“They Need To Get Another Guy In Here”
July 20th, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht. Is he a man short?
The Buccaneers’ running backs room? Not good enough, says an astute observer and friend of Todd Bowles.
Joe’s referring to Pat Kirwan, the former Jets linebackers coach and personnel director, who also spent time as a Bucs scout before launching his award-winning career on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Kirwan dissected every NFL team’s running backs corps this week and decided the Bucs are a man short.
Per Kirwan, rookie Bucky Irving is a good No. 2 running back option but he’s not prepared to carry the mail if he must. Chase Edmonds is a No. 4 running back and Sean Tucker is practice squad material, says Kirwan.
As for Rachaad White, Kirwan likes White overall but sees a running back headed toward burnout. White had 336 combined touches last season, Kirwan noted, and Joe will add that White had another 32 in the postseason.
That’s a lot of hits.
“If they’re going to keep four, they need to get another guy in here,” Kirwan said. “Doesn’t have to be a great player, but another guy. Rachaad White … once you get these guys that are over 300-plus touches [in a season], you do that two or three years in a row and they’re shot. So be careful, need to pace him a little bit more. Irving should be the guy that could help but he’s only a fourth-round pick.”
The 300-plus touches mark is no joke. Running backs rarely do that in the modern era and the ones that handle it usually are elite players. After former Bucs All-Pro running back Doug Martin logged his second 300-plus touch season, he was never close to the same player.
A lot of fans wonder what happened to Saints stud running back Alvin Kamara. Joe would says look at his jacked up per-game workload through the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
July 20th, 2024 at 9:47 pm
Three matadors yelling “Ole’” every time Canalwater called a run up the right gut between center and RG — makes it hard for anyone running the ball to do anything. And Todd oversaw the decisions that made Rachaad the overworked player that Kirwan noted.
Better coaching is essential. Todd will see to it.
July 20th, 2024 at 10:13 pm
Latavius Murray is who they need to sign.
July 20th, 2024 at 10:19 pm
If we do need another RB we should be able to get one during training camp or shortly after the regular season starts.
I really like Bucky a lot but he may need time to develop. We need a solid #2 to start the regular season.
July 20th, 2024 at 10:30 pm
Bring back Lombardi Lenny, he is trying to get back, probably has some tread. Cheap though.
July 20th, 2024 at 11:51 pm
Hopefully DJ Williams and Roman Jefferson read this for some motivation. If they or one of them don’t impress the coaches RB is one of the easiest positions to fill after Final Cut downs. Especially a Rb the doesn’t start or are expected to take reps right away. They will most likely be signed directly to the practice squad. If #3 Rb is the biggest problem with the Bucs roster we are in good shape.
July 21st, 2024 at 3:54 am
Kirwan’s right; Bucs do need another RB … a battering ram. We sucked in short yardage situations. Partly because our OLine wasn’t beastly enough, but also partly because we lacked a battering ram. We still do.
White has shown that he’s not the answer. Neither is Edmonds, and I have my doubts that Irving will be the bull we need either. Personally I’m pinning my hopes on our rookie DJ Williams (6′ & 225 lbs) to make the team as a specialist (FB & S/Ts), but at this point that’s just a pipe dream. We NEED a Mike Alstott clone.
July 21st, 2024 at 6:22 am
Much agreed DF… Why doesnt Jason see that….
July 21st, 2024 at 6:40 am
Bucky Irving is going to surprise alot of people this season.
July 21st, 2024 at 6:44 am
I’ll put in a call to Lydell Mitchell.
July 21st, 2024 at 7:14 am
Bucs are not right in the head if they do not sign ROJO to a league minimum deal. ROJO is only 26 and has proven he can play in the NFL.
July 21st, 2024 at 8:39 am
Sean Tucker, c’mon dooooooooooown
July 21st, 2024 at 9:10 am
Can we just admit that Jason Licht suck in drafting runningbacks ? He could have gotten the runningback out of Wisconsin but he pass on him to draft another small runningback that’s not going to be able to brake tackles in the NFL. At least judging by his size it looks like he won’t be able to . I’m tired of these small runningbacks . He also passed on Brece Hall and the Jets got him he could have gotten Derick Henry back then and he passed on him . Nick Chubb should have been a first round draft pick. That’s why I was never in the belief that you should draft a runningback in the first round. All I hear is you can get a runningback in 4th or 5th round and we still haven’t had a runningback to rush for a 1,000 yards since 2015 9 years ago. But every year I hear the same thing from most GMs, coaches and the national meadi. They spend most of the off season telling people that the runningback position don’t matter until one of their favorite quarterback plays bad or lose in the playoffs then they cry about not having a running game. The running game has been the main reason why the bucs struggle on offense the past 8 years and counting. Hopefully it change this year and we are able to run the ball to help Baker. Baker dose not have to be a elite quarterback for the bucs to win
July 21st, 2024 at 9:23 am
IMO, Bucky Irving is just another Keyshawn Vaughn and Rashad White steadily improved as last year went on. The O line is also going to be way better this season, that being said I believe another running back will emerge in camp hopefully it’s Tucker to take the load off White.
July 21st, 2024 at 9:59 am
When it comes to rushing Bucs we’re 23rd in the most attempts. Although White was tied with CMC in rushing attempts his per game average was 16 rushing attempts an 5 pass targets per game.
Five touches per quarter doesn’t seem like he was being over worked. Perhaps if it was over a 16 game season but that many touches over 17 is less concerning as 1000 yards receiving is impressive.
Of the 5 passing targets White got per game not all were by design. When Mayfield could not find a receiver down field or was out of position to make the throw he went to White. Later in the season teams were watching for it and Whites production declined.
I doubt his production in the passing game will be as good in 2024 with teams game planning.
Not to worry though because Coen’s high powered passing game will have Mayfield throwing for 5400 yards and 42 TD’s.
July 21st, 2024 at 10:19 am
Duh
July 21st, 2024 at 10:24 am
Schrader set the Missouri single season rushing record in a 14-3 victory against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. His 1,627 rushing yards surpassed former Tigers running back Tyler Badie.[16]
Cody will not beat out Mcaffrey. He will get cut from 49ers camp. Pick him up.
July 21st, 2024 at 10:59 am
Otard – imagine that you suck. That would be the first time your imagination approached reality.
July 21st, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Marky Mark, I agree on Schrader. Dude is a baller! I bet he makes the 49ers due his work ethic and under the radar talent.
July 21st, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Bucs could definitely use a battering ram. I prefer to stay away from “bull” analogies after watching the Three Matadors wave them through all of last season.
July 21st, 2024 at 1:33 pm
He’s not wrong, for a player who hates contact and has no fire, passion or pain tolerance that many hits are going to cause him to quit.
July 21st, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Dave Pear. May God bless you!!
July 21st, 2024 at 2:50 pm
We don’t need more backs. And we don’t need a “battering ram” type runner. We need BLOCKING and a run game strategy that isn’t so predictable.
I’d rather see us add another gaurd
July 21st, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Otard, I have been blessed and will continue to be. You on the other hand are cursed and seem oblivious (means you don’t know) to reality.
July 21st, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Dave Pear. I just hope you find the help you need brother !!
July 21st, 2024 at 8:55 pm
Assumed this article was about pass rushers / OLBs based on the title.
July 22nd, 2024 at 8:11 am
If Kirwan can magicaly send us a Barry Sanders clone and pay him whats left of our cap money I would be very pleased.
But I don’t think the RB fairy comes to Tampa any more.
Go Bucs!