Bellcow Time For Bucky Irving
September 13th, 2026
Absolutely the Bucs will be trying to set a tone today with Bucky Irving as their bellcow running back.
It’ll be a fun watch to see exactly how much the Bucs push Irving, who played hurt last season with some mental health challenges mixed in.
Bucs icon Rondé Barber says the Irving load will be cut this season and newcomer Kenny Gainwell and him will split touches. However, Joe asked the question and saw Todd Bowles’ body language when the head coach was queried about whether Irving would be competing for a starting job with Gainwell. No chance, Bowles said, Bucky is RB1. So it’s a safe bet Barber’s take won’t apply today in Cincinnati.
Plus, the Bucs absolutely want to build Irving’s confidence and prop him up in hopes he returns to his 2024 form. That’s not getting done early in the season if he’s yielding to Gainwell.
That could all change later this month. But for today at least, this Joe is sure Irving will get a full-time load, perhaps 70 percent of the carries. And Gainwell also will be seen on special teams coverage units.
Go Bucky!
September 13th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
The nice thing is it doesn’t have to just be 70-30 type situation. Both can & will (should) be on the field at the same time and Gainwell can still get plenty o’ action. It doesn’t just have to be a what’s leftover situation for him.
I def wanna see both lineup in the backfield and send Kenny out wide. Theirs similarities and versatility in both facets of the game can create a lot of unpredictability and creativity and leave the opposing defense guessing. Much of the playbook still remains open with both on the field.
Also hearing Todd on the Rondé Barber show when asked who on offense could bust out….he replied “Bucky & Gainwell”. I can’t wait to see how they employ both these 2.
And of course hoping for a return to 2024 Bucky and that he stays healthy this season!
September 13th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Here’s hoping the run game works.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
RB1 does not mean below. He’s not Derrick Henry. If they run him 20-25 times per game, he’ll be injured by week 8.
We have RB1a and RB1b.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
*bellcow
September 13th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
I want two or three backs to rotate by series. Joe is somehow fixated on the bell cow idea.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
Bucky is not a bellcow type back. He’s not your guy for grinding out tough yards or any of those things associated with a bellcow type.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
I hope Bucky is 💯.
He’s one of the most exciting RBs in the league when he’s on fire.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
whichever one is the hot hand needs to get the ball more
September 13th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Should have kept white
September 13th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Bucky is not a bellcow and never will be. If Bucs are smart Bucky and Gainwell will split duties at RB.
September 13th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Just watched NFL Network presentation. Not one word was mentioned about our Bucs !! We get no respect, gotta win it back !!
Go Bucs !!
Beat the Bengals !!
September 13th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Wow. A 3-&-out by a Bucs defense. Seems like it’s been forever and a day since I’ve seen that.
September 13th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
Defense TD! Go #45 J. Trotter. Great rookie move!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
2 good things in this game Joe. Bucky and Trotter. What happens to players when they get paid, in Tampa Bay? It’s really getting worse like, one step forward 8 steps back. Fumble Mania . Sorry I turned it off Joe. Kinda High-school Looking offense man.
September 13th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
After watching today’s game against the Bengals we are still trash I am so disappointed in being a Tampa Bay bucs fan nobody knows how to hold on to the ball and defense was looking real trash why is it everybody wants to get bonuses and big pay but can’t perform big bonuses and big pay very disappointed on the start of the season