Tag: Bucky Irving

Bucky Irving dismisses Rookie of the Year talk to lift up teammates

In the case of Bucky Irving, he is finding himself in the rookie of the year conversation but he isn’t letting that noise in. 

Jason Licht and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers front office are among the best in the NFL for a reason. In the 2024 NFL Draft, they found two bonafide starters on offense: Graham Barton and Bucky Irving.

In the case of Bucky Irving, he finds himself in the rookie of the year conversation, but he doesn’t let that noise in.

If you want to know what type of person, ignore the player for now that Bucky Irving is, then read his response to a question about being in the discussion for the Rookie of the Year Award.

“I don’t really like taking all the credit. It’s those guys up front. I think I have to do something really nice for those guys for Christmas, because they’re getting the job done. I really don’t want to take all the credit. Like I said, we have to get more of those guys in here and give them the credit for getting the job done up front.”

Irving is making plays up front, even if he won’t admit it. The offensive line’s play, though, has been strong at times this year, and Sunday was one of their better performances of the year.
It goes to show that when this offensive line is playing at it’s best, the Bucs offense, especially the running game, has no limits. As Irving points out, they could also be blocking their way into a Rookie of the Year Award for their running back.

Todd Bowles likes what the Bucs have in Rachaad White and Bucky Irving

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked about the development of rookie Bucky Irving on Monday when speaking to the media.

The Bucs’ running game has developed better than anyone could have hoped when they lost Dave Canales in 2024. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen has ushered in a rushing attack that rookie Bucky Irving is finally headlining, with Rachaad White also playing a role.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was asked about the development of rookie Bucky Irving on Monday when speaking to the media.

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense. The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. . .Bucky has a skill you can’t teach – he can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad [White] had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

Irving is coming off his best game of his career, in which he ran for 152 yards, but it was White who got the Bucs in field goal position in overtime. The team has finally found a formula that works in 2024, and with a soft schedule to finish the season, they have a chance to win the division.

Not many people would have that was a reality a few weeks ago, but despite losing four in a row, they remain in the hunt after a win over the Panthers.

Bucky Irving has arrived after dominant performance against Panthers

Now 13 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, Bucky Irving has not only arrived for the offense but is gearing up to be the future of the team.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers boldly chose to draft a running back following a season where Rachaad White had over 1,000 total yards. The former Sun Devil appeared to be setup for longterm success with the team but the arrival of Bucky Irving put that up in the air.

Now, 13 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, Bucky Irving has not only arrived for the offense but is gearing up to be the team’s future.

There was a point in the year where Irving wouldn’t even eclipse ten touches within a game, but in back-to-back weeks, he has shown he can handle a larger workload. A career day against the Panthers paired with a strong Week 12 performance against the Giants has Irving as the future of their offense.

In those last two games, he has 337 total yards offensively and two touchdowns. He is now at 1,017 total yards on the year and is a big-time reason this Bucs offense is among the best in the NFL despite Chris Godwin’s absence.

Next up is the Las Vegas Raiders, who are giving up 4.3 yards per carry, so he is in line for another strong performance on Sunday.

5 key takeaways from the Bucs lopsided 30-7 win over the Giants

The Bucs came to East Rutherford, New Jersey, desperate for a win, as they had lost their previous four games before last week’s bye.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to East Rutherford, New Jersey, desperate for a win, as they had lost their previous four games before last week’s bye.

Not only did the Todd Bowles team come out of the bye week looking refreshed, they made a statement on all sides of the ball, improving to 5-6 on the year and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Here are five key takeaways from today’s 30-7 win over the Giants.

Bucky Irving is RB1

The Buccaneers are known around the league as a team that struggles to run the football. Part of the issue is the running back by committee approach that Liam Coen runs. It’s impossible for any of the Bucs RBs to become “the hot hand” and get something going on the ground when they are constantly being rotated out (this is also covered later on the defensive side). Bucky Irving has been the clear-cut RB1 for the Buccaneers for the last handful of games, and it seems like the only ones that cannot see that are on the Bucs sideline. Totaling only 12 of the team’s 28 designed carries, Irving led the backfield with 87 yards- an average of 7.3 yards per carry. Irving tied Mike Evans with six receptions for the team lead, not only effective on the ground, netting 64 receiving yards. It was understood how dangerous Rachaad White was catching passes out the back. However, Irving has proven to be just as, if not better, at being a pass-catching back than White.

Keep your best players on the field

Throughout the season, namely the four-game losing streak, Bowles was rarely keeping his best defensive line players on the field at the same time. All too often, Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, and Yaya Diaby were around the mid-60 % of defensive snaps played, which is unacceptable for your star players, who are healthy, to see snap counts that low. This game proved to be different, and while the official snap counts are not out, it was a noticeable effort to keep their best players on the field, and it made a distinct difference, registering four sacks of Tommy DeVito.

