No Pop To Bucs’ Running Game
September 12th, 2010
Workhorse warrior running Cadillac Williams deserves all the respect in the world, but the Bucs’ running game was atrocious.
Caddy busted two good runs negated by holding penalties before his 20-yard scamper late. He ended with 22 carries for 75 yards, and it’s pretty obviously to Joe that Greg Olson is petrified to hand the ball off the Kareem Huggins, who didn’t get a carry.
Earnest “Insurance” Graham had a couple of important runs, but he looked more like a bad policy from one of those low rent outfits that always send Joe junk mail when his auto insurance is up. Graham’s goal line fumble was hardly offset by his 10 yards on the ground from six carries.
Joe knows the Bucs have to run the ball to take pressure of these young receivers and give Freeman more legitimate play-action opportunities in short yardage situations.
How much can Cadillac shoulder before he starts to slow down. Six games? 10 games?
September 12th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
It blows my mind that a team that won 3 games last year is so afraid of a couple of no-risk gambles when it comes to the roster. How the F–k do you not see if Kareem Huggins can pick up 4 or 5 yards on a carry? How do you have Michael Bennett inactive on game day? How many sacks did the active DE’s pick up in the pre-season? I think it was either a bunch or ZERO!!!, and I’m pretty sure it was ZERO! Jeezus!
September 12th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Simple Chet, for Dominik and Raheem to keep their job, they have to win. They cant afford to lose a game because they want to “see” what they have in a few reserves. If we dominating a team by 3 tds in the 4th (which will never happen) then you will see your risks.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Caddy had 75 yards on 22 carries. He would have had a 100 yard game in not for two holding calls that did not affect the play. Most importantly, we out gained the Browns on the Ground. Caddy was healthy 16 games last year, and looks better this year. His knee injuries are a thing of the past. I am much more concerned about our shoddy OL play. Our OL continues it’s tradition of being highly over rated! They have NEVER played as well as their talent indicates they should. That is a much bigger concern to me than the RBs
September 12th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Well said Capt Tim. Amazing to me how much people that experienced three wins last year are perseverating on the downside of a win today.
No surprises. The Offensive line needs to learn how to freaking block. We have a lot of money tied up there and they damn well better start earning it.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Pretty sloppy all around-gunshy?
Didn’t see #65 flagged 3 times-21 got 10 yards backward
Way to go, Sabby
Can’t go undefeated if you lose the FIRST one…
September 12th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
there is one consistent thing that i’ve noticed on almost every run play and thats donald penn’s fat ass standing off to the side with his hands on his hips watching the play go by.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Great game. The Bucs defense certainly played better in the 2nd half. And Williams was open on multiple plays and Freeman didn’t get the ball to him. Why was Bennet on the inactive list? And Huggy was in the game twice and both times it was a passing play so he had no touches. He should have had some touches IMO. Surprised they didn’t teach Blount a couple of plays this week and have him active. EJ Biggers played a great game subbing for Talib. Just a great win. We can beat Carolina and Pittsburg. Could we start 3 and 0? Maybe.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
The O-line was bad. Was this a win, or more of a Browns loss? I’m not sure what the answer is, but I can say with some degree of certainty that no other teams will look at this game and be saying “wow, the Bucs might have something down there this season…”. Still a lot of football to play, but lets hope that this is the bottom and we keep getting better from here on out. No excuses this year….I’m looking at you Raheem…..
September 12th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
You’re right Capt-the offensive line is overrated.I know Joe thinks the running game is terrible and the OL is the strength of the team,but I disagree.There are no running lanes and the QB has no time to throw.This is only one game and hopefully they can work out the kinks.I agree with Chet,we have to get Huggins involved with the offense.Mr Olsen-please use all of your offensive weapons.
Bucs Win Bucs Win
September 12th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I wish you guys would all stop sucking Huggins cock
He’s not the answer to all of our running game worries. That guy whomever he is was playing on saturday. We won’t see him until next year.
