“We’re Going To Have An Effective Run Game”
May 10th, 2015
General manager Jason Licht, as Joe’s written previously, really put a hefty pair of footballs on the table drafting Division III guard Ali Marpet in the second round.
Marpet and his fellow second-round pick, left tackle Donovan Smith, are pegged to start.
But Licht isn’t stopping there. He’s publicly predicting success for the Bucs’ offensive line, an achievement that would represent serious improvement from 2014.
“We’re going to have an effective run game,” Licht told USA Today.
Whoa! Licht is talking big. The Bucs’ running game was not effective outside of small spurts last season. In fact, it was quite ugly statistically after Week 2.
Joe’s got his fingers crossed for the effective run game Licht speaks of. Right now, Joe would say precision, balanced playcalling by Dirk Koetter is the Bucs’ best shot at a solid rushing attack, versus lining up and beating a defensive line.
May 10th, 2015 at 7:24 am
We haven’t talked alot about our running game…I think the key is playcalling, coupled with at least an adequate Oline. Hopefully, we can mix in some short passes, screens and the TE to make us a much more rounded offense.
May 10th, 2015 at 7:35 am
One could argue that the O-line has not been good for a couple of years. Half way thru the 2012 season is when the wheels came off for the o-line.
May 10th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Winston is clearly going to have a positive impact on the offense in 2015, however, Dirk Koetter is the key to success for both Winston and the running game. Experienced play calling can make up for an average line with short pass routes and quick dives and slants from our running backs. Quickness is the key and Koetter is a terrific addition to the BUCS this year!!!
May 10th, 2015 at 9:31 am
Such Bravado from 2-14 bottom feeders.
Two rookie OL and a rookie QB starting on offense.
Still questionable pass rush and an unproven MLB slotted to start in a cover 2 scheme.
Missouri called. “Show Me”
May 10th, 2015 at 9:43 am
Man, if I had a dollar for every time a Buc said this last year, I could afford a ticket to a game.
May 10th, 2015 at 9:49 am
One of the things over looked and rarely if ever discussed with having a new offensive coordinator are the O-Line blocking schemes that are part of the packages, overall game plans they develop from week to week for each opponent. The Bucs did not have that last year so I am curious to see how all the offensive changes in personnel along with a new offensive philosophy is implemented and adjusted, not only within the game but week to week.
I wouldn’t expect Licht to be anything but optimistic given these facts.
Let the naysayers, manic depressives, and arm chair GM’s have their field day and moan, groan, and whine over things they really know nothing about.
I’m going to sit back and watch how things develop over the course of the season. If I don’t see progress then and only then will I join the chorus.
I’m not looking for a playoff berth this year, not with a rookie QB. If that happens, great, but I’m not expecting it.
May 10th, 2015 at 9:52 am
And by the way, I’m not buying anything the Bucs are selling this off-season. I’ll judge it myself. Here what I mean:
Two years ago, Freeman and the offense looked HORRIBLE all preseason yet we were told everything would be fine. The offense was just as bad when the real season started and Freeman was soon gone.
Last year, EVERY fan and media member knew that the Bucs OLine was a disaster. Yet the team tried to paint a pretty face on Cousins, Omameh and Gilkey. Even with the last-minute desperation trade for Mankins, it was every bit as bad as we KNEW it would be.
So I’m not buying anything more than “we think we’re improved.” I’m not buying “we’re close to being a contender” or “we’re going to have an effective run game.” I’ll buy what I start seeing on the field when bullets start flying in August.
May 10th, 2015 at 10:02 am
Dr Hoagey says.
Let the naysayers, manic depressives, and arm chair GM’s have their field day and moan, groan, and whine over things they really know nothing about.
I’m going to sit back and watch how things develop over the course of the season.
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Pretty fair point about Koetter, but as an armchair GM, we are still looking at a 2-14 team starting a bunch of unproven players.
May 10th, 2015 at 10:37 am
The difference this year is that the Bucs have actually taken some meaningful steps in changing the offense. They have hired a proven, successful offensinve coordinator, they have a real QB who is a determined competitor with a history of winning, granted not at the NFL level but he has the brain, attitude, and talent to be very good. They used two #2 draft picks on olinemen instead of 5th round picks like last year in an attempt to fix the line. They already have two stud recievers and a handfull of running backs that have shown they can run when given a hole to run through. The proof will be on the field and we wont see anything until preseason, but there reason for optimism and hope that this year will be a bit better.
May 10th, 2015 at 11:01 am
Having a quarterback who defenses actually believe can complete a pass is going to help the running game. Having an Offensive Coordinator in the building is going to help the running game. Having new, talented players is going to help the running game.
EDS (ES now?) and Mankins are no where near as bad as last year would suggest. They were playing on a leaky boat with no captain.
Licht’s right to predict, and expect, a drastically improved running game. Opposing defenses didn’t have to take Josh McCown, O’Neil Cousins, Anthony Collins, and Marcus Arroyo seriously.
HOPEFULLY, Winston and Koetter are as advertised. If they are, I’d expect Mankins and Smith to play far better – and the run game to drastically improve whether it’s Rainey, Martin, Sims, or James.
May 10th, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Dirk koetter has Jackson, Evans, ASJ and now Kenny bell to spread the field.Koetter will produce……WILL NOT MAY…..WILL!!!!!!!!!
May 10th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
Is there any thoughts about signing some good, experienced veterans that may be cut; for example, Evan Mathis.
Good to have in case rookies have a steep learning curve problems??
May 10th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
I’m optimistic about this season at least in terms of showing a significant improvement over last year. We still have a long way to go in terms of shaping the final 53 man roster we will have in Sept. so further improvement in OL line personnel is highly probable. It will be fun to watch.
May 10th, 2015 at 11:21 pm
I’m with NewChrisTampa as far as waiting and seeing about how this O-line gels. But lets face facts, it really can not get worse than it was last season… I really hope that the 2 2nd rounders jump right in and contribute but they are rookies and there will be a learning curve, a steep learning curve so i am not expecting miracles. The Bucs OL should get better but it is so hard to trust the judgement of L&L after every roster move they have done on the O-line has backfired. Look at their body of work so far: releasing Larsen and Donald Penn, trading Zuttah for a 6th rounder and acquiring Mankins, signing the back up C from the Pack and then adding Collins from the Bungles; all epic fails…. If the OL coach was to blame, well why is warhop still here, so his retention tells me it is the talent which is suspect and that in turn makes the decision making of L&L suspect. So in a nutshell, don’t expect miracles from L&L…. I think the 2 trench hogs the Bucs got in the 2nd round will help but they will not undo all the damage L&L did so far not to mention Mark Dominic….
May 11th, 2015 at 12:37 am
The Cowboys took Rookie Linemen high in their draft last year and they started last year and made them a playoff team. I believe we have a better blocking line, but Smith wasn’t a great pass blocker and he will have trouble pass blocking NFL DEs. So eventually we will need to move Smith to RG where he will be a success. I thing Marpet having been a small college LT, should be able to play RT, so we may be OK. Time will tell. Need to try out the 235 pound free agent RB from Louisville who could be the big back we need. If our 7th pick is another FB like our FB in the Super Bowl then we could have a really good running game this year!