A Running Back To Keep An Eye On
March 3rd, 2018
Running to the Bucs?
The Bucs need a defensive end. And a corner. And a defensive tackle. And a guard.
Oh, yeah. They need a running back, too.
Other than that, how was the car ride, Mrs. Kennedy?
Such is the state of your Buccaneers, baby. And so Joe was sniffing around running backs this week the way the Labradors employed by the Indiana State Police were sniffing sports reporters for contraband, weapons and bombs at the Indiana Convention Center, home of the NFL combine in downtown Indianapolis.
(Update: Apparently, the Labs are being overworked. Nerves are frayed. This morning, two bomb-sniffers decided they wanted to throw down. There was growling, barking and gnashing of fangs. When the two combatants were restrained by their handlers, the dog that was an instigator decided he then wanted to hump a reporter’s leg — not Joe’s! Joe senses this might be what a night out barhopping with Richie Incognito is like.)
One guy getting a lot of buzz is Oregon running back Royce Freeman. Joe asked him what makes his attractive to NFL teams.
“I think I’m very versatile,” Freeman said. “I bring a lot of things to the able especially around 230. I can pass pro. I run to the football really hard and catch out of the back field. I feel like I can do a lot of things. Trying to be a three-down back. I feel like that’s how you make it in the league, I feel like that’s how you stay on teams and stay on the field.”
As Joe has stated, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter’s history in the NFL is not friendly to rookie running backs. Joe remembers watching “Hard Knocks” when the Dixie Chicks were featured and Koetter was the offensive coordinator. Koetter’s biggest gripe with Devonta Freeman as a rookie was he couldn’t pass pro.
Also, anyone remember last year? Koetter thought SnoopDog McPlaybook was good at pass pro and when he missed blocks on “Hard Knocks,” Koetter lit into him?
Well, that doesn’t seem to be a problem with Royce Freeman.
It was interesting that two running-back-needy teams, the 49ers and the Lions, were the first two teams Freeman had formal interviews with this week.
So Bucs fans may want to monitor Freeman. He should be a guy on their radar.
March 3rd, 2018 at 12:51 pm
…and a backup QB, in case Jameis gets suspended
March 3rd, 2018 at 12:57 pm
The visit tracker that I saw said the bucs have yet to interview ANYONE at the combine. Just more ineptitude. Can’t help but feels hopeless. Who is Howie Rodman’s assistant GM in Philly? They seem to have turn that dump around quick, could be our GM next year!!!
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Bo Scarborough
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:21 pm
@Mike Evans Goat. They have interviewed John Kelly from Tennessee confirmed.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:23 pm
I think this guy is under rated,one of the darkhorses of the draft.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Not impressed by this guy. Peyton Barber would be more effective to me. And the pass protection thing is SECONDARY. We need yards and explosive plays on 1st and 2nd down for God’s sake!
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:27 pm
He reminds me of Frank gore.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:32 pm
I’ll second that DestinJohnny … ‘Bo Scarborough’.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Destinjohnny, how is good but I was wandering if you are concerned with his running style?he seems to run upright,so I’m concerned about that style of running in the nfl.he may take some real shots running high like he does and that’s hard to coach out of a player.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:34 pm
“I think this guy (Freeman) is under rated, one of the darkhorses of the draft.”
John, you just let the cat out of the bag. Licht will now draft him in the 2nd round.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Bo is good,damn phone
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Cool jerseys, that’s all there is to see here.
No explosion, didn’t outrun anyone, and looks very tight in the hips.
No thx, I’d rather have Peyton Barber
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Destinjohnny,I was asking if you were concerned about bo running to upright
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Defenserules,he will be there in the 3rd,maybe even 4th.our GM better start working soon.he has already let a lot of talent go by so I’m not sure what he is thinking but I’m not very happy with him.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Watched the highlights…..noticed wide open holes for mostly short yardage…..didn’t see a lot of broken tackles or any breakaway speed for long TDs…..I don’t think this guy is special…..Give me Peyton Barber with the Oregon Oline!!!
