Bucky Irving A Feature Back On Opening Drives?
July 13th, 2026
Early weapon?
This was an interesting angle from Pat Donovan of WDAE-FM 95.7/WDAE-AM 620 on how new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson may use Bucky Irving.
Recently, Joe linked to a Warren Sharp stat that had Bijan Robinson leading the NFL in carries and passing targets on opening drives for all NFL teams. Obviously, Zac Robinson was the play caller in Atlanta last year
Is what he did for Bijan Robinson a window into what he may do with the Bucs. Clearly, Bucky isn’t Bijan Robinson, neither is Kenneth Gainwell. Robinson is a big dude. Bucky and Gainwell? Not so much.
And, unfortunately, we may have seen what happens when Bucky takes too many hits.
“So, if Zac Robinson comes here and uses Bucky Irving in a similar way [to Robinson,] what you and I think a lot about and talked about, and I think other people have talked about, making [Bucky] kind of the focal point of the offense early in games, that could be what we see,” Donovan said.
Now “this Joe” could see Robinson doing this with Bucky on opening drives, then turning to Sean Tucker and Gainwell to carry the mail until the second half and at that point get everyone involved.
Giving Bucky a bunch of carries/targets right away in the game is fine but overworking Bucky would be bad news.
When Bucky is on, he is absolutely an electric back. But Joe thinks every fan can agree he has to have his touches and targets regulated. He can’t be touching the ball 30 times a game.
And as Joe often points out, the Bucs aren’t giving Gainwell $7 million this year to pick his nose on the sideline.
In 2024, the season Bucky broke out, the Bucs led the league in first-quarter scoring averaging 6.7 points a game. They won 10 games.
Last year the Bucs were 23rd in the league in average points scored in the first quarter (4.2). The Bucs won eight games.
So, yeah, getting Bucky involved early might be a smart move.
@957wdae Zac Robinson used his former RB early and often in games last season, and the question is now, will he try to do the same with Bucky Irving!? Do you think Bucky should be a focal point of early downs this year? @PatDonovanRadio @Aaron Jacobson @PatandAaron ♬ original sound – 957wdae
July 13th, 2026 at 5:51 am
Sounds reasonable. Atlanta was ninth in first quarter touchdowns and while the Bucs don’t have Robinson, Atlanta didn’t have this level of OL and WRs. Of course, the Bucs didn’t have their OL last year either. That’s where it always starts.
July 13th, 2026 at 6:50 am
One proven strategy is to use a one-two punch. New England did that under Brady with Dion Lewis followed by LaGarrette Blount. Of course , the team has to have the horses to do it.
If the Bucs really imagine they have a deep rb corp they might aim to try that approach. A real concern is that in Bucky, Gainwell and Tucker the Bucs have no variety but just repeat the same type. It remains to be seen if the team has a real change-of-pace back or just a change of face.
July 13th, 2026 at 7:14 am
“Giving Bucky a bunch of carries/targets right away in the game is fine but overworking Bucky would be bad news.”
This is what Grizzard was guilty of, problem was that he showed no sign of using the other RBs until disaster struck and he had to.
I’d start with Gainwell who’s a better target out of the backfield imo.
July 13th, 2026 at 7:38 am
one of the reasons bucky was shut down for most of the saints game was bad blocking by backups, i saw chukwuma and michael jordan miss a bunch of blocks with bucky tackled for a loss, so if the o line stays healthy he will do better but we’re going to need all 3 rbs
July 13th, 2026 at 8:13 am
WBL
i agree…
keep the defense guessing with Gainwell in the backfield…heck, i’d love to see 2 rb sets…the 3 times we ran it last year we gained 8yards a pop
GO BUCS!!!!
July 13th, 2026 at 8:24 am
Josh Williams or Kadarius Calloway better be ready as #4 because these are some small dudes IMO.
Getting banged up is a foregone conclusion.
July 13th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Small RB’s can’t be run up the middle. Off tackle is the best route for them.
Use the roster properly and success will follow. Round peg into square hole mentality does not work.
Our short bus HC\DC, and sometimes also the OC, is the 32nd best in the NFL.
Mike Evans knows.
July 13th, 2026 at 11:14 am
We have three RBs who can get the job done. They have proven it. Find out what they do best in the new offense and get them the ball.
I agree with Joe though. We gotta get faster starts and stop playing from behind, Or getting into shootouts. Then if the defense can improve and get some stops it might change everything.
Key for me also is not having to rely on Baker’s late game heroics. Less sacrificing his body to make a play?
Go Bucs!
July 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
With an intact offensive line, we won’t have to.
July 13th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Injuries happen to everyone, every year. Morons use injuries as an excuse to avoid the reality that good coaches find ways to successfully coach through injuries. Getting the most out of the backups. The Bucs have a coach whose strength is overseeing the decline and pathetic, gutless play of all three units on his football team.
2-7
3rd and 28
The Fargin DOLPHINS
July 13th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
“Injuries happen to everyone, every year. Morons use injuries as an excuse to avoid the reality that good coaches find ways to successfully coach through injuries”
Like your mancrush Dan Campbell and the lions showed us 🤣
July 13th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
3.28 – when you use words like “moron”, you come off as childish and offensive. You immediately lose credibility. Try harder and/or grow up.
July 13th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
When Becky was healthy he’d jute defenders out of their jocks. The Bucs runners are not brusers, but with a healthy offensive line, the Bucs backs should have spaces opening up much more this year.
The Bucs could rush for 2500 to 3000 yards in 2026. That will definitely help Baker take fewer
hits, and keep the receivers fresh and healthy also.