Schiano Sends A Message To Running Backs
October 2nd, 2012
The head coach revealed a bit of his frustration about the running game today. Considering Doug Martin has 5 1/2 times the carries of LeGarrette Blount, Joe thinks it’s easy to determine where the coach’s feelings were directed.
Greg Schiano is often seen with his bullhorn during practice. Today before media at One Buc Palace, Schiano might have just has well been using that bullhorn considering the loud message he sent regarding the state of the Bucs’ running game.
The leader of the New Schiano Order was very clear that he wants to see more from his running backs. And considering Doug Martin has 71 carries to 13 for LeGarrette Blount, Joe’s taking Schiano’s words as a bonfire under the buttocks of Martin.
“I can run through a hole,” Schiano said. “You know, what do you do after the initial play? Can I make someone miss? Can I run someone over? If it’s all blocked up, an average back can make yardage. What are you making on your own? What are you creating as a running back? And that’s where I’d like to see us continue to grow. The front part, let’s make sure we do have the guys we have people for, let’s cover’em up. Let’s mov’em, create some daylight. People we don’t have [blockers] for, that’s where the back’s got to do his job.”
As Joe wrote earlier today, Schiano had strong praise last night for LeGarrette Blount’s manly touchdown run Sunday.
Putting this all together, Joe suspects Blount will get a lot more carries when the Bucs next take the field against Kansas City.
October 2nd, 2012 at 3:48 pm
This is getting interesting. The only running back that we have that I would consider a weapon and can create a hole is Blount and he is not a starter. Matter of fact he rarely carry the ball. Martin is a great addition to a club already having solid running back but I don’t see anything special. At this point, they must coach Blount up as much as possible because he is our only chance at having a better than average running game.
October 2nd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Martin has vision and is elusive, good burst. He needs to work on maturing those qualities. He won’t run people over.
Blount can run people over but has no vision nor elusiveness, lacks burst.
In the long term, you need to let Martin find his groove with reps.
In the short term, you’ll have to see which back has success game by game and let them roll.
Martin is still the starter, but we need to get creative with the run calls. Traps, counters, toss and sweeps…get outside the tackles and occasionally bang it up the middle.
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Joe I hope your right but it will surprise me if Blount get into th game much more. I’m hoping I eat my words and will be the first to admit when I’m wrong but I do not think Schiano will back off of Martin. Martin is his guy…I’m waiting for him to prove me wrong.
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
I think one of the biggest issues Martin is facing is exactly what he was praised for by people during the preseason. He lowers his pads and hits the hole hard. He hasn’t used patience really. He gets a full head of steam and goes north and south. People bash Blount for dancing to much which I agree isn’t good but no being patient at all is just as bad. Martin and Blount just need to find some middle ground and so far from what I have seen Blount has been doing much better this year hitting the hole and running with a physicality then the two years prior
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Some people are starting to find as many excuses for The little “Bell Cow” as they do for Freeman. .
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Man I hope you are right Joe. After hearing Nicks basically plead on air for more Blount I’ve been clamoring for the same. Who knows which RB situation would be better than the lineman blocking for them??
Wear them down with Blount and kill them with Martin.
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
i think martin will be a good back in time, but that doesn’t mean he’s got to carry the load in his rookie year. ray rice got about 10 touches a game as a rookie and shared the load with mcgahee before becoming the man in year 2.
let’s see an actual committee at work in the backfield and prove that we’re willing to do stuff like throw with blount in the backfield (3 step drop if you’re worried about freeman’s health) and hand the ball to DJ ware. blount’s problem is not his ability (although his vision is really lacking) so much as the clear tendencies of the offense when he is on the field.
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Feed the Roadkill Beast!
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:47 pm
“Doug Martin has 71 carries to 13 for LeGarrette Blount.”
This makes me want to vomit. You want better run production? Put the better RB on the field!! Neither of them have very good vision apparently, so at least put in the guy who has proven he can run over/juke/hurdle 8 defenders on a single play, since that is what you want after all.
I have yet to see Martin play 3rd down since Ware has been coming in, so I’m still not convinced his skill set is drastically better than Blount’s in the passing game. Also, consider that (in a limited sample size granted) Martin has only averaged 6.6ypc versus the close to 10ypc that Blount had put up before that.