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:51 pm
He is a North to south runner that has an all around game,can catch the ball naturally.there are better backs in the draft,but this kid will have a nice productive career.if he is there in rounds 3to4,you snag him.a good hard nose runner that runs with power and good pad level that can make you miss.he is pretty damn good and very productive.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:57 pm
@destinjohnny
bo scarborough did not look athletic at all yesterday.
Bo looked stiff and slow.
Nobody should recommend him! He is not what you need in the NFL.
We need to sign Blount, Darren Sproles, and draft the best RB available in the 2nd round.
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Yea Joe…thanks but no thanks.
Tampabaybucfan Says:
March 3rd, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Watched the highlights…..noticed wide open holes for mostly short yardage…..didn’t see a lot of broken tackles or any breakaway speed for long TDs…..I don’t think this guy is special…..Give me Peyton Barber with the Oregon Oline!!!
Dilly Dilly
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:06 pm
@John Meeks
Snag him with the 3rd…are you serious? We can ill afford to choose a player who wouldn’t start over PB. Wasted move sir. Not calling you out, just stating that as much help our dline needs help. Gotta take a RB with the 2nd imho
Guice
Michel
Penny
Lol choose one
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Kallen Ballage is a sleeper I love comming out of ASU great size great speed
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:16 pm
Whatdabucisthis, I agree we need one of the backs you mentioned but right now you have 2 on the roster and he is better than jaques.you normally carry 4 backs on a roster so unless they grab one in free agency as of now they need two more runningbacks.he would be a steal in rounds 3to4 .i just think the kid is under rated!
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Wutabuc….I would add Nick Chubb to that list he’s way more athletic than previously given credit for, faster, stronger than Michel, but if our drunk GM doesn’t select one of these 4 guys he needs to go
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Don’t get me wrong,don’t draft two runningbacks!we need some defensive linemen.they will take one in the 2nd round but after that the picks better be on defense.sign a rb in free agency, draft one in 2nd round,and then build the defensive line.
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Guzzie, he should already be gone!
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:24 pm
I freaking love Shaquem Griffin man!!!!!! 20 REPS AT 225!!!! WHOOOOOOW IM PUMPED!!
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:24 pm
John Meeks … Bo Scarborough is projected by WalterFootball to be a 4th-6th Round pick. I don’t see personally him as a 3-down back, but he does have a knack for getting yardage in tough situations IMO (Bama’s my team & I watch every game they play). Split time with Damien Harris in 2017 (who I also like). In 2 yrs he had 19 TDs (not that shabby) against some excellent competition. I also like this line from WalterFootball: “similar to Derrick Henry with the size to run over defenders and a surprising burst to break off long runs for a big back.” Would like to see the Bucs get him as their SECOND RB drafted in say the 5th round (still like Michel and/or Guice in 2nd round).
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:25 pm
@Guzzie
My bad yes Chubb as well. I prefer Michel. That break away speed…
@John
Eh…I’ll pass
@Kelvin …And the pass protection thing is SECONDARY. We need yards and explosive plays on 1st and 2nd down for God’s sake!
Dilly Dilly
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:26 pm
I was really hoping for Nick Chubb in the Third but as I said in the last thread he is moving up after yesterday. Solid second rounder now, if not late first.
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Defense rules, well said.we are all in this together and just want to win!
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Wait let us not be distracted…
FIX THE TRENCHES
#TRENCHWARFARE
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Whatdabucisthis, lol right!!!
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:42 pm
Yea man!!! Lol
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:47 pm
@Guzzie
My bad yes Chubb as well. I prefer Michel. That break away speed…
___________-
Chubb 4.52 40
Michelle 4.54
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:58 pm
@SB
Well played
March 3rd, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Looking at these RBs and WRs scores it is absolutely Amazing to me how much better Tebow’s measurables were than almost Any athlete still today. (outside of the 40 that is. And he was 6’4. 245/ Why couldn’t the kid just switch positions. Smh.
