Report: Bucs Throwing Pitch Count Out The Window With Bucky Irving
November 29th, 2025
Screw those pitch counts.
If the Bucs lose tomorrow to the sad sack Cardinals, this season is in peril.
And the Bucs know this. So at least within the walls of One Buc Palace, it’s a five-alarm fire. Battle stations. General quarters. All available hands on deck.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported this morning on SchlockCenter that his sources at One Buc Palace tell him screw that pitch count on Bucky Irving. If Irving, making his return after a two-month absence, is cable of playing, then he’s capable of being the workhorse.
The Bucs need this game, Fowler was told, so if someone is hot, he’s getting fed early and often. Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Bucky, it doesn’t matter.
The Bucs believe they have no room to treat any more games as a glorified, worthless preseason game. If you can play, you’re full-time.
“‘We just lost three straight games,'” Fowler said his source told him. ‘We’ve got to get this win.’ So if they have to give the ball to Bucky, they’re going to give the ball to Bucky.”
Also, Fowler said Baker Mayfield is expected to start and he won’t be wearing any “huge brace” on his injured left shoulder. And, Ben Bredeson is expected to return to the starting lineup tomorrow at left guared, Fowler said.
Joe would do the same thing: If Bucky is healthy enough to play and is producing, feed him!
Baker Mayfield set to play Sunday, with plan to protect his shoulder as Bucs try to stop three-game skid
Plus, Max Brosmer impressed in preseason. Do Vikings have something in him? @SportsCenter with @RandyScottESPN pic.twitter.com/IYfCiAP9Fr
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 29, 2025
November 29th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Yeah who made that call? Bet it wasn’t bowels
November 29th, 2025 at 10:51 am
I respect Baker is a grown man and leader of his team but I worry he is repeating the same mistake he did with the Browns. He should let his shoulder heal. Cardinals and Saints are two weakest teams left on our schedule and if he gets hurt and out for the season then it’s on him. Baker will play hobbled and defenses will be more aggressive. Or we lean too heavy on Bucky and he gets hurt. Hope it doesn’t happen but history may not repeat itself but it does rhyme.
November 29th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Apples and oranges comparing the browns injury to bakers current injury. He torn his labrum when playing for the browns. So much different than a sprain
November 29th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Every year Bowles does the Elmo slide and we have to listen to these quotes of desperation. Jason Licht built a mediocre roster we’ve seen this movie. They beat up on trash teams and act as if they are big time then get in the 1st round of the playoffs and we’re the bed. Then we get another low draft pick followed by a scout who thinks he’s gonna take us to the Super Bowl with low grade talent
November 29th, 2025 at 11:11 am
Yea, I’m a much bigger fan of using all 3. How many touches would it take to figure out when/if an RB gets hot? And where’s the line between “feeling out” and “forcing the issue”?
Good to have Bucky back, but we’ve got 2 other RBs who’ve proven they can & should be contributing to our offensive game-plan. We’ll see how it works out, but I’d be cautious with him
November 29th, 2025 at 11:24 am
Hammer tucker early and often and sprinkle bucky in. Hes a bigger back and perfect compliment. Come second half with a lead keep adding bucky in more and more. Get him the ball in space more and more. Use white sparingly the other two habe earned more playing time
November 29th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Must win, Bowles knows it will get ugly really fast if the Bucs manage to grab their ankles and lose this Sunday so it’s all hands on deck. Of course if anyone who is coming back from or fighting injury has a bad day or gets injured again, then Bowles better be able to stand up and try to justify that as well. Dude is taking a big chance with his players but Todd is desperate, he probably is finally reading the room and realizing how bad his defense has been since the bye and how his ability to continue to lead this team is now a topic of choice for the Glazers. Hope the Bucs win but it is hard to trust Todd Bowles as he is so stubborn and unwilling to change..
November 29th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Been very impressed with Tucker. Put Bucky on a pitch count and use White in the slot more. And if Baker can’t go, hope they bring up QB3 from the practice squad. Liked what I saw of him in those useless pre-season games! Not thrilled with the Teddy-bear.
November 29th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Deebooo
Apples and oranges. Ok.
Both are still fruit as torn labrum and shoulder sprain: throw mechanics affected.
Where they are different, a torn labrum needs surgery but a MILD sprained shoulder doesn’t but a SEVERE one could. Resting a mild one is the best option and if he take a hit to the left shoulder the mild could become severe and he will needs months of rehab even without surgery. So just like a torn labrum needing months of rehab the sprain is now the same recovery time. Maybe not so different.
November 29th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘I’m a much bigger fan of using all 3’.
Me too. Bucky got the lion’s share of the carries in his first 4 games, and averaged 3.3 YPC. Rachaad got less than half as many carries, but averaged 4.7 YPC in those same 4 games. Tucker (who now sports a 4.4 YPC average) only got 3 carries in those 4 games.
So did Bucky have the ‘hot hand’ with his 3.3 YPC average? In those 4 games he scored ZERO TDs rushing & only 7 first downs. Sounds to me like this coaching staff has preconceived notions about what a ‘hot hand’ is based on last season’s stats.
November 29th, 2025 at 11:43 am
Must win game if ever there was one. Jobs, even careers are on the line tomorrow. If Todd’s D can’t handle the Cards with Brissett at home, he should just do the right thing, and resign.
November 29th, 2025 at 11:52 am
When are the bucs going to start using a 2 back set? They always have 1 running back and the defense keys on that back. Especially if it’s Bucky and the stadium is chanting his name. With 2 backs 1 can be an extra blocker for the back with the ball, or be an extra receiver. There’s so much more that can be done with a 2 back set. Also Grizzard needs to stop trying to run up the middle when it keeps getting stuffed, and start running end around after a few of those then the middle will open up.