This coach keeps wondering why his running game sucks, when the answer is staring at him from the bench. Get a clue and quit playing favorites!
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Bucs fans would be crazy if they thought Martin was suppose to be a pro-bowl style running back in his first year in the NFL coming out of Boise state. He has the skill set and vision to be elite, but there will be a steeper learning curve compared to similar backs from the big schools, considering he played in the Mountain West conference.
The run game should bounce back vs. the Chefs.
October 2nd, 2012 at 5:36 pm
I was beginning to think that Martin was on Sullivans Fantasy team. I hope we see a 50/50 split between Blount and Martin.
Shake and Bake…. you gotta shake it before ya bake it!!
Shake=wiggle from martin
Bake=T-Jax favorite past time…rolling w/Blount
October 2nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
I haven’t seen anything special from Martin. Not enough to start over Blount. He is a proven veteran. Feed him the ball and give Martin the 3rd down role. Something like Sullivan had in New York. Bradshaw just became a starter not to long ago and I don’t think martins ready yet. That’s just me. And stop calling blitzes while we are up with 1 min on the clock. That is the dumbest possible thing you can do. That’s why we keep loosing in the last couple of mins. Let our line do there job and rush 3&4 geez. I know that has nothing ta do with Blount but I mean its really irking me.
October 2nd, 2012 at 6:28 pm
We need Martin and Blount on the field at the same time. Motion either back to the outside and see how the defense reacts! Get Blount in early to wear down the D and use Martin on sweeps and tosses to the outside.
Another thing….
Everything they say Blount can’t do, I haven’t seen Martin do better…..so what’s up Schiano?? I think he is starting to get the message and see Blount is the better back for his style of offense!
October 2nd, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Schiano is too stubborn, Blount won’t get the lion’s share of carries under this regime, they would rather have a bell cow, since when did a cow strike fear in anyone. Martin is the complimentary back that we should have but he’s a first round pick. I might have been convinced by Schiano had on the last series Blount would’ve carried the ball three straight times to use clock, possibly break a long one or even get the first down, then we might believe that Schiano is impressed with LGB. Lack of Blount may be the reason we are 1 – 3, but we will never know. I do appreciate the players playing hard but game management and decisions don’t seem to be going our way.
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Dont you think there is a reson for Blount not playing?? 2 coaches same results. He doesnt get to play for a reason. he stinks!!
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:47 pm
hahaha @ jlynch. Have you ever played the game? Hell, have you ever watched one? LOL!
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Finally….we’ve reached the point where using Blount is Schiano’s idea. Blount wasn’t going to get his fair share of the carries until Schiano said so. It’s about time, Italian Stallion! The bye week actually comes at a decent time for these mostly young Bucs.
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:07 pm
I’m guessing jlynch is actually the actress/comedian Jane Lynch from 40 Year Old Virgin and Role Models? Welcome aboard, Madam!
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:11 pm
“Everything they say Blount can’t do, I haven’t seen Martin do better”
Fact. Blount has more YPC, is catching the passes thrown his way, is not a worse blocker than Martin.
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I dont think there is a back with a higher career yards per a carry than blount and if there is im sure they are getting a good share of the carries. He is a free agent after this season is he not? are they trying to avoid giving him a pay day?
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:20 pm
How much more obvious does it need to get. Blount is a starter and Martin is a 3rd down back. Blount and Caddy played these roles perfectly in 2010 and look where it got us. You switch the carries around this year and we’re 3-1 at the very least.
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:32 pm
Michael Smith is a forgotten man. Nobody even asks about him at press conferences. He’s not even dressed for a single game – been on the inactives list. What crime did he commit? How long can we keep a player that never dresses and is not hurt?
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:06 pm
@Macabee,
Where is Smith going to play? We already don’t have enough carries to go around as it is with Blount, Martin, and Ware. Perhaps if we could actually run the ball, that wouldn’t be the case. It’s not smart to have Smith active for the sole purpose of returning kicks. Most of the kickoffs go out of the endzone anyway, so there’s very little chance for him to make any impact whatsoever. I like Smith too, but don’t forget he was a backup at mighty Utah State, so it’s not like we are benching Adrian Peterson or anything. You are living in a fantasy world if you really think he is a better back than the 3 guys ahead of him, at least not at this point in his career. The coaches see him in practice every day. If he were setting the world on fire, he would be in there.
