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Bucs Have Running Backs On Speed Dial

Posted Oct 8, 2007 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 8, 2007 at 10:17 AM

Coach Jon Gruden joked about the availability of running backs. He noted their happened to be a recently retired running back, whose brother (Ronde Barber) plays on the team, that would make a nice addition.

He also joked he carried former Detroit Lions back Barry Sanders phone number in his pocket. What isn’t a joke is the fact Tampa Bay officials are working the phones in search of some help.

“People are working to see who is available,” Gruden said.

Gruden watched game film of the Tennessee Titans Monday morning and noticed a well put together defense.

Given the fact the Titans, Tampa Bay’s opponent on Sunday, don’t give up many rushing yards, and the position the Bucs are in with the various injuries to their running backs, could make for a long offensive day for the Bucs.

“They’re hard to run against,” Gruden said.

Reader Comments

Por (Gregory Donoghue) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Bucs should stay with Graham. Bring up Darby and bring back Antonio Gates. Gates looked very elusive and had moments when he looked like Warrick Dunn. This time of year won’t get much in the way of a trade, unless you can talk Tiki out of retirement. He is not in game shape though. The price we pay for four QB’s on the roster.

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Por (Mitch R) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

If Earnest Graham could only manage 11 yards on 6 carries yesterday, don’t expect a better day against the Titans.  We are in dire need of better talent as well as depth at Running Back.  Like I said earlier, don’t expect a 3rd stringer to all of a sudden turn into a starter.  There’s a reason why he never got carries over the previous 3 years, obviously he wasn’t the guy the bucs thought could get the job done.  Now we have little choice and HAVE to try to get someone in to help carry the load.

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Por (John Polasek, Jr.) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

T’was great to see the last several weeks of the return of “Bucs Ball” again—until this week.  We knew it would be a tough game against the colts, but WHERE was the RUSH against manning !!  He was able to stand in the pocket and pick any reciever.  I was jumping up and down yelling for our RUSH to force quick and/or bad throws.  It did not happen the entire game.  Very Frustrating !!  JP

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Por (Shawn Golan) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

MAKE A DEAL!!!

We need a real back…fast.  I like EG and Darby, but neither of them are good enough.  This is a playoff team right now, but we need to be able to run the ball to get to that spot.  Lets remember, our division is so weak right now that its almost necessary to make the move…we need to take advantage of this situation.  We don’t need to sell off a whole draft to bring someone in, but we need to find a talented guy who can help us out.

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Por (Mike) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

The problem we are going to run into is non of these guys are good at pass blocking. With Pettigout gone, we need a tight end AND a back to sit in the pocket and protect Garcia. If we lose him we are done!

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Por (david birch) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

many clubs have issues at the qp position (az, sf, nyj, mia, and even chi.) that makes simms market value (assuming he’s healthy) about as high as it is going to be…if the bucs ever entertained the notion of moving him, now is the time to do it..securing an left tackle or serviceable rb should be do-able…its time to fish or cut bait for all those not contributing (see michael clayton)...this thing (a run at the nfc title) is within the bucs grasp…personally i like arkee whitlock who currently sits on the vikings practice squad…but any move is better than standing on the bridge and watching the ship sink…

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Por (Kevin Covington) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Tiki would be a nice addition. But, since the NYG own his rights, it still would require a trade with them.

I’m not sold on Chester Taylor, by the way. He doesn’t strike me as a worthwhile trade. FA, maybe.. Trade? No way.

Ricky Williams would be an intriguing trade. Miami doesnt want him, but knows getting something in a trade over nothing by keeping him but not playing him could be an incentive. It would all depend on when the NFL would reinstate him. Don’t know enough about that situation to make any educated guess about whether it is even feasible or not. But, intriguing nonetheless.

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Por (bill Livingston) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

We are at third string NOW on rb!!! We need to trade somebody. We are pretty thick on D and very week on the O side. Save our draft pics. We need to cough up somebody we can live without and go out and get a quality starting rb that can get the job done for us.
A blockbuster can carry us to the playoffs. Bring in a chump and where done.

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Por (Jason L.) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Michael Turner.

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Por (Warren Villaren) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

LT’s numbers and production is off this year because he’s not being utilized as effectively under new head coach Norv Turner. It seems that LT’s not very tight w/his QB Rivers and hasn’t appeared to be his happy self on ESPN interviews. Bucs should ask LT if he’s interested in a change and take a chance on knocking on San Diego’s door and offer them a trade. Doesn’t hurt to try and if your going to take shots at acquiring an RB then why not take a big shot.

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Por (wade krett) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Delhomme out for the season per the AP. I’m starting to think that we may want to risk something as I high as a third round pick. This division is ours to win…silver platter if I’ve ever seen one. The D is relatively healthy. If we can get any RB with a pulse we could easily make it to the NFC championship game.

