Tag: bucs running backs

This quote from LeSean McCoy makes it sound like the Bucs would be a great fit

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need some veteran experience in their backfield, and free agent running back LeSean McCoy sounds like he’s game.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense is stacked heading into 2020, looking more like a Madden NFL 21 team with guys like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Mike Evans on the roster.

While the passing game will certainly be the strength of the Tampa Bay offense, as it has been in years past, the team still needs help in the backfield to put pressure on opposing defenses to stop the run, which will help open up the passing attack.

Ronald Jones had a solid sophomore campaign in 2019, rushing for 724 yards and six touchdowns, but with the loss of Peyton Barber to the Washington Football Team in free agency, the Bucs needed to add some more depth at the running back position, which is why they used their third-round pick in April’s NFL draft on Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

While the talent is certainly there for the Bucs, a veteran leader in the backfield could help this young group of backs excel in a pressure-filled season where the team has championship expectations.

One free agent running back who might be a fit? How about LeSean McCoy, who won a Super Bowl last season as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Speaking with NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on NFL NOW, McCoy said he’s spoken to a few teams about playing in 2020, and said right now it is all about finding the right fit.

Per McCoy:

“But I think the biggest thing is to find the right fit. Find the right fit for me. I think at the point in my career, not just playing football. I want to play for the right team. I want to be able to contribute. I want to be able to win another championship. You can’t go from playing with the Chiefs with all that talent and winning a championship to now just trying to play. I’m the type of guy, I want to come in a room, challenge the running backs, get them better. Be a veteran leader. All the type of things I want to bring to a team. So, just got to find the right fit for me.”

The part about McCoy wanting to be a veteran leader and challenge the running backs certainly makes him sound like an ideal fit for the Bucs backfield. While Jones is the incumbent back, he’s still young and only has one solid year of productivity under his belt. Plus, McCoy could be a great mentor to a guy like Vaughn, who will likely be used as a pass-catching back in a lot of situations.

The Buccaneers may already be loaded on offense, but more veteran experience — including Super Bowl experience — could certainly come in handy.

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Ke’Shawn Vaughn tweets a message to all his doubters

Buccaneers rookie running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn posted a message on Twitter to all the haters out there.

The Buccaneers’ passing attack has been the bread and butter of their offense for years, and with Tom Brady now under center that should continue in 2020.

The backfield has been a different story, however. Last season, Tampa Bay finished 24th in rushing, averaging 95.1 yards per game. Despite a solid season by Ronald Jones — 172 rushes for 724 yards and six touchdowns — the team opted to use their third-round pick in April’s NFL draft on Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

The move surprised some, but the Bucs seem to like Vaughn’s ability to catch out of the backfield. Vaughn, himself, has heard the chatter and hate, and took to Twitter today with a message for all his doubters.

Take a look.

Fantasy football players might not want to overlook Vaughn either. Analytics expert Cynthia Frelund over at NFL.com predicted the Vanderbilt alum could be a major contributor as a rookie.

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Is Devonta Freeman a fit for the Buccaneers?

These two ESPN writers believe former Falcons running back Devonta Freeman could be an instant contributor for the Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed their backfield in last month’s NFL draft by using two picks on running backs: Ke’Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt (Round 3) and Louisiana back Raymond Calais (Round 7).

The pair will team up with Ronald Jones to form the core of the Bucs’ rushing attack, but is it possible the Bucs bring in a veteran running back, too? ESPN NFL writers Matt Bowen and Field Yates both believe that former Falcons running back Devonta Freeman could be a good fit in Tampa Bay with the Bucs.

Per Bowen:

“The receiving traits would be a boost to Tom Brady and the Tampa offense, and Freeman also could share carries in a committee approach with Ronald Jones, who showed flashes of his potential last season, and rookie Ke’Shawn Vaughn.”

Yates is in favor of this pick, in part, because it would just be fun to see.

Per Yates:

“This is a fun fit. I know they’ve made running back investments this offseason, but I’d love to see Freeman on a one-year deal. He’s an excellent pass-catcher and a tough-as-nails pass-protector who could help them right away.”

The Bucs drafted Vaughn in part because of his pass-catching potential, but as Yates points out, Freeman could contribute right away. If Freeman does come to the Bucs, let’s hope he’ll be okay taking hand offs from the quarterback who mounted the greatest Super Bowl comeback ever against him and the Falcons.

