Zac Robinson And A Bellcow
June 30th, 2026
Is Bucky Irving durable enough?
Warren Sharp, the famed handicapper-turned-stathead, is doing what he is doing each summer.
Sharp, after he finishes his annual football preview, takes to Twitter and dumps all sorts of cool stats. Daily.
One got Joe’s attention.
Last year, Bijan Robinson led the NFL with the most rushing attempts/passing targets on opening drives. He carried and/or was thrown the ball 121 times on opening drives. That comes out to over seven carries/targets per opening drive. That is the most since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2011, per Sharp.
Why does this intrigue Joe? Because the very same guy calling the plays for the Dixie Chicks last season is the same guy who will call plays for the Bucs this fall, new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Why is Joe bringing this up? Joe suspects the window into how Robinson will call games for the Bucs may be found in his past. Robinson was in his second season as an offensive coordinator last year.
However, can Bucky Irving be that sort of bellcow? Or Kenneth Gainwell? Or Sean Tucker?
As Joe likes to say, the Bucs didn’t sign Gainwell to a $7 million-a-year salary to have him sit the bench. But he’s never been a full-time starter.
Bucky was a starter. He fared very well as a rookie in 2024, not so much last year as he blew out his shoulder. Both Gainwell and Bucky are little guys and it’s doubtful either can withstand the wear-and-tear that Bijan Robinson can.
So, who had the most carries/targets on opening drives for the Bucs last season? Bucky — at nearly half of what Robinson had, 62.
Even if Bucky and Gainwell (and Tucker) split snaps, can the Bucs expect the starting running back (whoever it is) to be a major part of the offense on opening drives?
opening script usage in 2025
(rush att + targets)121 – RB Bijan Robinson
109 – RB Christian McCaffrey
103 – RB Javonte Williams
101 – RB Ashton Jeanty
99 – RB Jahmyr Gibbs
98 – RB Derrick Henry
98 – RB Breece Hall
97 – RB Quinshon Judkins
95 – RB Jonathan Taylor
95 – RB Tony…— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 29, 2026
June 30th, 2026 at 4:21 am
It doesn’t have to be the same runner. What matters is the amount of production we get from the position
June 30th, 2026 at 5:26 am
Bijan is in a different class than any of our backs. What his useage tells me is Zac knows who his talented players are, and gets them the ball. He also sticks with what works. When Bijan abused Dennis during thier opening drive, the beating continued during the whole game. To bad our DC couldn’t come up with a plan to stop the abuse.
June 30th, 2026 at 6:55 am
ATLBuc – very clear eyed take for 4:21 am . Production from the position like Kiick , Csonka , and Morris . Everybody contributes or you shouldn’t be on the 53 . Spread it around. The same goes for the receiver room .
June 30th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Bijan got 121 touches on opening drives? Do you know what that tells me? It tells me that the Falcons practically never went 3 and out on opening drives and if they did have a few 3 and outs those other drives must have been super impressive. Let’s face it though. The Falcons are only very rarely on Central Florida TV unless they happen to be playing the BUCS. Heck, half the time I’m forced to listen to the BUCS game on the radio because it’s not on tv in Orlando…they’re playing the Falcons.
June 30th, 2026 at 7:10 am
“So, who had the most carries/targets on opening drives for the Bucs last season? Bucky at nearly half of what Robinson had, 62.”
When the RB who’s missed 8 games leads you in touches on opening drives.
“Even if Bucky and Gainwell (and Tucker) split snaps, can we expect the starting running back (whoever it is) to be a major part of the Bucs offense on opening drives this fall?”
More interested in who finishes the game to be honest. Robinson wants to win me over, he’ll find some balance or some ways get all 3 RBs touches.
June 30th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Hodad didn’t we win that game? You are right though.
June 30th, 2026 at 7:53 am
ZAC has a lot to prove…we’ll see how it works
GO BUCS!!!!
June 30th, 2026 at 8:39 am
What was the Falcons run/pass ratio? That is a ton of handing the ball off. Tyler Algiere took a good percentage as well.
June 30th, 2026 at 9:05 am
We havent had a clear #1 starter at RB since the last season with Bowl Lenny. I still cant believe we’re rolling into the season with the glaring lack of talent and depth at RB. Again
June 30th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Not to mention we’re relying on two small backs in pass pro and blitz pick up. After the beatings that Baker took last year you’d think that would warrant an investment in a true every down back. Atlanta had two of them last year.
June 30th, 2026 at 9:26 am
I believe Zac was using what he had in Atlanta. He had the best RB in football and a bad QB. I think he will be very excited to use all the weapons and a much better QB here in Tampa.
June 30th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Rob Says:
“glaring lack of talent and depth at RB”
Now there’s a hot take….. Hot and Steamy….
June 30th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Yes we won that game with Bakers, and Egbuka’s late game heroics, not with Bowles defense.