This is what happens when the league knows you run behind a tremendous offensive line.
And it’s also what happens when allegedly respected people aren’t paying close enough attention.
What does Bucky Irving have to do to get the proper respect around the NFL?
As a Bucs rookie last season, Irving ranked fourth in the league in yards per carry at 5.4, a new Bucs record for a full-time running back. And he ranked 10th in total rushing yards. Irving also ranked second in the NFL in catch percentage (90.4) and was among the yards-after-catch leaders and yards-after-contact leaders.
That’s a top-10 running back, right? Apparently not.
Jeremy Fowler [of ESPN](http://espn.com) is back with results from his annual survey of many dozens of league executives, coaches and scouts, an exercise to rank the best 10 players at each position.
Running backs were released today and Irving was _not_ on the top-10. He was the first honorable mention after James Cook at No. 8, Joe Mixon at No. 9 and Alvin Kamara at No. 10.
> **Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:** “Combination of speed, quicks and contact balance. Heck of a runner. Rarely goes down on first contact.” — NFL coordinator
In all, 21 running backs were acknowledged. None were named Rachaad White.
Mixon? Kamara? C’mon. Irving is in another league, a better league.