“They Got No F***ing Run Game”
September 21st, 2024
Bucs opponent reacts on camera.
The Lions knew.
The Bucs are currently eighth-worst running the football. They have a total of 182 yards — some 55 yards of which have come from the legs of their quarterback, Baker Mayfield.
In yards per carry (3.4 yards), the Bucs are third-worst. They are 29th in the league in successful run rate.
In short, the Bucs’ running game, two games into the 2024 season, isn’t anything different than 2023 or 2022.
It sucks!
And the Lions knew it. Caught by NFL Films cameras, Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams appeared to openly mocked the Bucs’ run game to his players right after Mayfield ran in a quarterback draw from 11 yards out.
“They got no f***ing run game,” Williams said. He added the only way the Bucs can run the ball is when Mayfield scrambles.
He’s wasn’t wrong. But Joe thought it was interesting that opposing coaches are mocking the Bucs’ run game to players on their sidelines.
Is Joe peeved by this? When you have Rachaad White as your No. 1 running back, what do you expect? Doesn’t he have an ample body of work now stretching into three seasons that he cannot get the job done on the ground?
But no, Joe is not peeved at the lack of a run game. Yet. The passing game is working wonders as one may expect with the weapons Mayfield has (including White).
With a somewhat new offense, two new starters (one a rookie) on the offensive line and a new offensive coordinator, sometimes it takes a while for a run game to get rolling. Joe truly believes fans will see a different running game by Thanksgiving.
So no, Joe is not upset (yet) by the run game struggles.
Being tied with the Commandos and the Stinking Panthers for fewest sacks in the league (two)? Now that really frosts Joe!
Hat tip: @Sl33ping_Bear
"If I've gotta use my legs, I'll do it" 🤷♂️
Baker's at his best when he's a dual threat.
#NFLTurningPoint on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/ANsZDAF4x1— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 20, 2024
September 21st, 2024 at 1:22 am
I know this article is about our Shït run game but I just rewatched the game and our secondary is elite. Tykee Smith with a tackle for loss in a big game as a rookie. Zion McCollumn as a 5 round draft pick is looking like a shut down corner. Izzien (undrafted FA) made some fantastic plays and saved the game with his tackle on Gibbs on the 4th and short. Jordan Whitehead (4th rounder) made play after play. And I know Sorvocea Dennis (5th rounder) isn’t the secondary but he had a hell of a strong game. Cheers to Bowles and this coaching staff and Licht and his front office for putting this defense together. Quite possibly elite. Watch the Fu*k out
September 21st, 2024 at 1:47 am
Can’t wait until we get our horses back. Vea, Kancey and Gholston! We will only have to score 10 points a game. We are going to be a dominant team. I’m still going with my prediction of an undefeated season
September 21st, 2024 at 1:53 am
It’s still ironic that Terrel Williams mocks our run game just before his D allows baker to score on the ground…
September 21st, 2024 at 2:07 am
Man. That is bad. Need to start using White like Deebo. More like a Slash/WR with just a handful of carries here and there, mostly to keep the Defense honest, & off-balance. He can’t be our feature back any longer, unless only in the 4th-Quarter to protect a lead against a tired Defense with gaping holes.
September 21st, 2024 at 2:43 am
Who cares with our passing game let it fly
September 21st, 2024 at 3:34 am
With a corpse at RT, it’s not realistic to imagine any passing game being successful either.
September 21st, 2024 at 3:43 am
Joe … ‘sometimes it takes a while for a run game to get rolling. Joe truly believes fans will see a different running game by Thanksgiving.’
Thank you for that Joe. We’ve got a new LG & a rookie at C. Our TEs can’t block for sh*t. And I’m still convinced that ‘something’ is going on with both Wirfs and Mauch (neither is exactly dominant this year).
MAYBE it has something to do with what our new OC & new OLine coach is asking of these guys here at the start of the season. HOPEFULLY they just need more time to gel like you’re saying.
In the meantime, I think the running game is still accomplishing its MAIN purpose (or purposes). It’s keeping the defense honest, which theoretically at least helps the passing game. It’s also getting our OLinemen LOTS of game practice blocking for the running game (and HOPEFULLY practice makes perfect). And oh ya, we are 2-0.
September 21st, 2024 at 4:05 am
WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS CO
September 21st, 2024 at 4:37 am
It’s a fact until we prove it otherwise. So I’m not butthurt by it at all. Gotta take that one on the chin and start running the ball better.
