Sean Tucker Allowed Doubters To See The Light
October 14th, 2024
Running back Sean Tucker.
So now Joe gets what Mel Kiper’s hype was all about.
When the Bucs signed Sean Tucker as an undrafted free agent in the hours after the draft, a bunch of commenters on this here site got awfully excited.
Joe admits to rarely watching Syracuse football, so Joe knew almost nothing about Tucker, other that what JoeBucsFan.com draft guru Sean Sullivan discussed in his podcast breakdown of running backs.
Long-time BSPN draft analyst Mel Kiper was a huge fan of Tucker’s, thinking Tucker was one of the better running back prospects in the draft. And ex-Bucs Chris Simms was all-in on the Bucs finding a steal.
Tucker wasn’t drafted because in the early days of draft workouts, a physical detected a heart issue. That spooked every team in the league.
Tucker was not permitted to go through team workouts during the 2023 offseason. Tucker had a forgettable worthless preseason and in a handful of carries in the regular season, he made Rachaad White look like Walter Payton.
In fact, at the combine this past winter, when asked about Tucker, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht grumbled a bit about Tucker’s lack of production and that he really needed to ramp things up. That made Joe wonder if Tucker would be back for 2024.
But in reality, Tucker struggled because he went months without practicing. So why did anyone expect Tucker to be any good?
With a chance to work out with the Bucs all offseason using NFL trainers and an NFL-crafted training program in an NFL weight room, Tucker was a different man this past summer.
Yesterday, he totally blew up. And Bucs coach Todd Bowles loved it.
“This is the Sean Tucker we thought we’d get when we got him last year,” Bowles said after the game yesterday. “He’s come into his own.”
Tucker did have a flash the previous week that Sunday was coming. His kick return against Atlanta saw him blow through several Dixie Chicks kickoff coverage dudes. It made Joe think, “He runs angry. Let’s see him with the offense.”
Yesterday, Tucker did just that.
At worst, Joe hopes Tucker’s 14 carries for 136 yards ad a touchdown lights a fire under White. But Joe does not expect White to suddenly become a star running back? Joe’s been impatiently waiting since the start of the 2022 season — and roughly 450 carries — for White to break out. He’s had just few good games.
Can’t blame Robert Hainsey anymore.
Sean Tucker’s acceleration is the best on this depth chart. #BuccaneersvsSaints pic.twitter.com/ax1mkggNSJ
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) October 13, 2024
October 14th, 2024 at 5:02 am
Tuck n buck going forward. White is now RB3
October 14th, 2024 at 5:44 am
After yesterday’s performance, it should be Tucker – Irving as the two taking the lions share of the carries with White checking into 2 back sets occasionally. He’s not effective enough as a runner to be in the backfield alone, makes our offense too 1 dimensional, but putting him back there with Bucky or Tucker opens up a lot of possibilities.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:28 am
Yesterday reminded me a tad of WD40…..
What a 1-2 punch.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:46 am
Yeah the whole White being dynamic as a receiver? So are these two, plus they can run anywhere. I appreciate White, but he’s just a receiving back. Tucky needs to be 1 & 2. White had 3 years to prove it.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:50 am
I really, REALLY hope the Bucs coaching staff doesn’t virtue signal and go all stoic about how you can’t lose your starting position to injury.
NONSENSE!
White loses his starting position to the fact he’s had 450 carries to prove that he can consistently gain more than 2 yards a carry.
So Toddy, “Want what you have” which are two healthy BEASTS who actually have vision and burst and cat-like quickness and power and speed and, and, and…
Or, you can suck as a coach or coaches and run white up the middle on first down and waste your bench.
Don’t do it. Have some balls to actually DOMINATE!!!
Please.
October 14th, 2024 at 6:51 am
I had to pinch myself after watching the run game yesterday. I’m so used to seeing our RBs just slam into a wall of defenders, I didn’t know what to think. Imagine this offense with an actual run game?
