The depth chart at RB is looking a little thin these days, and the Bucs have a few bucks to spend on any place that proves to be an area of need during training camp. Of course Racchaad White is entrenched as the starter, but he can't be overused. That will only lead to tired legs and injuries as the season wears on.
Bucky Erving is guaranteed to make the team and will be there for at least a minimum number of plays, but how much he can pass block is unknown. If he can't pass block he could be stuck on the bench.
Sean Tucker. As the PR article from today points out, Tucker has a lot to prove. Well that's great, but that's bad if you are counting on him.
Chase Edmonds was supposed to be our steady Eddie veteran backup. Well he's been steadily not there. That's normally not a huge deal for a veteran, but this is a new system he's not learning. And there doesn't seem to be any words of comfort coming from the Bucs such as "We're not too worried about Chase..."
Luckily we have UDFAs DJ Williams and Ramon Jefferson! Who? I haven't heard a peep about them in the discussions about UDFAs who might surprise and make the team.
So in other words, what I'm trying to point out is that unless Edmonds shows up and/or Tucker has a good showing in the game today the Bucs need to add depth at the RB position.
DALVIN COOK is obviously not close to the guy he once was or he'd be on a team already, but he's definitely looking for one and he CAN pass block and catch passes!
Who else is out there? Here's the list:
Dalvin Cook
Joshua Kelley
Latavius Murray
Kareem Hunt
Jerick McKinnon
Jakob Johnson
Kevin Smith
Melvin Gordon
Alex Armah
Brandon Bolden
Eno Benjamin
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Deon Jackson
DALVIN COOK is obviously not close to the guy he once was or he'd be on a team already, but he's definitely looking for one and he CAN pass block and catch passes!
YES!
Let's add another washed, past-their-prime player, because...well...umm...because it's A NAME!
Well, he's a name because he was a good player. It's possible that Edmonds comes back at 100% from his injury status, and Tucker flashes some promise (which needs to happen tonight). Normally, teams carry four RBs, so you must have a lot of confidence that both Tucker and Edmonds are going to both be good enough and healthy enough to make the roster. I'm not that confident of that and if they don't both work out then we're short one running back. And at this point the choice will be between has beens, never wases and never will bes. Take your pick.DALVIN COOK is obviously not close to the guy he once was or he'd be on a team already, but he's definitely looking for one and he CAN pass block and catch passes!
YES!
Let's add another washed, past-their-prime player, because...well...umm...because it's A NAME!
Lets say hypothetically that at least one of Edmonds and Tucker don't measure up this preseason. Who would you like to fill the role of 4th RB?
A) Dalvin Cook
B ) Ke'Shawn Vaughn (once he's cut by the 49ers).
C) One of the two noname UDFAs already on the roster.
D) Somebody more washed up than Cook such as Hunt/Murray/Gordon
E) Other (Please provide a name).
What's your choice? If you choose E and give me a name I'm not going to argue with it. I'm just trying to point the status of our running back room.
Jefferson and Williams were rated 55th and 57th RBs in the draft by Draft Countdown.
Jefferson was originally recruited by Coen to U of Maine out of high school and played for him as a Senior at Kentucky and was a tryout player.
Williams is 5'10" not 6'0 and a solid 225 pounds. There is a spot on this team for a bruising short yardage back. It doesn't matter what your 40 time is if you only need two yards to get to the end zone.
So I haven't heard anything about either of these guys in camp, but they'll get a chance to play tonight.
Rb depth looks good to me!
White
bucky
tucker
all youngry!
Irving looked great. Tucker solidified his spot on the Bucs. And the two UDFA rookies didn't look too bad either, but I think they'll start out on the practice squad at best. Chase Edmonds wasn't anywhere to be seen. I'm sure he was there somewhere. But Irving seems to be looking like a good bet to be the 3rd down back. Are three RBs enough if Edmonds' injury continues to persist?Rb depth looks good to me!
White
bucky
tucker
all youngry!
Who would you like to fill the role of 4th RB?
A) Dalvin Cook
B ) Ke'Shawn Vaughn (once he's cut by the 49ers).
C) One of the two noname UDFAs already on the roster.
D) Somebody more washed up than Cook such as Hunt/Murray/Gordon
E) Other (Please provide a name).
E) Kareem Hunt
RB is a position that relies on coaching, scheme and blocking. Improved blocking and RBs that can move forward is a huge improvement for the Bucs. If the Bucs want to keep four RB I think they should.
Realistically this will open up play action options for the passing game which looks on point with the TEs, RBs and WRs the Bucs have.
Irving looked great. Tucker solidified his spot on the Bucs. And the two UDFA rookies didn't look too bad either, but I think they'll start out on the practice squad at best. Chase Edmonds wasn't anywhere to be seen. I'm sure he was there somewhere. But Irving seems to be looking like a good bet to be the 3rd down back. Are three RBs enough if Edmonds' injury continues to persist?Rb depth looks good to me!
White
bucky
tucker
all youngry!
Williams and Jefferson have been making their splashes in training camp and off season OTAs. But I want to see more in live action in the following pre season game. What I saw so far in the first pre season game was encouraging because the Bucs need a RB that can punch it in short yardage very badly. But Tucker's improvement is promising and combined with Irving the Bucs running game may look NFL average for a change.
The depth chart at RB is looking a little thin these days,
How did Dalvin do yesterday?
Or, does he play today?
What’s Lombardi Lenny up to these days 😅
Chilling with Dalvin and Julio Jones on the “Man, We Should Sign Him” squad.
I am a fan of White but is it possible he slides down the chart? Hard to picture him consistently running with the approach we see so far from Irving and Tucker
The team averaged 4.8 yards per tote and rookie Bucky Irving put on a show early on. Irving's first run of the night led to a gain of six as he quickly worked downhill and hit the hole. The next play, the Jags' stacked their front and Irving still managed to pick up a first with a five-yard gain. Whether spinning for additional yardage or making a cut off of double teams in duo by forcing the linebackers to flow and set the edge, Irving made an impact on the ground. Tampa Bay was able to dictate the offensive terms with early-down run effectiveness, which opened up the play-action game.
Not suggesting they are better, just that the style might not fit White, at least as we have seen him so far.
