“Speed Kills”
April 9th, 2023
Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
Joe doesn’t care if the Bucs hired Ground Chuck as the new offensive coordinator. And Joe doesn’t care how rotten an offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was without his safety blanket, former Bucs Super-Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
The Bucs’ running game was the worst in the NFL. Not just bad. Worst. As in no one ran the ball worse than the Bucs. “Worst” is freaking terrible.
So it’s hard for Joe to believe — with everyone and their brother claiming the Bucs need speed on offense and the draft is loaded with running backs — that the Bucs won’t add a running back to the roster in the draft later this month.
And no, Joe’s not fully sold on Rachaad White. He showed flashes, but dang, when you are the RB1b of the worst running offense in the game, you can’t tell Joe this running back unit has no room for fresh blood.
Speedy fresh blood.
Joe is hooked on Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Dude has speed. 4.36 speed. He has skills. He has production at the highest level of college ball. Oh, and he can catch the ball, too.
Last week on “Total Acces,s” seen weeknights on NFL Network, slimy Saints running back Mark Ingram was trumpeting Gibbs as a first round pick.
“Jahmyr Gibbs is that guy,” Ingram said. “He is a bonafide playmaker. … The man has speed. The man has vision.
“Speed kills.”
Right on.
Joe isn’t saying the Bucs should draft Gibbs in the first round. That’s a reach unless the Bucs trade down below No. 25.
Now a second round pick? Or trading up in the second round to draft Gibbs? Joe is all for that.
Until White demonstrates he’s a much, much more reliable horse, the Bucs sure need to upgrade the backfield.
"@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 is that guy. He is a bona fide playmaker…he has increased his draft stock tremendously."
You know @markingramII had to hype up the fellow Bama boy 🤝 (@AlabamaFTBL) pic.twitter.com/4pd0mZqNJw
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) April 5, 2023
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April 9th, 2023 at 12:28 am
Watching his highlights, his speed jumps off the screen, but the issue is, for the most part, he’s running through giant holes that will never be there in the NFL. He does have some nice moves though, that’s for sure.
I’m 100% against drafting yet another RB with a high pick, but I get it, drafting lineman is boring. A RB is an exciting pick. With this guy, while I certainly wouldn’t make this pick, I’m not going to throw a fit since it is a fun selection. But when he’s being hit 3 yards behind the LOS on every play, well, I guess that’s when you’d find out if he was actually worth that selection. Short of getting the next Barry Sanders, I just wouldn’t draft any RB right now as it’s a pure luxury pick, and, you can find RB’s anywhere.
April 9th, 2023 at 12:57 am
Maybe we draft a RB on day 3. The market is loaded with running backs, but NO ONE wants to pay them. And Lamar Jackson wonders why he can’t get a deal. IMHO until offenses go back to 2 back sets on a consistent basis. RBs will not be valued.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:22 am
With the expense of paying a QB, perhaps the trend will go towards finding other ways to open the offense besides having a star QB, like a creative running attack. Bring on the wishbone! Frankly, I’d rather live with a strong running game and a nobody at QB than pay 40-50 million for one guy. Eff that shyte.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:34 am
sasquatch, you make a fair point.
The Bucs have not had a dominant running attack since the NFL abandoned the fullback position. Maybe it’s time for a comeback.
Joe, it’s pretty much tradition for every draft since I’ve been here for you to want a runningback. This year? I think you are justified, though I would prefer it not be in the first three rounds.
That said, last year the offensive live was a wreck due to injuries, so I don’t think it’s fair to hold it against RBs or the QB.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:36 am
I’d love to see it myself, but I hated the wishbone in it’s hey day.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:36 am
Achane >>> Gibbs
Achane is as fast and does it all. Gibbs is a Dardung in crimson clothing.
April 9th, 2023 at 2:51 am
No more Mighty Mice
April 9th, 2023 at 2:51 am
NFL stands for “not for long. Sooner or later there will be another era where running banks are in demand and will be drafted in early rounds again. Meanwhile!
April 9th, 2023 at 3:17 am
One of the strongest position in this year’s draft is RB. I think there will be plenty of good RBs in the second and third day of the draft.
April 9th, 2023 at 4:28 am
‘Joe isn’t saying the Bucs should draft Gibbs in the first round. That’s a reach unless the Bucs trade down below No. 25. Now a second round pick? Or trading up in the second round to draft Gibbs? Joe is all for that.’
It still comes down to PRIORITIES Joe. Right now we’ve only got 3 picks in the Top 4 Rnds. We need more starters; we need more key rotational players: OT, TE, DE/OLB, DT, S, CB, ILB, WR. I could however see us packaging a couple of Rnd 5-7 picks to move into Rnd 4 if necessary to grab someone like Roschon Johnson from Texas.
