. I’d rather trade a pick or two for a proven fast/quick guy if we can.
April 15th, 2022 at 11:51 am
I wanted him and was pushing for him, but that was before we got LF back….so no….but he’s gonna be a star player for someone, i know what i see.