Are The Bucs Really A Running Team?
May 29th, 2025
More big plays?
Joe thinks the following is a perfect example of the difference between real football and fantasy football.
Iin case folks are unaware, in this Joe’s world, the word “fantasy” has absolutely nothing to do with football but everything to do with Rachel Watson and a secluded Caribbean island. Joe is not anti-fantasy football but gets frustrated folks try to combine the two, or worse, elevate fantasy football over real football.
(“I hate the Cowboys but I’ve got Cee Dee Lamb on my fantasy team, that’s why I’m hoping the Cowboys get a turnover here.” Ugh!)
Thus, the focus of this here post: Lindsay Rhodes and Sam Bruchhaus of Sumer Sports, the stats outfit formerly run by ex-Dixie Chicks shot-caller Thomas Dimitroff, are trying to figure out if Bucky Irving is an RB1.
Did these people not watch the Bucs? (Answer: Probably not.)
Of course Bucky is the Bucs’ top dog! It’s absurd to even question that. But is Bucky a starter? Maybe not. Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete said last week just because you are a starter, that only means you’re on the field for the first snap.
Exactly. If Rachaad White “starts,” that doesn’t mean he’s the bellcow.
Later in the conversation, Bruchhaus had a very interesting thought. The Bucs may throw more this year, or at least throw downfield more.
Bruchhaus noted that the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka No. 19 overall for a reason. Teams don’t generally draft a guy in the first round for him to watch the game from the sideline. Bruchhaus seems to think, if you follow the money (i.e., investment), the Bucs under Josh Grizzard may be more of an aerial attack.
As Bruchhaus believes that would lead to more big runs from a big-play guy like Bucky. And big plays generally lead to touchdowns. You know, fantasy football!
Defenses facing the Bucs will have to play honest, per Bruchhaus or they will get lit up by the loaded Bucs passing attack if they bring too many in the box to stop Bucky.
Advantage: Bucky.
"RB1 at some point in his career… maybe this year."@lindsay_rhodes & @sambruchhaus did some digging into stats that matter for RBs…
and came away real excited about Bucky Irving. pic.twitter.com/nWiMlIOgvm
— SūmerSports (@SumerSports) May 28, 2025
May 29th, 2025 at 7:27 am
“Teams don’t generally draft a guy in the first round for him to watch the game from the sideline.”
Bingo! My thoughts exactly. That’s why I wanted defense in Round 1.
But it is what it is. Seems we’re “stuck” with a potential great receiver.
So what do the Bucs do when a healthy Godwin returns?
Is it gonna be a steady diet of ‘trips to the left – single wideout to the right’?
Would that open up more running lanes for Bucky in the middle?
Should be an interesting watch …
May 29th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Bucs are a very ‘balanced’ team, in that they have the capability to run OR pass equally well depending on what the game needs are. And IMO that’s exactly what Todd Bowles has been striving for in his 3 years as head coach.
o 2022: 1159 offensive plays (386 run, 751 pass, 22 sacks).
Run-pass ratio was 33.3% (extremely pass oriented).
Record: 8-9 … Points scored: 313 … Offense ranking #25
Time of possession: 28:54 (ranked #28)
o 2023: 1047 offensive plays (439 run, 568 pass, 40 sacks).
Run-pass ratio was 41.9% (similar to what Bowles had in NY).
Record: 9-8 … Points scored: 348 … Offense ranking #20
Time of possession: 29:35 (ranked #17)
o 2024: 1094 offensive plays (483 run, 571 pass, 40 sacks).
Run-pass ratio was 44.1% (closer to a ‘balanced’ attack).
Record: 10-7 … Points scored: 502 … Offense ranking #4
Time of possession: 31:41 (ranked #3)
Not hard to tell what direction Todd Bowles is directing this team to go. Batter ‘run-pass attack balance’ (in terms of capability) has led to (1) a much better TOP (less time for the defense to be on the field); (2) more points scored by the offense; and (3) better Won-Loss records. There’s no coincidence here. The Bucs have become a force to be reckoned with.
May 29th, 2025 at 7:44 am
BTW-apologies on my point total after the bye last year. It was 17.75 in lieu of my 22 something. Seems I extrapolated my info from a website that had the bye week after the Giants game instead of before.
Their mistake, but my bad for not seeking information elsewhere.
However, during that stretch, with the exception of the Washington playoff game, the only team we played after bye with a winning record was the Chargers.
Yea defense!
