Will Bucky Irving Have His First Strong Rushing Game Of The Season?
December 7th, 2025
Put aside the spin and optimism, and the reality is Bucky Irving hasn’t had a strong rushing game this season.
He’s averaging 3.4 yards per carry (including 3.6 last week) on 88 attempts. That’s Peyton Barber territory.
Last week, Irving showed flashes of his old self, especially his 13-yard touchdown run. Entering the game against Arizona, Irving had 7 rushing attempts in the red zone this season for a grand total of zero yards.
Joe loves Irving at running back and isn’t knocking him, just noting how he is long overdue for a game that makes fans really remember the running back who electrified the NFL a year ago.
Irving is healthy and he’s got his game legs back after weeks off the field injured. Now is the time — today against the slimy Saints.
Tristan Wirfs is not expected to play. That’s certainly no positive for Irving against a pesky and solid Saints defense. But the Bucs need someone on offense to step up in a big way. Irving seems primed to be that guy.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:22 am
Nice nod to Peyton Barber – I forgot about him.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Bucky goes for 107 and a TD on the ground and catches 4 passes for 65 and a score. F the ain’ts.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:37 am
As others have said, use all 3 of our backs and use them a lot. More 2 back sets, motion, and misdirection. Stay with it Grizzard! Watch it chew up clock, score points and, open up receivers for big strikes. Do it!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Hard to run when there aren’t any holes and you’re breaking tackles in the backfield.
Our guards have been terrible all season.
Feeney gets no push. Barton had gotten pushed around. I think he’s hurt.
We are missing Mauch.
We finally got Goedeke and Brederson back, now we have lost Wirfs.
I have said for a decade, elite guards are the key to a good running game.
Guys who are 6-3 or 6-4. 330 pounds minimum. Low center of gravity and the ability to move DTs.
Also, Brederson belongs at center. Barton should move to LG.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Irving is at his best when the passing game is humming. That hasn’t been the case this year with all the injuries to WRs. The absence of ME13 has been particularly troublesome. Once the passing game gets back on track, I think we’ll see Bucky’s numbers pick up.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Bucky is great and more elusive than Tucker, and I do love Bucky.
But Tucker is a better pure RB, in my opinion.
But we’ll never give Tucker many carries with all 3 backs healthy, bcuz our coaching staff is stupid.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:52 am
We don’t know, but we sure are going to find out because Grizz doesn’t believe in splitting the carries or leading with any other back if Bucky is healthy. Bucky has 23 more carries than Tucker on the season, but has only rushed for 11 more yards. Who knows with Grizz anymore, you ask for Payne Durham in the redzone, you get Tristan Wirfs instead lol
December 7th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Bucky rushes for 100+ yds….Emeca Egbuca (how ever it’s spelled 😂) gets 2 td… and YaYa gets 2 sacks!!!GO BUCS!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 10:03 am
@WBL, all accurate points. And against a team who is giving up 5 ypc rushing, Grizz calls for a pass on 3rd and 2, then on 4th and 2. WTF?
December 7th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Agree with Teach…
O line issues are greatly affecting the run game.
And our tackles coming off of first injuries, they aren’t fully 100%. They may be “healthy” but they aren’t playing like last year. I’m not being down on them, the injury bug has been real this year. It was the defense last year, this year it’s on the offense. That’s why so aggravating the defense has been so mediocre because they have been fairly healthy.
Would have loved to see what it looks like with a healthy Kancey and Walker all season.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:22 am
More on oline and grizz…I see more and more of Byron leftwich each week at this point. Liam Cohen gonna haunt this team for a long long time
December 7th, 2025 at 10:30 am
100 yards for Bucky today.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:35 am
I’d love to see some two back set and more play action. How about some RB screens? We need to change up this predictable vanilla offense and open up the field for longer pass plays.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:43 am
there’s an old saying…we need more of it……it goes…
go bucky go…!
run bucky run…!
score bucky score…!
yes i know, it’s only like a year old haha 🙂
December 7th, 2025 at 10:46 am
100+ all purpose yards today for the buckster…
oh but it’s against the lowly saints…
so it’s 100+ NO purpose yards today
December 7th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Sad…. so much hope for this team before season started. Who knew we had a group of China Dolls. I don’t blame any of them especially Evans and Godwin, but damn Bucky why so weak mentally. There is still hope the the Tampa Bay China Dolls can put together a 7 to 8 week push toward Super Bowl. This defense is not a SB or even a playoff team.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Hope Grizzard remembers he has 3 RBs, one who is a very good receiver and blocker. They all can run the d###ed ball, and catch. I just hope he opens up the offensive playbook. Good news that ME13 is practicing again. Go Bucs!!
December 7th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
@Senor Harry
I’ve been screaming all season for a shared load, and will die on the hill that the run game should be the foundation/identity of this offense. Especially with the injuries in mind it’s easier to ask reserves to roll downhill and put a hat on a defender than it is to expect them to sit in pass pro like a target in a shooting gallery for most of our snaps.