Mike Evans opens up the offense

Needless to say, one of the best Buccaneers players in the history of the franchise is a good player. However, it was extremely apparent as Mayfield was able to effectively spread the ball around. Mayfield connected with 11 different players, completing 24 of 30 for 294 yards on the day. The Giants have the best-passing defense that they have faced in the last five games in terms of yards allowed, which begs the question, was it a mistake not to try and trade for another well-established wide receiver when Evans went down?

Playing with urgency

The Buccaneers never let up off the gas throughout the game, no matter what the score was, which is proving to be the recipe for success. Against the Falcons in their Week 5 OT loss, it was a winnable game had the playcalling been more urgent rather than designed screen passes. The controversy of not going for two and not attempting to win against the Kansas City Chiefs in regulation. Not having anyone to catch passes that were not a running back or Cade Otton over that four-game stretch showed that this team has the talent to play with and beat the best that the NFL has to offer. However, they just seem to go on cruise control at the wrong time. Today was not the case and should be the blueprint for the Bucs for the remainder of the season, as they are on the bubble of making the playoffs.

Outcoaching bad coaches

Bowles is not a bad coach. He may be too conservative and make calls that those of us who are not on the sidelines question, but he is not a bad coach. Brian Daboll is not a good coach, and Bowles stepped up and outcoached the Giants. Mistakes are going to happen, as no team, player, or coach is perfect, but continuing to play with urgency and Bowles stepping up and outcoaching the remaining six coaches that the team plays against to close out the regular season is something that needs to happen.

Bucs set franchise record for rushing TDs vs Giants

Buccaneers running back Rachaad White found his way into the end zone to get the Bucs a 30-0 lead and allowed the record to be set.

Coming off a bye week and on the heels of a four-game losing streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking to make a statement against the New York Giants and keep their playoff hopes alive.

With 3:45 remaining in the third quarter, Buccaneers running back Rachaad White found his way into the end zone to get the Bucs a 30-0 lead. White’s touchdown would mark the Buccaneers’ fourth rushing touchdown of the day.

With White’s 1-yard score, the Buccaneers would set a franchise record with four rushing touchdowns scored by a different player. Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker, and White all found paydirt against the Giants through the first three-quarters of the game. As of this writing, the Buccaneers have just 77 yards on the ground combined between the four players who have scored rushing touchdowns.

The Buccaneers are the only team to accomplish such a feat this season and the first since the New York Jets did so in 2022.

Bucky Irving leading rookies in one major category heading into the Bye Week

This left some scratching their heads after the team went and drafted Bucky Irving in April’s NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 NFL offseason with a running back who looked to be a complete back behind Baker Mayfield. Everyone believed in Rachaad White, and his production was expected to be repeated.

This left some scratching their heads after the team went and drafted Bucky Irving in April’s NFL Draft.

Bucky Irving was not used very often at the start of the season, as they let him carve out a role behind White. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen eventually found a good mix of both their talents, and now, as we enter Bye Week, Irving is leading the league in a major category.

Compared to all the other rookie running backs in the NFL, Irving leads them all in rushing touchdowns (4). Overall, Irving has 680 total yards and is on pace for 1,156 total yards and eight touchdowns.

If the team can get that out of a rookie alongside White, then Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield may have all the help they need in the backfield.

Where is Sean Tucker and where has his usage gone?

In recent weeks, Liam Coen and the offense abandoned the run game and have since lost three straight games. 

Early on in the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a run-heavy team that controlled time of possession and helped out the passing game. In recent weeks, Liam Coen and the offense abandoned the run game and have since lost three straight games.

Although two of the three losses came to the teams in the Super Bowl last year, that is where the moral victories start and stop.

One major question in the abandoning of the run game is where Sean Tucker has gone. Tucker was the NFC Player of the Week after his performance against the Saints, where he ran for 136 rushing yards, had three receptions for 56 yards, and had two total touchdowns. It seems insane that a player could do that and have just ten carries since then.

In week 10 against the 49ers, Tucker had no snaps played at all, let alone touches. It will be interesting to see how things stand coming out of the Bye Week if he can work his way back into the fold.

5 key takeways from the Bucs 23-20 loss to the 49ers

In a game that was not nearly as close as the scoreboard would indicate, here are 5 key takeaways as the Bucs continue to look for answers.

In what was sort of a midseason battle of attrition of under-performing teams between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, the Buccaneers once again fell short, this time in regulation as Jake Moody hit a game-winning FG as the clock expired.

