Run, Dougie, Run!
December 14th, 2014
(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
After sporting a dreadful running attack for weeks — perhaps since Bobby Rainey went wild (144 yards) against the Rams in Week 2 — Tampa Bay found its mojo today and ran the ball all over the Panthers.
What a surprise! Joe had almost thrown in the towel on the rushing attack. But the Bucs’ success today further illustrated the ineptitude of the passing attack.
In all, the Bucs ran 23 times for 151 yards.
Doug Martin scampered for 96 yards on 14 carries, including his first explosion of the season, a 63-yard scamper through a huge hole. Martin’s speed then burst him through the second level.
It was Martin’s best day since Sept. 15, 2013 — 144 yards on 29 carries against New Orleans.
Rookie Charles Sims had his best day rushing with seven carries for 34 yards.
One would think the Bucs could have made better use of play action against the Panthers, but that wasn’t the case. The run didn’t set up the pass like it should. Lovie Smith credited that to the Panthers’ defense during his postgame news conference.
Joe looks forward to watching the film to pinpoint the success stories on the Bucs’ offensive line. The shakeup at the starting tackles, while not necessarily a positive in the passing game, likely made a big difference on the ground.
December 14th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Yeah, Joe, imagine them behind a good O-line.
December 14th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Play action only works if the defense believes the offense is going to continue running the ball. We’ve shown that we look for reasons to pass, regardless of our running game, so why commit defenders to something they know won’t matter?
So frustrating and mind boggling
December 14th, 2014 at 7:32 pm
This offensive line does not play well. No matter where you place them. They are bad as group. Maybe the worst unit in all of football.
December 14th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of our 4 RBs……we have the worst Oline in the NFL…..
And…..as bad as our 2 backup QBs are…..you have to consider the line they are playing behind….
December 14th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
The success was all due to Stocker. The O-line is still bad.
December 14th, 2014 at 8:15 pm
The 63 yarder was nice but would have been better if he kept his focus straight ahead and run for the end zone like his life depended on it, He kept looking back losing speed and ballance and momentum.. To worried about who was running him down.. IMO… Still was nice to see him get that run..
December 14th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
@JOE
I look forward to that post tape viewing report. The Bucs ran the ball well today but had no pass blocking.
I seem to remember a couple of games where they actually did a pretty good job of pass blocking but couldn’t run block.
What I can’t seem to recall is where they put together a game where they ran AND pass protected well.
December 14th, 2014 at 8:26 pm
Misdirection and pulling Stocker/Gilkey seemed to work by design. Sims improvising to the outside with the entire defense clogging the middle sure helped.
December 14th, 2014 at 8:56 pm
Joe, come on. Can you write, “I just might be wrong about Doug Martin.”
Maybe you can stop doggin Dougie until he craps out even with a good O Line and a good passing game.
December 14th, 2014 at 9:20 pm
Take away that 60 yd run and Martin didn’t have a good day running. Sorry, but 3 yds a run is not good.
December 14th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Joe,.. could you please give us Josh Mccown’s 3rd qtr stats for the season,.. and please include lost fumbles as well as Ints. and Tds? LOL! Last year it seems you were able to compile negative looking stats by focusing on a single quarter or half,.. interestingly, this year I would be more into some 3rd Qtr. QB stats on the useless loser that is Lovie’s boy! GO BUCS! (and go away lovie and josh)
December 14th, 2014 at 9:57 pm
Yeah take way any running backs big runs and his average per attempt goes down. Just ask Barry Sanders. How many times did we stop him behind the line, or for no gain, then he would break a long one.Im just saying!!!
December 14th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
I know, but to say Doug was dominant is false. He was his usual self. Now if you want to say he finally broke off a big run..then fine.
December 14th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Watch Dallas’ O line. That’s what we need.
December 14th, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Joe- it was this fan’s understanding that you thought Martin was no good anymore. Have you adjusted your opinion or have I misunderstood?
December 15th, 2014 at 5:40 am
Joe normally likes to leave himself an out so he can’t be called out for being wrong, but I do believe Joe threw in the towel on Doug Martin a couple of weeks ago.
I could be wrong, so that’s why I said “believe” instead of saying I definitely remember Joe saying that.
Thanks Joe……I learned from you.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:06 am
The best runs all came to Doston’s side on the left. His pass pro was probably the best game we’ve had from that position this season as well. He gave up half a sack but that was more of a result of McCown dropping deeper than expected and Dotson lost track of his man and looked to have given up.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:54 am
Exactly my opinion also about dougs big run. I’ll take consistency over one big one a game. I want charles sims to touch the ball more runs n passes to keep the d honest. Delayed routes would work with deep wr routes maybe a short one to the opposite side as the primary route. We need a coordinator badly! Oline in free agency with prove it contracts instead of the big guarantees tb likes to pass out mariota in the draft. Dl or lb in the 2nd