Incredible Turnaround For Bucs Run Game
December 11th, 2024
Running back Sean Tucker.
The Bucs were horrible running the ball in the past two seasons. The worst.
Now if a team with a new coordinator can take a running game from worst to average, that is a helluva improvement. Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen has done even better.
The Bucs rank No. 6 in rushing yards per game, (138.3), No. 8 in total rushing yards (1,798), No. 4 in average yards per run (5.1).
That’s an incredible turnaround. Will that continue against the Chargers in Los Angeles on Sunday?
Well, Joe heard people on national podcasts talk about how the Chargers are playing good defense. Really? Not against the run.
The Chargers rank No. 14 in the NFL in rushing years allowed per game at 117.6, tied with the Raiders. On Sunday, the Bucs ran against Las Vegas ran for 152 yards with an average of 5.8 yards a carry.
And that was without dinged up Bucky Irving, who had just three yards on four carries.
Joe knows Jesse Minter is a good defensive coordinator for the Chargers and has a solid resume. His name is being floated for head coach opening, but he has work to do with his run defense.
The Chargers have allowed over 100 yards rushing in 9 of their last 11 games. Nine times in the Bucs’ past 10 games the team has run for over 100 yards.
So Joe doesn’t see the success of the Bucs’ run game slowing down. At least not this Sunday.
https://twitter.com/baldynfl/status/1866601292879028579
December 11th, 2024 at 7:14 am
It’s also impressive that the running game turnaround has been achieved without a running QB. The top 3 teams ahead of the Bucs in the rankings are the Eagles, Ravens and Commanders. Depending on the category you can throw Kyler Murray and the Cardinals in the mix too.
Baker’s scrambling ability, while serviceable, isn’t being confused with any of those 4. It’s all been a “traditional” run game, without deep play action passes. Shocking stuff really!
December 11th, 2024 at 7:39 am
Chargers run defense not good, they have a similar run defense to the Bucs, both allowing 4.6 yds/rush. Minter is a very good coach inheriting some very average players, he’s on my list…
December 11th, 2024 at 7:40 am
Nice point Leighroy! Hopefully, Tucker will be more active in the mix this weekend. Coen should use more 2 RB sets and rotate the 3 backs over the course of the game. We’ve got the horses. Let them run.
December 11th, 2024 at 8:18 am
Nice to know a coach doesn’t have to be here 5 years to improve his side of the ball and still fail. Coen schemes and his philosophy just works in this nfl.
December 11th, 2024 at 8:27 am
It would be a crying shame if the Bucs let Coen get away.
December 11th, 2024 at 8:33 am
I suppose you could call the Charger’s Run Defense a chink in their armor.
When I look at their league best 15.9 points a game given up compared to the Bucs 23.7 I don’t think it will matter how good any one Bucs running back will look.
Plenty of players with great stats that won’t be playing far passed New Years.
Got a feeling it will show again the downside to getting key players marked down on the clearance shelf. Looks like HOF against 2-10 and against better than average not so much.
December 11th, 2024 at 8:49 am
Let’s not glaze Liam too much here—he put together a solid zone-blocking scheme, sure, but Kevin Carberry’s the one in the trenches, literally, getting those big guys to execute it. The offensive line’s footwork, aiming points, and hand placement are sharp enough to make a ballerina jealous, and they’re working together like a well-rehearsed boy band. Skip Peete’s got the backs reading blocks and hitting the lanes at the right time—it’s not rocket science, but it’s effective. Meanwhile, Bryan McClendon and Justin Peelle have the receivers and tight ends doing the gritty work on the edges and downfield. They’re not out there for the glory, just breaking their butts to turn good runs into big ones. It’s a team effort, but let’s be honest—Carberry’s work with the line is the main reason this thing is humming.
December 11th, 2024 at 8:51 am
I’ve been critical of Rachaad White, but that last game, he really played well. He seemed to find openings and ran as hard as I recall him running. And the stiff arm showed his attitude.
December 11th, 2024 at 9:04 am
LUVMYBUCS
Position coaches is hired to do that the OC wants. Skip Peete didn’t have backs reading blocks last year but I get what you’re saying because George Edwards is completely useless as an outside linebacker coach. Does he get most of the credit for lack of sacks or Bowles man the line is so blurry with the defense.
December 11th, 2024 at 9:11 am
If the Bucs do not turn the ball over, it is possible for a real run (pun intended) into the playoffs. Eagles, Commanders and Seahawks are playoff teams, Bucs would need to win out and Seattle catch an L to keep homefield for most of the playoff, not sure how we could run it in Philly
December 11th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Pewter Power
First off, you’re not wrong that position coaches take their cues from the OC, but they’re not just puppets with whistles. Skip Peete didn’t forget how to coach backs last year; sometimes, it’s about the players and the system they’re in. As for George Edwards, yeah, outside linebacker production has been ruff, but blaming him for the lack of sacks is like blaming the weatherman for a hurricane.
