Buccaneers Rely On Running Back Committee

Michael Bennett provides the Tampa Bay Buccaneers experience in the backfield.  After losing his starting job in Minnesota and spending the past two seasons on the bench in Kansas City, Bennett is motivated to capitalize on his opportunity to add juice to a maligned running back situation in Tampa Bay.

Earnest Graham is strictly a decent backup type with good toughness, but limited speed and quickness.  Graham can move the chains at times, but doesn’t scare opposing defensive coaches into scheming against him.  The Buccaneers also recently added former Raider Zack Crockett, but the only value he provides at this stage is short-yardage power.  Michael Pittman will return for the stretch run in December.  His versatility and overall skills will bring some credibility to the mix. 

In the intermediate future, the Buccaneers hope Bennett provides a diverse element to the ground game with his speed.  Bennett has excellent burst to the perimeter as a change of pace to complement Graham.  He brings experience as a feature back, but his track record marks too much inconsistency in a feature role.  Bennett can’t move the pile inside the tackles and gets stopped behind the line of scrimmage too often.  He’s had fumbling problems in the past.  He’s also sloppy in pass protection.  Bennett also tends to get nicked up too often. 

Bennett simply doesn’t fit the mold of what Jon Gruden likes to establish on the ground. 

The Buccaneers will have some challenges on the offensive side of the ball as the season progresses.  Jeff Garcia must prove his durability and effectiveness for 16 games.  Joey Galloway is Garcia’s only consistent target in the passing game.  They lack credibility on the ground.  The one aspect that does favor the Buccaneers is a manageable schedule down the stretch.

In looking ahead to the future, I believe the Buccaneers must look in another direction at the running back position.  They can’t continue trusting Carnell Williams’ durability moving forward and leave themselves without the ability to develop a strong run game. 

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