“First Time All Year We Were Really Committed To The Running Game”
October 5th, 2021
Cameron Brate opens up
One of the most cerebral Buccaneers put his foot down yesterday on what the Bucs offense needs to be.
Harvard man tight end Cameron Brate, who enjoyed Sunday’s hyped reunion game for his New England homecoming, joined the Buccaneers Radio Network on WDAE and talked about how the Bucs made a Week 4 statement with their balanced offense.
Brate said the offense finally looked like it did when the Bucs were reeling off eight consecutive wins last season, culminating in a Super Bowl.
Temptation is a challenge for Bucs offensive players and coaches, per Brate, and it must be resisted.
“I think it’s hard for us because of who we have at quarterback, who are offensive line is, who are skill position players are, not to want to throw the ball. It’s tempting to just drop back and pass every single play when you have the receivers and quarterback that we have,” Brate said.
“But that being said, we need to run the football as well. You know, you have to stay balanced as an offense. And so yesterday was really the first time all year we were really committed to the running game. And it was huge for us, controlling the clock, controlling the line of scrimmage, it’s going to open up so much more in what we can do as an offense. So that’s what we really did well last year, the last eight games, run the football. Control the clock, really be in control of the game. Yesterday was a good start in doing that again this year.”
The notion of “balance” being mandatory for a successful offense really needs to be defined. The word is thrown around so loosely.
The best way to stay balanced is to have a lead and not be forced to throw. And the best way to get a lead is to play to your offense’s strength, and that might mean throwing the ball a lot if you’re the Bucs.
Of course, the Bucs proved Sunday that balance is essential in crappy weather conditions, which Brate said led to his drop in the game and overall ups the difficultly level in the passing attack.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:33 am
Agree with Joe:
The best way to stay balanced is to have a lead and not be forced to throw. And the best way to get a lead is to play to your offense’s strength, and that might mean throwing the ball a lot if you’re the Bucs.
Isn’t it who “our” and not who “are”?
October 5th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Don’t know how many remember the Air Coryell years with Fouts and the Chargers. An almost unstoppable Air attack. The problem with that? When the weather turned to garbage. When the D was always on the field because the O scored so quickly. When the field was squeezed in the red zone. When the goal was to run out the clock. That potent Offense never won a championship. The fact is that a balanced Offense is definitely the way to win championships. The big passing game is prettier. But a balanced Offense and superior Defense wins championships.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:44 am
I hope one of the Joes didn’t have a stroke reading Brate’s comments..
October 5th, 2021 at 9:46 am
I’ve been on Brate with this before I knew Brate feels the same way. We got some good weather at G.B., and Washington last year. The conditions could’ve been a lot worse where passing wouldn’t be the best option. Our best plays come off play action. That doesn’t work if you don’t run the ball. We got the beef up front, and if you asked them they’d tell you they’d rather run block, than pass block. Nothing kills a defense more than being beat into the ground. Old school smash mouth football is better than a shoot out every week. You want to keep these great QBs off the field? Pound the rock.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:47 am
That game was a chess match in dicey weather. Had to try everything
October 5th, 2021 at 9:49 am
I don’t take any circumstance any more week by week, but we should definitely be giving Brady a more restful game vs MIA using the run game.
October 5th, 2021 at 9:52 am
It was always the same for the Miami Dolphins in the 80’s and 90’s with Dan Marino.
They were never going to run more when Dan was behind the center.
The Dolphins never committed to the run with Dan at the helm.
BTW we always called them the Miami Olphins because they had no “D” lol
And you know that is kind of the same to with the Bucs at least right now. lol
In so many ways the Bucs resemble the Dolphins back in the 80’s.
No running consistent running game, and a suspect defense.
And compared to the 49’s in the 80’s who had a good running game along with Joe Montana.
We see how the Dolphins basically spun their wheels for years going nowhere with their unbalanced offense and lame “D” year after year.
It has been proven over the years, if you cannot run the ball with some consistency you do not go very far year in and year out.
Last year the in the postseason the Bucs had a running game, we see what happened. “Champions”
If this line is so good, then maybe actually make room to run with a little consistency game in and game out.
Running backs have been so devalued in the draft. but when everything is on the QB, and sooner or later you get beat.
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 9:53 am
I mentioned that against the Rams game… How they’re falling into the same trap that they did the beginning of last year. They are a play action team. They figured that out last year so it is disturbing that they got away from that a couple games already this year.
It doesn’t have to be 50-50, that’s not today’s NFL. But they need to run the ball a minimum of 20 times a game.
If they do that, almost regardless of how many yards they get on the ground, it opens up their offense so much more
October 5th, 2021 at 9:56 am
And speaking of running the ball, Lenny was great but I really wish they would split the carries with Rojo. Rojo just has more explosiveness and speed to bust bigger ones.