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:11 pm
The way this staff is using players don’t be surprised if they cut Blount and name Smith the starter next week. I say that in jest but jeez all mighty can anyone explain the game of 52 card pick up going on in Tampa right now?
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:17 pm
It’s amazing to me how fast Bucs fans turn on certain players. I like Blount and Martin, but I don’t understand the newfound hate for Martin. I agree that Blount needs more carries, but that doesn’t mean he’s a better back than Martin. They can both be good. I’m no coach, and neither are any of you, but I can certainly see that the blocking sucks. Losing Davin Joseph prevents us from running to the right, especially with Trueblood benched (his only strength is run blocking and committing penalties). There’s just rarely been anything there. It’s going to be very difficult to run on teams when there is no creativity whatsoever with the running plays, and we can only run to one side. This isn’t the Pac-12 and we aren’t USC, we aren’t physically superior to our opponents. The problem isn’t Martin, he’s going to be just fine. Many of you are trashing him after 4 games!!! 4 games into his rookie season and many of you think he is a bum. Until the blocking gets better, the play calling improves, and Freeman can complete a pass, we aren’t going to run the ball consistently no matter who carries it.
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:20 pm
@1976Buc,
I feel your frustration, but I see no big deal with roster shuffling at the bottom of the roster. Cutting Jeff Charleston doesn’t mean squat to the success of our team. Don’t forget, roster shuffling landed us Connor Barth a couple years back. Every now and then, you get lucky and find a gem. I don’t see why it bothers people if we are cutting guys that never see the field anyway. With all the problems we have, that is meaningless. I think we can find better things to complain about.
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:32 pm
Guess I’m stuck on personnel in general. Why bring in Charleston at TE, sing his praises a few days later and cut him the next day. Cut Underwood, keep Parker, cut Parker, bring back Underwood who outperformed him by most peoples standard anyway in the preseason on and on and on. Agree that there are bigger problems and my question is with all those problems staff seem to be spending a great deal of time signing, cutting and resigning players, under utilizing others! There you have it…my rant for the week lol. I did keep it clean though 🙂
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:37 pm
OK, just one more…at this point in the season roster shuffling is pretty common…..on the practice squad. Now I’m really done.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Schiano needs to play Blount because its starting to sound like Chucky’s high praise for Alstot and we all know how that turned out. If Blount is not used at the goal line at least 1 down. Something is terribly wrong.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:08 pm
1976 bucs yes ive played and yes I watch too have you ever seen blounnt hit a hole with any kind of athourity? you homers love the highlighjt reel jumping over defenders watch him get stuffed for a one yard gain or loss . see if he can follow the fullback or guard
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@1976Buc,
I think they are trying to build a roster on the backend week by week, taking a chance that they won’t get picked up by another team. I read on Pewter Report that they took that chance with Underwood, because they felt no other team would take him. Turns out they were right. My guess would be that they were giving Parker the benefit of the doubt because of last year, but he was a disaster this season. It is a bit unusual to do this much shuffling at this point in the year, but I really can’t say I disagree with any of the moves. Now if we were to cut Blount, that’s a different story. But I really don’t see that happening.
@MTM,
Blount has always struggled in short yardage situations. He got him one last game, but that has never been his strong suit. He doesn’t hit the hole very hard, and he lacks great vision. Perhaps he has improved on that and I would love to see him get more opportunities, but that’s definitely hasn’t been his strength his first two years in the league.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:30 pm
Did you watch the TD against Washington? And, why follow a fullback blocking the wrong side of the line? This whole thread really has nothing to do with Blount or anyone else in general. It is the selective group. I like Martin and think he would be a great pick in the 3rd round but we reached way to high up the tree. He can still develop into a great back. He was a average back at Boise St out of the Mountain West Conference. Not much competition there. Then step him up to the NFL where every position on the other side is better than the best player he faced in college. It’s a different game, a different pace and I’m saying it takes time to adjust. Time needs to be spent developing them at practice, then throw a few tosses at them during the game. Since you brought up Blount lets sit him out totally…only the 2nd UDFA RB in history to gain 1000+ yards a rookie season. Around 800 in a terrible 2011 season although he did make the Pizza Hut Play of the Year. Yes, let’s bench him. OH, By The Way let’s also bring in DJ Ware to play…we all know how his career has shined right? What 400 yards rushing in a 6 or 7 year stint?