May 29th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Agreed with it all only one major thing is if Bowles lets grizz have a short leash or long leash. Bowles is a run first kind of guy it’s usually how defensive head coaches are not always but we do know Bowles didn’t love Bucco Bruce’s aerial attack. Bowels words our guys are to tired by the end of season which I don’t agree with these guys are pro athletes and train for this. That’s only major caveat that I see is it Bowles gives the green light to throw more. With Bucky and the new addition to the O-line last year we are built for both running and passing. This should be a pretty balanced offense. The whole offense should improve from last year.
May 29th, 2025 at 8:13 am
lol are bucs a rushing team? yes..finally.
i hope they dont squander the opportunity they have trying to equally spread the ball around. i hope the off season of bucky irving has been spent on conditioning himself for what could be a breakout season. we all see the potential.
May 29th, 2025 at 8:15 am
That’s a X-factor for sure.
May 29th, 2025 at 8:25 am
For the amount that they threw on the goal line .. I’d say no. The pass was working though.
May 29th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Joe, your parenthetical fantasy football example is precisely the reason I dropped it years and years ago. When it first started gaining favor I played for 2 years. I have been going to the games in stadium since 91. Some of my buddies who were also playing would root for members of the other team to score while still hoping for us to be victorious. Drove me crazy. That was all I needed to relegate FF to the casuals.
May 29th, 2025 at 8:59 am
I think at this point in time. League rules benefit the passing game and encourage high scoring passing offenses. These offensive coordinators know you have to at least try to run the ball. Whether its successful or not they still have to run the ball. At the very least to keep defenses honest. The fact this team can be successful running the ball is the cherry on top. Doesn’t mean it’s now a ground and pound run first team. As far as Bucky Irving being rb1? He probably will be at some point this year. As of right now White is the best three down back on the team. That’s why White is rb1. It’s counter intuitive that the best running back on the team (Bucky Irving) isn’t the rb1. White can block, catch, pick up blitzes and run the ball. A three down running back opens the playbook wide open. Plus defenses can’t look at who’s in at RB and get a read on what’s coming. Bucky was a rookie last year I fully expect him to be a true three down rb1 running back by the middle or end of this season.
May 29th, 2025 at 9:34 am
I don’t think the Bucs are necessarily a running team but I don’t think they’re a true passing team either. They’re very balanced. I love the fact they can do either. They will pass more than they run this year but it’ll be close… probably still maintain that 55/45 ratio which would be great.
May 29th, 2025 at 10:58 am
When talking about fantasy, RB1 does not mean starting or not. It means that a player at his position will finish top 10-12 in fantasy points. That is because there are 10-12 teams in a fantasy league, so it is denoting the player could be a fantasy team’s top player at his position.
May 29th, 2025 at 11:04 am
bucky had 47 catches on 52 targets for almost 9 yard average. he’s breaking more tackles and posting highest carry averages, practically, too. the question is — how many carries and touchdowns will he have. that’s a very different discussion due to our depth.
May 29th, 2025 at 11:14 am
There’s no reason Bucky couldn’t lead the league in rushing, yards from scrimmage, and TDs, imo. That would make him RB1 in my book!
May 29th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
JA Says:
May 29th, 2025 at 7:44 am
BTW-apologies on my point total after the bye last year. It was 17.75 in lieu of my 22 something. Seems I extrapolated my info from a website that had the bye week after the Giants game instead of before.
Their mistake, but my bad for not seeking information elsewhere.
However, during that stretch, with the exception of the Washington playoff game, the only team we played after bye with a winning record was the Chargers.
Yea defense!
—————————
We held Lions/Eagles/Broncos/Commanders (playoff teams!) to 19 PPG avg.
We only won 2 of the 4 but can you really say the losses were because the defense didn’t do its part? We scored 7 against the Broncos and 20 against WSH.
May 29th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
FAMU_RATTLER SAYS:
I agree with the MJ and Defense Rule. Devin Culp is going to be a difference maker. A few more targets in his direction will pay dividends. Also, the bucs will be a running team this year. That way they will not give the ball back to the other teams offense. Limiting their number of opportunities for scoring. HOPEFULLY, our defense will be up to the task of stopping and limiting the other teams TOP and SCORING. Devin, Bucky, Tucker, White, J Mac, Otten, Evans, Godwin, Egbuka will score, hopefully not to fast but very often. Go Bucs Go.
May 29th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
Scoring in the Red Zone should be something pretty easy this year. Evans 6’5″, Otten 6’5″, Culp 6’4″. Put Bucky in motion fake a swing pass and find one of the tree top receiver for a touchdown pass. Or hit Bucky for a walk in touchdown.