October 14th, 2024 at 6:52 am
Amazing to see the running game explode. I don’t care who they start irving or tucker, White is not the guy.
But for fck sakes whoever you start should get 20 carries. I hate when they split carries.
RB’s need to get in a rhythm. Pick a guy and make him the feature for once. The nfl has gotten to cute with rb by committee
October 14th, 2024 at 6:58 am
Agreed. If Bowles wants a running game Tucky is the way to go
October 14th, 2024 at 7:09 am
White should be move to wide receiver there is need there and he can be used as a running back on end around plays.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:10 am
Yes yesterday reminded me of Alstott n Dunn in the backfield. Only difference is Tucker is 4.3 faster than Alstott. Therefore, let’s trade RWhite n soft, fragile, liability Jamel Dean for some early picks or an elite defensive end. I’m at wits end with Dean. We’re now missing only one piece to the Super Bowl puzzle. Hainsey played hard yesterday n by the way, we have a 6th round rookie OL on the bench name Elijah Klein who’s big, nasty, n ready to play. Go Bucs.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:15 am
Leopold, I agree with the White assessment with one caveat. He’s not much as an RB, but I feel he is more than just a receiving back. He is an excellent receiver for a back.
Good problem to have, we just need to figure out how to make this work. It would be a waste not to use someone as good as he is for the one great skill he possess
October 14th, 2024 at 7:17 am
As Joe has repeatedly advocated, let White play slot receiver in spot duty for Godwin. He’s good at catching the ball, not so good at running the ball.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:20 am
We all know that White will be the #1 back come Monday night. No way Bowles makes a decision to replace him even though it makes sense. Hope im wrong though as i want to see more Buck & Tuck!!!
October 14th, 2024 at 7:21 am
Why we dont use iform why nfl get away from a fb leading a block?
October 14th, 2024 at 7:26 am
Three headed RB threat would
be an amazing layer to this offense.
October 14th, 2024 at 7:27 am
I remember when the single-back thing started in the 80’s with Riggins and James Wilder, never liked it
October 14th, 2024 at 7:51 am
I said when we got him that Tucker could be special… what I didn’t expect is for him to be this hard to bring down. He is rarely off his feet.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Tucker looks GREAT
October 14th, 2024 at 8:15 am
This why I hate Bowles he knew Tucker was and is better then White but kept playing White
October 14th, 2024 at 8:24 am
Bucky it is! Heavens yes!
October 14th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Or tucky is good
October 14th, 2024 at 8:52 am
My biggest gripe is that it took them a full half of football to realize that the running game was averaging 6+ yards a touch. That 2nd quarter spit show didn’t even need to happen.
The run/pass ratio in the 1st half was bordering on Sluggo Leftwich ineptitude. Yesterday’s 2nd half could be the potential new norm if they have the testicular fortitude to tell Rachaad White to stay out of the immediate back field area on any given play.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:52 am
Brought Tucker up to you after 2 games last year and you blew me off. Rookies didn’t play much last year till the losing streak. Bowles wouldn’t play them. This year he has played Smith and Braswell because they’re his only option and he’s coaching for his job. They’ve gotten better every week like Tucker could have last year and.
October 14th, 2024 at 8:55 am
So his heart condition is why Tucker has been under the radar. Makes sense. Coen now has 3 more weapons to get really creative with. White’s sure hands make him a real threat as a receiver. Looking at that highlight I could see Tucker has that classic RB shape, and low center of gravity. Can’t wait until the OLine gets settled. Yeowsers!
