“Leave It Alone”
January 4th, 2011
A lightning-quick running back?
An upgrade to Cadillac Williams at the No. 2 slot?
Former Bucs quarterback Shaun King said “leave it alone” when asked yesterday on 1010 AM how the Bucs should approach the running backs position in the offseason.
King said the Bucs should stick with the status quo, including re-signing Cadillac Williams and giving Kareem Huggins a shot to return from his knee injury.
King said Blount has the rare combination of being “a vision runner” in a big, punishing body. And King firmly believes Blount will be able to modify his short-yardage approach successfully — hit the line faster — with an offseason of work.
Joe believes in Blount and is all in favor of Cadillac returning, but Joe sure would like to see the Bucs land a real change-of-pace speedster to mix with those guys.
Huggins is a nice guy and a nice story, but three full seasons out of a 1-AA school and he’s only proven he knows how to practice hard and get hurt. Surely the Bucs can’t count on him and should be able to find better.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Absolutely agree-Huggins is to fragile,time to look for another back.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Yeah, that whole credibility thing went out the window when you mentioned “…Shawn King said…”
joe, I couldn’t agree more regarding a speedster “change-o-pace” back…and also about Kareem Huggins. I like the guy too, but I like him more from a back-up/emergency fill-in type that Dominik got credit for uncovering. I see Huggins as ONE OF a stable of backs that allows us to run an effective ZBS – not someone that could become THE guy.
I think LaGarrette Blount began to learn how to be an NFL power back – but he still has a LOT of hitting the wrong hole, or bouncing it outside instead of using his size to pound-it up the middle. I don’t relish the thought of relying on him as our feature back and a Cadillac that’s spent more time in the shop than on the road…
I’d love to see them bring in a speedster at running back (as well as a legitimate QB sack-artist type DE)…just not sure that the best value at 20th overall isn’t another CB….?
January 4th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
The RB and WR position are areas that can wait till the end of the draft or Free Agency. Besides, what about Lumpkin? Let Dom find another diamond in the rough.
We need defense in the worst way. Line Backers, Corner Backs and DEs, then offensive line debth, oh and lets not forget a hungry blocking FB beast.
Offense can wait.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I like Huggins, but when a speed back blows a knee, you tend to blow your speed too. Some of it anyway.
January 4th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Our immediate need is DE, without question. Two of them actually.
January 4th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
White Tiger, just because Shaun King got a DUI doesn’t mean he doesn’t know football.
We should look for a scat back in free agency or late in the draft. Otherwise, Huggins will do just fine. I’m looking forward to seeing what Lumpkin looks like in the preseason before deciding what I think of him.
I agree with Guest 27 we need a fullback. Graham doesn’t stay healthy and I don’t think Lorig is going to get it done. Purvis has done well lined up there but I prefer him at TE.
January 4th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
White Tiger:
to discredit what Blount did this year is crazy, especially with the patchwork line we had to assemble. Here are a few facts for you
Blount led the league in broken tackles (29). 2nd was Ahmad Bradshaw (24) despite having over 100 less carries
Since week 8, only Arian Foster(981) and Jamal Charles(978yds) have rushed for more yards than Blount (905). Ironically Foster and Charles lead the league in rushing, which suggests if Blount would have been given carries from week 1-7 he would be right there with Charles and Foster.
ill take the Blount, you can go draft a RB, since Blount isn’t not good enough…
January 4th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Hey Joe, just had a thought (scary, i know). You made some stink a year and a half ago about if a certain ‘bust-in-waiting’ made a pro-bowl you’d buy a jersey. Does an alternate count? Might be appropriate to post a pic of your new gear. Time to eat some crow, but quite happily! 5 for president!
January 4th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I am not sure if he is coming out but I love Noel Devine from West V…
January 4th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I agree completely. If you saw the punishing blow Blount gave the Malcolm Jemkins during the Bucs/Saints game, which left Jenkins on the sideline and possibly out of the playoffs, Blount is the man. Cadillac is great for what he does. I would bring some RBs in as competition, but they should feel safe.
