Running In The Red Zone
May 28th, 2023
Head coach Todd Bowles.
Last year the Bucs were horrid running the ball in the red zone. Bucs coach Todd Bowles hopes to change that.
How rotten were they? Playoff Lenny was the Bucs’ most productive runner in the red zone with 44 yards inside the 20-yard line. That ranked No. 53 in the NFL (including quarterbacks).
Bowles believes to have a better red zone attack, the Bucs must run better there.
“It’s important to be able to have a dual threat,” Bowles said. “You don’t want anybody playing the pass full-time against you [in the red zone], so we want to take advantage of what the defense is giving us as we get into the season.
“If it’s the run game, we’ll try and take the run. If it’s the pass game, we’ll try and take the pass.”
Per TeamRankings.com, the Bucs need a significant upgrade in red zone scoring. While kicker Ryan Succop was money inside the 30-yard line (yes, Joe knows the red zone is inside the 20, but not all red zone field goal attempts are from inside 20 yards), hitting 17 of 19 attempts (careful what you wish for), scoring touchdowns inside the red zone was troublesome for the Bucs. TeamRankings.com has their touchdown scoring percentage ranked 25th in the NFL.
There are a bunch of reasons why the Bucs struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone last year. Tom Brady missing foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski is likely one. Playcaller SpongeBob is likely another.
So yeah, Joe understands why Bowles wants a ground game upgrade in the red zone.
May 28th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
To run in the Red Zone Bowles will first have to get to the RedZone.
May 28th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
HC Grover: You’re predicting the Bucs won’t get in the red zone the entire 2023 season? You have some of the worst takes since Realisto… Was that your former name?
May 28th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
If you want to know how bad the Bucs O-line was now you know.
It was historically bad. Tom Brady got rid of the football in less than 3 seconds that’s why you didn’t notice all that much. Early on we saw the Bucs get no push whatsoever up front and that continued through the season. They got dominated physically up front.
It appears the coaching staff recognized that and that’s why we’re seeing guys moved around and new player brought in. The line should be bigger and more athletic this season.
May 28th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Bowles WONT be getting this offense anywhere HC Grover, Canales will.
What a hater.
Are you married?
Have kids?
Does your mamma even LOVE YOU?
May 28th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Now that Leftwich is gone we should be using the word redzone a lot more.
May 28th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
With the emphasis on the running game, there will be no excuse for not having a big improvement in that area. Here’s hoping all that beef up front will get the job done.
May 28th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
#99: You’re probably right about this troll. I like trolling the trolls, and making them change their names.
May 28th, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Joe in Michigan, I think Hc Grover is on his 5th or 6th screen name..Definitely is a troll for sure
May 28th, 2023 at 5:48 pm
Joe … ‘Playoff Lenny was the Bucs’ most productive runner in the red zone with 44 yards inside the 20-yard line. That ranked No. 53 in the NFL (including quarterbacks). Bowles believes to have a better red zone attack, the Bucs must run better there.’
Do those 3 sentences, taken together, bother anyone else but me? Our MOST productive runner ranked #53 … and he’s not even on the team anymore. So we’re left with 3 RBs who rank BELOW that, plus a couple of QBs who aren’t exactly known for their running prowess.
Seems like we’re putting a LOT of faith into a 2nd year running back who averaged 3.7 YPC last season. And into a 4th year RB who’s earned a grand total of 79 carries & 342 rushing yards in 3 years. Before training camp starts, I sure do hope that the Bucs sign at least 1 and preferably 2 quality RBs. I’d personally be happy to have Lenny back at this point.
May 28th, 2023 at 6:31 pm
I think the Bucs are about where the Lions were a few year ago. They turned that team around,
May 28th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
I think the theme of the season is “This As Paper”
Our RB room is thin as paper, like the DL, LB,S, TE,CB, QB rooms and the resume of the HC – remember we had Nunez subbing for Suh just a short time ago- now we have Senat subbing for Gaines….yeah that’s quite a far drop off
No one is staying up late scheming for our RB group – no short yardage back, no breakaway speed guy, 3 average guys….all decent, none are special
Six wins max
May 28th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Voice of truth. We have vea, Gaines , kancey and hall all playing DT senat prob doesn’t see the field much if at all.
May 28th, 2023 at 10:35 pm
Running in the Red Zone becomes a great Van Halen song.
May 29th, 2023 at 3:25 am
Nailed it Joe!
Teams did not need to worry about our run game anywhere on the field last year which negated the effectiveness of any play action calls. Play action in the red zone is very effective … If you have a run game.
May 29th, 2023 at 3:35 am
Would love to see Ko Kieft play some Fullback for us.
New Left side of the line is huge! I think he could truck some LBs!
Run him in the A or B gaps in the red zone. Then fake it to him on a play action! That woud be so awesome to see!