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Bucs have no offensive identity

Posted Nov 29, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Nov 29, 2009 at 05:21 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—Physical, aggressive ... violent.

From the moment Raheem Morris was hired as head coach in January, he vowed the 2009 Bucs would boast an identity on both sides of the ball.

Morris said his club would impose its will by being the more physical team each Sunday, but through Tampa Bay’s 1-10 start, a downhill running game which was supposed to carry this offense has fizzled.

Following a dynamic Game 1 effort against Dallas, the Bucs have not run the ball effectively—no matter who is standing under center. And they haven’t been much better about it since center Jeff Faine returned in October after missing a month with a strained triceps.

The offensive line was supposed to be the strength of the attack, but the holes just aren’t there on a consistent basis, especially when Derrick Ward carries the football. No wonder the coveted free agent from the Giants is frustrated with his lack of production.

Under offensive coordinator Greg Olson, the Bucs are almost always in the shotgun on third-and-2, broadcasting their intentions to throw for the first down rather than trust a young line to gain the tough yards on the NFL’s money down.

That’s not aggressive or physical.

When the Bucs reflect back upon this lost season, their lousy running game will rank high on the list of disappointments. A maligned defense came back strong in Atlanta, but the Bucs failed once again to establish themselves as a team committed to the run.

Until that changes, this offense will continue to struggle and Derrick Ward will continue to wonder whether he would have been better off signing elsewhere.