Just How Good Is The Bucs’ Run Game?
December 16th, 2023
Excitement over run game?
Boy, Joe has taken heat the past few weeks for saying he’s not overly impressed with the Bucs’ running game.
“But Joe, the Bucs have run for over 100 yards the last three weeks. You better come correct!”
Let’s peel the onion skin back a little. Looking at who the Bucs did the running on, let’s just say the Bucs haven’t broken 100 yards rushing on the ’76 Steelers.
The Bucs started their three-game streak of rushing for 100 yards against the Colts. This is the same defense that has been gouged for over 100 yards rushing for seven straight games. The team in that streak with the second-lowest rushing yards against the Colts? The Bucs.
The second of three games where the Bucs ran for 100 yards was against the one-win Stinking Panthers. Seriously? Joe should jump off a drum set like David Lee Roth over that?
Last week the Bucs racked up 148 yards on Atlanta after an ugly first half running the ball. That’s good, since it came against the No. 15 team in rushing yards allowed.
The Packers ranks No. 21 in rushing yards allowed this season. So yeah, if the Bucs have a good run game, Joe fully expects Rachaad White and friends to rack up 100 yards rushing tomorrow.
Progress? Sure. But is it enough to push the Bucs over the hump and into the playoffs?
December 16th, 2023 at 10:03 am
It’s still garbage
December 16th, 2023 at 10:11 am
The longer the Bucs’ D is on the field, the lower the chances of Bucs winning games – so the Bucs’ playoff chances are directly tied to the Bucs having a decent running game, controlling time of possession and keeping the Bucs’ D on the bench as much as possible.
That, and Mayfield’s decisions, accuracy and getting rid of the ball with less hesitancy.
December 16th, 2023 at 10:13 am
It is what it is. It’s 3 straight 100 yard games in rushing. No need to downplay it. Obviously the running game is improving. The main reason for the improvement seems to be putting Stinnie at left guard and the commitment to the run
December 16th, 2023 at 10:25 am
Three games of 100 yds on the ground against poor defenses vs. the run, and casuals are praising this OL as something special.
Still need major upgrades at C & LG. Major. Like two of first three/four picks.
December 16th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Last I check we play the schedule that we were dealt with. We are going to have games against very good run defenses and ones against bad run defenses and at the end of the year they average out. So if we happen to have had a few games against softer defenses it makes up for the fact that we also had multiple games against Stout run defenses especially to start the year..
December 16th, 2023 at 10:29 am
The run game is improving for sure. Has been good for 3 straight games and Chaad is getting better too, same with Mauch. This O-Line is a Center away from being really good. Great turn around for Licht after the sudden retirement of Marpet and Jensen’s injury. Could you imagine this O-Line if those two were still playing. Hurts to think about
December 16th, 2023 at 10:34 am
I can clearly see the improvement in the run game Also, as Buccos said seems like things improved when Stinnie was put in. However I am waiting to see how the run game fares against the better teams like Jacksonville and Greenbay. Another little tidbit is, the defense seems to play better when they take out JTS and Hall and put in the rookies
December 16th, 2023 at 10:40 am
@ Buccos
I agree.
Inserting Stinnie as the starting RG has helped.
I would also add that Cody Mauch has improved as the season progresses and R. White is making better choices and hitting the proper holes instead of just ramming himself into 325 lb. D-tackles…
The play calling has improved as well – more runs off tackle are being called rather than those idiotic up the gut BS mid zone runs that our OC was addicted to during the first half of the season.
December 16th, 2023 at 10:45 am
We’ve got a chance against the Packers, but a lot depends on how healthy each team is. Everybody seems to be banged up this year. Plus playing in Green Bay in December is never joyous.
December 16th, 2023 at 10:56 am
I was thinkin maybe….JUST MAYBE, if we didn’t run on EVERY SINGLE first and ten, we might have more success
December 16th, 2023 at 11:18 am
Marine Buc, true true and true. Stinnie, Mauch and better play calling
December 16th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Perspective, Joe. Our LG is so-so (but better than Feiler). Our C is pretty bad. Our HC tries to sit on 3-pt leads in the 2nd qtr. Our OC prefers running behind that so-so LG and bad C instead of behind our two quality Ts. The running game is not a monolith. Totally agree that the opponents are not high-quality, but given the internal obstacles, I think the running game is doing ok.
