Is The Run Blocking Overrated?
September 26th, 2022
Run right, Lenny!
Joe knows this is sort of a loaded question because of who the Bucs can put on the field.
Are the Bucs really that good at run-blocking?
Joe isn’t going to rag on Brandon Walton, the Bucs’ third-string left tackle. He’s a third-string tackle for a reason. To expect him to be as good as Donovan Smith simply isn’t reasonable or fair to Walton.
Bucs coaches kept saying all summer and even after Week 1 how good Luke Goedeke is as a run blocker. If that’s true, why are there no holes for Playoff Lenny to run through?
Joe’s not ragging on Goedeke, either. He’s a rookie.
There is something not right about the run game and even Tom Brady has noticed.
“Yeah, we just [have to] do a better job,” Brady said last night after the game. “I wish it was one thing, but we haven’t had a lot of … we’re not running it as good as we’re capable [of].”
Here is what Joe doesn’t understand: You have an All-Pro right tackle in Tristan Wirfs. You have a solid if not good right guard in Shaq Mason. Most teams would drool to have those two on their lines.
So why not constantly pound Playoff Lenny on the right side? And if a defense overloads that side of the field, then you can run left.
Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich runs Playoff Lenny left so much Joe is starting to think Leftwich is secretly left-handed.
To Joe, the decision to either run left behind a third-string left tackle and a rookie guard, or running right with an All-Pro right tackle and a veteran right guard, is one of the biggest no-brainers in football.
September 26th, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Even with Ali Marpet, Jenson and Smith – it’s not like Tampa would ever be confused with the 1998 broncos or early 90s cowboys that gashed you with each run. Did the Bucs even avg 4yds per carry last yr? Is our running scheme extremely basic? Or is our talent at RB mid level at best, or both. I love Lenny, but put Nick Chubb in our backfield and see if teams aren’t crapping their pants.
September 26th, 2022 at 3:19 pm
You’re speaking of run blocking, have they ever announced exactly what Jensen’s injuries are?
September 26th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
The Beer Whisperer thinks, the biggest malfunction with the offense, is the o-line.
It usually looks like a Chinese fire drill, as soon as the ball is snapped.
September 26th, 2022 at 3:21 pm
Say my name……..^^
September 26th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Maybe Tristan still has that oblique issue and they don’t want aggravate more
September 26th, 2022 at 3:30 pm
We have played 3 really good defensive teams and fronts. We only had D. Smith for 1/2 a game and then Wells (and he’s avg at best) 1/2 the other game. It’s fully expected that we will have issues at O-Line. The Dallas game was an anomaly and they are a lighter/quicker front that played into our hands. Our 1st 4 games are tough sledding for our O-line inexperience.
Need patience. Check in Week 5-7 and lets see if things have gotten better.
September 26th, 2022 at 3:34 pm
We were getting ABUSED in the trenches…our run blocking didn’t open any holes or even make any pushes. The play calling is equally troubling! The sky isn’t falling but damn our offense has looked pathetic in all 3 games.
September 26th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
So why not constantly pound Playoff Lenny on the right side? And if a defense overloads that side of the field, then you can run left.
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2 words Joe…..
THE MASTERMIND
September 26th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Did you watch the Packers on 1st down? Most of the time they literally had 8 guys in the box and were run blitzing up the middle. Leftwich, for once, actually called a playaction pass to open the game and they hit a big play. Then, I don’t recall that happening again the rest of the game (I’m sure it did, I just don’t remember it).
The issue is Leftwich being ultra predictable. He thinks he’s tricky by going to shotgun on 1st down then running up the middle – when the defenses are totally ignoring the fact the Bucs are in shotgun and still stacking the middle of the line, knowing where the ball is going.
Leftwich can still run the ball – just mix up the g-d playcalling. I’m not saying don’t run, just do things in a different order. Run your 2nd down plays on 1st down, your 1st down plays on 2nd down every once in a while.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:02 pm
Also the Bucs have Brady, Evans, Godwin, Julio, Gage – the team should be going for 6000 yards passing. It’s 2022, only loser teams care about running the ball. The Bears ran the ball all over the Packers, and they lost. Running is stupid and overrated. You win by scoring points, not getting the most rush attempts.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
I agree with you Fancy Man.
BL’s play calling on that first drive we’re impressive, then he went all Leftwich in us.
Certainly the fumbles weren’t his fault but it just seems like he’s got no feel for the game and doesn’t take advantage of what the opponents D gives us.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
I saw Jensen on the field yesterday walking around with NO BRACE on his knee. At least no visible one under his knee length shorts. No limp detected. Can we get an update on Jensen?
