Bucs’ Solid Run Blocking
June 21st, 2025
“Don’t worry Graham, you’ll crush people this year.”
This is a pretty good sign that your offensive line is getting the job done on the ground.
If an offensive line isn’t getting push, it’s obviously more likely that the running back won’t get any yards. While Joe maintains that running backs are still allowed by NFL chieftain Roger Goodell to avoid tacklers, no push by a front line clearly makes dodging would-be tacklers more of a challenge.
Well, last year there weren’t a whole lot of teams that had runs stuffed at the line as seldom as the Bucs did.
Per noted handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp, nine teams had fewer runs stuffed at the line — barely. The Bucs had 16 percent of their runs stopped for no gain. Eight teams were at 15 percent and one (Dallas) had 13 percent.
And remember the Bucs had a rookie center in the middle of the scrums and a rookie who became the Bucs’ No. 1 back.
So Joe wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs improve on this 15 percent.
% of RB runs that didn't gain yards*
28% – MIA
27%
26%
25%
24%
23% – HOU
22% – NO
21% – CLE, LAC, SEA
20% – IND
19% – NE, LV, CHI
18% – NYJ, BUF, PIT, TEN, MIN, SF, DEN
17% – JAX, WAS, PHI
16% – ARI, BAL, TB
15% – CAR, LAR, DET, NYG, KC, ATL, GB, CIN
14%
13% – DAL*stuffed for…
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 28, 2025
June 21st, 2025 at 1:09 pm
A Bucky effect.
June 21st, 2025 at 1:13 pm
It all starts up front.
Having a top 5 OLine gives this 2025 Bucs offense a chance to be special.
I believe we will see improvement from the Oline vs last year due to continuity/familiarity – but also because I believe every one of our OLine players is still improving their game and hasn’t hit their individual ‘ceiling’ yet….
June 21st, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Not sure how relevant that stat is. What are the stats when you include pretty useless one and two yard runs?
Really, a more telling stat would be one that shows contact in the backfield. That would show the true competence of the offensive line vs. running backs breaking tackles for no gain.
June 21st, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Barton’s head was spinning at times last season. This season he’ll be the one making heads spin. He’s had a whole offseason with the rest of the herd. I’m expecting big things from Graham, and this whole O line together for a second season in a row.
June 21st, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Beef is good.
Beef is right. Beef cuts through and clarifies.
June 21st, 2025 at 4:53 pm
I’d like to see what the Bucs stats were the last few years so we could compare. That wasn’t a hint or anything Joe(s). Or maybe it was.
June 21st, 2025 at 9:41 pm
sit Barton till september 7 no ryan jensen repeat
June 22nd, 2025 at 3:47 am
Totally agree Joe.
If they can just get White do stop with the dancing around doing his Barry Sanders impression it might drop a bit more as well. I have no doubt Barton and the O line will improve a bit more this year as well.
Go Bucs!
June 22nd, 2025 at 8:05 am
Bucky has better vision and evasiveness than any Buc back since Dunn
June 22nd, 2025 at 12:12 pm
@grego.
It’s really the vision. And that doesn’t mean seeing something right now, its an instinct that can see right now and the momentum of all the pieces and see the immediate future. And do it instinctively. Bucky has that natural talent in spades.