Film Study A Key To Bucky Irving Elusivity
September 24th, 2025
Does any running back think faster and react faster than Bucky Irving? Perhaps not.
And that art is not just the result of talent, feel and balance.
Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete dropped a cool nugget on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week regarding how Irving makes so many defenders miss.
It seems Irving can incorporate film study into breaking tackles at full speed.
“One, he has extremely great vision, so he sees a lot of things and anticipates angles of defenders coming at him where, you know, not every guy can do that,” Peete said. “So he anticipates the angle of the defender approaching him and then what he has planned for himself as far as making that guy miss.
“So some guys have to naturally react to what happens. I think he anticipates what’s possibly happening based on how the guy plays and by watching film and studying how the guy plays and how he fits certain runs. And I think he takes that to another level because he has natural ability to come to balance, plant and then accelerate out of that plant a little differently than some people.
Man, Joe pondered Peete’s words and thought about how quickly Irving is able to process a ton of information.
Here’s Bucky Irving making the Jets Defense look like an empty field
pic.twitter.com/z6eZ693mQy— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) September 21, 2025
September 24th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Gifted!
… but super humble.
September 24th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
This young buc is awesome to watch ! Go bucky go ! Run bucky run !
Every time he touches the ball I cant wait to see what he just might do . Good stuff . GO bucs !
September 24th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Sorry, but I gotta question that. It’s way too many variables that I find impossible to believe are being processed that fast by ANYBODY. It’s instinct, plain and simple, with a little bit of luck thrown in along with a ton of will.
September 24th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Scotty
The more you know about the variables, the easier to find the correct path. It’s not like he never gets tackled.
At least you recognize that there are so many variables. Most on this site can only accept what they’re told. And any reality that shows up is to them, a lie.
September 24th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
He had half the defense confused that’s crazy go Bucky go
September 24th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
It also helps to protect yourself better.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Bucky is the complete package and as KA Bucs expressed,
“Gifted but superhumble.”
I would say that among his gifts are focus, determination and the ability to work hard on and off the field.
86 year old Tom Moore shows up at 3:30AM. Gotta work harder when you’re our age…well he has me by ten years but I know the feeling.
Meanwhile at the other end of the age spectrum comes Bucky who shows up to study with Moore at 5:30AM. How many young dudes have that kind of motivation?
I’m beginning to believe that the Bucs are fielding an awesome team when you consider everything that goes into cheering for your favorite team.
Yeah winning is first…3-0 but the way the team wins and the PERSONALITY of the players figure in to the mix. Has there ever been an easier group of guys to cheer? Sapp was GREAT but no charmer that’s for sure. Simeon was also the man but it’s like he attended the University of Mars. Still I loved Sim.
This team is just loaded. Start with the guy the “experts” around the league are calling the most ENTERTAINING QB in football because of the way he plays the game. ME, CG, EE all WR’s without the disgusting DIVA that tends to come with that position.
Bucky and Rachaad easy to cheer for, again good dudes! The OL…LVD…you can see I don’t have enough space to honor all the “special” people who play for the Bucs. We have a talented team, and we can cheer for a group of good guys!!!
I know Muncher you’re probably from the Al Davis school of just win baby. Thugs are fine as long as they produce. No sweat younger guy. Viva la differance.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
Bucky and Baker make you feel good things can happen at any moment now.
We have a special offense.
We are 3-0. We are just warming up. The best is yet to come.
Ironically we have key players recovering from injuries now. Come January they will have fresh legs.
LFG!!!!
September 24th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Bucky brings a extra deminsion to the RB group with White and Tucker. The RB group has been pretty stable. If you were the RB coach and the OC or HC asked how can we make the group better what would you say or ask for? A FB, blocking TE, Draft lineman, possible trade? I just don’t know but someone in the building has to think about it.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
There’s variables? Really?