I am fairly certain when Ryan and DS come back, which looks like its the same time as the receivers will be back, that this team will become the juggernaut its supposed to be.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Agree on the play calling. Everyone saying it’s vanilla. It’s not vanilla, it’s clear as in you can see clear through it.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Boron.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
I understand folks ragging on BL; heck I’ve done my share of picking on him. My problem with him is partially that his play-calling is predictable (which it too often is), but even more-so that (1) he isn’t very ‘creative’ in designing plays; and (2) gives up too easily if something isn’t working instead of figuring out WHY it didn’t work & modifying it accordingly.
Maybe underneath it all BL just doesn’t develop a ‘feel for the game’ as it progresses (unlike Todd Bowles who seems to have an outstanding ‘feel for the game’ IMO). Hard to make effective changes if you can’t find ways to capitalize on opponents’ miscues & tendencies.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
We absolutely need more play action…….we go with run up the middle & empty backfields too much.
It does seem like teams are keying on our RB…….that should open up some short passes…..i suspect when Beasley gets more practice….he will be a huge factor.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Simple … leftwich is play calling to the other teams strength.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Brady has full autonomy to change plays. I’m sure BL and Brady go over the gameplan, and Brady picks what he likes. The problem is they don’t have enough healthy good players. Brady isn’t capable of carrying a team anymore. He needs a good to great supporting cast to excel. It’s the entire reason he picked Tampa in the first place.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Like Brady says, if you’re not getting better every day, you’re getting worse.
Boron isn’t getting better. Therefore……..what we are seeing. He’s not looking in the mirror. He apparently needs to be forced to.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:12 pm
“The Pro Bowl got a major makeover.
The NFL has eliminated its full-contact all-star game and is replacing it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game. ”
Just remove the game entirely.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:33 pm
We should just file it in the same file as why or screens suck so badly.
The best runs come out of zone blocking and our O-line is not worth anything in zone blocking.
BL throws in some change, on occasion, but it is at really wierd times, like that double reverse flea flicker brain fart.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:40 pm
TS_Bucs Says:
September 26th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
I saw Jensen on the field yesterday walking around with NO BRACE on his knee. At least no visible one under his knee length shorts. No limp detected. Can we get an update on Jensen?
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That would be amazing to get him back early. Also it could mean you’d have Hainsey available to play guard, since he was cross training there this offseason.
Everything I heard is that maybe a very late season comeback is possible, but I’ve heard nothing about an accelerated timeline.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Licht was a moron for not signing two Experienced offensive lineman when Jensen and Stinnie went down
This is the last year of Brady . Need to give him the best possible line
September 26th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 26th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
I understand folks ragging on BL; heck I’ve done my share of picking on him. My problem with him is partially that his play-calling is predictable (which it too often is), but even more-so that [b](1) he isn’t very ‘creative’ in designing plays; and (2) gives up too easily if something isn’t working instead of figuring out WHY it didn’t work & modifying it accordingly.[/b]
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This x100000000
It’s just not a very creative scheme interesting play design. There are a small number of them here are there, but for the most part, the entire offensive scheme is just based on relying on your offensive players to be better than the defensive players.
Why do you think all our WRs struggle to create much separation? It’s because the scheme doesn’t design plays that free guys to be wide arse open, like we see with so many other offenses. Where are the ‘man beaters’? Where are the rub routes and shallow crosses, bubble screens, etc.?
September 26th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
whoops, messed up the formatting:
unbelievable Says:
September 26th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Defense Rules Says:
September 26th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
I understand folks ragging on BL; heck I’ve done my share of picking on him. My problem with him is partially that his play-calling is predictable (which it too often is), but even more-so that (1) he isn’t very ‘creative’ in designing plays; and (2) gives up too easily if something isn’t working instead of figuring out WHY it didn’t work & modifying it accordingly.
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This x100000000
It’s just not a very creative scheme interesting play design. There are a small number of them here are there, but for the most part, the entire offensive scheme is just based on relying on your offensive players to be better than the defensive players.
Why do you think all our WRs struggle to create much separation? It’s because the scheme doesn’t design plays that free guys to be wide arse open, like we see with so many other offenses. Where are the ‘man beaters’? Where are the rub routes and shallow crosses, bubble screens, etc.?
September 26th, 2022 at 6:11 pm
This offense hasn’t been the same since Godwin went down in the Super Dome. Then AB went nuts. Gronks gone and the line is figuring it out with LOTS of new pieces. A lot of ppl attacking Leftwich when it’s clear he’s having to mold this thing on the fly and can’t just no risk it no biscuit bc Brady would’ve been on a stretcher by now.
