One Buc MailbagPosted Jul 10, 2014Scott Smith Senior Writer/Editor @ScottSBucs The mailbag returns with a fan-submitted querie about the strength of the Bucs’ running back corps
Top 5? Hmm. Ask me again in January. I think the Bucs’ backfield has the potential to be a top-five group this season, but I’d be a bit of a homer if I claimed it was already there. In terms of depth, I think you have to give it to San Francisco, which still has Frank Gore in the lead, a very capable backup in Kendall Hunter (4.6 career per-carry average) and the talented Marcus Lattimore returning from his pre-draft injury. To that group, you add Carlos Hyde, a highly-regarded draft pick, and you probably don’t even have room for LaMichael James. I know we’re talking groups here, but I kind of feel like any group that features Adrian Peterson and other people with legs is going to be top-five. The pairing of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson is pretty potent in Buffalo, and there’s some reasonable depth behind them with Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon. Seattle’s group will be among the league’s best if Robert Turbin and/or (especially if it’s “and”) Christine Michael prove to be a dynamic complement to Marshawn Lynch. The Eagles added Darren Sproles to the amazing LeSean McCoy. Even with the unfortunate retirement of Johnathan Franklin, the Packers have some depth behind Eddie Lacy with James Starks and DuJuan Harris. If rookie Lache Seastrunk can make his speed work in the NFL despite his lack of size, the Redskins would have a different sort of weapon to combine with Alfred Morris and Roy Helu. That would be pretty strong. And I guess we still have to consider Carolina as long as they have Johnathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams together. The Bucs have Doug Martin, who was a top-five back individually in 2012 and is back to full health after losing much of last year to a shoulder injury. That’s a great start. They also might have the most depth they’ve ever had in the backfield if both Mike James and Bobby Rainey prove they are as good as they looked at times last year while putting up 100-yard games. That’s because even with those three, the Buccaneers drafted West Virginia’s Charles Sims, who’s a good runner between the tackles and, perhaps more importantly, an outstanding pass-catcher. Still, it’s probably too early to consider James, Rainey or Sims a sure thing, which is why I’m going to hold back on calling that a top-five group just yet. I hope (and I believe) I’ll be singing a different tune after the season.Fans can submit questions for upcoming mailbags via Twitter to @ScottSBucs (#BucsMailbag), through a message on the Buccaneers Official Facebook Page or via email at tbbsocial@buccaneers.nfl.com. The One Buc Mailbag runs every Thursday and is not necessarily meant to reflect the opinions of the team's management or coaching staff.