***Official Bucs RB thread*** (1 Viewer)

[QUEZILLA]

Since there are several threads talking about the Bucs RBs, I figured I would start one up to report what is going on in training camp.

Graham started, but split carries with Dunn / Bennett.
Bucs O-line did a good job of opening up holes.
Graham had success running up the middle and to the right side.
On a counter run to the left side, Bennett ripped off a big gain of over 20 yards. Should have been a TD, but good play by DB.
Graham had the most success running the ball.
Dunn had more of his touches from pass receptions than rushing attempts.
Askew looks good, caught a pass.
Boyd Riding exercise bike
Caddy (on PUP) practiced with trainer on sidelines, cutting at full speed / hopping on one leg back and forth.
R Clifton Smith / Kenneth Darby got hardly any pt.

 

[jeter23]

Boyd was waived. Has he already cleared waivers? I know he was expected to be re-signed if/when he clears, but I doubt it happened that quickly.

 

[Lash]

Boyd failed physical, and was cut

Rotoworld thru Tampa Tribune...

Bucs waived/injured RB Cory Boyd (knee).

Boyd couldn't practice this spring and had no chance to make the Bucs, who are stocked at tailback. The seventh-rounder isn't much of a prospect, either.

Source: Tampa Tribune

 

[QUEZILLA]

Dunn held out of afternoon practice (Gruden keeping vets fresh)
Dunn ran the ball up middle in the morning got stuffed
Bennet had good interior runs in afternoon
Bucs appear to be having most of their success running the ball to the outside.
Kenneth Darby had a few nice runs

 

[QUEZILLA]

The screen pass is in full effect for Tampa. Dunn, who had his best day yesterday, caught a screen pass that he turned into a 40 yard TD. Graham also caught a nice screen pass for a gain, but doesn't have the jets that Dunn has.

TE John Gilmore is an incredible blocker, and opened up a nice run lane for Clifton Smith. Clifton Smith and Darby are the #4 & #5 guys on the depth chart.

Haven't really heard too much about fumbles.

Most people have assumed Dunn is only going to be a 3rd down RB, but he made a great run yesterday up the gut behind Sears. It sounds to me like the Bucs are still finding most of their success running the ball to the left like last year. G Aaron Sears is dominant force. Runs to the right are usually to the outside.

A few names to watch that will directly effect the run game if any of them get injured,

-FB BJ Askew - he is a great lead blocker, and has been having a good camp so far.

-TE John Gilmore - he was brought in for his blocking, and has been an upgrade to Anthony Becht.

-Aaron Sears - A huge part of the success to the run game last season, and looks to be on pace for a stellar sophomore season.

If any of the O-line get injured I am not as worried as in years past becasue the Bucs have a great versatile rookie lineman in Jeremy Zuttah. He has been very impressive so far, and is learning a variety of positions.

 

[QUEZILLA]

http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/view/4454

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the field for a morning practice at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Wednesday.

The Bucs spent the early part of practice working out free agent fullback Lorenzo Neal on the far field.

Tampa Bay's interest in Neal likely stems from the injured ankle Bucs starting FB B.J. Askew currently is nursing. With Askew out, the Bucs have been using backup FB Byron Storer in his place.

Neal, 37, spent the past five seasons (2003-07) with San Diego, where he helped RB LaDainian Tomlinson produce five straight 1,000-yard seasons. In fact, Tomlinson's worst season with Neal lead blocking for him still produced 1,335 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 255-pound Neal has also played with the Bengals (2001-02), Tennessee Titans (1999-00), the Buccaneers (1998), the New York Jets (1997) and the New Orleans Saints (1993-96).

Neal has rushed 214 times for 782 yards (3.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He's also hauled in 192 career catches for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In his only season with the Buccaneers, Neal was the lead blocker for fullback Mike Alstott and running back Warrick Dunn. Tampa Bay's rushing offense ranked fourth in the NFL that year with an average of 134.3 yards per game.