The GOOD NEWS is that important contributors are coming back and the OL isn’t getting totally embarrassed and should only get better. I’m going to go ahead and ignore the panic button till at least week 8.
September 26th, 2022 at 6:12 pm
They are very good at run blocking but they definitely should be getting better. Smith will be back and the 3 interior guys are new and learning to work together.
Of course with hardly anyone to throw to I would imagine teams were keying on the run the last couple of games.
5-6 weeks from now we’re going to be exclaiming “wow, they put up over 30 points a game 4 games in a row“
September 26th, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Craig, I too think they should try more wide zone runs. Most offenses (even the Patriots) are at least trying it. This is a copycat league. How many wide open Packers did you see Sunday? I saw a bunch. Rodgers would run the fake, and Until the bucs adjusted, it was easy money. If this team needs anything, it’s easy completions
September 26th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
Although BL was calling plays these last two years, I just wonder if Arians was not identifying little tendencies of the defense that he was able to share in BL’s ear about something that could be exploited.
Like when Scotty Miller scored the TD against Green Bay in the NFC championship game. For some reason, I think that was all Arians and none of BL. Maybe I am overreacting but…
September 26th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Unreal to hear this much noise about playcalling. Sure, its fair game after 12 points but are we really going to scapgoat over Byrons offense not knowing how to run a 2 point play?
How are we not prepared for this moment? Absolute must have it play. On this offense with this QB they should be getting that play off like clockwork. Running out of time is for rookie QBs learning new systems.
If this team aint prepared to handle clutch moments they aint prepared period………Yall can run any fancy play call you want. Doesnt make a difference if you cant get to the snap.
September 26th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
And yeah our runblocking sucks. Alls ya gotta do is look at 3rd & 1. The most important play in football.
September 26th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
They likely run left because they dont trust that side to block on the backside without holding, or getting to their blocks too late. If they felt confident in the current receiving core they had available, they would not have signed an unemployed antivaxer to the the roster this past week. This current corp can barely get open, and do a poor job of holding on the football. Bellyaching about the playcalling at this time is useless because this offense does not have the pieces to consistently do anything well at this time.
September 26th, 2022 at 8:09 pm
Leftwich has no feel for the flow of the game. Impossible to have a consistent running or passing game when you’re just flinging random plays against the wall and seeing if anything sticks.
The offensive concept as a whole is flawed in my opinion. The passing game is mostly designed for guys to win their one on one’s, with very little chance of getting any yards after the catch. Almost all of Brady’s passing yards are air yards. Pretty much the only play that they get any YAC out of is the Godwin quick screen, and even that almost always comes with at least one or two broken tackles.
Watch the highlights of all the rest of the games. The Bucs will be one of the only teams that won’t have a guy either catch a 5 yard pass and house it from 40 or 50 yards out, or take a handoff off tackle and cut up a seam and be gone.
The Dallas game was obviously an outlier for this team running the ball. Fournette hasn’t given that effort again in the last two weeks. He tried hard in that game and pulled a hammy. That will hamper him all season and he’s now no better than a glorified 3rd down back. He had no interest in banging yesterday. He had opportunities to bust outside and didn’t want to. It’s time to change the pace in the backfield.
September 26th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
^^^ gotbucs gets it
They rarely scheme guys open into space. It relies on having more talented receivers vs. the DBs and linebackers of the opponent.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:23 pm
It really upsets me to hear that Julio Jones was available but didn’t play. We would have won the game if he played. That is a poor coaching decision and I blame Todd Bowles. I paid a lot to be at that game and drove for hours. We are playing the freaking Packers with half a stadium full of their fans. We desperately needed another receiver and you are going to rest Jones? I gave maximum effort as a fan. Why didn’t the Bucs give max effort to win this game. This could have ended our Super Bowl hopes already because now we will end up playing in Green Bay in the playoffs and Karen Rodgers beats The Goat and I have to listen to all of their asinine fans. I’m starting to doubt Bowles management skills
September 26th, 2022 at 9:25 pm
Anyone watching Jason Peters tonight? He is an absolute beast. Glad Jason didn’t think to sign him. Not like we’ve had any losses to the OL due to retirement, free agency and injury or anything.
September 26th, 2022 at 11:13 pm
It’s the right call to run on the left behind the rookie and 3Rd string LT. We need to speed up their experience it’s gonna help us later on.
GB knew we were banged up and we were gonna run. It’s up to coaching to be resourceful and use the tools available.
And please stop trying to be cute with the trick play and play some grown man football
September 28th, 2022 at 8:31 am
No surprise when your offensive line is now 2nd and third string guys. Lucky to be 2-1 at this point. Most teams would be 0-3