Key Takeaways:
– The Buccaneers have gained the NFC South division championship three times in a row despite the worst rushing line in the NFL.
– Tampa Bay hopes to turn its dismal rushing state around with the selection of Oregon’s dynamic running back, Bucky Irving.
– Notwithstanding an outstanding performance from Rachaad White, the Tampa Bay coaching staff is eager to bring more diversity to their offensive tactics.
Revamping the Buccaneers’ Rushing Game
The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers have astounded fans with three straight NFC South division victories. What’s even more impressive is their triumph amid a weak rushing front. According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers’ rushing attack has been ranked the worst in the NFL for the past two periods, averaging a mere 82.9 yards each game. The Tampa team hopes to rewrite this narrative by injecting fresh talent from the 2024 NFL draft.
Can Bucky Irving Change The game?
The focus of these hopes is Oregon’s dynamic running back, Bucky Irving, who the Buccaneers took aboard in the fourth round of the latest NFL draft. As one of college football’s most productive running backs in the last two seasons, the versatile Irving has plenty to contribute to the Tampa Bay offense. Despite missing his high school senior season due to the pandemic, Irving launched his college football debut at Minnesota quite impressively, securing 772 yards in total offense and making four touchdowns as a pure freshman in 2021.
Following Irving’s Remarkable College Career
After transferring to Oregon, Irving continued showcasing his skills, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards each year. The young star concluded 2022 with an impressive 1,357 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns. In 2023, Irving upped his game even further, amassing 1,593 yards of total offense and securing 13 touchdowns. Irving was aptly named All-Pac-12 for his outstanding performances.
Will Irving’s Speed Impact His Draft Method?
Irving’s NFL combine 40-yard dash record at 4.55 seconds posed an unexpected dip in his draft stock. However, his remarkable performance in college ensured he wasn’t overlooked. “We thought he might go a little bit earlier,” said Tampa Bay Director of Player Personnel Mike Biehl during a post-draft interview. “But he falls to the third day. I think even talking to him, when Jason [Licht] called him, he had a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, thinking he should have gone earlier. We are pleased with his fighting spirit and robust attitude.”
Rachaad White and the Buccaneers’ Offensive Power
While the Buccaneers’ rushing game may be lacking, talent is not. Rachaad White, in his third NFL season, made an impressive 1,539 yards of total offense and managed nine touchdowns in 2023. Biehl and the Buccaneers’ coaching team believe that Irving will bring a new dimension to their offense while giving White much-needed backup and competition. “I think Bucky does that,” said Biehl.
As the new season looms, the Buccaneers and their fans eagerly anticipate a revamped offense, buoyed by young stars like Bucky Irving.