Stop creaming your pants over an undrafted freeagent that hadn’t even played in a regular season game until today. It makes you sound ignorant.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I also had the best pork ever at a place on Himes just north of Tampa Bay. It was awesome. Really.
September 12th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
No pop? 6 to 10 games before Caddy goes down? Really? Hey, I understand being cautious with optimism, but this negativity really is starting to blow. Caddy had a good game. Those 2 plays that were called back due to penalty would have given him 24 carries for over 100 yards and 3 big runs. They could have changed the game even more in our favor. That just means we need to get done with the penalties, not that the run game sucks. Huggins will touch the ball at some time, today wasn’t that day. He did get in the game, picked up a blitz, and I believe he was in on the run where Graham fumbled as well. The O-line needs to figure this out, because if anything is stopping this running game, it’s them. I can’t wait to see what they can do if they get Caddy/Huggins/Graham/Blount all going and the O-line opening holes.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
@Capt.Tim Says: Right about Caddy He ran a 100 yard game. For a young group it looks like we may have a really good team in a few years. One that may fill the seats for 8 to 10 years.
@Drew wouldn’t that feel good 3-0.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
BamBam – There’s good and bad in every game.
I feel sorry for you clowns referencing Cadillac’s called back runs. THEY DON”T COUNT. GET A LIFE. The Bucs didn’t run the football.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Capt Tim it’s Dew, but yes it would. And I know we can. :-). Actually, my son is a tugboat Captain in Tampa but has been working the oil spill recently.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I can’t wait until Blount suits up. We need a fierce power runner.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Let’s not overreact. They were terrible. They’ve just go to learn not to hold. If we add in the two called back holding calls Caddy is over 100 yards.
I was more disappointed in Freeman than the running game. I hope it’s related to his thumb…and I hope his thumb gets better, and fast.
September 12th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
What was caddy doing in the game at the goalline? He came up gimpy almost gave me a heart attack. Rah has coached 17 games and has yet to show he can manage the game or his players.
(very happy for the W, boy this team needed it)
September 12th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Phil Z
Yes, there’s good and bad in every game. True, those two runs don’t count, never happened due to penalties. Just pointing out that Caddy is bringing “pop” to the run game even without the line doing well (whether that be opening holes or getting penalties).
September 13th, 2010 at 1:25 am
@ d-money
The runningback for the Texans is also an undrafted free agent yet he won the game for them today. No one is saying that Huggins is going to be the running games savior, however the coaches are always raving about him, and he has obviously earned his spot #2, just give the man a chance to play.
Anyway a win is a win, I will complain when (if) we lose but today we are winners, so I have nothing to complain about.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Again, Phil z, WE OUT GAINED THE BROWNS ON THE GROUND!! ARE U LISTENING!!! If we out gain our opponent on the ground every game, we will be in the playoffs!! And thanks guys, I call what I see, and the problem is the line more than the backs!! I know Joe disagrees, but that’s because Zuttah is on the line . . Just kidding Joe, don’t ban me !!
September 13th, 2010 at 9:18 am
It was the first game. Everything will show up on tape and they will make corrections. Caddy got hurt but refused to come out of the game. I hope they give Huggy shot and I think that will come next week. I don’t think it just an Oline blocking problem because our backs have trouble finding the holes. This where Kareem’s scattability may help mix it up. Caddy did run one counter to the right that was beautiful. The Refs were a little flag happy yesterday and talk about rusty. It was a good day to bash the Refs. They sucked.
September 13th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Freeman was a little rusty. That was to be expected. For an inexperienced QB to show that kind of poise, and once again lead us to a fourth quarter comeback- wow, that is beyond belief! I know a Lil about football, lol, and I’m telling you, this guy is special! I believe we will be in the playoffs starting next year, and will be challenging for a Superbowl for the next 8-10 years, and it will all be because of Josh Freeman. The rest of the league is already taking notice.