Warming up?
The very best friend an undrafted rookie quarterback can have is a strong run game.
And Joe is confident that Bucs running back Bucky Irving’s monster performance in Dallas last week helped Jalon Daniels play smart, effective football.
Last week was big for Bucky’s short career. His 165 yards rushing was a career-best. Naturally, his 72-yard run was his longest run. And the 175 yards from scrimmage in Dallas was the third-most of his career.
The win was also the first time Bucky had both a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game.
Bucky also became the 13th Bucs player to ever run for 2,000 yards in his career. Bucky tied the great Warrick Dunn as the fourth-fastest Bucs player to reach 2,000 yards rushing in just 32 games.
Doug Martin (25th game), Cadillac Williams (29th) and Errict Rhett (29th) each reached 2,000 yards quicker.
If the win over Dallas becomes a turning point for Bucky, it will really help Daniels, no matter how long he has to start. And you would think it would help out Baker Mayfield as well, whenever he returns.