September 21st, 2024 at 4:52 am
Agree 💯 about the run game. It’s going through a metamorphosis and will look completely different by mid-season.
September 21st, 2024 at 4:52 am
The only stat that counts for me is 2-0 couldn’t care less how they got there just keep it rolling.
September 21st, 2024 at 4:54 am
I guess the real question at this point is would you rather have an RB1 who can run or one who can catch?
I vote for both.
We have no run game with Rachaad. We don’t really know (yet) if we do with Irving or Tucker. Soo? I don’t see that either one has terrible hands BTW. Not Ronald Jones bad anyway…
They all need some blocking lessons. Standing in somone’s way is not blocking. Looking at you Coach Peete, Carberry?
Go Bucs!
September 21st, 2024 at 5:08 am
WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING!
Me. bi**hing about since January.
Not hard to see.
By the way, if Rashaad White is the problem, why did he average more yards per carry than Playoff Lemmy Fournette the year before.
And with the exception of one 30 yard run, better than Bouncing Bucky Irving.
Here’s a hint. It AINT THE RUNNING BACKS.
September 21st, 2024 at 5:33 am
If Kancey was a horse he would’ve been put down by now. He’s a bum.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:01 am
I bet we have a big day on the ground tomorrow with Bucky getting his first rushing TD. We played a tough team, in a tough place to play. Our O line has played less then 60 game minutes together. We didn’t fix the run game in the preseason, hell the O line played one whole series. What you see now isn’t what you’ll see down the road. We’re still a work in progress. Expecting the 64 Packers rushing attack after 2 games is folly.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:03 am
We win or lose via the pass.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:30 am
Toss back a chill pill!
September 21st, 2024 at 6:45 am
“In Godwin we trust.”
Our run game is important because Godwin KILLS on 3rd down conversions. So, smart play calling states on page 43, section 14, “Don’t waste time with 1st and 2nd down conversions with the run game. Get a yard or two on each try so that you can quickly get to 3rd down to throw to your all-world slot receiver for the conversion.”
Or something.
September 21st, 2024 at 6:59 am
Not being able to get a 1st down and run out the clock at the end of the game was the worst series for the offense . If you want to be a contender, you have to close out games offensively when you have the opportunity.
September 21st, 2024 at 7:00 am
2 weeks into the season is sort of an extended preseason that counts…
also week 3 is extended preseason that counts…
by week 4 we are getting to the meat and potatoes of the season…
definitely by week 5…
early season and end of season power ranking are usually way way different…
so relax – the run game is gonna come…yes it will
September 21st, 2024 at 8:26 am
Two games are too small a sample to determine if our run game will improve
September 21st, 2024 at 8:34 am
Guys love playing those weak teams, we’ll see what the comments are like in October
Uh common sense question, what happens when that elite passing attack faces an elite or really good secondary and we can’t run the ball? Detroit doesn’t have a good pass defense
Jason licht sucks and for some reason y’all think he’s drafting some kind of dynasty. No run game no pass rush equal mediocre season
September 21st, 2024 at 8:47 am
Can’t cherry pick running stats and discount QB runs. The Ravens are one of the top running games every year BECAUSE of QB runs.
September 21st, 2024 at 9:08 am
That’s not fair Joe. We are only 2 games into the season. The O-Line is bamged, Luke was out for last week’s game against the Lions. Luke is out for Bronco’s game as well. You Joe, just wrote several posts on here regarding how well the Bucs running game improved with Bucky and etc.. now after one game where the O-line is missing a significant piece like Luke. You back to saying how horrible the run game is again. Give it time I believe the running game will be relevant by season’s end here.
September 21st, 2024 at 9:17 am
The running game is doing it job. It’s keeping the defense honest, off balance. Where as they only averages 3.4 ypc rushing. They averages 9.7 per pass attempt……which is 2nd to the Saints. So there’s a balance in place, teams stop the run, the Bucs punish them with the pass. If they stunk with both, then there’s a problem, zero balance. The run game will improve as the season progress. And the passing game will continue to be their Bread and Butter.
This passing attack will eventually open up the run game
September 21st, 2024 at 9:18 am
Common denominator is white. He’s def good at what he does but he’s a terrible RB feed Bucky!
September 21st, 2024 at 9:39 am
Why is the running game bad? New OC. New C. New G. Same RB. Same result.
September 21st, 2024 at 10:19 am
Meet the new O-line, same as the old O-line.
