The Battle Of The Rotten Running Attacks
September 20th, 2024
Poor running attacks butt heads Sunday.
If the first two weeks of the season are a barometer, on Sunday when the Broncos face the Bucs at The Licht House, two of the four worst teams in successful run percentage will battle each other like a couple of old women.
The Bucs have had a lousy run game since the 2021 season ended. The Broncos aren’t any better.
So what is a successful run? It’s when a rush attempt gains at least 40 percent of the yards needed for a conversion on first down, 60 percent of the yards needed to move the chains on second down, and 100 percent of the yards needed for a new set of downs on third and/or fourth down.
The Bucs and the Broncos are just sad at this, as pointed out by Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis.
* The Broncos have a 22.9% success rate on running back runs, 31st in the league.
* Tampa Bay has a 26.8% success rate on running back runs, 29th in the league.
Until proven otherwise, Joe isn’t expecting the Bucs to improve much, at least not dramatically for a couple of months.
Guess you can’t blame Robert Hainsey any longer, eh?
With a new offensive line coach, a somewhat new offense and two new offensive linemen starting, it takes time for everything to come together.
The way the Bucs are currently passing — tops in the league in successful pass attempts at 52 percent — why lean on the weakest element of the offense? There’s only so many snaps in a game. Don’t waste so many snaps running to nowhere.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:08 am
Until I see Bucky outpace White, I’ll believe we have the answer on our team.
Big difference between 5+ ypc and barely 2 ypc.
Having another game to build chemistry between Mauch and Skule should help.
I think anything north of 100 would be above expected in this game. Denver has a beefy front with the run.
Let’s give Bucky 15+ runs and see what happens.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:09 am
Rachaad White must be the slowest back in the entire league at hitting the line of scrimmage after receiving the handoff.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:12 am
It always helps when the defense isn’t in the backfield to greet the runner when they get the ball.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:22 am
It’s been 2 weeks. Give it a couple more before hitting the panic button.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:32 am
The Bucs are running the 3WR, 1RB, 1TE, set. It’s the exact same formation the Rams run. And it’s designed for passing the football, and it is a successfully, productive offense. Running the football is not a strength of this formation. You need run blocking schemes, techniques etc,. This is a new offensive scheme, and it takes time for the Offensive Linemen to come together as a unit. They didn’t play much together during the preseason.
The season is young, only two games
Give them time to learn the system
Give them time to gel together
September 20th, 2024 at 7:39 am
The Bucs have played two of the best run defenses in the league. Let’s see how they do this week.
September 20th, 2024 at 7:46 am
Oline is the weak link in this team.
September 20th, 2024 at 8:02 am
Bakefield is a good runner.
September 20th, 2024 at 8:02 am
RagingBrisket, OLine needs time to get healthy and jell. Can you spell P-A-T-I-E-N-T?
September 20th, 2024 at 8:17 am
White passes once he clears the line of scrimmage. Two back set to keep defense guessing maybe? I just know White hesitates when he hits the line for some reason ??? Bucky seems more apt to hit the line with steam….
September 20th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Give Bucky 18-20 carries and see what happens
September 20th, 2024 at 8:29 am
* Tampa Bay has a 26.8% success rate on running back runs, 29th in the league.
Hey, at least we’re not 32nd!! Can you say “improvement”?
Mr Silver Lining is done with this post.
September 20th, 2024 at 8:31 am
No one runs a 2 back set anymore. This isn’t the 90s
September 20th, 2024 at 8:34 am
There will not be a marked improvement until 67 is back in the lineup and 77 is out.
September 20th, 2024 at 9:31 am
Joe … ‘The way the Bucs are currently passing — tops in the league in successful pass attempts at 52 percent — why lean on the weakest element of the offense? There’s only so many snaps in a game. Don’t waste so many snaps running to nowhere.’
Interesting bottom line Joe. Interesting because we’re 2-0 and in BOTH games we’ve run on 50% of our plays (that’s a LOT for the Bucs). The last game that we lost (to the Lions in the playoffs last season), we only ran on 25% of our plays (15 runs out of 60 total plays). And we actually ran BETTER in that game (15-for-89 yards rushing … almost 6 YPC) than in these 1st 2 games this year (with a presumably improved OLine). But we made TWO turnovers in that playoff game … both INTs in the pasing game … and it cost us. Hmmm.
Our running game this season hasn’t been pretty (wasn’t pretty last season either, or the season before that), BUT … MAYBE it’s accomplishing what Bowles & Coen want it to accomplish. MAYBE they’re using the run game to keep the opposing defense guessing & off-balance. MAYBE that’s opened up opportunities in the passing game that wouldn’t have otherwise existed. And MAYBE it’s just a matter of time before it all gels.
MAYBE.