It’s just odd to me how much he gets in the doghouse for doing basically the same thing that the other backs do. There really is something else going on there and if that’s the case… Trade him.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:00 am
Rojo’s missed blocks are why he gets in the doghouse.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:00 am
Bucs ran the ball well against a team who doesn’t defend the run well we are still going to be heavily pass with all the wr talent I don’t think this game brings the balance people are asking for
October 5th, 2021 at 10:03 am
I don’t the the Pats receivers drop passes
October 5th, 2021 at 10:08 am
The defense appears to be awful but that may be an illusion. Their opponents can’t be balanced because nobody runs against the Buccaneers. We were missing 5 of 11 starters in the 4th quarter.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:09 am
ROJO has the ability, but he needs a check up from the neck up. To mant mental mistakes. I am not sure, but I think was stuck on the Bench after he was part of messing up a block on Judon who was beating D Smith on the play.
If you let Brady get hit with missed blocks, then you are seen as a liability, in spite of your obvious running ability.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:10 am
ROJO has the ability, but he needs a check up from the neck up. To many mental mistakes. I am not sure, but I think he was stuck on the Bench after he was part of messing up a block on Judon who was beating D Smith on a play when Brady got hit.
If you let Brady get hit with missed blocks, then you are seen as a liability, in spite of your obvious running ability.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Fournette and RoJo get you at least 5+ yards (?) between first and second down. Brady can throw darts but how much more fresh can he be with those guys chewing up some yardage. Brady is Superman but not Jesus.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:16 am
The best way to run up the score is through the air not the ground. Bucs are a passing team so go with your strengths. No need to have a balanced offense when you have the fire power as the Bucs. Just need to use the run when controlling the clock.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:17 am
Funny, I said this just a couple of days ago
webster Says:
October 1st, 2021 at 9:22 pm
@ Unbelievable the bucs have played three games. Off the top of my head, the first play in atlanta was a strike to evans so im still not understanding the argument. We have 14 more games to go and im willing to bet every 1st play of the game wont be a run because as i stated against atlanta it was a strike to evans. The bucs have to run the ball too you know. Instead of being mad they ran it, be mad the oline isnt firing off the ball to dominate and open holes. I cant remember if the bucs ran it on the first play in the playoffs or how many times they ran it on 1st down period, but i do know they ran for 100 yards each game and the offense still scored 30+. We gotta be more balance than we are. Asking a 44 year old to throw it 50 times a game is a easy way to tire out his arm
October 5th, 2021 at 10:20 am
It is not about Balance, but if you put everything on the QB all the Time, you do not win in the end. You have to have some kind of consistency in the running game, not balance as in 50-50, but a consistency, where you are dictating the line of scrimmage. You give just the threat of the run with Brady, his play action passes destroy defenses. It is not about Balance, but you have to run some.
GO BUCS!!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 10:27 am
August 1976
Exactly. PA don’t mean sh!t if you give RoJo one carry.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:37 am
ROJO has good ability to run, but it is becoming more clear to us all why he is not the main guy. Running out of bounds early, before the 1st down marker, and completely missing a block and letting Brady get hit.
We can never forget who has the most say who is in the huddle, that is Brady, he runs the huddle. So if you miss assignments and let Brady get hit. I know who Brady wants in there, not the guy that lets you get hit. And there are probably other things we never see day in and day out during practice to cause others to see the mistakes more than the running talent he has.
GO BUCS!!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 10:37 am
My ongoing rant: Who in hell is the O Line coach? The O Line certainly is above average in pass protection, but they’re miserable at creating running lanes for the RBs. Both Fournette and RoJo have the size, strength and inclination to function as down hill runners. Jensen and Cappa, and Jensen and Marpet tandems have the ability to open up holes, and yet the between the tackle runs by Fournette and RoJo are meager.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:39 am
We seem always committed to the run until we aren’t. VS NE….I believe our 1st play wasn’t the usual run….but a play action that was incomplete……I think that sent a good message.
I also agree that the best way to control a game is to rack up a double-digit lead….and you do that with the pass.
October 5th, 2021 at 10:42 am
I think that pic of Brate shows him reading a text from Jason Licht…. “Cam , pack your bags, we just traded you to the Saints for Marshon Lattimore, pack your bags, your flight leaves in 10minutes.”