December 16th, 2023 at 11:32 am
Nuance.
Are they a proven running team? No
Are they improving and that’s cool? YES
Go Bucs!!!
December 16th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Most improved is always a dubious honor.
December 16th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Only people huffing their own farts would describe our running game as good. Improving? Maybe.
December 16th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
These coaches are really trying to cover for their failures by making it seem like they have conquered the world, when all tbey have done is steal lunch money from the smallest kids on the playground. This coaching staff is a joke!
December 16th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Maybe I am looking at the wrong column but Packers seem to be 31 in yards allowed and 26 in yards per attempt @ 4.6. Kansas City gives up that same amount but their offense puts up points until they don’t.
Only problem with playing a team that gives up Rushing is going against a OC that is going to run the ball just to be able to say ‘ told you so’. If you run the ball up and down the field for 200 yards and drives end up with FG’s then it’s not a real achievement. Upside is Bucs TD Efficiency in the Red Zone is up to a coin flip. Increases have come on the Road @ 2 out of 3 but still a pathetic 1 of every 4 at Home. Home Playoff Game would be nice but maybe they would be better off as a Wild Card and playing on the road.
December 16th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
TBF – the Falcons have a decent defense… but yeah this is what I’ve been saying:
We’ve played 3 bad teams in a row and only barely beat 2 of them…
December 16th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
We’ve had good rushing. Mayfield’s regressed with it. Can the BM fan club explain that to us skeptics. We know it’s not a Mayfield deficiency. Is it the defensive lines issue???
December 16th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
I agree with Joe and to peel the onion back another layer, our “respectable” running game is definitely influenced by not only “who” we played but the score of the recent games and how they evolved. Meaning We were not behind from the get go and have to pass every play to stay in the game. Since the beginning of time, it’s always easier to run while leading on the scoreboard or in a closely contested game.
December 16th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Question: Since we seemingly have no slot receiver right now. Shouldn’t Godwin go back to the slot and we can try to find a number two wide receiver? Maybe Palmer would be better out wide as the number two. I mean Bruce Arians could be a HoF coach and he thought Godwin belonged in the slot. Any thoughts?
December 16th, 2023 at 2:37 pm
@ Buccos
No doubt Palmer would do a better job at stretching the defense than Godwin does.
Dude runs a 4.3…
December 16th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Improvement is a positive.
December 16th, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Joe, Packers rank 31st in rush yards allowed this season, not 21st (nfl.com). I expect R. White to run for at least 110 yds, or the Bucs just plain suck.
December 16th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
We are running better, because 3 guys, starting for the first time in the NFL at their current position- are finally staring to come together
Mauch(Rookie), Wirfs( RT until this year) and Goedeke ( guad last year)
Are starting to get comfortable.
Finally.
Stennie and Hainsey are stillthe worst offensive linemen in the NFL.
Those two are horrible.
Horrible
December 16th, 2023 at 10:51 pm
Stinnie didn’t look to bad in that Super Bowl we won a few years ago now did he. Or in the playoff games leading up to it. But you are the offensive line guru I guess so you must know better
December 17th, 2023 at 1:41 am
“Progress? Sure. But is it enough to push the Bucs over the hump and into the playoffs?”
Joe lets be honest here. If the Bucs make the playoffs (big if) It will not be bcause we racked up a hundred yards rushing alone. We need to play well accross the board and a good rushing attack will most certainly help in that effort.
Better defense. As in some 3 and outs. Better QB play. As in Baker hitting the open man in stride and on time. Better play calling yeah you Dave.
All are big ifs.
Go Bucs!
December 17th, 2023 at 4:43 am
Bowles and Canales believe a strong running game keeps them in any contest until the end and hopefully in the end the Bucs pull it out. We all know in today’s NFL unless you are a prolific running team and don’t turn the ball over you are not going to win every ballgame running the ball. Every now and then you have to pass it effectively to win. All the Bucs have done lately and talked about is run, run, run. Could the Bucs be blowing a little smoke in the lead up to this game and are actually going to throw more on first and second down to get the Packers off balance. I doubt it, but what if Canales has his poker face on and is bluffing and the Bucs come out throwing?