Rushing Woes
December 11th, 2016
Putrid rushing attack.
Winning covers up all sorts of nasty things.
The Bucs are on a four-game winning streak and tied for first place in December, and fans are giddy since this happens about once a decade (it seems).
But one of the biggest zits in the NFL is the recent rushing problems of the Bucs. And it’s a big ol’ puss-filled boil. The Bucs, per BSPN, are near the bottom in the NFL in rushing yards the past month and a half.
The Buccaneers have been held to fewer than 4.0 yards per rush in each of their last six games. In that span, they have the NFL’s third-worst yards per rush average (3.2) despite averaging 29.5 rushes per game, sixth-[most] in the NFL.
Interestingly enough, backup running back Jacquizz Rodgers leads the Bucs in yards per carry with at 4.4. He missed most of the past six games and had but seven carries last week in his first game back from injury, averagting 4.1 yards a carry.
If the Bucs can somehow unleash their rushing attack, that could very well vault the Bucs into the playoffs.
There is a reason why the Bucs have publicly stated they want to get Rodgers more involved.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:16 am
Here we go agin with the disrespect of Doug Martin. A picture on Doug and the caption reading putrid rushing attack. I’m getting really annoyed with this crap.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:27 am
Hey Joe, you forgot to call him muscle hamster. You guys are just Trolling.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:30 am
It is what it is Whoming. Martin is not doing well. The Oline is relatively healthy, so what is the reason for Martin’s poor numbers?
When they put Rogers in after Martin got hurt, there was an obvious improvement. Anyone could see it.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:34 am
It’s all about our run blocking. Before Martin get to the line of scrimmage he is already being hit. We know Hawley is playing with a knee injury and I reward him for his toughness, but on some plays there are leaks in the middle of the line and just no push. As for Donovan Smith, I love his size and Strength but he must do a better job blocking the defensive end so the running play isn’t blown up. Martic is no game breaker, but it’s not all on him. Take away the 49ers game and Rodgers stats are about the same as Martins. Davin Cook would be that game breaker RB who could take our offense to that next level, but I know we have more pressing needs. Imagine the Triplets of Winston, Evans and Cook….UNSTOPPABLE!
December 11th, 2016 at 8:40 am
The Joes will never admit that the offensive line is at least part of the problem. They just want to rile everybody up. That’s it.
The last game Rodgers started was vs. the Raiders. The Raiders at the time had a below avg. rushing defense and Rodgers only avg. 3.6 yds a carry (19-69) in that game. Many experts were expecting a 100 yard effort in that game.
In fact, the only game Rodgers has had this year (with 10 or more carries) and averaged more than 4.0 a carry was the 49ers game. The 49ers running defense this year is so bad that any RB off the street would look good.
Rodgers is a effective part-time RB, but that’s it. He can’t hold up with a lot of carries.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:43 am
That hammy might not be healed where Martin can fully trust it. It could be a mental handicap for him. Also, I know Martin earned his money last year by getting those tough yards after comtact, but Ive seen him get blown up numerous times behind the l.o.s. by more than a few dlineman at once this year. Man, the blocking just ain’t there.
December 11th, 2016 at 8:53 am
Also this year lead blocker has been hurt as well, to bad we lost Mr. Lane last year to injury
December 11th, 2016 at 9:20 am
Dalvin Cook will be picked before our 32nd pick, Super Bowl champions pick 32nd lol
December 11th, 2016 at 9:38 am
The last 6 games??? But Martin only played in the last 4… so it seems that Martin isn’t the problem. We have struggled all year except for the 1 game against the 9ers.
That panthers game where Rodgers had over 30 carries didn’t result in a big YPC either. Face it joe. The bucs are not running very successfully with any of our backs. Sure Rodgers might have a slightly better YPC but as a whole the holes are not there for our running backs to break long runs. That is where YPC gets inflated. Every running back averages 3 yards per carry it is the running backs and o lines that can break off at least 1 50 yard run that inflates the YPC.