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Por (Mitch R) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

I just saw a rumor on ESPN that said the Bucs are interested in LaBrando Toefield from the Jags.  This could be a very intriguing deal.  Toefield is buried behind Taylor, Jones-Drew, and Greg Jones, yet has size (5’10’’ 232lbs) and speed to be a big upgrade over both EG and Darby.  If we can get him for a 4th-6th round pick, I say we make that deal.

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Por (Victor Barney) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

I also would love to see Tiki Barber on the Bucs! I believe that his addition, even this year, would take us to the Super Bowl! And, what a tandum with Ronde!

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Por (Travis) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

i got an intriguing FA out there. EDDIE GEORGE!!!!!

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Por (dex fields) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Saving draft picks is not always the answer.We need to start making big moves so we can play with the big boys.We have alot of young player right now,how young can we get.We need to bring in play makers and build around our young player.We have one truly player maker on offense and he is 34 yr old and we got him from a trade.Open your eyes-we do not have luck signing big free agents because there are not no big names on our squad that make other players want to come over.We should have signed tank johnson,he can’t play right now but why do we still have chris simms.We have to make a big trade,now!

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Por (Shawn Golan) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Toefield would be a fine upgrade, but I’m not sure he would succeed in our system.  He’s a north-south runner with great power, but limited speed.  Tampa’s offense is designed for RBs to run out of the ace, with a leaning towards off-tackle runs and tosses.  The fact that we only run out of the I 50%, or less, of the time, seems to be something requiring a back with far more speed.  If we are going to pull the trigger on a trade, don’t pull punches.  I’m willing to move a 2nd rounder if it means bringing in a guy we can keep.  There is no point in moving a draft pick to rent a back for 3 months.  If we do a deal, lets get a guy we have plans for…

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Por (cory s) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Michael Turner or Greg Jones.  A 3rd or 4th string rb from another team isn’t much of an upgrade.  Kevin Jones would be a really nice fit also if the lions would give him up.

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Por (Sean Knight) on October 08, 2007 (Suggest removal)

I think the Bucs should go out and get a midget at running back.  Askew and Garcia can throw him over the line of scrimage. Hell, it’d probably average more yards per carry than they’re currently getting.

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Por (Steven Colwell) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

I would be keen to see a running back who hits the pocket hard.  It seemed to work for Earnie against the Rams, and also Pittman…. both of whom seemed to be of equal impact to Caddy early season.

My concern lies with getting the blocks ANY back will need.  Graham can do the job if he is given the holes to work in.  Maybe Garcia should be consulted too - he is shaping the Offence so why not let him have a say on recruiting someone he feels fits to his game?....

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Por (Jack Karako) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Bucs should try to re-acquire Warrick Dunn.  His energy, and familiarity with the city and teammates will energize the team.  Dunn is a Buc, and should reture as a Buc (some day).

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Por (Shawn Golan) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

System is what it all comes down to.  This is not a running team - hasn’t been in years.  What we do is throw the ball, mix in some runs, and score just enough for the defense to win.  So far this season, with the exception of the Saints’ game, we haven’t really lit up the scoreboard.  Garcia has proven to me that he can run this offense, so, given that we’ve lost some backs, lets consider letting Jeff throw a little more.  As far as the RB situation goes, here are a few names we should consider…for the right price.
1. Ruben Droughns [NYG]
2. LaDell Betts [WAS]
3. Adrian Peterson [CHI]
4. Naje Devenport[PIT]

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Por (Eric Schurz) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

KC and Miami needs a QB, how about Chris Sims for Priest Holmes or Ricky Williams, just a thought.

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Por (AV) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

LaBrandon Toefield would make a good addition to the team but @ what price? He’s a tough runner with power. If I remember correctly he ran through the Bucs in the preseason game we played Jags. I think he would be a good fit here. Gruden have that pound the rock mentality but they always have an undersized feature back. What happend to Domenic Williams, Eric Shelton, Wali Lundy, Duce “Pickle Juice” Staley? I’m sure these guys wouldn’t cost the team as much. I would look @ a Antonio Bryant as well. Its seems that our receivers have disapeared.

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Por (Chris) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

Why all the comments about Toefield? Because he had a decent preseason game against us. Turner from San Diego is a stud. They have LT. Obviously, there is no question who the starter is there. Turner wants to be a starter. He is a free agent at the end of the year. San Diego gets nothing for him if they wait. It makes perfect sense for the Bucs to give a 3rd or later pick for him. San Diego gets something and we get a good looking RB. Conversation ends there.

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Por (Fred Sutter) on October 09, 2007 (Suggest removal)

It’s great to dream people, but dreams and reality are two different things. Eddie George?What kind of football shape is he in?..didn’t he leave the game injured?
Warrick Dunn? He’s a starter in Atlanta,  at the tail end of his career.
No matter who gets brought in it’s going to take three weeks to a month to get them caught up on the offense, by which time Pittman will be closer to coming back.
This is no time to mortgage the future of the team for insurance purposes. Is it smart to trade away a future Tanard Jackson or Barrett Ruud for a guy who won’t know the offense for a month? I don’t think so.

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