Bucs On Pace For Worst Rushing Attack In Over 50 Years

October 27th, 2022

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich.

How rotten is the Bucs’ rushing attack? Does the term “rock bottom” mean something to you?

Joe isn’t using the term “rock bottom” as hyperbole. Joe means the Bucs rushing attack is the gold standard for pathetic.

Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, no team has had as punchless of a running game as the Bucs of 2022. Just think of some of the most worthless offenses you can imagine, and the Bucs’ running game is currently worse.

The Bucs are currently rushing for 64.4 yards a game. If that is where the Bucs finish the season, it would shatter the old record (since the merger) for bad running held by San Diego in 2000. The Chargers that year ran for 66.4 yards a game.

For an idea of what sort of record you should expect from the Bucs with that type of running, here were the final records of the three teams listed in the graphic below:

2000 Chargers (1-15)
2000 Browns (3-13)
1992 Colts (9-7)

So yes, there is hope for the Bucs.

What are the odds Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich opens tonight’s game on first down with a Playoff Lenny run up the gut for a one-yard loss?

(Barroom trivia to win a free beer from someone: The 1992 Colts may have been the only team in NFL history to have a winning record using two Illinois quarterbacks. The signal-callers who started 15 games for the Colts were Jeff George and Jack Trudeau.)

(Graphic from “Good Morning Football.”)

26 Responses to “Bucs On Pace For Worst Rushing Attack In Over 50 Years”

  1. Tampabuscsbro Says:

    Well surely it’s on the players to be this historically bad when this wasn’t a problem last year…..wonder who isn’t coaching anymore?

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    “I just want to put players in a position to win football games. We does what we can to win on every play”

    Let’s go Brandon (Byron)!!!

  3. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    What needs to be understood here is the fact that we HAVE to run, no matter how bad we are at doing it.
    Any running game, no matter how bad, helps keep defenses honest.
    It is just not realistic to pass on every down, no matter how bad our running game is.

  4. MadMax Says:

    I wonder why, hmmm?

    [Nah man, Joe still has to work with folks at One Buc Palace. — Joe]

  5. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Watching the running game really close and knowing a little something about blocking schemes; Goedke has ruined many of the runs, as well as Lenny not going where he should and maybe its too cloudy for him, but Goedke has whiffed and destroyed a ton of plays. With zillion TE types on the roster, it seems that motion and shifts could benefit this OL immensely. A basic play that HS teams do is a trap play with an H back or TE, have not seen that from bucs this year. You will see a great running scheme tonight with the Ravens, they do that stuff really well

  6. DEEEMO Says:

    SO…ARE WE WEARING THE ORANGE CREAMSICLE UNIFORMS TONIGHT? CAUSE THIS BUCS TEAM LOOKS LIKE THE TEAMS THAT PLAYED IN THE MID 80’S. CAN’T BELIEVE THIS TEAM IS PLAYING THIS BAD! POOR PLAY CALLING, PENALTIES, MISSED TACKLES, DROPPED PASSES, 4 YARD PASSES ON 3RD DOWN WHEN THEY NEED 8 YARDS FOR A 1ST DOWN, AND ON AND ON AND ON! THIS TEAM IS GETTING HARD TO WATCH….

  7. tampabayallday Says:

    NO LOGIC

  8. ElioT Says:

    Has BL ever looked confident or like a guy who had it figured out?

    He must have pictures on Arians or something to have his support.

  9. MadMax Says:

    I get it, wont happen again. Sorry bro.

  10. Listnfrmafar Says:

    I was a firm believer Brady had something to do with BA’s departure but now I am having second thoughts. My new theory is BA took the job because Brady left and didn’t want to leave Bowles with a team destined to fail. Brady unretires, BA hands the baton to his buddy Bowles thinking Brady will save the day. Brady turns out to be human has personal issues and doesn’t take the coaching role as seriously as he has in the past. 2 time looser lack of leadership and coaching skills showing there true colors. Beano, Dooley, Oneilsuckyall, Waterboro, SB-LV and the rest of you haters, Brady has very little to do with the run, especially when it’s 1st & 20 and the big boys are on the field.

  11. Jack Sparrow Says:

    Looks like publix is running out of brown bags.

  12. SlyPirate Says:

    IS CULTURE NO LONGER IMPORTANT?

    Remember when Licht said the Bucs needed a culture change? He brought in Suh, JPP, TB12, and BA to create a winning culture.

    Too many stats demonstrate the coaches are totally inept. If Licht is committed to a winning culture, he pulls the plug on this crew as a message to the organizations standard of excellence.

  13. Craig Says:

    Yeah, at least we have something to look forward to.

  14. SufferingSince76 Says:

    It’s the pirate curse. It’s existed since 1976. It’s the only thing that can explain the bizarre happenings to the Bucs since the beginning. You could do a very lengthy series on it, Joe. It really needs to be studied. 🤔

  15. Roc Says:

    From an Offense in the top of the league to the bottom

    But it’s the OLine
    It the RB
    It’s the injuries

    OR IS IT THE COACH

    CALL IT LIKE IT IS BOWLES IS NO GOOD AS A HC

  16. PSL Bob Says:

    I predict play action on fist Bucs play, then run up the middle on every other first down.

  17. T REX Says:

    This is unacceptable.

    Fire the Glazers.

    They screw up everything

  18. Bucfan Says:

    Ever hear of setting up the run with the PASS?

  19. BlindManSee Says:

    I am 100% sure it will be a Playoff Lenny run up the gut for a one-yard loss. When Leftwich did it last week I couldn’t believe it. It’s like he is doing it out of spite. “You fools don’t think I should call a run on first down… screw you here it comes”

  20. Redeemer Says:

    Listn, I thought the same thing you did. Now it’s hard to believe. The running game woes are fairly simple to explain. They’re getting whipped up front. When you can’t get push, doesn’t matter if Earl Campbell is back there. Predictability is another factor, as is unimaginative run designs. I also see a lack of commitment to the run. The data actually says the bucs should run more on second down. Right now nobody believes they’ll run on 2nd and 10. Teams play pass, incomplete, now it’s third and long. Staying out of predictable down and distance should be BLs first priority.

  21. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Redeemer, rest assure BL will run on 1st & 20.

  22. orlbucfan Says:

    Boy, am I having fun today. I will not listen to this one. I have faithfully followed this team for 43 years. I hate Brady, and am over the worship. Brad Johnson could have won the SB and set NFL SB history 2 years ago. That’s how good the Bucs were on BOTH sides of the ball. But, all we heard was Brady, GOAT, Brady, GOAT. BS on a stick!

  23. captivajim Says:

    can’t blame absence of ground game against Brady .. Nope , that’s on the O-Line that jason gave bowles…

  24. orlbucfan Says:

    Let’s see crippled, fossil Brady make 1 yard on 4th and one. 😂😂😂

  25. Listnfrmafar Says:

    43 years Oral??? Sounds to me like you’re the senile fossil. Maybe you can share some soup with BA.

  26. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Oral Prime Video is a streaming channel offered for smart televisions. These are normally flat screens with multiple ports on the back and sides, many get hooked up to sound bars (I will explain those another day.) Prime, like Hulu, YouTubeTV, Peacock, Netflix etc are what’s called streaming channels. The monthly cost for Prime is $9.99/mos. If you like I can start a GoFundMe page for you.