Empty Backfield Good For Bucs
November 17th, 2017
Solid numbers.
You know this, Joe knows this: The Bucs run game stinks.
And as Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken noted yesterday, no matter how hard or what scheme the coaches try to craft to ignite the running attack of the Bucs, nothing seems to work. And it is dragging down the offense.
Well, per the numberscrunchers at BSPN’s NFL Matchup, the Bucs, despite little threat of a running attack, are one of the better teams in the NFL throwing out of an empty backfield.
The Bucs, per BSPN, are No. 8 in the NFL for yards per pass out of an empty backfield with 6.4 yards per play. The Saints lead the NFL with 9.15 yards per play.
So if the numbers tell a story, the Bucs should be going out of an empty backfield more often.
November 17th, 2017 at 2:25 am
Our empty backfield sets always have Sims and Hump in it though. We need to swap them out for OJ and Godwin to put pressure on Defenses and create Mismatches
November 17th, 2017 at 2:55 am
The Bucs have to build from the inside out. We have yet to do that on either side of the ball.
November 17th, 2017 at 3:09 am
Does this mean that you’re in favor of abandoning the run Joe? After all, why do XXX when YYY apparently works so much better? Oh wait, how often are those teams with a higher yards per play out of an empty backfield using that play? Are they just using it very sporadically and catching the other team off-balance or are they using it very frequently? And how are they using it? Is their QB using a quick short pass out of the formation or is he supposed to run around without protection for 10 seconds waiting for someone to get open? Hmmm, chart doesn’t seem to give any answers to details like that. But I’m sure there were lots of Super Bowl winners who couldn’t run the ball effectively so they used an empty backfield instead.
November 17th, 2017 at 5:07 am
“I was peeking thru the front window of Hooters and I saw…
Marcus Mariota throw another interception”
Kobe Faker
**interesting if tennessee titans and not the vols are now in the gruden sweepstakes
That smashmouth offense that the bucs sheep want to copy doesnt seem to be working
November 17th, 2017 at 5:29 am
Not for nothing but…. its kind of cool that every NFC south team is on this list.
November 17th, 2017 at 6:18 am
Run out of the shotgun? All the cool kids are doing it lmao
November 17th, 2017 at 6:38 am
So you’re telling me that a team that wants to run the ball is one of the most successful teams with no RB in the backfield? How ironic…
November 17th, 2017 at 6:40 am
Is there a chart that shows how many qb hits, sacks, INTs, and qb injuries we’ve had from our empty backfield obsession? As you’ve said many times, stats can be skewed to benefit whatever argument you’re making.
November 17th, 2017 at 7:05 am
our run game would do better if we did not run practically the same play every first down, same basic formation the only thing that changes is that it is usually to the short side of the field. We need to be less predictable on when we run or pass. Few it any passes have guys running when they catch the ball, curls, outs and back shoulders, very few crossing routes and when we do run them the ball seems to be behind the receiver so he has to stop to catch it. More deception and less predictability will help a lot in giving us a better offensive production.
November 17th, 2017 at 8:38 am
This is probably because our running game isn’t scaring anyone these days, so why even pretend we are thinking about running the ball.
November 17th, 2017 at 8:47 am
Uh, guys….
The Bucs average 6.4 yards per play out of empty formation, ok.
Empty formation is 100% pass.
The Bucs average 6.6 yards per play on all passes. So the suggestion that more empty is the answer doesn’t compute.
Good way to get your franchise QB maimed though, when combined with slow footed LT.
November 17th, 2017 at 8:50 am
No….run Sims out of the backfield to the slot or use him with a screen instead.
Also, try playaction on 1st down once in a decade!!!
November 17th, 2017 at 8:58 am
Bogus. We could be one of the strongest countries invading North Korea, but that doesn’t mean it should be done. Empty backfield is a dumb idea, especially on third and short.
November 17th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Kobe
The Titans are 6-4 and in prime spot for a playoff run. Mariota is among league leaders in red zone TD’s. Why would their management want to change coaches?
November 17th, 2017 at 10:43 am
i’m all for more of that given where our strengths lie on offense – pass catching depth is the most talked about feature of this team and the line has proven it is more effective in pass pro than run blocking this year.
just takes a brief look before the snap to see whether the speed mismatch with DJax or the size mismatch for Evans & Howard is the big opportunity. and if somehow those 3 are locked down, that probably means brate and humphries will be open someplace underneath
November 17th, 2017 at 10:45 am
to be clear, the bucs should not abandon the run. however, if the threat of the run isn’t very threatening, and you cannot fix the run 9 games in, you need to change the premise of your offense so that the threat of the run is not a core requirement for success
November 17th, 2017 at 10:46 am
The only thing good for these Bucs and Koetter is to WIN. Just WIN. Everything else takes care of itself.