Tampa Can Thrive With A True 50/50 RB Split
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Week 1 of the NFL season is all about wild overreactions, and that fever is hitting Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans particularly hard. After fourth-round pick Bucky Irving put up 62 yards on nine carries en route to the Bucs offense pile 37 points on the Washington Commanders, some fans saw positive flashbacks to 2012 Doug Martin.
Martin, the 5-foot-9 Muscle Hamster, burst onto the scene as a rookie with over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns. You can argue that the only reason Irving didn’t put himself on pace for similar numbers is that while Martin came into his rookie season as the clear-cut top running back, the same thing can’t be said about the similarly diminutive Irving.
Meanwhile, Rachaad White is still listed as the starter on the depth chart, and during Week 1, he rushed 15 times for 31 yards. 2.1 yards per carry isn’t enough, any fan is going to agree with that. So why not crown Bucky as the starter?
Because it isn’t time to give up on White. While not all by-committee running back rooms work out well, the 2024 version of the Buccaneers are best best if Irving and White are splitting the workload. Their complementary skill sets make the ideal candidates for a true 50/50 timeshare. White is still a strong, powerful runner who does much of his damage between the tackles. Irving is the faster back who likes to bounce things outside, and that was highlighted on his 31-yard burst from the line.
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They offer such different looks that it doesn’t even hurt Tampa to be on the field at the same time. Irving and White were even featured together a couple of times in the first half, which created an even bigger problem for defenses as they tried to defend two completely different running backs.
White might not have found a lot of production on the ground, but he still caught six passes for 75 yards. 2023 saw White be a weapon in the passing game, as well, as he caught 64 passes for 549 yards. Keeping him off the field to feed Irving on 80% of the carries does the offense a disservice.
Especially since Bucky will need to clean up his pass blocking as he adjusts to life in the NFL.. Irving is only 5′ 9″ and 194 pounds, and opposing defensive linemen or linebackers don’t care; they will blow up whoever is in their way when rushing the passer. We saw this a few times on Sunday, when Irving got blown up when trying to protect Baker Mayfield.
Everyone always wants to look at rushing production to judge a running back’s performances, but pass protection is such an important part of the job. If Wright is struggling with that part of his game, he can’t be an every-down back just yet.
That’s not to say Irving isn’t ready for primetime. He’s perfect – just for what he’s doing now. The fact that he was a big part of a 37-point explosion probably speaks for itself, but after the game, Bucs coach Todd Bowles weighed in for good measure.
“Buck’s a ballplayer,” Bowles marveled. “His height and his size do not magnify how good he is as a running back. He can run up the middle, he can catch the ball, he’s tough, he finishes runs, he’s very good at making the first guy miss in the hole, and he had a heck of a ballgame.”
Still, during training camp, Irving made it clear that he isn’t a finished product just yet. “There is always room for improvement and room to learn so I am just leaning on these older guys and learning from them,” said Irving. “Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds have been great leaders for me and have helped me with the playbook and with things that I needed to know. I am pretty much leaning on those guys, and I will fill whatever role the coach needs me to play. I don’t necessarily have a role yet; I am just going with the flow until my number is called.”
Maybe the Bucs found another Buck to be their franchise running back. But also, we shouldn’t rush to toss White aside and call Irving “Doug Martin” just yet. White has a lot to offer Tampa Bay still, and they both give the offense different dimensions that they can even deploy on the same play. Irving’s debut was awesome, but it was just one part of a greater whole. If we saw anything on Sunday, it’s that the way the Buccaneers are deploying their backs are perfect – no notes.
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