Buccaneers Happy With Run Game: 'Getting Positive Yardage!'

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the worst rushing attacks in football last year, but things appear to be changing in a positive direction ahead of the new season.

With rookie Bucky Irving showing promise , so too Sean Tucker who again had a  positive game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 20-7 loss, the Buccaneers can feel good about the run game.

Despite only having a total of 16 rushing attempts, Irving (4.3 yards per carry), Tucker (8.0 per carry), and Cody Thompson (6.0 per carry) all picked up good gains whenever they touched the ball.

“We didn't have the ball as much,” Bowles said on the run game vs. the Jaguars. “Obviously we got to get the ball back for them to run some plays can’t have the penalties, but for the most part they're coming off the ball and the running backs are making the cuts where they need to make them, we're getting positive yardage.”

With Rachaad White the leader of the running back room, quite the battle is taking place behind him with Irving and Tucker.

Both have been impressive in Tampa Bay's two preseason games, with the third looming as the deciding factor in who lands where on the depth chart.

For Bowles, Irving has been as advertised since joining the team.

“The exact same guy we saw on tape [in college],” Bowles said. “He usually always makes the first guy miss, he's very tough in between the tackles and he's got a burst.”

Related: Bowles: Buccaneers Pass Rush ‘Some Progress’?

The Buccaneers' run game, with White, Irving, and possibly Tucker, is a three-pronged attack behind Baker Mayfield, and a good, solid run game is a quarterback's best friend.

Baker didn't have that last year, but in 2024, he might be able to lean on the run game more with three quality backs able to ease the offensive workload placed on his shoulders.