Bucky Irving And The Pro Bowl
August 16th, 2025
Prediction.
Joe thinks the Bucs, provided they win a bunch of games and go to the playoffs again, have several Pro Bowl candidates who could become first-timers getting the honor.
The most obvious to Joe is Calijah Kancey. If he can stay healthy, he looks due to dominate. And if he made the Pro Bowl, it would send the PFF tribe tapping on their keyboards for hours.
The next would be Emeka Egbuka. Yeah, he’s a rookie. But man, if he has a strong season and produce like the way he put moves on a Steelers defense this week, look out.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com thinks a different player may make his first Pro Bowl this winter. And that’s Bucs running back Bucky Irving.
The big-play running back didn’t see a large role in the early goings of 2024 — and then midway through the season, he shot out of a cannon to become the focal point of the Bucs’ backfield. In Tampa’s final five games, including the postseason, Irving’s carries went as follows: 15, 16, 20, 19 and 17. Meanwhile, Rachaad White’s nosedived: 15, three, six, zero and one. It’s clear that Irving, coming off a 1,122-yard season on 207 carries (5.4 YPC), should see a higher-volume role. The 22-year-old is a steady runner who can churn out yards and also brings explosive playmaking. He’s the type of back you don’t want saddled behind a less-efficient runner. White could still play a role as a pass catcher, but this should be Irving’s backfield in 2025.
If Bucky makes the Pro Bowl Joe will be absolutely shocked if the Bucs don’t make the playoffs. With their passing attack, with or without Chris Godwin, you add a Pro Bowl back to the mix and that’s a very dangerous offense.
August 16th, 2025 at 1:33 am
As our Fantasy Football drafts are right around the corner it’s hard to think of 5 RBs that are more worthy than Bucky. He is a Stud with the arrow pointing up. Go Bucs!!
August 16th, 2025 at 5:17 am
Hoping that Bucky and other Bucs players will make Pro Bowl and will be busy getting ready for the Super Bowl.
August 16th, 2025 at 7:08 am
The season hasn’t even started yet.
August 16th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Run Bucky run! BUC – KY !!! LFG!
Skip Peete needs to get Tucker on the field with better pass pro! Nothing against White, but Tuck is more explosive. Have White in pass pro early in games behind Heck until Heck settles in, and then work in Tuck. The Buck and Tuck show will take over games!
August 16th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Health and injuries… nothing else worries me more about this team. They have everything else to blow up the league. Still have two preseason games left and injuries are all over the place.
I hope it’s not a sign of things to come, because I tend to be a blessed half-full type of dude. I don’t want to think this way.
August 16th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Blessed = glass
August 16th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Bucky 1 with Tucker a close 2 and White a distant 3.
August 16th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Two points:
I’ve said for years, White is the best 3rd down back in the league. He is not a starting NFL back. Play to his strengths.
Second….injuries. The game has changed because of the money involved. Not too long ago, many of these injuries would not even be reported. Players would just play through them. Were they tougher then? Probably…but as I’ve said…the game has changed.
August 16th, 2025 at 9:21 am
I’ve reached the level of spoiled (and I remember the 80’s, when you could trade an end zone seat for a pack of Marlboros) where merely “making the playoffs” just doesn’t do it for me anymore. I deMAND, at the very least, the NFC championship game.
August 16th, 2025 at 9:32 am
Beeej, you might be spoiled, but I’m humbled. I remember the 80’s and early 90’s all too well. White has already proven his value as a catcher and blocker. Let Bucky and Tucker earn their stripes. Al least, the Bucs have a three-headed RB monster. Grizzard can have all kinds of fun playing it.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Go Buccaneer Irving.
August 16th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Probowl suck. If I were a player I would flat out refuse the “honor” to make a statement, even if it cost fines.
August 16th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
I’m actually fine with them keeping the event as it is…it’s the voting method that irks me. Fans should have no vote at all….that makes it a popularity contest instead of people getting in due to effort and performance.
It should be a reward for excellence, not popularity.
August 16th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
I bet the HoF voters no longer take it seriously either.