Bucs Not Looking For Another RB?
July 21st, 2012
Forget the order, the Bucs’ depth chart at running back includes Mossis Madu, LeGarrette Blount and rookies Doug Martin and Michael Smith, plus some guys that are apparent camp bodies.
That’s not a lot of experience, especially for a team that seems to want to pound the ball like it was 1972, and for a team that has little experience at fullback. Joe can’t remember the last time the Bucs had such young blood in the backfield.
Should they go get a veteran to compete and study up close?
ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas says it’s not happening, so he wrote in a live chat in response to a reader longing for Cedric Benson yesterday.
Sajid [via mobile]: Why dont the bucs sign cedric benson one year contract great fit with big O line teach blunt something could be a steal just like thomas jones back with the gruden era
Pat Yasinskas: They just invested two draft picks on RBs. Don’t think they’re looking for more right now.
Joe’s written many times that Ryan Grant would be a sweet insurance policy, if he were to be on the roster when training camp opened. He finished on a high note last season and certainly the Bucs have the cap room to afford such a luxury — even if they have to cut him.
Joe’s as excited as the next guy about what speedster seventh-rounder Michael Smith might bring to the table, but he’s still a longshot to become a solid player in the NFL.
NFL Network recently reported that 10 of 32 starting running backs were lost for the season in 2011. Joe doesn’t like those odds without a veteran back in the stable. Hopefully, the Bucs won’t need one.
July 21st, 2012 at 8:40 am
With the RB position being commonly referred to as the easiest postion to adjust/transition/step into, why would the BUCS spend money on a non-starting veteran? If the BUCS were concerned about additional pass protecting, I’d fully understand. Just looking for more in depth insight. I think they should look more into padding the DT/DE depth chart than anything.
July 21st, 2012 at 9:00 am
I agree they have bigger needs on defense …
July 21st, 2012 at 9:02 am
I don’t think the Bucs are gonna sign a veteran running back.
July 21st, 2012 at 9:19 am
I don’t think they need one with the RB coach we have…but I’m sure they could convince Caddy to come in for a decently priced one year deal. He’d be a good blocker, Blount knows him and if anyone can help them learn not to quit it’s him.
LT is still out there as well. Grant played for the Packers which might cause him to bring a winning attitude…but there’s not much else he brings. And he’s never had to struggle through tough times like some RBs out there. My concern there is whether he would lose it if the team hits another losing streak.
If you are going strictly for vet presence..LT is a good choice. With his record he should be able to teach a few things.
July 21st, 2012 at 9:58 am
The only way to get experience is to play. I’m curious what the fullback from Texas can do at this level.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:05 am
Tolbert oh Tolbert where art thou Tolbert…..damn you Carolina.
July 21st, 2012 at 10:06 am
While I think Grant would be a solid addition, I don’t see runningback as a position requiring a veteran presence to understand and play well. Having Byner as coach also makes Grant even less necessary. I believe Byner is more than competent enough to coach the RBs we have into quality players without a seasoned veteran by their sides.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:11 am
I think when the Bucs lost Caddy, they lost much more then just a running back.
Caddy was the epitome of a never give up type of player, and the emotional leader of the Bucs.
I liked him in there on 3rd downs because he protected Freeman, and many times snuck out to catch a pass.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:33 am
We have our bell-cow first round draft pick.
We have a pure speed change of pace in Smith.
We have 2 backups in Blount and Madu.
So long as everyone plays to potential and without injury – we are adequate at RB and we have insurance.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:46 am
Amazing how you guys are against bringing in Ryan Grant for a $1 million, and probably half that if he doesn’t make the roster.
Who the F cares if the Bucs lose that money. He’ll raise the level of competition and be a body that learns the system just in case.
July 21st, 2012 at 11:50 am
@TheDutcherJournal – LT retired.
I get the hype for Michael Smith, but it’s a little much. He and Madu might not make another team in the NFL. A vet would be nice as insurance. Madu and/or Smith wouldn’t get many carries anyway.
July 21st, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Ryan Grant? Really? No, thanks..
July 21st, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Grant was very effective the final 5 or 6 games last season. Had a big game in the playoffs last year too. I suspect you’d all find him better than any other 3 or 4 back on this team.
July 21st, 2012 at 12:47 pm
IMO we don’t need another RB on the roster at this time.
IF the need arises later we’ll have veteran options like Caddy and grant.
Let’s go with what we have, coach ’em up and let ’em play.
New day! New start!
Buccaneers in 2012?
Can’t WAIT!!!
July 21st, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Hasn’t Grant sustained a lot of injuries. The picture looks as if was juicing pretty hard at the time.
I don’t see a need for another RB until they at least get on the field. Schiano and staff have the advantage of at least seeing the players in practice which is something we fans don’t have access to.
I would be more concerned about a bruising FB that another runner. Lorig is another injury guy, DE converted to FB/TE, not really true to the position.
July 21st, 2012 at 1:49 pm
So because a guy has muscle, he looks like he is juicing? O.o
Not seeing any logic in that comment.
July 21st, 2012 at 3:31 pm
They will need another veteran before its all said and done.
July 21st, 2012 at 4:15 pm
If anyone thinks we need a veteran and a mentor in the backfield, I say to you:
Bring back Earnest Graham!!
July 21st, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Think it’s funny how soooo many people just dump Blount down to a backup now that muscle hamster got drafted….Blount AKA “beast back” as my buddies and I call him, avg more than 4yards a carry and very good yards per catch as well for a battering ram(when we actually throw to him). In 2010 he broke 1000 yards even though he only started after week 6! The guy is an amazing RB, we were last in the league in run attempts, heck…Blount had 5….5 carries vs Detroit! How can you expect a run game to produce with only giving your bell cow 5 carries?! I’m a firm believer that Blount will play well this year with the new addition of nicks, the added pass threat generated by V jac, Dallas Clark and mike Williams….as well as a DEDICATED coaching staff
July 21st, 2012 at 6:07 pm
“Coach Schiano, I know I didn’t go to rebuilding-from-the-ground-up Rutgers when you asked me back in 2001 because I wanted to go to a name-brand winner in Notre Dame. But now that name-brand winner Green Bay doesn’t want me anymore, I’ll join you in rebuilding-from-the-ground-up Tampa.” – Ryan Grant
Joe, Schiano knows all about Ryan Grant since high school. And if injuries hit, some veteran will be out there as an insurance policy. No need to even be concerned at this point.
What might be interesting to follow is if Drake Dunsmore gets reps with the fullbacks. Assuming Clark, Stocker, and Coffman are the top 3 TEs, Dunsmore will probably see action at more than just special teams.
July 22nd, 2012 at 7:23 am
BigMacAttack, at fullback we have 2 rookies in camp this year…one is Cody Johnson. That kid has the potential to fill the role in a big way. He needs a little refining but with coaches teaching fundamentals he could become a starting FB rather quickly.
He’s not a lead blocker…more like an Alstott role. Hard hitter, pass blocker and only one major injury. (to his ankle. Missed only one game but it lingered and affected his stats…which is why we got him) He played through the ankle injury for the season and didn’t take the time to heal up. He is supposedly 100% healthy now.