Fumble Recovery
October 17th, 2024
Rookie running back Bucky Irving is assessed by Todd Bowles.
So one message given to Bucky Irving hours after he fumbled late during the Week 5 debacle in Atlanta went something like this
“Man up. Deal with it. You will fumble as a running back and instant recovery is what matters.”
That came from Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete on the team’s radio network.
Head coach Todd Bowles also noted on the same show that Irving’s beastly bounceback in New Orleans was important.
But more important to Joe was Bowles’ assessment of Irving’s running style and his understanding of each run.
“It was great for him because he was making some tough runs,” Bowles said of Irving. “He wasn’t trying to score every play. He was slamming it up in there when he had to slam it up in there. He was slicing back when he had to slice back. He protected well. He caught the ball well, him and Sean [Tucker] both. For him to come back after the fumble last week [in Atlanta] is great to see.”
What’s the ceiling for Irving? Joe has no idea, which is so darn exciting. He’s been good to great every week, and his work in the passing game has proven to be sound.
And Bucs fans love him. After Monday night, the nation might, as well.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
I will be very PL34SED if Buck and Tuck get the nod again on Monday
October 17th, 2024 at 1:14 pm
Being up in VA… I don’t get to “see” many games, just monitor JBF game commentary (sometimes insightful, sometimes irrational LOL)…seeing the Bucs vs Saints highlights and how effective both RB’s were as well as the defensive substitutions makes me wonder why we don’t make some of those permanent. The fumble by Olave comes immediately to mind…I haven’t seen a hit like that in some time. Again, I don’t see all the games, but (especially in the 2nd half) there was marked improvement on both sides of the ball. I just (like many) hope we learn from it and don’t go turtle again, on either side of the ball. I will say, the youngsters do seem to “have it” in spades. I hope they get more time on the field.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
If Bucky and Tucker can get the nod again this week and manage similar levels of performance I think they will have earned a lot more snap at rb. It’s no secret that White has also been performing better as a pure runner in the last few weeks, partly because he hesitates less but in large part because our oline has been performing better in the run game. Having 3 competent backs is not a bad problem to have.
That beung said, it might be time to consider using White as a gadget player and line him up everywhere on the field as he is a decent rb, is very dangerous in space and can catch really well. Bucky and Tucker appear to be better pure runners than White
October 17th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Ravens have a pretty solid rushing D…I’m not expecting much.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
I love Bucky, but I don’t ever see him as an RB1. Remember Darren Sproles? He was the complementary back to Ladanian Tomlinson for the Chargers back in the day. LT was an amazing Hall of Fame RB, but Sproles was even faster! The Chargers had a change of pace back that was even quicker and dartier than LT!
That’s how I see Bucky. I have a feeling Sean Tucker will eventually be RB1 but Bucky will get almost as many carries as the RB2. Rachaad White will be the 3rd down back and won’t get a second contract with the Bucs.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:46 pm
I like this take, makes me think about it in a different way. Bucky can make people miss in the open field, which is maybe why I want to see him as an every down back. I compared it to the DLine in terms of sacks by committee, but now I’m maybe seeing similarities with the DB room. We don’t really have a CB1 and haven’t for a while (CDIII was NEVER a true CB1 in my opinion), yet that group is productive. If we can just find a way to get the backs in a situation that all 3 of them can be used effectively, we are going to be COOKING.
I’m starting to see that the ‘1’ tag (RB1, CB1, WR1) is very situational and can actually change each snap. I saw a list of best WR2’s in the league and the graphic had Mike listed for the Bucs. With our rotation of backs, all 3 could be used as the primary back situationally, I’d love to see Coen draw up a gameplan including all 3 and their skillsets rather than draw up plays for RB1, RB2, etc. Everyone eats.
That could well be what he is currently doing and I just have no idea though.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Cowherd on The Herd just now, “Tampa doesn’t have bad drafts with Jason Licht”….
Someone needs to introduce Collin to 2016….
October 17th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
He seems very muscle hamsterish to me, maybe even better. Love the possibilities of three explosive players at RB.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
Cowherd on The Herd just now, “Tampa doesn’t have bad drafts with Jason Licht”….
Someone needs to introduce Collin to 2016….
^^^^^
Eight years ago? I heard the Saints needs some fans. I’ll vouch for you.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Irving reminds me more and more of Greg Pruitt….A lot of backs are small and quick but only a few also have the strength to shed tackles. Pruitt did and Irving does and I suspect by next season he’ll be stronger. Compare some Pruitt highlight films to Irving….several similarities.
October 17th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
It will be tough sledding against the Ravens as far as running backs are concerned but I do believe that Bucky and Tucker would be a better combo than White as far as primary backs are concerned. I agree that having 3 good rbs is an asset!