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:58 pm
This is where I strongly disagree with you 1976Buc. Martin coming from Boise State is irrelevant, as the NFL is full of great backs, past and present, that came from lesser conferences. And no, he was not an average back. Living in Hawaii, I saw him play many times, and a couple times in person, and that is simply not true. He did an excellent job enabling them to run the ball against superior schools (they always play a couple big boy schools out of conference every year), even though Boise had a smaller offensive line. And the Mountain West Conference is a lot better than a lot of you easterners give it credit (even though he did spend 3 of his years in the WAC, which is not a good conference).
From the first preseason game, I can see a burst with Martin that we haven’t had in the backfield since Warrick Dunn (no, I’m not saying he is as good as Warrick Dunn). He gets positive yardage when there is nothing there, which has been the case the majority of the time. With Blount, you are going to get a lot more negative runs, but I grant you that he will bust one for a big gain if you give him enough carries. And again, I am all for giving him more carries. I have seen him leave a couple runs out on the field, but I can say the same for Blount over the last couple years as well. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a good back. However, his opportunities have been few and far between. I feel very strongly that by the end of the year, you and many others are going to be singing a different tune about Martin, provided we block better and Freeman learns to complete passes again. And I don’t know, maybe run a sweep or stretch play every now and then??????
As for Ware, I have been pleasantly surprised by him. Aside from his one drop, which I still feel wasn’t completely his fault (hard to catch a ball from 3 feet away thrown at 100 MPH), he’s played very well. He’s made a couple impressive runs on third downs, and has shown that he can break some tackles. Initially I hated seeing him in on third down, but he’s really impressed me.
October 3rd, 2012 at 1:02 am
I find it funny that Blount played in a spread offense at Oregon, but all of a sudden can’t catch or block. LAUGHABLE!!! Without punching Boise State player for calling him the N-word, he would’ve been a high NFL draft pick
October 3rd, 2012 at 2:25 am
@T.Bass,
He did neither at Oregon. He only had a handful of catches in his entire career at Oregon. Oregon’s offense doesn’t use the RB’s as receivers very much, which a lot of people don’t realize. He was a straight runner at Oregon (similar to what he has been his first couple years in the NFL).
As for him being a high draft pick, you are absolutely correct. I don’t feel any sympathy for that Boise player. From my best lip reading skills, it looked to me like he said “How was that ass whipping?”. Blount had made the comments that they were going to give Boise an ass whipping the week before the game. If you say something like that to a competitive player, then you get what you deserve. That being said, I think Blount was hurt more by trying to go after the fans versus hitting that jack arse. I, for one, am very happy we gave him a chance.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:17 am
Martin is THE back, run blocking is THE problem…and the play calling, run plays, needs to be a little more diverse – toss, stretch, sweep.
And no more Benn’ed around…for pete’s sake.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:16 am
And for my sake let me add…I can’t argue against anything Hawaiian Buc said above.
I think Martin has the goods…but I also think Blount is CURRENTLY the stronger option. I have no doubt that giving Blount equal opportunities would benefit the run game…and still allow Martin to gain experience.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:54 am
That’s what I’m trying to get at Dutcher. Use the personell you currently have to what is best for the team. You can’t work on making Marting a better back by running him up the gut 25 times a game and please don’t get me wrong Hawiian, I like Martin in a few years after he has time to develop. I do disagree that a running back out of Boise St sees as much quality competition as say Alabama or Oklahoma. Numbers are easier to put up, just check Martin’s #’s game by game against apponents. I came out of a smaller school myself and can tell you I was BLOWN AWAY by the speed of the game at this level. There are defensive linemen at every position quicker than running backs I played against. Put Martin at a Alabama or USC and I believe he fights for a job.