Two-Set Running Backs? Todd Bowles Tossed The Idea Out There
September 30th, 2024
“Hey Buck, you good blocking for me?”
You want balanced running? The Bucs gave that to you yesterday in the win over the Eagles. Well, just a little.
The Bucs decided to air it out. Understandable. Prior to the game, the run game of the Bucs was a whole lot of meh overall.
Yesterday, the Bucs got good production from Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. Moneyball production. Each guy had 10 carries for 49 yards.
Add the two up and that’s nearly 100 yards on 20 carries. Solid. And this came with both backs less than 100 percent at The Licht House.
Irving was nursing a sore hamstring all week. White came down with food poisoning Saturday.
Bowles was so happy about White and Irving’s production he tossed out a very interesting almost old school idea.
Run a T-formation. Or even an I-formation with both White and Irving on the field. The Bucs have done that several times this season. Perhaps more such plays are on the way?
“Like I said, we have a one-two punch,” Bowles said. “Even Sean [Tucker] got some reps today. But with Rachaad and Bucky [Irving], it’s important that we get both of them reps and get both of them out there.
“Even have them out there at the same time.”
Well, when you have a passing game that was humming like yesterday, Joe isn’t sure that’s a wise decision. Let’s not mistake these two backs for Mike Alstott and Warrick Dunn.
But if a two-back set gives offensive coordinator Liam Coen more options to fool a defense or expose defenders, why not?
September 30th, 2024 at 12:17 am
It’s been reasoned that having White out there signals an obvious passing down, but if Bucky keeps improving his pass—catching skills, I think it begs for keeping 8 in the box, even if both are out there. Lots of chances for dynamic backs, there.
September 30th, 2024 at 12:17 am
The key is that Bucky has proven effective in the passing game. That way they can field two backs that are a threat to run or catch, along with Evans and Godwin that becomes really tough to defend. This is a great element for Cohen to use. This offense has big time weapons. Bucky and White can absolutely coexist and give defenses a lot to think about.
September 30th, 2024 at 12:18 am
They both can catch the ball out of the backfield and having both of them in the backfield will give defenses match up nightmares. Linebackers will have to cover each of them!!
September 30th, 2024 at 12:19 am
You would do that for the short passing game not for a Thunder – lightning approach. Many of us have been advocating for this. Todd evolves after all. Keep it up.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:12 am
What I want to do more of is see White line up as a WR. He’s got the ball skills. And if you want to keep the run threat aspect, you can send him in motion too.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:25 am
LOL I’ve been saying that since Detroit (having them both out there at same time).
Against DET and against DEN, almost all our successful run plays game when both backs were out there. Not in an I-formation, but as a way to cause misdirection and keep defense guessing. It working, keep doing it. Not sure about the I-formation though, don’t think either one is a lead blocker and out inside runs up the gut are still the least successful. Keep doing the inside zone and outside runs, tosses, screens etc.
September 30th, 2024 at 2:05 am
i was suggesting them in some 2 back set formations a couple weeks back…i like the idea – i think it’s good to see…
also with skule out there, the extra back protecting and waiting on a baker dump off is a good move…
these 2 backs can def coexist out there as similar weapons…you don’t particularly need the thunder and lightning duo of yesteryear…new era for new things…
mcvay would know what to do with these 2 together…hopefully coen sees it too
September 30th, 2024 at 2:50 am
Nice post Unbelievable; spot on. Bucs have been using this formation for several games, looks like as a way to keep the defense guessing as you noted more than anything else. And it’s successful in doing exactly that. With White, Irving, Evans, Godwin, Otton AND Mayfield out there as potential weapons, it gives a LOT of options and the defense a LOT to defend.
Yesterday’s 1st half offense was particularly effective IMO for 2 primary reasons: (1) we protected Baker, and his accuracy was WAY up there; and (2) we attacked the whole field, and wore Philly’s defense out real fast. Baker was 8-for-9 on that 1st drive for 1 TD, then 4-for-4 on the 2nd drive another TD. He went 1-for-2 on the 3rd drive (then Punt), and 1-for-2 on the 4th drive for another TD, followed by 5-for-7 on the 5th drive for a FG.
So to that point … still in the 1st half … Baker was 19-for-24 (79%) and the Bucs had 3 TDs & 1 FG. Unbelievably we still had 2 more drives in the 1st half; Baker went 3-for-9 on those 2 drives & we punted twice. We had SEVEN drives in that 1st half alone, and added another 4 drives in the 2nd half (Baker was 8-for-14 in that half for 57%). Very much different attack in the 2nd half in that we ran the ball a BUNCH & it succeeded in eating up the clock.
On the day Baker was 30-for-47 (63.8%) but was on fire in the first 4 drives of the 1st half when we needed it most (79.1%). Coen’s game-plan worked beautifully to capitalize on the heat & the Bucs’ advantage in weapons (Philly’s defense was really dragging relatively early in the game). Great win.
September 30th, 2024 at 4:50 am
Also saw Ko Kief in the game more to help with the blocking. They were getting decent runs on that side of the ball for a change. Also if they can dump the ball to our RB’s over the middle the way Koetter used Martin frequently it might discourage some teams from sending that extra man rushing.
September 30th, 2024 at 6:07 am
They were humming! The momentum was over the top right off the bat. Agree with everyone commenting too. Good reminder bob about Ko. He was in the mix too.
September 30th, 2024 at 7:08 am
Everyone keeps pushing one way or another I think we are truly dangerous just by using both. I have said it before and will say it again this reminds me of when the Saints had Karama and Ingram there is nothing wrong with a 1-2 punch like that. Bucky is obviously the better pure running back but white is just a total weapon in the pass attack. We are very fortunate and I think we are just getting started.
September 30th, 2024 at 7:14 am
Might have to if we run out of wide receivers.
September 30th, 2024 at 10:26 am
@DR – yeah those first 4 or 5 drives we were extremely efficient as you noted, and that’s exactly the type of playcalling / offense I was hoping to see when we hired Coen.
We got away from that efficient on our last drive before the half- I think it was 3 incompletions down the middle and then a punt, but overall I was encouraged but what I saw yesterday. I think we will need a similar game plan vs Atlanta as the back end of their defense is stronger than the Eagles.
September 30th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
We did get away from it and Baker noted that in his presser. I really think Baker called his own number some in there because he did NOTHING but pass for 2 straight drives. I simply think he was FEELINGi it. That can cost you a game at some point though so he needs to stay within himself. Dumping off screens can still turn into a long pass with these 2 RBs.
September 30th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Yes, more 2-back sets!! Rocket backfield…keep’em guessing!!
October 1st, 2024 at 2:01 am
Love it.
Do it.
Multiple runs from that formation and either or both can swing out for passes
October 1st, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Yes, Please! Having White and Irving together could prove a difficult task to cover. Add in Tucker 44 (is for me) as a FB with either White or Irving, does not really drop off either way. Would like to see more opportunities for Tucker, his catch and run almost scored. Would like to see a three back monster rotation, begin to show up. Each RB has similar yet different skill sets. I would like to see all of them get used.
Hopefully Coach Peete has had every RB go thru blocking drills with LB & DL not just DB & LB.