Tampa Bay Locks Up Bobby Rainey
March 10th, 2015
(Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
The Buccaneers made Bobby Rainey sweat it out, but the end result today was great for both sides.
Rainey will avoid free agency and return for his third Bucs season, assuming he signs the Buccaneers restricted free agent tender offer thrown is way today. He represents great depth at the position. While one could argue Rainey might be the best running back on the Tampa Bay roster, he’s viewed more as a No. 3 back who can contribute on special teams.
Last year, Rainey had 94 carries for 406 yards, a 4.3-yards-per-carry average, plus 34 receptions. But he was buried on the bench late in the season, as the Bucs seemed to want to force feed rookie Charles Sims.
Rainey, 27, is definitely one of the good guys on the Bucs roster, and he’s got a strong work ethic.
This is a good move for the Bucs, who secured their strong depth at the position.
The New Schiano Order signed Rainey off the street after the start of the 2013 season. He stunned the NFL that year with five touchdowns and two huge rushing days in just six starts. Rainey owns a Super Bowl ring from his rookie season (2012) in Baltimore.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Whoopdie dooooo
March 10th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
He’s the best back on the roster so it’s a no brainer
March 10th, 2015 at 5:30 pm
I like Mike James the most of all our backs in terms of a down hill yac runner. Simms should be primary with James third down and rainey giving simms a break. Well….that is give him a break when our offense can actually sustain a drive for once…
March 10th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Like Bobby Rainey…..Can never have too many RBs….
March 10th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Good luck with this O-line and whatever rookies they sign. Go ahead and pencil in a top 5 pick next year.
Good job bucs. Prevent winning at all costs.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
Phew. Dodged a bullet there. He was so productive last year!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
This only means Murray declined the Bucs lol
March 10th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
It’s becoming obvious that this team doesn’t want to get better. Let’s just roll into the season with a rookie QB no offensive line and a defense that have up 8 or 9 4th quarter leads. And not one FA signing.
Just terrible this far.
Actually pathetic to be a bucs fan today.
March 10th, 2015 at 5:53 pm
With this signing the Bucs have guaranteed at least another 2-14 campaign. Congrats Lovie!!
March 10th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
I guess Lovie doesn’t dislike Rainey as much as you speculated Joe. Getting so tired of all the supposition that gets all the children out here stirred up like they just went through a Halloween bag of Snickers bars.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:06 pm
I think it is incredibly important to sign as many of the players as possible who helped the team to a 2-14 record!
March 10th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
This is a good signing. It can’t be for much. A hardworking RB who can return kicks, run the ball if asked, and shouldn’t have a problem with being 3rd string. He’s the perfect 3rd string RB, the utility guy.
I think Doug Martin is the more challenging decision.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:12 pm
All of you guys now whining about the Bucs resigning Rainey would have been outraged if they hadn’t and would have started your anti Lovie rants.
You guys are just so pathetic.
Bucs signed both Johnson and Collins last year and every body loved the signings because all the analysts said they were great signings including Bill Polian.
Why don’t you guys just stay in the sandbox.
I’m calling your moms and telling them to take their iPads away from you.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Wow this sucks… The big free agent moves so far… Signing a third string running back and cutting fat ass Collins… Plus missing out on every free agent they have targeted… Nice…
March 10th, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Rainey is probably saying ” DAMNITMAN! If I coulda hung on until Ray Rice got tossed I could maybe be starting for a Winning team
March 10th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Rainey should be our starter.
March 10th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Skyline Crew Says:
March 10th, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Rainey should be our starter.
——————————
Totally agree
March 10th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
That does it.Not going to any games this year.Bucs suck again!
March 10th, 2015 at 7:24 pm
“Rainey should be our starter.”
Because you see him as a starter, or as the best we’ve got? I’m glad we kept him, I don’t think he’s a starter.
March 10th, 2015 at 7:27 pm
if figures out how to not fumble then he is a great pick up
March 10th, 2015 at 8:27 pm
WOW!! This was the FIRST DAY of actual FA signing and people are mad because the Bucs haven’t signed a ship load of Pro Bowlers?!?
*IF* the Bucs take a QB with the first pick… how long before these same people are screaming for him to start… second preseason game… last week of camp??
March 10th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Good move. Now can we get a o – line for him to run with?
March 10th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
via rotoworld:
Bucs tendered restricted free agent RB Bobby Rainey at the original pick level.
The one-year, $1.542 million tender allows the Bucs to match any offer Rainey might receive on the restricted free agent market. He won’t get any offers. Rainey is quietly the Bucs’ rushing leader over the past two seasons. It appears the franchise wants to hold onto him as a passing-down option.
Source: Tampa Bay Times
March 10th, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Great! Bobby is mostly productive. Those of you who aren’t in favor should do your research.
March 10th, 2015 at 10:38 pm
Wow!!! Duh!!! If they pick a QB with the number 1 overall pick your dam right he better start!!! Wow!!! Duh!!!
March 10th, 2015 at 11:05 pm
Bill
He is the best back we have so should be starter.
March 11th, 2015 at 12:48 am
“He is the best back we have so should be starter.”
So we agree there is room for improvement. I really like Rainey, but I want more.
March 11th, 2015 at 10:35 am
@Bill
I think there is room for improvement at RB, but not sure what Rainey can do behind a competent O-Line. He may have a Murray break out year with a good o-line. So far though, he hasn’t proven to be an AP, Lynch, or Bell.
March 11th, 2015 at 10:39 am
Ding, ding, ding! We have our first contestant.