September 20th, 2024 at 9:40 am
Bowels has always been a proponent of it doesn’t matter if the run is successful because it sets up PA. Seems to be working.
September 20th, 2024 at 9:47 am
George R … ‘Bucs have played two of the best run defenses in the league.’
Commanders (1-1 now) aren’t fantastic at run defense, but they are pretty good (currently ranked #16 in rushing yards allowed). Lions (1-1 now) are excellent at run defense (currently ranked #3 in rushing yards allowed). So yes George, folks need to be a little patient with our OLine & our running game.
Our own run defense REALLY improved markedly from Game 1 to Game 2. Bucs allowed the Commanders into the Red Zone 3 times … and surrendered 3 rushing TDs (REALLY bad) & 0 passing TDs. We allowed the Lions into the Red Zone 7 times … but only gave up 1 rushing TD (mucho better) & 0 passing TDs. That was truly an unbelievable defensive performance; one for the ages.
September 20th, 2024 at 9:58 am
29th!!!!!!
Not 32!!!!
That’s a 10% improvement.
September 20th, 2024 at 10:42 am
29th in rushing but #1 in your heart?
September 20th, 2024 at 11:00 am
@DR
I have laid out the stat before but our record was way better when White had a lot of carries last year.
9-2 in games White had 15+ carries in 2023.
0-6 in games White had under 15 carries.
I’m not sure what other stat can illustrate the importance of NOT being a one dimensional offense that only passes.
September 20th, 2024 at 11:07 am
If Skule is out there, it will be sad, no running game but at least Baker will be running — for his life. As long as the ultimate matador is whooshing d-linemen through like they were being shot out of an air rifle, it’s gonna be a tough grind.
Coen and Todd strike me as letting Skule loose solo out there again.
Long day for Baker and the RBs coming.
September 20th, 2024 at 11:08 am
The Bucs only run the ball to keep the defense honest. The passing game is their bread and butter. Their running is serving it purpose…..to open up the passing game .
September 20th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Bucs 37 – Broncos 10 and one of the touchdowns will be a running one.
September 20th, 2024 at 11:34 am
This should be a blowout… except every Bucs fan still has shell shock about getting carved up by rookie QBs. Don’t think that will happen Sunday though. I think this is the best Bucs secondary in the last 10 years. Dare the Broncos to run the ball.
September 20th, 2024 at 11:40 am
No Bucs game is a gimme win with the way this defense is run
Broncos will keep it close
Real close
Bucs are at a coaching disadvantage with Todd Blows
September 20th, 2024 at 2:59 pm
By the time we get to the bye week, hopefully we see a little Shawn Tucker, we should be and could be, crossed fingers, in the top 15 to 16 out of 32 teams. If that’s the case, look out, we will be rolling right into the playoffs.
September 20th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
29th place is the best Ine Jason licht has been able to build in 3 years
Pathetic that our GM is unable to build a line.
Bigguns- What are you talking about??
Get Healthy? Patience.when you watch the game- make sure the TVis ON!
Mauch is healthy. Redesen is heath.
They just suck. Sucked ast year. Worst ranked in NFL.
And they suck again this year.
September 20th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
First Name Greatest Says:
September 20th, 2024 at 11:40 am
No Bucs game is a gimme win with the way this defense is run
Bucs are at a coaching disadvantage with Todd Blows
——————————
Our defense beat the lions… Who coaches the defense?
What exactly is the “issue” with Todd’s coaching?
I think he’s doing a friggin fantastic job up to this point. He’s giving Coen autonomy with the offense and he’s coached up the D and has them playing like their hairs on fire.
September 20th, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Defense Rules , No “ Maybe about it. “ Your research is much appreciated on this sight. Thanks for the hard work – just a matter of time. Patience is hard earned.
September 20th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
I find it amusing that there are those that believe cute little plays on the spelling of people’s names, intended to convey contempt for that person, showcases their proclivity for witty camaraderie……fyi…it detracts from any credible point you may have been trying to make.
September 20th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
New scheme
New rookie center
New LG
2nd year RG
New RT last week and probably this week
It will take some time folks. But 29th is better than 32nd. My only concern is Wirfs looking fairly average so far this year.
Lakeland is correct about our personal formations. I would like to see Coen mix that up a lot more as the season goes on.
September 20th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
*personnel
And Lord Corn nailed it on our record when White gets more carries. I believe we had similar numbers with both Fournette and Rojo too getting lots of carries.
September 20th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
We need bigger runningbacks that’s been the problem with the running game.
September 21st, 2024 at 8:24 am
Bucks have an awesome passing game. Go with strength! Tippy toes is slow to hit the line of scrimmage giving the D more time to react. But he is great in the passing game. That’s the good and bad with him. Bucs need to give the the new kid more touches. He takes off like a rocket.