Now, we do need to get our FB position up to speed. Lorig is good, but he needs backup? How is Rendrick Taylor doing on the practice squad? Think he will get an invite to return to camp?
January 4th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
BucFan South Tampa:
The Bucs resigned Taylor today, along with about 5 others, so he will be back
January 4th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
I’ve been saying that for awhile. IF they feel confident in Huggins being able to stay healthy, then they probably do nothing, except fullback…maybe.
If they do not feel confidnet in Huggins, then I see a change of pace back taken in the mid rounds (3-5)
Since they seemed determined to build in the draft, what are the chacnes of adding picks by trading Josh Johnson and/or Barrett Ruud? I think they could get a 3rd for each of them and then use one of them and their first to move up to make sure they get DE Quinn, Bailey, or Clayborn in round 1.
I thought they should have traded Ruud last year…. just remembered he isn’t signed… what about Johnson?
January 4th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
You can find good running backs anywhere.
I’d see if someone with change-of-pace ability was available in Rounds 6 or 7, but I wouldn’t go any higher than that.
Plus, there will be a lot of young, undrafted FA talent who will be drawn to the “open competition” environment Tampa offers for rookies.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Dave, nobody is going to give up a 3rd rounder for an unproven backup QB (Josh Johnson). sure he has some upside, and incredible athletic ability. but he has what, 3 career starts? i dunno, just doesnt seem likely. then again, Seattle moved down 20 slots last year and gave up a 3rd rounder this year for Charlie Whitehurst…so i suppose anything is possible.
January 4th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
factoidboy:
Joe will buy a Freeman jersey when Freeman makes the Pro Bowl.
What’s to eat crow about? Joe said even back then he hopes he was dead wrong. Like the VAST majority of others, Joe was wrong.
Feel free to find another of the many others in the Tampa Bay media that offered to do “X” if Freeman made the Pro Bowl. Hope you go after all of them too.
January 4th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
It better be authentic too Joe.
Besides, with the Buc records Freeman broke or came close to, how could anyone be ashamed of him?
January 4th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@ Joe
is all that talk your way of saying you went out and bought your 5 Jersey?
January 4th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Was Shawn King drunk or sober when he made these comments?
January 4th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
JOE! Don’t get your panties in a wad! I love you and your site. I just remember the ire flying from your keyboard in April ’09. To be fair, Raheem really was a blabbering idiot then. Most everyone was wrong… no one would believe me if I said I thought Free would be the best QB of the 3, even though thats true… but I’m not going after anyone else. they’re not worth it. Just you Joe!
January 4th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
RustyRhino. LOL!!!
January 4th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Travis beat me to it White Tiger. I am happy to have Blount as the feature back. He had over 1000 yards in 13 games, what else does he have to do to prove himself? The broken tackle stat travis put up is pretty nice too. It may be possible to have a top 5 RB in blount and a top 5 QB in Freeman next year. When was the last time the Bucs could say that?
January 4th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
My wife got me a Freeman jersey for Christmas .. my first Offensive Bucs jersey ever .. He threw 5 TDs the next day
January 4th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
this team is ONE play away from NO running game…..
and teams have the whole off season to game plan Blount who does show weaknesses along with his highlights….one hurdle upended and his knee is toast….if Mark Ingram is available take him !
January 4th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
No doubt the Bucs need a #2. A #2 can easily be drafted in the middle rounds. EASILY. People saying that the defense is a bigger priority- no its not. It has more holes but its not a bigger priority. Its just as important to take a good offense and push it into greatness as it is to fill gaping holes one defense. The fact is that there is no reason the Bucs cant spend, say, their top 3 picks on defense while finding a serviceable #2 back around the 4th round.
January 4th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Seems what a lot of people overlook is the importance of the other responsibilities a RB has besides just running the football. Recognizing defenses, blitz pickup are blocking are a few that come to mind. Not to mention route running and receiving skills. Sure it’s easy to find a RB in the later rounds and in FA, but finding one that can handle those duties as well as Caddy may be a little tougher than some seem to think.