Bucs Need Solid Ground Game
August 20th, 2017
Can he carry the load?
Both directly and indirectly, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has stated that if a defense is concerned with Bucs running backs, then it sets the whole offense in gear.
So with that in mind, especially with Doug Martin out of commission for the first three games of the season as he serves the balance of his four-game suspension, finding a reliable running back in the next two weeks from the current stable is vital.
Koetter built a top-10 offense in Jacksonville around a strong running game with Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard. Hell, Koetter’s Jaguars averaged 33 carries a game in 2007. In Atlanta, Koetter’s top-10 offenses were much more pass-heavy and his teams were always in the bottom third in the NFL in rushing attempts, and they weren’t very successful on the ground.
But in Tampa, Koetter went back to pounding the football.
In 2015, with a rookie quarterback, the Bucs had the fifth-best offense in the NFL. One could point to the run game as Doug Martin was second in the NFL in yards rushed and the Bucs, overall, had the No. 5 ground attack.
Last year, the offense took a step back as Martin wilted.
As Joe has pointed out, the third preseason game is pretty much a dress rehearsal for the regular season opener. The fourth preseason game, if a starter does play, it is only long enough to soil his jock strap.
So who is it going to be to be asked to carry the rock for the Bucs in Miami come September 10? Will it be Jacquizz Rodgers, Peyton Barber or Jeremy McNichols?
(No, Joe is not forgetting Charles Sims, which is why Joe did not ask if Sims will be called on to carry the rock. Joe knows better and so should you.)
August 20th, 2017 at 8:11 am
We need to give some 1st team reps to Barber and JMac we pretty much know Doug looks a lot better than last year, but we got to get the other guys ready
August 20th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Bucs waived Quayvon Hicks. Bummer! I was really hoping for a true FB this year!
They signed CB Mariel Cooper.
August 20th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Bonzai…do you think they might plan to keep and use Auclair, who is supposed to be an above average blocker, as TE/FB/HB instead?
August 20th, 2017 at 9:57 am
Add Kareem Hunt as another guy they could have taken in the 2nd round.
Or just taken Godwin in the 2nd round and taken Hunt in the 3rd round.
August 20th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Barber is good in short yardage and pushing the piles, but I don’t see him being a back the defense is going to respect enough that will open up play action passes. I don’t see Rodgers and Sims being able to do that either, but McWeapon may be another story. I would like to see him get some first team reps in the next game.
August 20th, 2017 at 10:12 am
aguayo missed his only attempt in chicago last night of 49 yards…he really can’t kick for sh*t…look at the replay – his kicks are all squibbed – he is so done – dude became a real dud
August 20th, 2017 at 10:24 am
run more rb screens to loosen the front 7
make them go horizontal instead of downhill….
than attack with the run
August 20th, 2017 at 10:28 am
Adam
Yeah i said it when he signed in chi. He is feeling more pressure now not less. I would say its all mental with him but his form even looks like garbage. He definitely wont be a kicmer this year. He cant handle the pressure. On the other hand folk can. He will step up. Go Bucs
August 20th, 2017 at 10:51 am
I would love to see Charles Simms and Micheal Pittman dance together. So much tip toeing it would look like a ballet.
August 20th, 2017 at 11:13 am
AGAIN….this is 90% or even more a function of our OL!!
Everybody was raving about Doug against Jax. He had a good game. But his longest run was for 11 yards and the OL wiped out the left side of the Jag defense Nobody touched Doug until he was already ten yards down field with a full head of steam. I’m not talking about a sliver opening that Doug took advantage of…I’m talking the proverbial hole big enough to drive a truck through….LITERALLY. It was stunning!
Marpet, Sweezy, and Pamphile will dictate our running game…not whichever back is in the game. We have a solid collection of good backs. I still look to the OL to determine whether our run game is dominant or just average.
August 20th, 2017 at 11:47 am
I’d like to see Barber start on Sept. 10. He is a down field runner that can find wholes and from what was said recently he’s become good at his pass blocking game.
August 20th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
The running game will be serviceable while Martin is out based on greatly improved OL play.
August 20th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
RB by Committee in Game 1-3.
August 20th, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Rodgers will lead league in rushing over 1st 4 games…
August 20th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
mark2001, I believe that will be the decision. I think I noted it to Bonzai when he put his roster out. Yea, in my opinion, Auclair sticks.
August 20th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Auclair will stick because he is a physical freak.
Cross will play TE/FB hybrid (remember the old “H” Back?), as will Johnson.
Both Cross and Johnson have played well.
August 21st, 2017 at 3:18 am
Quizz will get the call. Workhorse back. You can give it to him 30+ times. He’s like the energizer bunny. He got moves and those legs are always moving for extra yards. Give it to Quizz.