April 9th, 2023 at 4:39 am
There will be a plethora of rb available as ndfa. We have a starter at rb who’s more than ready to take the reign. Let’s focus on needed positions as in defensive end to stop the pass. That has been our Achilles heal since the Matt Stafford/Cooper Kupp pass/reception playoff game 2022. Last year we gave multiple qbs too much time to check down to 1st, 2nd, 3rd receiver then repeat the process on the same play. Just embarrassing. We need the defensive end Felix Anudike outta Kansas State. I’ve seen guys who impress in college but is a bust in the nfl, this guy is ferocious. Multiple times he’s plowed through two n sometimes three blockers at a time to get to the qb, that’s no fluke. He brings that spark and WSapp type attitude to the defense. We need to pile up at de n OL in the draft.
April 9th, 2023 at 5:56 am
Dewayne McBride would be a better value pick, probably third round, which would free up your first two picks for Edge and OL
April 9th, 2023 at 6:15 am
Beef up the trenches. Hitting a brick wall at high speed is a health hazard.
April 9th, 2023 at 6:30 am
Gibbs is also a kr/wr. Trade down if they can and take Gibbs in rd 1. You could have him and White on the field with Evans and Godwin. You could split Gibbs or White out, you could keep them both in the backfield. The offense would truly be unpredictable
April 9th, 2023 at 7:02 am
Starts up front. We need a good O line.
April 9th, 2023 at 7:04 am
The money round for RB is the 4th round. Licht tends to become impatient and try to outsmart himself by drafting RBs a round or two too early. Sure the run on RBs starts with the second round and continues into the third. But unless is a special talent your best value for a RB in the 4th round and early 5th round. Same with safeties, FBs, blocking TEs, return specialists, etc.
April 9th, 2023 at 7:18 am
What the he’ll Joe. White was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dull and incompetent Bucs run game. A lot of the problem was the decimated O line. The other huge problem was the predictable first down run up the gut by an incompetent play calling coach now long gone. White often made decent gains despite lousy blocking. And he showed good hands in the pass game. I think he performed dam well given the blocking and coaching that was mediocre at best. Is he a bell cow? Probably not but certainly a well rounded #2. No other back currently on the Bucs roster is better than White. Drafting a potential super star would be fantastic. And drafting a legimate game breaker would be super! But White is a very good #2 who can both run and catch.
April 9th, 2023 at 7:35 am
At least he won’t be getting zero yards for running up the gut on first downs because of Byron Leftwich calling the same predictable plays
April 9th, 2023 at 8:46 am
They need a true banger — Mike Alstott style, not tippy toe Fournette style. And they need a hit the hole guy who can also knock a blitzed on his dumper, like Dunn, the best pass blocking RB in NFL history.
A Running game is not something said. It is something done.
April 9th, 2023 at 9:03 am
He’s not just rb ,he’s a receiver at the top level. And wideouts go 1st round.
April 9th, 2023 at 9:12 am
I’ve heard a lot of Kamara comparisons with this guy. Thing is Kamara was drafted in the third round. I wouldn’t mind taking a back like this in that spot. First few rounds though, has to be o ine and d-line I believe. Or olb.
April 9th, 2023 at 9:17 am
Troubles me that we have no 4th. Licht seems to do his best work in 3rd/4th rounds
April 9th, 2023 at 9:17 am
Gibbs will go in the first round….has mad talent….
April 9th, 2023 at 9:30 am
If one believes that an Olineman is judged strictly on pass protection and lack of running game is all on the OC and RB (see Demar Dotson, Shaq Mason), then go ahead and draft another RB in early rounds so you can have another scapegoat.
April 9th, 2023 at 9:48 am
@ DR
“We need more starters; we need more key rotational players: OT, TE, DE/OLB, DT, S, CB, ILB, WR.”
Exactly… And I’m glad you listed the WR position.
Most people don’t see WR as a need however – we kept (7) WRs last season because Darden was the KR/PR. This year we will probably do the same because Thompkins will be the KR/PR.
– Evans
– Godwin
– Gage
– Jones
– Perriman
– Miller
– Darden/Thompkins
If we keep (7) WR and only currently have (4) that means we need at least (3) more WRs to fill the 53 man roster.
Not to mention Evans is turning 30 and in the last year of his current deal. Gage is basically playing on a one year deal and Godwin only has 2 years left on his deal.