September 21st, 2024 at 10:30 am
It’s not our run game. It’s the run plays being called. And the timing of those plays being called 1st 2 nd or 3rd down. It’s very predictable.
Do something like. Pass , draw, play action. Or play action. Run middle. Play action. Or throw a FULL BACK. in front of RB then play action.
September 21st, 2024 at 10:31 am
Get the defense to think ! Don’t have them in your face.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:04 am
I think we need to give it a little more time. They did much better against Washington for the most part. The lions bottled them up and they were missing their right tackle who brings the attitude to the run game. Plus, this line is pretty new, they need to 2-3 more weeks to gel.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:08 am
Meh, that’s nothing more than a position coach trying to really his troops. I can guarantee you’d hear similar statement on every sideline of every game every week.
“They can’t run, they’re just doing this”
“They can’t beat us deep, it’s just short passes”
Etc., etc.
Let’s let a few more games play out before we declare the run game us the worst the in the league (it’s not) and crucify our running backs while placing ZERO blame on an o-line that can’t run block.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:12 am
Joe Bucky hasn’t done much better running behind this line. You keep beating the drum that it’s just white. I’m not just only blaming white it’s deff some of his fault too but it’s the oline as well. Lenny didn’t run great in 22 and what about the other backs in 23? I blame white just as much as the line. You only blame white. Our oline is good at pass protection but at run blocking they are trash. Even with wirfs who I’m a huge fan of. It’s your site joe so you can be bias of the line and throw all the blame on white but that’s not the truth
September 21st, 2024 at 11:19 am
Geez how many years how many coordinators, position or head coaches and running backs do y’all need. Oh wait it’s the o line lol no let’s give it a few more games to figure it out against the eagles falcons saints ravens
September 21st, 2024 at 11:32 am
It’s only 2 games. Let’s keep chopping the wood.
Btw we are 2-0.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:45 am
8th Worst is 24th …. YES!!!!!!
We were 32nd last year.
September 21st, 2024 at 11:48 am
Just read every post to They Got No F…ing Run Game. The entire offense will be effective. Before Thanksgiving I think. Esteban85 though strayed from the run game. That’s when my eyes lit up. Because when I rewatched I saw that same young secondary that Esteban85 saw. We’ll see if last week’s success changes anything. But those are some high character kids who I think will get BETTER!! And no Winfield ? Holy S… !! We’re winning the dang Super Bowl !!
September 21st, 2024 at 12:16 pm
We need bigger runningbacks that can brake tackles our runningbacks are to small the go down after the first hit.
September 21st, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Against the Lions, the game plan was to try anything that works to get the job done. Thanks to the tremendous effort by the defense (Lions only scored 1 out of 7 times from the red zone?!), the Bucs were able to score enough to win. I predict that Coen will try to run the ball against the Broncos defense. I hope that White’s groin is well rested. It’s be sore, again, after Sunday.
September 21st, 2024 at 2:00 pm
@Ruka_44
You are correct sir!!!!
September 21st, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Lions have an elite run defense the dude mocking us is just a clown
September 21st, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Who needs a running game when baker can make a lions defense look like scrubs when he runs it
September 21st, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Lol…he mocke our run game, which means his defense got beat by a one dimensional offense. Knew what was coming and still couldn’t stop it. The Bucs are sneaky, scary good 🤫
September 21st, 2024 at 3:11 pm
This thing is fixed easily. Our right tackle is gonna wiff on his blocks, just like the matador that he is. So design a pile of screens to the right. We got a natural there. Problem solved!
September 21st, 2024 at 3:32 pm
And your daily ‘White sucks’ article, right on schedule.
September 21st, 2024 at 5:37 pm
We run good in a gap style offense but when we run from the zone offense we are swarmed in the backfield by three defenders. Which ever back gets the most carries running the gap will have the best stats.
September 21st, 2024 at 8:48 pm
The guards suck. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. It won’t be any different by then. It’s the same level of talent in the middle. Mauch did not improve. T-Rex arms on the other side. Playing time together isn’t going to make them better. They’re jags who will always be jags. Coen will have to scheme around the shortcomings until we get some starters. Let Klein get some reps. Just sad to watch the same putrid performance week in and week out with such motivated talent all around dragged down by a couple sluggos.
September 21st, 2024 at 9:33 pm
BadBucs,
It is an honor to post on the same page as you, Sirrah.
In a world of blind mice- finally a Cat in the know.
Well done. I salute You.