Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Run Game Is Performing Badly
As the season started, the anticipation surrounding Rachaad White was entirely justified. Going into his second year, he was poised to become this team's bellcow back. Is the lackluster rushing performance entirely on him? No. There are a few reasons this team is struggling in the ground game.
Beginning with the play of the interior offensive line, their prowess in pass protection has been commendable. However, adapting to the wide-zone run scheme introduced by the new OC, Dave Canales has proven to be a challenge. It's important to remember that both the season and this revamped offense are in their early stages. Mastery of such a system requires more than just seven weeks. The Seahawks encountered a learning curve when they made a similar transition.
READ MORE: Mike Evans Points Out One Main Reason For Buccaneers Offensive Problems
Another factor could be the play-calling. Dave Canales, with nearly fifteen seasons of experience as an offensive assistant under Pete Carroll with the Seahawks, brought a system to Tampa that has seen considerable success in recent years. It's worth noting that Canales is in his first year as a primary play-caller. While his designs show promise, finding the rhythm and identifying what best suits this team's future will take time.
Having tight ends with strong blocking ability is vital in this scheme. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers' tight end group has fallen short of expectations this season. Regardless of the personnel on the field, they find themselves overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage far too frequently, not being able to hold blocks. While there's a possibility the Bucs may explore trade options to bolster this position, it's unlikely to happen.
READ MORE: Buccaneers Designate Running Back For Return, Run Game Help Coming?
Luckily, the Bucs have designated RB Chase Edmonds to return from IR this week. Could Edmonds be the savior of this team's rocky start offensively? Maybe. Making a return on a short week isn't the most ideal scenario, but if he can take the field against the Bills, it could provide a significant boost. Before Edmonds injured his knee in week two's matchup against the Bears, he started to cut into Rachaad White's reps. Edmond's abilities line up with those that have had success in this type of scheme.
A significant amount of Buccaneers fans have taken to social media, expressing their hope for the team to pursue a trade for a running back if the offense continues to struggle for balance against a subpar Bills rush defense this week. While it remains a possibility, Jason Licht typically refrains from parting with assets or picks mid-season. We'll see.
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