All in all I’m not worried about Martin, Rodgers, sims, or the o line. The bucs have been able to get first downs running the ball. And no matter how low the YPC, it is helping the passing game open up things down field. This is a weird witch hunt on the part of joe. Sure the YPC is not pretty, but the end result is.
If you watch the carries, Martin has run well (when he isn’t getting plowed in the back field) he is picking up first downs on second down every now and again, and getting plenty of 5+ yard gains to get us in manageable situations. It’s the runs for loss (due to poor blocking) that has hurt all of our RBs production.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Love the optimism Guzzie. I was actually talking to a friend from TN who said he thinks the Bucs are coming together at the right time and could be like the Giants from 2012.
December 11th, 2016 at 9:55 am
Getting blown up in the backfield is NOT Martin’s fault, and each greatly affects YPC.
And Rodgers, who I really enjoy watching, came in with fresh legs at the end of the Sparks game and I saw some wilt in the Sparks D late.
Fact is when Martin is in the game he HAS to be respected, so the box is stacked. That gives Winston great play-action success.
Sometimes I wonder if I watch the same Bucs games others do…
December 11th, 2016 at 10:07 am
The Bucs need long drives and effective running. A strong Quizz would be a death blow to the Saints. If Bree’s doesn’t have the ball, he can’t run up the score.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Guys obviously the joes do not get it but its not their fault. Like many fans they look for the fantasy numbers. They do not see the oline getting blown up because it would destroy their narative. They don’t understand that the running game has been effective these past 4 games because koetter and the offense has stayed committed to the run which opens up play action regardless of ypc. In 2002, the bucs were one of the worst rushing teams but gruden stayed committed to the run especially in the conference championship. If the joes want to blame martin for all the woes in the running game, let them. That is the same as the joes saying david is having a bad year. Funny, i heard the great derrick brooks address that idea on his hourly show. He seems to think differently and he told david to do the same. The message here is let the joes think how they want to and you guys can laugh at them when appropriate.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Sooner or later, our running game is going to blow up and have a big game and Doug Martin will be at the center of that resurgence. I think today might be the day. Hope so – Joe’s ridiculous take that the Oline is doing a great job, that Martin just sucks and that Quizz is the answer to our running woes is getting old fast.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Watching all of our backs has been truly a duo. Martin I fear is motivated by his contract. So next year we can expect him in camp in better shape and koetter will more likely use him more in the preseason.
December 11th, 2016 at 10:49 am
Martin is a part time back at best he proves it time and time again. Martin is easily upgraded. Bad signing. He’s had a few good games and one dominant game and is always hurt. Stop with the fan boy crushes and raise your standards.
December 11th, 2016 at 11:06 am
tmax… positive Martin flow was growing above. Then scrooge stepped in carrying a big mofo stick beating Martin and his fans silly once again.
December 11th, 2016 at 11:10 am
tmax – stop with the neg-boy vitriol and raise your fandom.
Are there any players on this team that you DO like?
December 11th, 2016 at 11:32 am
Pickgrin
I am a fan of the team not some part time muscle hampster but thanks for checking. I’m OBJECTIVE not negative. Fact is he is hurt too often and unproductive to often.
December 11th, 2016 at 11:41 am
” I’m OBJECTIVE not negative”
BS tmax. You are one of the most negative regular posters on JBF and seem to relish talking ish about some of our best players.
Lets take a vote on whether you are negative or not – shall we?
December 11th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Facts are facts Wyoming Bucs fan. If you don”t like it, then don”t read it and then don’t comment on it. The fact is I love Dougie when he’s playing well and wonder why we keep him on the team when he isn’t. Read my name and you’ll know why.
December 11th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
THERE HAS TO BE SOMEWHERE TO GO JOE!!
December 11th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
YMCA is just drinking joe’s juice. He can’t think for himself. He looks at stats and judges players based off of the score box. You need not pay his opinion any attention.
December 11th, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Tmax is a Neg
1500….twice….rushing yards for a part time player. Man he sucks so bad
December 11th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Joe the horse has been dead for days. Keep beating away though.
December 11th, 2016 at 3:36 pm
Because is it not.