Bucs ran the ball 55.3% of the time on 1st down. Imagine with the additions of Howard, Sweazy, Martin and with Marpet moving to center...how much better this team will be.
Other intersting tidbits was that Carolina likes to pass out of power formations on 1st and 2nd downs utilizing 2 TE sets and also passes to their RB's. This means the Bucs are going to be playing a lot of nickel on 1st and 2nd down or have a third safety on the field (eg Justin Evans). Just my opinion on that.
Next, you have the Saints which are pass happy on first down (55.3%) which only reinforces the Bucs are going to go nickel often or big nickel (Justin Evans) aka three safties on the field.
IF Martin returns to form and averages 4+ YPC on first downs it will make play action to Brate, Howard, Evans or DJAX absolutely lethal. Ply action to suck in safties and with DJAX putting on the extra gear? Scary good.
People talk a lot about the Bucs offensive weapons in the passing game but this offense lives or dies with the running game. That script could be flipped if Jameis continues to increase his accuracy however.