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Twitter reacts to the Bucs drafting Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

See how fans on Twitter reacted to the Bucs’ decision to draft Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to upgrade their backfield and did so tonight in the third round of the NFL draft by taking Vanderbilt running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

Vaughn, who rushed for 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns last season, may have been a surprise selection given that Utah running back Zack Moss was still available. But the Bucs like the fact that Vaughn can catch out of the backfield, something that will go a long way in a Tom Brady-led offense.

See how Twitter reacted to the Bucs’ decision to draft Vaughn.

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A look at some of the second-round picks of the Jason Licht era

The Bucs hold the 45th pick in round two of the 2020 NFL Draft. Take a look at the players they’ve chosen during GM Jason Licht’s tenure.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got one of the prized tackles in this year’s class when they traded up a spot to No. 13 to select Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs.

The pool-jumping Wirfs will be joining an offense that features the NFL’s best quarterback-tight-end combo and two of its best receivers. (No pressure of course, rookie.)

Heading into round two tonight, the Bucs and general manager Jason Licht may look to use the 45th pick to select one of the top-ranked running backs still on the board. The only back taken in round one was LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who went 32nd overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

It wouldn’t be the first time since become general manager in 2014 that Licht has used a second-round pick on a running back, having done so back in 2018 on Ronald Jones (No. 38 overall). The jury remains out on Jones, although his sophomore campaign in 2019 inspires confidence. But a game-changing back like J.K. Dobbins or D’Andre Swift could open up the passing game even more for Brady and company.

Licht will need to make this selection carefully, because history has shown that when it comes to second-round picks, the Bucs GM has made a few duds.

Take a look at this gallery showing all 10 players drafted in the second round by Licht.

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Don’t expect to see RB LeSean McCoy suiting up for the Bucs next season

Free agent RB LeSean McCoy is looking for a new team, but don’t expect to see him wind up in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers.

It’s no secret that the Buccaneers need help in their backfield, especially now that Tom Brady is under center. While the Bucs boast arguably the league’s best passing attack with wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, their run game leaves something to be desired. With Ronald Jones as the incumbent starter, Tampa Bay needs more help, especially since Peyton Barber bolted for the Redskins in free agency.

One running back on the market still looking for a home is LeSean McCoy, who was recently named to the NFL All-Decade Team. McCoy made a name for himself during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2009-2014, and even put up two 1,000-yard seasons during his four-year stint with the Buffalo Bills. Last season, the six-time Pro Bowler was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs team that wound up winning Super Bowl LIV, but his numbers were modest by his standards — 465 rushing and four touchdowns on just 101 carries.

McCoy will be 32 when the 2020 season rolls around, and despite the fact that he has logged over 11,000 rushing yards over the course of his illustrious career, the running back recently told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he feels he has more fuel left in the tank. “I really just want to play two more years,” McCoy said during the interview. “If it doesn’t go well, just let your body talk to you. My body feels fine.”

McCoy said he’s looking at a couple of teams right now, but given the restrictions with travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, he feels he’ll likely have to wait until after the draft before finding a new team. One of his stipulations is going to a winning franchise that has all the right pieces. While the Bucs certainly haven’t been a winning franchise over the past decade, the addition of Brady makes them a legit playoff contender.

So, would the Bucs consider adding McCoy to their backfield?

It seems unlikely for a few reasons. One, his age. The upcoming draft has depth at the running back position, and several mock drafts foresee the Bucs taking a back in the second or third round. Also, when McCoy was available for a trade back in the 2015 offseason, before the Eagles dealt him to the Bills, then-Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians declined to pursue the running back.

Arians may have been talking more about McCoy’s cap number than anything else. At the time, the running back had a cap hit of $10.25 million for the 2015 season, second-highest among running backs behind only Adrian Peterson. But, you have to imagine that if Arians really loved McCoy and what he could bring to the table, he would’ve tried to find a way to make it work.

Even though McCoy is available once again, the Bucs would be wise to invest in a young running back with a cap-friendly contract rather than pursue a veteran whose body has already been through the ringer. Tampa Bay is a passing team first and foremost, so while McCoy may still have something to offer, it doesn’t seem like the Bucs are the right place for him.

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