October 14th, 2024 at 9:13 am
LOOK AT THE LOAF ON SHEPARD in that video! How many penalties on him yesterday, including critical drive killers? 3, 4? And he continued to get the ball. *spew*
October 14th, 2024 at 9:18 am
Sometimes i couldn’t tell whos running, Tucker or bucky. But if white its easy to tell
October 14th, 2024 at 9:25 am
After a slow start in year one, Tucker looked good this past preseason. This season, he’s picked it up even more, yesterday was a breakout preformance. That is something we’ve been waiting four years to see out of White. Bucs should think hard about turning White into a receiver, As it stands now in a contract year, there’s no reason to resign him as a RB. Buck, and Tuck have that covered.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:43 am
Tucker and Bucky have incredible burst
October 14th, 2024 at 9:53 am
Absolutely no reason to not turn these two young men lose and the running game until it doesn’t work at the least.
October 14th, 2024 at 9:54 am
ST44 could very well end up being the greatest undrafted free agent RB ever ! Another JL and staff steal!!
October 14th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Think a lot of the credit needs to go to the Oline. RBs had some nice holes behind Wirfs and Godeke. Hainsey also looked good, better than Barton. Wirfs was pulling to the right side of the line on some of the plays and opening large holes. Even I could get a few yards. lol. Hope the Oline continues to improve. Ravens will be a big test.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
White would have ran wild with the way the oline opened holes Sunday.We have 3 very good backs.So I mean stop with the White bashing.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:47 pm
Tucker ran hard. Give the man more playing time please.
October 14th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Donald G Says:
October 14th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
White would have ran wild with the way the oline opened holes Sunday.We have 3 very good backs.So I mean stop with the White bashing
——————
Not going to happen Donald. It’s JBFs favorite narrative. He’s been pushing for RW to be replaced, and talking about how he’s a BAD runner for a long time. If RW gets any credit, or has any success, it makes Joe look bad.
You guys are ridiculous. Rachaad White forged his own record through 450 carries. Few NFL running backs in history became different runners after that totality of work. All kinds of Bucs analysts barked about how 2024 was White’s year to breakout and become a special runner of the football. Joe’s been calling that asinine for many months. Joe would love to see White crush it. It’s sports. It’s not personal to Joe who thrives and who doesn’t. Does Joe cheer for some players more than others? Absolutely. Joe does not root against them.–Joe
October 14th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
White has no fire in his eyes so nothing there to light. At least he finally cut those cornball braids. Always said he’s a receiver perpetrating as a running back so he can play. Not fast enough to play receiver full time. He has no vision and almost as stiff in the hips as Cade Otton. That catch for a td showed that Whites receiving skills aren’t really needed.
October 14th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
when i first saw him play and maneuver, i thought he looked like a smaller version of nick chubb…
then i saw him without the helmet and was like “yo he really could be his brother” (yeah i thought they looked a like)…
then the bucs tucked him away into a locker room storage closet after he literally, repeatedly “ran himself into the ground” on his touches early last year…
it was weird…he looked like he was always ready to go down…it was kinda disappointing to see because he seemingly had game…
but yesterday, wow…he looked like an all-pro type back…bowling, pin-balling, bouncing around and speeding past defenders like a beast…
it was really exciting to see because he’s the most prototypical type pure running back we have on the roster
October 14th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
Never doubted Tucker. He did great yesterday!
JerseyBuc said “Tuck n Buck.” Perfect!
October 14th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
2 back system from here on out. Coen can figure out how to fit White in the passing game but the his resume as a #1 RB hasn’t compared to was Irving and Tucker have shown this season. Use White as a checkdown and short route runner, he does have great hands!
October 14th, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Sean Trucker bessted on da Aints.
October 15th, 2024 at 1:41 am
Now appearing at RayJay!… Numberrr 44… direct from Syracuse… Sean Tuckerrr!!!
I give him the fanfare he deserves! If it werent for the unfortunate health scare of last year we would not have been able to draft this dude and the whole NFL would already know he got that 44 number legit!
Running over people ala Mike Alstott! Wow!
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2024 at 1:43 am
Oops sorry I forgot he was undrafted.
We got him for peanuts….Jason is gonna have some renegotions to do me thinks.
Go Bucs!