And sure, Bowles has his fingerprints all over the defense, but let’s be real—the GM hasn’t exactly stocked the pantry with quality veterans to help guide the young guys. That’s like asking a chef to make a five-star meal with half the ingredients.
December 11th, 2024 at 9:24 am
The ranks don’t lie comparing 2023 to 2024. It is a fantastic turnaround, for sure.
LUVMYBUCS – Great point and reminder about all the work that Carberry is doing!
December 11th, 2024 at 9:26 am
Pewter Power
Remember prepping for our Super Bowl run? We brought in game-changers like Jason Pierre-Paul, Suh, and Shaq Barrett. Those were seasoned guys who could flip the field and set the tone. Now? Who are we bringing in? It feels more like we’re shopping in the bargain bin instead of building a championship roster. You can’t expect Bowles—or any coach, for that matter—to work miracles when the GM isn’t handing him the kind of impact players we used to see
December 11th, 2024 at 9:28 am
We all know Coens’ scheming is the biggest key to that lock! Pound their guts until they scream DADDY! Keep them from sitting on our screen plays them set up Evans for some deep crossers and then pound them some more. Doesn’t look like their pass rush is unmanageable so they should be pretty ripe pickings. Gonna have to score every drive with more tds than fgs to keep up with Herbert and their offense
December 11th, 2024 at 9:31 am
WHAT IS UP WITH THESE NEW HALF SCREEN THAT WON’T LET YOU EXIT OUT OF THEM
December 11th, 2024 at 9:33 am
“A D S”
December 11th, 2024 at 9:35 am
SINCE WHEN DID THE WORD “A D S” BECOME AN OBJECTIONABLE WORD IN THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE??? CHECK YER CENSORSHIP LIST
December 11th, 2024 at 9:39 am
heyjude
Appreciate it! Carberry’s been lights out—getting those guys up front to play like a unit is no small task. No glory, no headlines, just grinding. He’s the unsung hero, and the run game doesn’t work without him, plain and simple.
December 11th, 2024 at 9:39 am
test
December 11th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Gonna need that running game, especially in the second quarter. Here’s hoping to no passes thrown in Q2. Zero. If you don’t throw them, they can’t be intercepted. Right, Baker?
December 11th, 2024 at 11:56 am
It’s the Chargers pass defense and pass rush that scares me. They’ve got the film from the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the Raiders game.
December 11th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
3 talented running backs who can all catch the ball as well.
A revamped OL that has a chance to become great with continued experience.
And offensive coaching staff led by Coen and guys like Carberry.
I love the debate, do you throw to set up the run, do you run to set up the throw?
It won’t matter next year if the Bucs O is actually healthy. Imagine this OL with a year together, battle tested, with three solid, perhaps one great, RB’s, and CG14 and ME13 joined by the newest guy to blow up in CG’s abscence Cade Otton. And I still think Payne Durham still has upside.
This is a major reason I think Coen stays. When he looks at next season after a year of successfully implementing his offense he’s got to be drooling in anticipation.
The O is solid. The D needs and edge rush and now desperately need 1 or 2 ILB’s depending on LVD’s decision to play or not next season.
December 11th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Looking forward to Baker stiff-arming the other Bosa brother!
Go Bucs!!
December 11th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
And what about our run defense?
December 11th, 2024 at 5:24 pm
It is so fantastic to see White really begin to flourish. SO glad we got rid of the Leftwitch. Experience isn’t everything!
December 11th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Amazing what a scheme does – as well as not being ultra predictable with your playcalls. All those people saying White sucked, because he’s hit 3 yards behind the LOS on half his runs, suddenly now they’re saying White looks like a quality NFL back. Remarkable turnaround indeed. Obviously Bucky has been fantastic, and that makes a huge difference as well, but White is owed a huge apology by the people that bashed him despite the film, that showed when he got any sort of decent blocking he was very effective.
December 11th, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Also keep in mind that the Chargers haven’t exactly played teams with elite running backs. The only truly elite RB was Derrick Henry who ran for 140 yards against them (5.8 yards per carry) when the Raiders put up 30 points on them. Bijan Robinson ran for 102 yards against them and James Connor ran for 101.
Other than that, their wins are against teams that have losing records and/or have running backs that the average fan couldn’t even name, they are so sub-par.
The Chargers and their defense are nowhere near as good as the stats seem to indicate.
December 11th, 2024 at 6:23 pm
LUVMYBUCS – You can’t bring in stop free agents without the money under the salary cap. Licht is doing an amazing job considering the salary cap hole the Bucs have been dealing with after the Brady retirement.