November 29th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Like I said before the oline needs to show up and the dline. Battle is won in the trenches and we all know the dline woes but the oline is supposed to be the strength. Yes players are injured and missing but that’s no excuse for the best LT in the game to get worked over by a rook last game. Wirfs has given us high standards with his play and he has not played even a tiny bit up to that level. Big uglies better show up and show out today
November 29th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Very true, both are fruits – just like both injuries are to a common area, injuries to his shoulder. He can hand the ball off all game just fine
Let the professionals make this decision
November 29th, 2025 at 12:31 pm
If the Bucs lose tomorrow, they should start the coaching search.
November 29th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
lol….. I am going to bet that was Jason Licht letting the Glazer messaging filter out. Just because you received an extension doesn’t mean you’re going to survive a late season collapse. Gruden experienced exactly the same thing when he got fired.
November 29th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘I’m a much bigger fan of using all 3’.
Defense Rules – “Me too. Bucky got the lion’s share of the carries in his first 4 games, and averaged 3.3 YPC. Rachaad got less than half as many carries, but averaged 4.7 YPC in those same 4 games. Tucker (who now sports a 4.4 YPC average) only got 3 carries in those 4 games.
So did Bucky have the ‘hot hand’ with his 3.3 YPC average? In those 4 games he scored ZERO TDs rushing & only 7 first downs. Sounds to me like this coaching staff has preconceived notions about what a ‘hot hand’ is based on last season’s stats.”
Yeup. I believe they are all FULLUVIT. I just cannot believe a single word they say. From ANY of them. Their words never add-up, nor match any kind of reality.
November 29th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Tuck & Buck show. Lfg! And if they lose, Glazers speed dial Belichick.
November 29th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
@ Kgh4life Says: “If the Bucs lose tomorrow, they should start the coaching search.”
I’m hoping that search has already begun. I mean, if they are NOT in constant talks (at least behind the scenes), trying to always ‘better the team’ then I don’t know what else to say… Other than, WHAT are we even doing here!? So, let’s put it this way… They BETTER Fockin’ BE. You have to have a ‘HIGH-energy’ Head Coach here. This entire franchise is in a DESPERATE NEED of a complete reset, with a full ‘identity’ overhaul. And, it needs to START with a young modern day (preferably ‘offensively-minded’), ‘high-energy’ head coach. PERIOD.
November 29th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
@Smashsquatch – So, “Belichick?” Hmmmmm… So, YOU really believe the BUCS should hire Bill. Belichick. Now, have you really given that any kind of thought, whatsoever!? OR, do you have Tourette’s, and it was just something you ‘blurted-out’ of nowhere!? Okay, then try ‘selling-us’ on it being THE BEST way forward for the future of this franchise… Is this truly what YOU think!? A 74-YEAR OLD “Bill Belichick,” with that crazy-ass girlfriend, who has completely lost HIS mind, and NOT 💯 completely fully-focused and zeroed-in on “FOOTBALL.” WHY would you even WANT THAT!? Have you WATCHED his UNC team at ALL, this season!? Have you SEEN any of his postgame interviews, or heard ANY of the behind-the-scenes rumors (& etc), that have been going on there, ever since he walked through the door!? Or, how about him taking-off to Cancun, or wherever the hell, during his team’s “Bye-Week” (which is unheard of for any college HC… usually, they are much more concerned with ya know, recruiting, and raising $$$$). Surely, it was all pre-planned by that “influencer” girlfriend of his… Needing more beach pics for all of her social media accounts Lmao. What do you think about him showing-up for support, at HER (LoL) “Cheerleading Competitions” (& etc,) during the season!? YES, she is a ‘professional’ cheerleader Lmao. He has been a total DISASTER there, for everyone involved. He is a HUGE JOKE of a “Head Coach,” now! But, YOU think HE would be OUR best option available, for our brand new Head Coach… REALLY!? Now, I wanna hear WHY!? Also, WHY do ‘you think’ the BUCS would even consider HIM!? Again… 74. Years. OLD. I just think that is crazy-talk! Or, just empty. I cannot see-it. Zero benefit there, for us.
November 29th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
You just cannot throw ‘a name’ out there like that, without explaining WHY!? Especially, a name such as the current 74-year old Bill Belichick. Otherwise, it’s just an empty statement offering no substance or context. You really have to SELL that one.
November 29th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Oh, and one more thing… ALL of the players, AND their parents freaking HATE HIM there (obviously, as well as the entire athletic department AND university). I mean, do YOU know about and have seen ANY OF THIS, at all!?
November 29th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
This isn’t a Baker situation with Bucky.
By all accounts, Bucky was probably ready enough to play 2 weeks ago but was having other issues and the Bucs played it safe keeping him out. He’s had extra time to recover and should be full go.
As far as rushing… did anyone watch the Bears rushing attack vs the Eagles? They didn’t have all that success by telegraphing run. It was even mentioned on the broadcast, Johnson was spreading the D! 3 wide sets, you know make the D respect the pass!
Wake up Grizzard. We need to spread the D, run the ball and deploy play action. It’s simple stuff.
November 29th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
Bowles is pathetic we’re desperate and in a must win against the cardinals.
November 29th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
Ugh, use all three of your great running backs.
As a defender, it’s a lot trickier to see different guys with different skillsets on each play than it is to have the same personnel in the same packages / formations. Keep them on their toes, use some deception. Get creative with the playbook. I’m begging you.