Bucs To Sign Running Back Robert Hughes

April 19th, 2012

Out at One Buc Palace today, Joe had a chance to ask rockstar general manager Mark Dominik whether he felt pressure to draft a running back given there are only two on the roster and the Bucs want to pound the football.

As part of Dominik’s answer, he said a third running back would be signed by the end of the day, a young man that “really impressed” him this week.

Dominik didn’t offer a name, but Joe has learned the player is Robert Hughes, who was on the Bears practice squad last season and was undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2011. Hughes is listed at 5-11, 245 pounds.  

Hughes played tailback and fullback for the Fighting Irish. Joe doesn’t expect the signing will make Bucs fans feel at ease about the running back position, but undrafted backfield gems are discovered every year around the league.

28 Responses to “Bucs To Sign Running Back Robert Hughes”

  1. OptimisTroll Says:

    Nice Ernest Graham replacement.

  2. OptimisTroll Says:

    It is funny how the Bears and Bucs are trading players this week.

  3. BonesMahoney Says:

    Until I see him on the field I’m just going to assume he’s camp fodder. We’ll see I guess.

  4. raphael Says:

    interesting story on the guy…his brother was shot and killed and he was at practice the next day. they compare him to Bettis. big, strong and fluid runner. Well done Rock Star !

  5. T in Orlando Says:

    I agree with OptimistTroll, this sounds like a replacement for EG, a versatile player (RB/FB), just a little bigger. Anyone know what kind of hands this kid has?

  6. c-span Says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8YOlWdwxXM

  7. c-span Says:

    probablt a camp body

  8. Chris FWC Says:

    Nice C-span. Looked a lot like EG in college. N/s runner. Good hands. Solid looking player.

  9. Patrick Says:

    Who cares. We still better draft a running back. We should re-sign Graham as our 3rd string RB.

  10. bucfanjeff Says:

    Haven’t we had enought of trying to field a team with practice squad players? Keep those moves to a minimum.

  11. OptimisTroll Says:

    @1:21 in the video you can watch Mason Foster(#40) catch up to and tackle him.

    and then @1:31 Mason Foster and the entire Washington team gets pushed back 4 yards into the goalline in what must be my favorite highlight from that video. It is ridiculous the way the pile keeps going forward.

  12. Karl Says:

    bucfanjeff: isnt that what Blount was? A practice squad guy.

  13. SteveK Says:

    Awesome addition to the Bucs.

    I hope this guy has a better skill set than Lumpkin.

  14. Thinker Says:

    Way to set the bar low, SteveK

  15. SteveK Says:

    We gotta start somewhere 🙂

  16. mr.t.50 Says:

    Don’t forget that they just signed S Ron Girault today as well, according to the Bucs facebook page.

  17. SteveK Says:

    Looks like Ron Girault was an UDFA out of Rutgers and formerly in some association with the Jets.

  18. RN Says:

    damn he’s slow…4.89 FB at best

  19. Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    The guy could be a good pick up for Tampa.

  20. Phenom4498 Says:

    WOW!! 245!!! Talk about Schiano power running game…..moved the whole defensive line….into the endzone with him. Hopefully he will do big things for us

  21. Jrock Says:

    @Patrick, Graham isn’t coming back to the NFL dude.

  22. Kujolw84 Says:

    He’ll be good to compete with E.Lorig. Also when running the ball having Hughes as a FB blocking and Lorig who lines up at TE to block on running plays alot will be awesome.

  23. Thomas2.2 Says:

    Sure …. And you sheep were acting like Allen Bradford was the next Earl Campbell last April as well. Lol

    On a related note, Dom sure sounded humbled today during his press conference about his lack of draft success, from the 09 draft only Free is a starter, the disappointments from Gerald, Price, Benn (the first 3 picks) in 2010.

    I think this is a good sign for Dom, while the sheep are still trying to save face by creating new evaluative criteria for invisible statisticsl players (ie “disruptive), Dom is acknowledging his mistakes.

    That is a positive sign. I actually think he sounded more seasoned today, not these pie in the sky dreamy fantasy speeches.

    I hope Schiano isnt a hand draft picks jobs coach, I hope that he allows Okoye to compete even up with Gerald – if Schiano allows that I’ll take Okoye all day.

  24. Mr. Patrick Says:

    Bucs now have their short yardage back.

  25. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    Thomas,

    I’m curious, what did midwestsportsfan.com say about Okoye? I’ve been wondering where you got your information, I guess now you let the secret out. Sports journalism at its best!

  26. David Says:

    Just added depth and a blocker and special teamer if he makes it. Nothing more, but needed.

    Blount’s complement will come via rounds 2-3

  27. Jessup Says:

    Earnest Graham 2.0

  28. Oahubuc Says:

    He’s got a spark and handles the ball like a pro. No way will I write the kid off, especially behind what our line is turning into. The Graham comparisons are right on. A less injury prone and better-utilized EG is nothing to cry about.