JG likes traditional FBs, that's why so many people complained when Alstott wasn't getting enough playing time. Gruden used him more as a tail back, because Alstott never really fit the mold of a traditional FB. He used Alstott to close games, but since we got our butts kicked quite a bit in 06 it didn't give him too many opportunities to use Mike.A-Train This is an Alstott video, but fast forward to about 1 min in. This was the Cleveland game several years back that Gruden really used Alstott like he wanted. This is how I envision Graham being used this year. We got up to a lead against a Cleveland team that made the playoffs that year, and in the 4th quarter JG gave them a heavy dose of the A-train. It was 2002 week 6. Alstott went (17/126). 2002 TB vs Cle. recap

Gruden kept Pittman in, and continued to try and put points on the board even when we established a 10 point lead. It wasn't until time started running out that he decided to control the clock by starting to run Alstott with 2 min left n the 3rd. Graham will get many more 1st half carries than Alstott, but I expect him to have huge games when Tampa gets off to an early lead. Don't be surprised if Askew or Neil (if signed) get late game carries as well.

Similarly in the 2007 game against Stl. Tampa began using Graham as a closer n the 4th. 2007 TB vs Stl. recap

Again, Graham is very versatile so he will be used more than just a closer, but I think you see Dunn on the filed more when the offense is opened up, and playing more aggressive. Once TB has about a 14 pt lead EG will be

IMO, JG will start the games with Graham in on 1st downs, possibly a few 2nds to get the D to respect the run game. Then every once and a while he likes to take a shot at a big play.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

http://www.pewterreport.com/articles/view/4454

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took the field for a morning practice at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex on Wednesday.

The Bucs spent the early part of practice working out free agent fullback Lorenzo Neal on the far field.

Tampa Bay's interest in Neal likely stems from the injured ankle Bucs starting FB B.J. Askew currently is nursing. With Askew out, the Bucs have been using backup FB Byron Storer in his place.

Neal, 37, spent the past five seasons (2003-07) with San Diego, where he helped RB LaDainian Tomlinson produce five straight 1,000-yard seasons. In fact, Tomlinson's worst season with Neal lead blocking for him still produced 1,335 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 255-pound Neal has also played with the Bengals (2001-02), Tennessee Titans (1999-00), the Buccaneers (1998), the New York Jets (1997) and the New Orleans Saints (1993-96).

Neal has rushed 214 times for 782 yards (3.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He's also hauled in 192 career catches for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In his only season with the Buccaneers, Neal was the lead blocker for fullback Mike Alstott and running back Warrick Dunn. Tampa Bay's rushing offense ranked fourth in the NFL that year with an average of 134.3 yards per game.

JG likes traditional FBs, that's why so many people complained when Alstott wasn't getting enough playing time. Gruden used him more as a tail back, because Alstott never really fit the mold of a traditional FB. He used Alstott to close games, but since we got our butts kicked quite a bit in 06 it didn't give him too many opportunities to use Mike.A-Train This is an Alstott video, but fast forward to about 1 min in. This was the Cleveland game several years back that Gruden really used Alstott like he wanted. This is how I envision Graham being used this year. We got up to a lead against a Cleveland team that made the playoffs that year, and in the 4th quarter JG gave them a heavy dose of the A-train. It was 2002 week 6. Alstott went (17/126). 2002 TB vs Cle. recap

Gruden kept Pittman in, and continued to try and put points on the board even when we established a 10 point lead. It wasn't until time started running out that he decided to control the clock by starting to run Alstott with 2 min left n the 3rd. Graham will get many more 1st half carries than Alstott, but I expect him to have huge games when Tampa gets off to an early lead. Don't be surprised if Askew or Neil (if signed) get late game carries as well.

Similarly in the 2007 game against Stl. Tampa began using Graham as a closer n the 4th. 2007 TB vs Stl. recap

Again, Graham is very versatile so he will be used more than just a closer, but I think you see Dunn on the filed more when the offense is opened up, and playing more aggressive. Once TB has about a 14 pt lead EG will be

IMO, JG will start the games with Graham in on 1st downs, possibly a few 2nds to get the D to respect the run game. Then every once and a while he likes to take a shot at a big play.

How many times did Tampa have a 14 point lead last year? That team doesn't score a lot of points, I hope he's money while they're scoring those points to get the 14 point lead, that's the kind of RB I want.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Michael Bennetts strong performance last night just made this RB watch much more confusing. He is a serious contender to steal carries, and looked awesome last night. He will definitely be eating into carries, ans it's really looking like it could be a RBBC with 3 guys now.

