Buccaneers’ Running Game A Nonfactor vs Cowboys
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (7) is taken down by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. - AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio
Disclaimer
First off, let’s establish the fact that no one is going to confuse the Bucs with a running team. While the Bucs have capable horses in the stable, they are rarely counted on to lead the way. This is a Bruce Arians/Byron Leftwich forged team dedicated to downfield passing in sizeable chunks; that being said, Leftwich/Arians know that there has to be some success when it comes to running the football. If not, the play-action, which Brady uses quite often, loses some respect. In other words, if the opposing team’s defense has no reason to fear damage from the run. They are more likely to pin their ears back and bring it full force, which is something that Brady nor the offensive line want to see. —End of disclaimer.
Gaudy passing numbers dominate the game
Thursday in the NFL’s season opener against the Cowboys, there were not a lot of running plays to be found. Combined, the two teams only rushed for 112 yds (Dallas-60 yds, Tampa-52 yds.) compared to a gaudy number of 789 combined yards via the pass. It was expected that Dallas would face a formidable run defense in the Bucs. The Cowboys looked a lot better than last year’s team and played the run well. With all the passing going on, both teams probably felt the need to keep slinging the football or be left behind on the scoreboard. There was much anticipation going around with Cowboy’s fans wondering how well Dak Prescott would play as the team held him out all preseason as a precautionary move after rehabbing the shoulder he injured last season. The Cowboy faithful can breathe easier now as he looked better than ever.
Wrapping up
With the fast pace of the game, and Prescott piling up the yards, coupled with the very limited success in the running plays they did call, Tampa and Tom Brady stuck to what they do best — throw, throw, and then throw some more. There will be games when the ability to run the ball will play a bigger role, and it will be easier to judge where the Bucs stand in this 2021 season when that time arrives. I fully believe that RoJo is by far the best back the team has. Having said that, Fournette is no slouch either — Another game or two, and it should be more clear on where the Buccaneers stand on the running game for this season. No matter how many games into the season they go, this is first and foremost a passing team, and that fact will again continue to bear its face moving forward. Go Bucs!!