I like these options. So many options with this group of the field at the same time. Hope Griz is reading this post. I want credit for this package. It can be use all the time, just target a different person each time. Go Bucs Go.
May 29th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:
When talking about fantasy, RB1 does not mean starting or not. It means that a player at his position will finish top 10-12 in fantasy points.
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I was going to make this same point. They’re simply asking if, in fantasy, Bucky is going to finish the season as a top 12 RB (most rankings are based on 12 team leagues). For example, if he finished 13 in points, he’d be considered a RB2 – even though he’d still be one of the best RBs in the NFL and the clear starter for the Bucs.
For fantasy, Bucky is only risky because White is still here, and he’s likely to still be the third down back since he’s such a great blocker – and those are valuable downs as most leagues give a point or half point for each reception, so RBs that are on the field for all 3 downs, even if they’re not that good, they’re still very valuable.
Also I’ve heard the same rumors in the fantasy world that the new whiz kid OC is going to go to more of passing offense – what that is based on, I have zero idea, and they never really reveal where this information is coming from, which makes me think it’s one idiots opinion, then all the other idiots repeat it. If Grizz is as smart as people say he is, he’ll just copy and paste everything Coen did, and if he does that, he’ll be getting a HC job next year.
May 29th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
GoneGator Says:
“can you really say the losses were because the defense didn’t do its part?”
Yes, without any doubts.
The defense was put in the highest position to salvage the playoff game vs Washington.
Bowles chose to rely on his defense and it buckled like a bridge being hit by a cargo ship.
It’s the scheme that he continues to employ. The results are in and they aren’t good.
May 29th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
PresidentBowles Says:
The defense was put in the highest position to salvage the playoff game vs Washington.
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And it gave up 16 points, and made a huge 4th quarter goal line stand and gave the ball back to the offense who had the chance to go up two scores and put the game away.
Then Baker choked, fumbled the ball, lost the game.
The defense was (mostly) trash in the regular season, but in the playoffs, it did its job. Meanwhile Baker had the ball in his hands with the game on the line in the 4th quarter, and immediately turned the ball over.
There’s a reason the Bucs spent their first round pick on offense, they’re doing everything possible to prop up Baker because the team still has to decide if he’s worth spending real money on or not.
May 29th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
@Rod Munch
While I agree with your assessment of Mayfield, he’s a turnover waiting to happen.
But I don’t agree about the defense. Had Washington either kicked all field goals on those goal line stands and or scored a touchdown or two, the game is a blowout.
The score doesn’t indicate just how awful it was. 35 minutes of possession and zero punts.
A truly pathetic display by the Bowles defense.
May 29th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
@PresidentBowles
Same ole troll with a different name. Is Joe banning you? If not, why do you keep doing this? Seriously.
May 29th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
Whatever happens when Bucky Irving gets the ball his aim is to break a hundred in every game he can. So turn on the game if you can’t make it there. And watch Bucky go, he’s like the energizer rabbit. He’s a male so wasn’t calling hh
May 30th, 2025 at 12:17 am
PresidentBowles – If your offense can put up a net 17 points in a playoff game, you’re going to lose 99 out of 100 times, unless you got that all-time great 2002 Bucs defense bailing you out. The defense literally made a huge 4th quarter goal line stand, the offense had the ball with the chance to go up by two scores with 7 minutes left (and if the Bucs drove the field it would have been a lot less than 7 mins left) and instead Baker not only turned it over, he turned it over right away, putting the defense right back on the field after they were completely spent. Also, let us not forget, the Bucs again got the ball back with a chance to go up by 4, and instead settled on a FG. The offense lost the Redskins game no matter who you spin it.
I’m not actually that down on Mayfields turnovers in general, they don’t bother me at all – and as long as you’re scoring points, I don’t care if you’re turning it over once in a while (and 16 INTs + 2 fumbles lost is hardly a lot in a 17 game season). The issue is he’s made those mistakes in the biggest moments of his career. I really really hope he can come through in the clutch, if he does, he’ll be the Bucs QB for a long time going forward. But if the Bucs make the playoffs again, and Baker again makes a huge 4th quarter mistake, he’ll be back for that 3rd year of his deal since he’s cheap, but the Bucs will start looking for a guy who doesn’t choke under pressure.
May 30th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
In fantasy RB1 refers to the top 10 or 12 leaders in points scored, example, starter David Montgomery is an RB2, while Gibbs is legit RB 1, another example starters Kenneth Walker n James Conners are high end RB2s with RB1 potential, Bucky has RB1 potential but hes a high end RB2 based on how many options the Bucs offense has, Joe stick to real football buddy