March 3rd, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Moderation Joe? For what?
March 3rd, 2018 at 3:08 pm
@Wutda……..Joe’s filters SUCK!
March 3rd, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Royce Freeman was a 5 star coming out of High School. I like him, he would fit with the Bucs.
March 3rd, 2018 at 3:58 pm
If we can build wall of an O-Line, then we can make Peyton Barber look like an all-pro
Draft Saquon, Chubb, Nelson, or trade down.
Don’t reach.
See The Licht
March 3rd, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Joe – they need multiple offensive and defensive lineman. The put all eggs in a single player basket hasn’t produced any results in more than a decade.
FIX RHE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
March 3rd, 2018 at 5:04 pm
The lions have an excellent rb on the roster. I’d offer them a 7th for Zenner and use the picks on other positions
March 3rd, 2018 at 5:41 pm
No wiggle, not running low to the ground, don’t waste a draft pick, there are plenty of undrafted players that can be plugged in for short yardage pickups, Bucs need a back that can pop outside with burst, they already have Barber who has power and more moves than this Oregon back
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:20 pm
1. Barkley
2. Michel
3. Chubb/Penny
4. Scarbrough
I like that fact that everybody is bypassing Penny and all he has done is performed on the field, 3rd fastest time of all RB’s. So I hope he slips to the 3rd after we get (1) Nelson (2) Davenport – just think how these players are going to fall to the Bucs, they will not make any moves up or down
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:36 pm
We need two RBs from the draft. I love love Penny too, he only has one year of serious wear on his body
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:55 pm
@USF
c’mon man. Can’t waste 2 picks on RB. Way too many needs for that kind of drafting imho
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Also Barkley is blowing up at the Combine, the numbers he has put up are amazing. If we do some how full our needs, at both Guard positions, the D line, two CBs, and a SS, I would support a move to land Barkley if it meant giving up all our picks this year.
March 3rd, 2018 at 7:59 pm
@whatthebuc – they need two RBs though and less miles is better for a RB, also all of the teams needs can be addressed in FA if they really want to and still leave room for extending several players this year
March 3rd, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Offense
Trade DJax and trade/cut Sweezy, frees up cap space and hopefully nets us a pair of picks, optimistically a 3rd and 5th rounder.
Throw $12m a year at Norwell and Sitton. After looking at PFF they actually graded Marpet as the 7th best Center which is better than Jensen so I am sticking with Marpet at C. With those two the line is pretty well set and we have a ton of cap room still.
Defense
Trade/cut Ayers and Gholston. Re-sign MacDonald @ $4m a year.
Then go sign Richardson and Wilkerson so they can play together again. We can probably have them for $12m per year. I would also make a play for Bennett if he is available and then try and convince all of the FAs to take $1m less per year so we could bring Bennett back to Tampa. At CB we can re-sign Grimes and a similar price CB to play the other side or go big money and get a guy like Trumaine Johnson.
In the draft I am going best defensive player available at 7 unless we can trade back and still land that same player. Second round I’m still going defense. Then in the third round I am taking two RBs or a RB and a T. After that it’s more RB, OL, WR, CB
All these moves and we are at like $30m in cap space before signing our draft picks
March 3rd, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Early round pick = top shelf versatile back.
5th or 6th round (typically a throwaway pick for Bucs) , use that on a power back like kalen Ballage or Bo Scarborough
March 3rd, 2018 at 8:11 pm
@Off the Cuff – I would love Ballage in the 6th round
March 3rd, 2018 at 9:50 pm
Trade McCoy, D-Jax and Ryan Griffin along with a future 1st to the Browns for their 1st and 4th
Three picks in the top ten of the draft would heal a lot of the Buc’s problems
A truly bold move
March 4th, 2018 at 12:19 am
Alcorn State, De’Lance Turner. 2nd team All American RB
This guy would be a good UDFA sign. Go look at his highlights.
Beast mode running and has excellent hands.
6-2 220.