Don’t be surprised if the Bucs draft at least one maybe two WRs this draft…
April 9th, 2023 at 10:02 am
Playmakers like Gibbs go first round. Saints were lucky to get Kamara 3rd round. We’re not lucky.
.
April 9th, 2023 at 10:35 am
I keep hoping they will draft a true FB/HB guy like Alstott. Hasn’t happened.
April 9th, 2023 at 11:46 am
According to the projected zone run scheme Canales is feverishly drawing up, one thing missing from the RB room is speed and shiftiness, especially for the tosses and sweeps we’ll be seeing. We need speed to get to the edge.
Hopefully the Bucs will draft a speedy RB in the later rounds.
April 9th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Dexter Jackson had speed too… so. While it’s definitely something we need, it takes more than just speed to become an impact player.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
There is speed you see clocked in a controlled setting like the combine then there is the kind of speed Gibbs has on a football field( he is truly a mismatch duel-threat type of player) I know the Bucs will more than likely shore up the Oline or passrush with their 1st round selection, but it’s gonna hurt when at #29 the Saints take Gibbs and torch us with him!! IT’S PRO SPORTS TO WIN U GOTTA HAVE ELITE PLAYERS!!
April 9th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
Speed is a critical element to winning. But if the RB is getting hit behind the line, again and again, NOT good. The Oline was down right “TURRABLE” With injuries and young guys not ready for prime time, it was a mess.
TRENCHES OLINE- ( DLINE/LB Front 7 )
Get speed where you can, but first thing is FOUNDATION to USE the SPEED
April 9th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
We need O.L. who can push D.L. and make some opportunities…
Any hungry R.B. can run through a hole … We need more holes.
April 9th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
MY FEELING IS WE MOVE UP TO #3 ,TAKE DE ARMSTEAD JR OR OL WILSON OF TENNESSEE OR RB BIJAN ROBINSON OF TEXAS OR LT O’CYRUS TORRANCE OF FLORIDA OR S.S./NICKEL CORNER BRIAN BRANCH..ANY OF THESE PICKS MAKE SENSE..AT #3 QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON ALSO MAKES SENSE..( A FUTURE LAMAR JACKSON TYPE ? )..I JUST DON’T KNOW, WE HAVE SO MANY HOLES TO FILL…
April 9th, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Yes , speed kills, but quickness and power crushes, it makes blocking easier for the line, slows down the pass rush, freezes the Linebackers , and opens up the rest of the offense , anybody remember a guy named Mike Alstott?
April 9th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Where are the Legarette Blount or Mike Alstott type backs in this year’s draft or Free Agency?????? I question if today’s college football even makes that breed player anymore!! HEART, DESIRE, AND A WHOLE LOT OF WILL!!
April 9th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
@RBUC Maybe the closest to a bruiser-type back this year (and one of my favorites this year is Zack Charbonnet from UCLA. Check him out. He’s the type of RB that looks for someone to hit.
April 9th, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Mo Ibrahim. Late rounds.
April 9th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
@Goat Good catch, I forgot about Ibrahim. Charbonnet, Ibrahim and McBride are all tough runners that all can be had in the later rounds.
April 9th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Just remember what the Chiefs got for Tyreek Hill from the Dolphins. So you tell me what round to draft a player like Gibbs.
April 9th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Rod Munch posted: “but the issue is, for the most part, he’s running through giant holes that will never be there in the NFL”
This unfortunately has applied to legions of guys. Including Fournette, whose college film was full of runs with no defenders around for yards. It quickly became clear that he was not a sudden, explosive tackle-breaker in traffic, but a slow to get going guy who badly needed great blocking and scheme help. Rachaad is a Lenny 2.0 variation, better as a gadget pass catcher in open space.
If the new offense is smashmouth, then they had better get an all-down sledgehammer, who does not lack speed. Because right now they don’t have one.
April 9th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
@Tim I’m aware of Charbonnet and you right he is a bruiser type RB! What I question about him thou is the worst than usual tackling in the Pac12, this past season( even for their standards). Can he be effective in the NFL cause he played BULLYBALL in college?? McBride has only seen inferior competition and yes I am a Mo from Minnesota fan BUT damn he’s been in college running for a long time(2017 or 18 right)! How much tread does he have left? When you consider his many past injuries and workload they need to test him for CTE BEFORE ENTERING THE NFL lol!! If the Bucs take a RB late my vote would go to Chris Rodriguez Jr! Lead the SEC in 2022 in YAC for RBs while running behind one the worst Olines in that league in Kentucky
April 9th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
I like him too.
April 9th, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Mo. Might even be UDFA .