Baller.
It seems a Bucs rookie may have been the catalyst for the Bucs having one of the best offenses in the game last season.
If one believes that a good run game opens up the passing attack, then Joe guesses one could make an argument that the most important player on the Bucs offense in 2024 was rookie running back Bucky Irving.
Irving ran for 1,122 yards last year yet he only started three games. But man, did he explode on the ground for the Bucs.
Almost single-handedly, Irvin took a moribund run game into a weapon that defenses had to atone for.
In his “_[Sharp Football Analysis 2025 Preview](https://www.sharpfootballanalysis.com/warren-sharp-book-2025-football-preview/)_,” noted handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp documented the dramatic difference between Rachaad White as a runner and Bucky.
> In 2023, Rachaad White handled the workload almost exclusively, and he was terrible:
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> Out of 49 RBs with 100+ rushes, he ranked:
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> #48 in early down success #47 in success #44 in EPA/rush #42 in explosive run rate #42 in yards created after contact
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> #40 in YPC
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> Enter Irving and a new philosophy from Coen about how, when, and why to run the ball.
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> A Bucs rushing attack that ranked #32 in success rate, #32 in yards per carry, #17 in expected points added, and #31 in explosive run rate improved in 2024 to #3 in success rate, #3 in YPC, #4 in EPA, and #3 in explosive run rate.
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> And it would have been even higher if the Bucs gave 100% of their carries to Irving, because he lapped White in efficiency.
Joe was OK with how the Bucs were a little measured in feeding Bucky the ball. Let’s remember, Bucky was a rookie and even though rookies do not like to admit it, they all have to deal with the famed rookie wall.
Also, Bucky isn’t exactly Derrick Henry. He’s a little guy. The Bucs knew they needed him for the playoffs. So they didn’t want to get Bucky burned out or beaten to a pulp and be flaccid in the playoffs.
Now Joe gets how Sharp gives all the praise to Bucky. But Joe thinks both former offensive coordinator Liam Coen and current offensive line coach Kevin Carberry should get props, too.
Coen devised just the right offense and blocking scheme for Bucky to run behind. Carberry coached up his linemen to execute that scheme. And we all saw the result.
But yeah, Joe thinks it’s fair to wonder if the Bucs would have even made the playoffs last year without Bucky.