 

[bucsbaby]

100% agree. People in the fantasy community I think have failed to notice Bennett's continued rise with the Bucs. He is a good RB and played really well with the Vikings when he wasn't injured. He looked solid last night, I agree. I still remember the few downs Bennett got to play against the Lions when I was at the game last year. He makes the most of his opportunities.

 

[gump]

Someone has to get the ball like Pittman did last year, when healthy. Looks like it could be a Dunn/Bennett committee.

The question is...how much more does the combo get than the healthy Pitt in '07?

 

[PahtyTom]

Bennett got 19 carries in week 1 of the preseason and didn't average 4 yards a carry. Looks more like he's battling to make the team over Darby, than to get significant playing time.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Broken foot for Joseph. Joseph was a better run blocker, than pass blocker so this could have an effect on the run game. Fortunately, we have great depth at the guard position with Dan Buenning, and rookie Jeremy Zuttah. I am not worried too much about this, but it is definitely not good news.

 

[Texican]

Any Caddy updates?

 

[bucsbaby]

Bennett got 19 carries in week 1 of the preseason and didn't average 4 yards a carry. Looks more like he's battling to make the team over Darby, than to get significant playing time.

3.9 YPC preseason week 17+ YPC preseason week 2The guy just looks good when he touches the ball

 

[Buffaloes]

 

[Tanner9919]

Bennett got 19 carries in week 1 of the preseason and didn't average 4 yards a carry. Looks more like he's battling to make the team over Darby, than to get significant playing time.

3.9 YPC preseason week 17+ YPC preseason week 2The guy just looks good when he touches the ball

meh..he also looked good carrying the ball in Minnesota, but where'd that get him?

 

[QUEZILLA]

Bennett got 19 carries in week 1 of the preseason and didn't average 4 yards a carry. Looks more like he's battling to make the team over Darby, than to get significant playing time.

3.9 YPC preseason week 17+ YPC preseason week 2

The guy just looks good when he touches the ball

meh..he also looked good carrying the ball in Minnesota, but where'd that get him?

Nowhere special...

 

[QUEZILLA]

btw, keep Clifton Smith on the radar.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Broken foot for Joseph.

time frame?

 

[dmac37]

Broken foot for Joseph.

time frame?

(RotoWire) Buccaneers right guard Davin Joseph, the best player on the offensive line Graham was going to run behind this season, broke his right foot in Sunday's exhibition against the Patriots. Joseph underwent surgery on Tuesday and is initially expected to be out 4-to-8 weeks.Analysis: This is a big blow to Graham and the Bucs' entire running game. Rookie Jeremy Zuttah is expected to replace Joseph at right guard. Downgrade Graham on your draft cheat sheets as a result.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Broken foot for Joseph.

time frame?

(RotoWire) Buccaneers right guard Davin Joseph, the best player on the offensive line Graham was going to run behind this season, broke his right foot in Sunday's exhibition against the Patriots. Joseph underwent surgery on Tuesday and is initially expected to be out 4-to-8 weeks.Analysis: This is a big blow to Graham and the Bucs' entire running game. Rookie Jeremy Zuttah is expected to replace Joseph at right guard. Downgrade Graham on your draft cheat sheets as a result.

Sears is the best player on the line.

 

[bucsbaby]

Bennett got 19 carries in week 1 of the preseason and didn't average 4 yards a carry. Looks more like he's battling to make the team over Darby, than to get significant playing time.

3.9 YPC preseason week 17+ YPC preseason week 2

The guy just looks good when he touches the ball

meh..he also looked good carrying the ball in Minnesota, but where'd that get him?

Nowhere special...

 

[gump]

Broken foot for Joseph.

time frame?

(RotoWire) Buccaneers right guard Davin Joseph, the best player on the offensive line Graham was going to run behind this season, broke his right foot in Sunday's exhibition against the Patriots. Joseph underwent surgery on Tuesday and is initially expected to be out 4-to-8 weeks.Analysis: This is a big blow to Graham and the Bucs' entire running game. Rookie Jeremy Zuttah is expected to replace Joseph at right guard. Downgrade Graham on your draft cheat sheets as a result.

Sears is the best player on the line.

Or Faine. Maybe even Trueblood. Certainly NOT Joseph.