“Don’t worry Graham, you’ll crush people this year.”
This is a pretty good sign that your offensive line is getting the job done on the ground.
If an offensive line isn’t getting push, it’s obviously a better chance that the running back doesn’t get any yards. While Joe maintains that running backs are still allowed by NFL chieftain Roger Goodell to avoid tacklers, no push by the front line clearly makes dodging would-be tacklers more of a challenge.
Well last year there weren’t a whole lot of teams that had runs stuffed at the line as seldom as the Bucs.
Per noted handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp, there were nine teams that had fewer runs stuffed at the line than the Bucs — barely. The Bucs had 16 percent of their runs stopped for no gain.
Eight teams were at 15 percent and one (Dallas) had 13 percent.
And mind you the Bucs had a rookie center in the middle of the scrums and a rookie running back who became the Bucs’ No. 1 back.
So Joe wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs improve on this 15 percent this fall.
% of RB runs that didn't gain yards*
28% – MIA
27%
26%
25%
24%
23% – HOU
22% – NO
21% – CLE, LAC, SEA
20% – IND
19% – NE, LV, CHI
18% – NYJ, BUF, PIT, TEN, MIN, SF, DEN
17% – JAX, WAS, PHI
16% – ARI, BAL, TB
15% – CAR, LAR, DET, NYG, KC, ATL, GB, CIN
14%
13% – DAL
*stuffed for…
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 28, 2025