Is It Time To Call Kareem Hunt?
September 17th, 2023
Free agent running back Kareem Hunt.
The Bucs are undefeated so Joe is thinking Super Bowl.
Anything else is a loser mentality.
Yeah, yeah, one game at a time. But fans like Joe are in this season to win. Winning is fun. Tanking guarantees nothing, and the Bucs likely already have deflated any chance they had at a top-5 draft pick next season.
That’s great because Joe wasn’t mentally or physically prepared for a soul-crushing start to this season.
So the Bucs appear to have a solid offensive line, a solid quarterback and A-list receivers. The backfield and tight ends? Those remain question marks for a team supremely committed to running the ball.
Rachaad White is improving, but what’s behind him? Undrafted rookie Sean Tucker had 8 carries for 7 yards today and veteran Chase Edmonds (2 carries for 12 yards) got hurt. The orginization believes Tucker is better than benched veteran Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Joe would love to see the Bucs pick up the phone and call free agent Kareem Hunt. The 28-year-old former Pro Bowler has low mileage on his legs and he’s a versatile handful of a free agent.
Joe’s not saying, ‘Sign Hunt,’ but it sure looks like the Bucs could use running back help if they plan to go the distance and win in January. That’s right, January.
The Bucs opened up salary cap room earlier this month and have options to clear more.
Yes, general manager Jason Licht needs to be wise, but a phone call and a workout can’t hurt. Can it?
September 17th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Dude…White was solid today.
That has nothing to do with scoring a better No. 2 RB. –Joe
September 17th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Maybe is to early, maybe waiting for injury update , makes more sense.
Will he come for the cheap? not sure my dear friend Joe
September 17th, 2023 at 5:47 pm
There’s a reason he’s unsigned. Very ineffective last year
September 17th, 2023 at 5:50 pm
White was great today.
Tucker did fine in the one case where he had space.
Edmonds also had a nice run.
Not sure why anyone would pick today to worry about the run game.
Also if you want to sign anyone, SIGN RONNIE BROWN.
Unbelieve he sits out there without an NFL deal.
September 17th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
I like our running backs. The line is going to gel and we are going to get better. Hang in there for a month.
September 17th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
Didn’t like some of our run calls….in particular on that last drive with 2nd and long…..
Looked like Tucker was a sacrificial lamb….he was getting hit in the backfield on most of his carries…
White actually looked pretty good.
September 17th, 2023 at 5:53 pm
I will say I screamed “run” and “quit stopping” at the TV a couple of times today when White had the ball. He made first downs on a couple plays but made them much closer than they needed to be.
September 17th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
TDTB – You probably watched a young Le’Veon Bell and were disgusted, but I’m guessing you loved watching Michael Pittman run into the back of his offensive lineman.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Tucker was killing me today. 7 one-yard runs?
You can’t convince there isn’t some in street clothes SOMEWHERE IN THE STADIUM that can’t produce better than that.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Iirc, Tucker was in only to carry the rock…he was not on the field for passing downs. Looked to me like the Bears knew that when Tucker was in the game the play was a run, and that he was going to get the carry. Hard to be successful when the D knows what’s coming.
I assume that Tucker needs to work on his hands and pass pro to get more snaps.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
While everyone else here has been super high on Tucker, I have not been, I still think Ronnie Brown is a better back.
BUT, Tucker only had one play with decent blocking and got yards. Not his fault he’s getting hit before he’s even at the LOS.
What I don’t get is why they took White out. Someone in the game chat pointed out that when Tucker was in the Bears seemed to be sitting on the run, knowing the Bucs weren’t throwing the ball. I didn’t pick up on that, so I don’t know if that’s true, but that would be a big tell if true.
But today the running game was quite solid, it’s not the day to complain.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
A good number of our runs today squirted through the left side up the middle. Any coincidence Wirfs is over there now?
September 17th, 2023 at 6:18 pm
You have to find another back. Its gotta be another veteran to keep those guys focused.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
NO!
September 17th, 2023 at 6:42 pm
White had over 100 yards in combined yardage. So, what’s the big deal? Yeah, I know it was da Bears, but they sure made a game outta today!
September 17th, 2023 at 6:42 pm
Give up 2 3rd for j Taylor and you can book us in the Super Bowl
September 17th, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Maybe joe should watch the game and notice that Tucker was getting hit immediately before looking for a shiny new toy instead of reading the box score
September 17th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Rams are saying Cam Akers is available. Bring him back to Florida!
September 17th, 2023 at 7:16 pm
I think White and Tucker are very good, especially as the line gels and run blocks better and better.
Not sure how long Edmonds is out, but they have Vaughn and we know he is plenty good enough as a third string guy.
I am not saying don’t look into Hunt, but for the next couple weeks they need to watch that salary cap in case they really have a need.
September 17th, 2023 at 7:17 pm
Well it’s obvious who wrote this article. Hey Joe how many years have we complained in particular you complained about a competent starting back. We’re gonna freak out about the number 2 now? If the one or two gets hurt then we can debate
September 17th, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Kareem Hunt? How about AB is he available. One of the greatest joys for me this season is the seeming turnaround in the locker room. No more AB…no more TB just the TEAM!!!
The chemistry on this team is excellent right now and an excellent blend of vets and youth. Yeah let’s stick some moron like Hunt into that mix.