October 5th, 2021 at 10:44 am
The Fins perfect season had Kick and Zonk. We need Gronk and a Zonk.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:09 am
I hope like everyone else that we can dominate the Dolphins and give Brady a bit of a rest to his arm. However their coach is an ex Patriots coach and also for those that don’t know. Yes Brady has beat every team in the league but guess who he’s lost to more than any other team 🐬. No game is a give me and the way our defense has played this season plus the injuries we’re lucky to have the record we have.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:11 am
@tampabaybucfan What are you talking about? You can rack up double digits leads with a balanced attack. Where do you get you rack up double digit leads with the pass? FYI…If your defense sucks then there is no double digit lead no matter how much you “pass”. Its called a shoot out. And when your defense sucks, you shorten the game by running the ball, controlling the clock and giving your defense rest.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Will, considering Brady played the dolphins twice every year, and the only other two teams he played so often are the hapless Jets and the Bills during two horrible decades for both teams, that says very little.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:20 am
We have the ability to both run and pass the ball well. Some teams do not. We need to play to our strength vs whoever the opponent is. To me, having a balanced attack will be needed more some weeks and other weeks not so much.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:27 am
Again just saying no game is an easy win but especially the way we’ve looked this year. Not to mention the injuries. We were lucky to win Sunday night (sometimes better to be lucky than good). We’ve got a winning record, still haven’t played a complete game and we’ve got a lot of injuries. There’s plenty to look forward to with this team.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:28 am
You guys are so funny. Go ahead…bombs away. And when the D spends two to three times on the field every game than the opposition, wears down, suffers injury, and the playoffs arrives?… it is all over. That quick strike capability is great. But it only succeeds with a balanced running attack. And Arians knows it.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:28 am
Tough to commit to the run when Rojo was the #1 back. He didn’t earn anyone’s respect or confidence. Part of committing to the run was moving on from Rojo.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:31 am
Last year, almost every team knew we were going to run the ball on first down 80% of the time. Coming from behind, we did much better in games where we threw the ball more on the first down.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:35 am
@Hodad
This commonly held notion that you have to have an effective running game for PA to work is not backed up by the analytics.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:35 am
I keep reading Rojo is a horror show. If he’s that bad then why did they let Payton Barber go? Also, speaking of balance, hey old man Brady, you have 3 other very good receivers to throw to: OJ Howard, Cam Brate, and Ungodly Chris Godwin. Use them.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:41 am
The balance we’re talking about here is offense/defense, not passing/running. When you have a terrible defense like in the game with Rams, where every single time they had the ball they scored a touchdown, you must pass there’s no time for running the ball. The problem is the fact defense must improve, like we saw against the Patriots.
October 5th, 2021 at 11:47 am
IMO,. The game plan was to run more against the Pats. The weather reinforced the plan. Balanced? I think balanced for the BUCS is something like 2/3 pass 1/3 run. With TB12 and all the receivers the BUCS have, I think that works very well. Enough run plays to control the clock and hold those linebackers, especially on play action. BL should keep defenses guessing. He does a great job a lot, but he often regresses into run on 1st down, way to much. More play action on 1st down please. GO BUCS!!!
October 5th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Asking your defense to be on the field 3/4 of every game isn’t a winning formula. That along should get you to establish the run more often.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Every year
Every team in the playoffs that advances
Can run the ball, and my running the ball I mean crushing the will of the other team!
‘Tis always been so!
October 5th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
you just do not want your QB (age consideration) dropping back so often and throwing so many times.
He’ll be subject to getting hit more often!
REMEMBER, we’re pacing him to age 50!!
Go Bucs!
October 5th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
“The notion of “balance” being mandatory for a successful offense really needs to be defined”
…..
C’mon Joe…………let me make this simple for you.
If teams don’t have to respect your run game they will attack your pass game.
If teams don’t have to respect you pass game then they will attack the run.
One dimensional offenses don’t win Championships.
October 5th, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Balance Danielson!
October 5th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
There’s a phrase Brate uses that some are missing here:
“it’s going to open up so much more in what we can do as an offense.”
An effective running game will make this offense unstoppable. Think about it. Guys that are kind of “open” are now running free. Safeties will start cheating up, LBs cheating up, then BAM, wide-open right over the top. Who do you cover?!
I don’t care how many times you say “it’s a passing league”, you HAVE to be able to run the ball effectively.
October 5th, 2021 at 2:19 pm
spend the clock pounding the rock and the defense sits the bench and right now that is what this team needs
October 5th, 2021 at 3:42 pm
You want the Bucs to keep airing it out every play yet thought they’d go undefeated? The two will never mesh. We all want deep touchdowns every play. Some of us want wins more though.
October 5th, 2021 at 4:51 pm
The part that everyone misses is that running the ball effectively creates a big time of possession advantage , which in turn makes your defense better , because they are fresh and not all ragged out from being on the field an extra 5-8 minutes.
Let me say it again, throwing the ball scores points , but running the ball wins games. The meaning of this being that if you are up by 1 to 7 points with the ball and 6 minutes on the clock , you FREAKING RAM IT DOWN THEIR F***ING throat and kill the clock with the RUNNING GAME.
October 5th, 2021 at 7:38 pm
My liver noticed how committed we were to running on 1st down too. Especially in the second half!
October 6th, 2021 at 7:20 am
Running ‘outside’ sure beats running ‘up the gut’ on first down. Just need to mix it up more.
October 6th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
No one is asking for 50-50 balance, but somewhere between 60/40 – 70/40 is ideal. I’ve posted the ratios of the past 10 superbowl winners, and all of them averaged somewhere between about 32% – 45% rushing.
But let’s just look at our Bucs… Wanna know the Bucs record when either RoJo or when Lenny gets more than 10 carries per game over the last 2 seasons (including playoffs)?
16 – 2
When those guys both have 10 or less rushing attempts per game:
2 – 4
We excel at play action. But it only works if you actually run the ball too.
October 6th, 2021 at 10:24 pm
70-40, hell….why not 80-50🤔🤔🤔