Bucs’ running game still hasn’t missed a step this season

TAMPA You cant hit what you cant see.

That may be the advantage 5-foot-9 running back Bucky Irving has while ducking behind his mammoth offensive line.

For Bucky being smaller, he kind of hides behind the O-line, tackle Tristan Wirfs said.

In the gap and trap plays, were pulling guys, and I think Bucky kind of hides behind them and kind of sneaks out of the holes, sneaks out the backside.

While Irving may be hard to detect, theres no disguising the fact that the Bucs have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.

Last in the league in rushing the past two seasons, Tampa Bay ranks eighth in rushing yards (138.3 per game) and fourth in rushing average (5.1 yards).

Perhaps more impressively, since their mid-November bye week, the Bucs have eclipsed the 150-yard rushing mark in three consecutive games.

Its a credit to all three running backs, especially Irving and Rachaad White, who join the Lions Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery as the only tandem of running backs to each have more than 800 yards from scrimmage.

Sean Tucker, the Bucs No.

3 back, was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week when he had 192 yards from scrimmage at New Orleans in Week 6.

But he was buried on the depth chart until re-emerging last weekend against the Raiders with a 34-yard run to set up a touchdown.

But those long runs dont come without blocking from receivers and tight ends.

The buy-in into Liam Coens system has been from the entire offense.

Its also a credit to new receivers coach Bryan McClendon, whose wideouts at Georgia were known for blocking.

Thats what were looking for in terms of understanding what this offense and system do ask of our skill players, and it does take somebody special that can get that out of everybody, Coen said.

Ive heard some wideouts say, I dont get paid to block and theres an argument to be had.

But if we want to stink in the run game, then go ahead.

The transformation in the run game is so complete that its hard to believe the team was last in the NFL in rushing average the previous two seasons.

But GM Jason Licht and his front-office staff have built an offensive line that is already among the best in club history.

Wirfs is an All-Pro who made the seamless switch from right to left tackle.

Luke Goedeke, after missing four games with a concussion, has re-emerged as a dominant force who handled Raiders outside linebacker Maxx Crosby, holding him to 3 tackles and 0 sacks.

Giants free agent Ben Bredeson has anchored the left guard spot, and Cody Mauch has gotten stronger and is better in his second pro season at right guard.

Cody has come a long way for us, quarterback Baker Mayfield said.

Hes improved each and every week.

Those guys, they dont say a lot.

Its a lot of nonverbal communication but they work well together.

And then Luke is a stud.

You can put him up against anybody; we trust that guy to block whoever it is.

Nowhere have the Bucs improved more than at center with rookie Graham Barton, the first-round pick from Duke.

Although not perfect, hes brought strength and athleticism to the position and an ability to extend blocks to the second level of the defense.

Just like every game the past 10 weeks, weve got to find a way to run the ball, Barton said of facing the Chargers.

I think when we have success as an offense and as an offensive line, and establish the line of scrimmage, that kind of opens up everything else in our playbook.

This season, the Bucs success has come down to running the football, something no team did worse in 2022 and 23.

The offensive line is playing unbelievable in some of the schemes that were having success on, coach Todd Bowles said.

Backs are hitting the holes where they should be, and then tight ends and receivers are doing their job.

You dont have some of these explosive runs unless guys are blocking down field.

Thats the important part is guys being fully bought in to the run game and understanding that it helps us as a whole.

Up next ...

Bucs at Chargers When: 4:25, Sunday, SoFi Stadium TV: WOFL-35.

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