I remember everybody telling me JW was not really a disaster above the neck…how did that work out for us. Maybe we could enjoy the headlines when Kareen kicks the spit out of another WOMAN!
September 17th, 2023 at 8:00 pm
@Joe Hunt isn’t coming here. He and Mayfield had a beef in Cleveland over Hunt wanting to get paid and not practicing. I like Kick Hunt, I think he’s one of the most complete backs there is, but he won’t sign here in TB.
September 17th, 2023 at 8:10 pm
You best watch some film. Hunt wasn’t ineffective last year. Stefanski decided he was of “Baker Quality” and phased him out. All the bad pub on Hunt is just the same as the bad pub on Baker was. Hunt has plenty left in the tank. He was hardly used the last 2 years and didn’t even carry 1/2 the load the other years in Cleveland. Grab him. He’ll help. AND He’ll help QUICKLY !! Danny Baker Buc Esq.
September 17th, 2023 at 8:23 pm
Pass!
September 17th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Baker and Hunt had beef in Cle. Hunt’s dad even called out mayfield at one point, talking mad spit. As much as I love Kick Hunt, it’s safe to say that he won’t be signing here.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:06 pm
Could not agree more. Te is ok imo. Bigger fish to fry aka better positions to worry about.
Rb and cb would be my two positions I would like to see beefed up.
If the Bucs can find a way to go into their bye week at 4-0 or 3-1, I would no doubt look at beefing up those positions.
Getting this running game upstarted would only open up that passing game, with this offense.
Just win!
September 17th, 2023 at 9:09 pm
Kareem Hunt?? HARD pass. Sean tucker looked bad today and we could use depth, but I don’t want Kareem Hunt anywhere near this locker room and even suggesting him sounds like sabotage
September 17th, 2023 at 9:14 pm
Smoothbayrider is not very smooth. The beef was with OBJ and OBJ’s dad. Some of you guys are just–SPREADIN STUFF THAT ISN’T TRUE. NO beef with Hunt and Baker………….. Danny Baker Buc Esq.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:38 pm
lol…Joe always wants a new RB. I think it is his favorite position.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Less than a day ago, people in this very thread were wanting Tucker to start.
He’s a rookie. Let him develop.
I don’t know if Hunt is the solution.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:47 pm
I would not mind Ronnie Brown getting some backup duty though.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:54 pm
White scares me with the way he holds that ball.
September 17th, 2023 at 10:14 pm
“Tanking guarantees nothin…” facts @Joe
It’s Super Bowl or bust
September 17th, 2023 at 10:15 pm
bring in ronnie brown………………………or maybe kareem hunt…
i don’t like the way white holds the ball sometimes either…it’s gonna get punched by philly…someone let said dude know…
also sneak is prolly still fuming and wants onto the field bad…activate him vs philly and see if we hit pay dirt on the gamble
September 17th, 2023 at 10:16 pm
and if sneak skunks out, then bowles has every reason to bury him away as a gameday inactive moving forward
September 17th, 2023 at 10:24 pm
Hunt would be a great pickup. Can REALLY run, has low mileage on those legs and was the best pass-catcher the Browns had in 10 years. The only problem when he was with the Browns is that he had Chubb in front of him. Just ask Mayfield.
September 17th, 2023 at 11:13 pm
Flock “team.” That often means you’re boring and average (or worse). Give Joe the entertaining superstars who know how to win. Bo Schembechler always used to scream about “team.” How many titles did that jackass win? Zee-row, that’s how many.
As Michael Jordan said when Phil Jackson told him “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.'” Jordan shot back, “There may not be an ‘I’ in ‘team’ but there sure as hell is an ‘I’ in ‘win.'”
September 17th, 2023 at 11:14 pm
Assuming Edmonds has a semi-serious injury, we need depth. I’m not anti Hunt signing, but at what salary? A more intriguing move would be to trade for Cam Akers, $1.4M salary (minus 2 game checks) who knows a sinker system. Baker can provide insight to Licht/team as to whether he’d be a good fit with the lockerroom.
September 17th, 2023 at 11:40 pm
Joe is delusional. Bucs will 2-5 in 6 weeks
September 17th, 2023 at 11:55 pm
White averaged 4.29 yds/carry today… 73 yards… is that what passes for “great” now, as some comments here suggest?
I would have liked to see more Edmonds before the injury bug bit him.
September 18th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Hunt’s a criminal.
September 18th, 2023 at 11:05 am
What are the other choices. Id be surprised if baker gives approval for hunt. It seems like bucs have no faith in vaughn. Another back seems logical
September 19th, 2023 at 3:06 am
Aint happening Joe. It’s late. If Licht was gonna pull the trigger on a RB he would have already done it.
I’m pretty convinced Licht is gonna pretty much stand pat with what we got at RB. The cap room he cleared is for emergency use latter. Not gonna add on to the cap problems this year or next years cap.
Go Bucs
September 19th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Hunt Career 4.5 per Rush (4.9 YPC in Playoffs) 8.6 per Reception
Chubbs Career 5.3 per Rush 8.2 per Reception.
Hunt’s not going to discount himself just to have a job. Going from 3.5 mil to 1 mil or 20 mil to 4 mil it doesn’t make a difference. Once the price is lowered its too hard to get it back up to where it was before. He’ll stay home, stay in shape, and be ready to go when someone has the need and is willing to pony up. He’ll get his 200 Grand per game whether it’s 15, 10 or 2 going into the Playoffs with a contender.