Everybody knows that.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
I take it that his preparation allows him to not have to think and make th appropriate cuts without thinking and that preparation makes the fame slow down for him.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
*game
September 24th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Bucky is very gifted and appears to be very serious about performing at the highest level. What a blessing for the team and fans.
September 24th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Individuals with elite traits process these variables at a speed that are uncommon to the rest of us and hence impossible for us to relate to. They make it look random or easy and sometimes lucky but it is their talent coupled with preparation.
September 24th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Surprised you caught the reference.
There could be a sliver of hope but I doubt it.
Too many variables.
September 24th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Did you see Baker channel his own lil bit of Bucky on that huge scramble in the 4th? Was so juiced watching that run. Will be glad if this line can gel soon so Bucky can get to run like last year!
September 24th, 2025 at 10:15 pm
10 J-E-T-S chasing, 3 blockers. BUCKIN BUCKY!
September 24th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
“If you were the RB coach and the OC or HC asked how can we make the group better what would you say or ask for?“
Find better balance in the usage of our RBs. Yes the OL is being shuffled like crazy, but that’s even more reason in my opinion to mix it up our personnel usage. Takes some of the pressure off your reserves(and starter), gives the D one more thing to think about pre-snap(different skill set and fresher legs) and potentially prolong the shelf life of all 3 RBs.
Wouldn’t have to be immediate, but I’d like to see some progress that matter because we didn’t get what we did on the ground rushing Bucky 25 times a game as he average half that.
So let’s not get away from what made us great, no way you’re injured on the OL and are giving one guy close to 30 carries, spread that out and see if your other 2 backs can have some better outcomes w/more touches.
September 24th, 2025 at 11:32 pm
Fargin Fenomenal. Bucky gives Aqualung the warms, as most of the players and Jason all do.
September 24th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Reminds me of Warwick dunn, I love me some bucky Irving, he’s bad ass, put tucker in with him and we got the remake of WD 40 if you know what I mean
September 25th, 2025 at 12:26 am
James West – the concept is cool, but Tucker can’t read a blitz pickup and if he does, can’t block. Nobody is an Alstott. The closest to your vision is Bucky and Rachaad White, who in limited touches is playing the best football of his career.
September 25th, 2025 at 1:00 am
That’s why the 40 time at the combine is ridiculously overrated.
The cone drill shows how fast you get in and out of breaks and that is what Bucky does. He has very subtle slight moves sometimes but then just explodes in the other direction.
So fun to watch
September 25th, 2025 at 1:10 am
More Pony sets.
September 25th, 2025 at 9:03 am
I remember folks on this here site questioning why we drafted Bucky last year when Coen was the OC and not the Kentucky back Coen coached at that school. What was that kids name again????????
September 25th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Wonder where his center of gravity is? Bucky is extremely agile, and has no problems making his cuts. He is also getting lethal with the catching which compliments Rasheed. They both have been helping with the blocking with the OLine being so banged up. Those two also don’t suffer from fumbleitis which is also a PLUS! This team really plays like a TEAM. You can feel it just watching Joe’s vid clips.
September 25th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Ya’ll can talk about the 40 being overrated… but it really isn’t. It tells a truth… how fast is a certain player in a straight line? It’s far from the whole story, but it is the truth about Bucky… let’s face it… he’s quick, he’s nimble, he’s explosive, but he is far from fast. The 40 time told us that… him being pulled down from behind by much slower position groups tells us that as well. He’s an excellent back but he is a bit of an enigma, a smaller back that isn’t particularly fast but is still productive. You want fast? Sean Tucker can scoot… I’d love to see him get far more touches… he’s a legitimate fastball when compared to White and Irving’s offspeed pitches.
September 25th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
The .most elusive player is baker Mayfield isn’t it obvious in the last 3 games he makes people miss with limited athletic ability
September 25th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
Elusivity is an example of a word I’ve never spoken in real life. I’d usually use elusiveness. Turns out both are proper English- which I found interesting.