In a game that was not nearly as close as the scoreboard would indicate, here are 5 key takeaways as the Buccaneers continue to look for answers following their fourth-straight loss.

The Buccaneers are not built for close games

Close games are traditionally won by out-coaching your opposition. Todd Bowles is unable to do that and has proven it time and time again. Whether it is poor clock management or just simply playing without a killer instinct and playing to win, Bowles is overstaying his welcome among fans. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who would be the front-runner to take over the team should the Buccaneers make the unlikely midseason move at head coach, has continued to show flashes of great calling, followed by headscratchers. On the season, the Buccaneers

Bucky Irvin should be RB1 from now on

Of that headscratcher, as mentioned above, decisions would be why the Buccaneers have not named rookie RB Bucky Irving the clear-cut RB1 after routinely out-gaining Rachaad White on running plays. White is dynamic in the passing game; however, splitting nearly 50% of carries every week is less than ideal as Irving is not only the team leader in rushing yards but out-gains White by over a yard per carry, which is a lot considering how close the Buccaneers games have been as of late.

Defense is poorly indescribable

Injuries be damned. Players get hurt weekly, and there is no excuse for how poor this Buccaneers defense is, especially with the number of self-inflicted wounds we see weekly. That falls back on coaching. Bowles continued odd-man substitutions rarely allow for his best players to be on the field at the same time, namely on the defensive line. In last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Yaya Diaby, Vita Vea, and Calijah Kancey all saw more than 55% of defensive snaps, which was the highest for all three players all season. Antoine Winfield Jr. has to put 120% effort into every play, not to account for a lack of talent but for a lack of effort from his teammates, which is a recipe for disaster as the season progresses.

The lack of depth at WR should’ve been addressed

The NFL trade deadline came and went, and all the while, the Buccaneers were missing superstar WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. This left Mayfield solely to rely on a young and unproven wide receiver corps, as Jason Licht and the Bucs front office chose to stand pat and not make a move. TE Cade Otton has emerged as Mayfield’s favorite–and most reliable– target over the last several weeks; outside of Otton and the Bucs running backs being utilized in the passing game, it’s become a total crapshoot if and when someone else will step up. Luckily for the Buccaneers, Mayfield continues to toe the line as an outlier in the MVP conversation. Evans will likely return following the bye, which should help open up the offense more.

Bucs playoff hopes dwindling

Per The Athletic, the Buccaneers entered Week 10 with only a 21% chance of making the playoffs, and with another NFC loss to a team in the Wild Card picture, that only makes things harder. Five of the remaining seven games are against fellow NFC teams, making each a must-win bout. As the Bucs enter the bye week, they will look to address some of the problems in hopes of shoring up the defense. In Week 12, the Buccaneers will play against the New York Giants, who have been a mess all season, with the caveat that Bowles has never won a game following a Bye Week.

Two Bucs rookies mentioned by The Athletic’s All-Rookie team

Dane Brugler published his mid-season All-Rookie Team on Wednesday, and two Bucs rookies made the cut. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jason Licht have a good history of drafting players into the NFL and getting them producing immediately. In their 2024 NFL Draft Class, Licht’s work is being recognized by The Athletic.

Dane Brugler published his mid-season All-Rookie Team on Wednesday, and two Bucs rookies made the cut.

Running back Bucky Irving and linebacker Chris Braswell were mentioned by Brugler in his piece. Irving has been very productive anytime he gets the ball in his hand, producing 593 total yards of offense and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Braswell has just 11 tackles playing in a limited role but has produced with injuries popping up at times for the linebacker group.

Jason Licht and the entire Bucs front office have done a great job building this roster’s core in recent years. Irving looks to be a long-term player in the offense alongside Rachaad White.

Like most linebackers, Braswell needs some more years to develop but shows promise.

Bucs running back group remains without a leader through Week 9

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not one but three running backs who are more than serviceable in their backfield. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not one but three running backs who are more than serviceable in their backfield. The issue the Bucs are now dealing with is deciding which one is worth giving the bulk of the workload to.

A few weeks ago, when Rachaad White was injured, Tucker emerged and was the NFC ground player of the week. Rookie Bucky Irving is making the most of every single touch he gets. Meanwhile, Rachaad White continues to find the endzone one way or another.

Against the Chiefs in Week 9, Irving had 10 touches for 34 yards, White had six touches for 35 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker had four touches for 17 yards.

That type of production, or lack thereof, has to be fixed. The rotation doesn’t allow any one running back to get momentum going. Liam Coen is creative; perhaps he uses White out at the slot receiver position to get him touches. Regardless, the running backs have to find some sort of consistency.

Right now, all they have is chaos and a lack of results.