Solid

August 26th, 2017

Your opening day starter

The Bucs planned to pound the rock early and often with Jacquizz Rodgers tonight, in part to see if he was ready to shoulder the load on opening day.

Yes, the Buccaneers’ best running back by a mile last year is expected to answer the bell in two weeks in Miami.

Rodgers got little work in preseason before tonight, but the Bucs fed him the rock often against the Browns’ first-team defense. He finished with 10 carries for 34 yards, plus an explosive play in the passing game, a 17-yard catch and run.

Rodgers ran hard behind an offensive line missing two starters, and he had no problem securing a wet rock.

If the Bucs can get that kind of performance from Rodgers consistently, then it should be just enough to force defenses to respect the Bucs’ running game while the passing weapons run wild.

7 Responses to “Solid”

  1. Frank Says:

    *consistently for 3 games until Martin takes over.

  2. I'm tired and 87 is right Says:

    Go Bucs!!

  3. I'm tired and 87 is right Says:

    Godwin looked good tonight!

  4. Mr. E Nigma Says:

    Why did McNichols only have one carry for -1 yards? Barber was 5 rushes for 6 yards with 5 of those on one play. Hard to like that against the twos.

  5. tnew Says:

    I think the adjective I would use is fine. I am far from ok with him being our best option at running back. Martin showed yet again that he is on another level than all of the others. Barber showed what he was as well. An ok reserve back.

    McNichols, has disappointed. I was worried initially when he had a blasé attitude regarding the playbook during rookie camp. His quote was something like “I’ll get it eventually, I did at Boise” Mr. E.. he didn’t get his carries because of a missed assignment that could’ve gotten the QB killed. His second snap there was a free blind side blitzer. McNichols didn’t even glance his way. That was a potential season ending moment. Truthfully, he has to play his way on to this roster in the final preseason game. Barring an injury, he will be the first guy cut from the RB group when Martin returns. I feel serious disappointment in this as I was high on him during combine and draft. I thought him to be a steal in the 5th, but he is not ready to play. Two tentative plays last night, both because he hasn’t learned the playbook well enough. Maybe he should stay out of the pool and get his head into the film room or his tablet. That is what being a pro is about. Heck, I think even Snoop told him to learn his playbook. It is a minimum standard.

  6. Defense Rules Says:

    tnew, I agree with you about McNichols. Practice squad (at best) as of right now. The way Charles Sims has looked my guess is that he’ll get a lot of playing time this year, along with Rodgers and Martin (when he returns). Barber didn’t do anything last night but the 2nd/3rd OLine he was running behind looked pathetic. Our RBs overall don’t concern me nearly as much as our DLine & CBs at this point.

  7. danr Says:

    Because the bucks can’t afford to injur a qb. And he is a liability in pass blocking