More big plays?
Joe thinks the following is a perfect example of the difference between real football and fantasy football.
Iin case folks are unaware, in this Joe’s world, the word “fantasy” has absolutely nothing to do with football but everything to do with Rachel Watson and a secluded Caribbean island. Joe is not anti-fantasy football but gets frustrated folks try to combine the two, or worse, elevate fantasy football over real football.
(“I hate the Cowboys but I’ve got Cee Dee Lamb on my fantasy team, that’s why I’m hoping the Cowboys get a turnover here.” Ugh!)
Thus, the focus of this here post: Lindsay Rhodes and Sam Bruchhaus of Sumer Sports, the stats outfit formerly run by ex-Dixie Chicks shot-caller Thomas Dimitroff, are trying to figure out if Bucky Irving is an RB1.
Did these people not watch the Bucs? (Answer: Probably not.)
Of course Bucky is the Bucs’ top dog! It’s absurd to even question that. But is Bucky a starter? Maybe not. Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete said last week just because you are a starter, that only means you’re on the field for the first snap.
Exactly. If Rachaad White “starts,” that doesn’t mean he’s the bellcow.
Later in the conversation, Bruchhaus had a very interesting thought. The Bucs may throw more this year, or at least throw downfield more.
Bruchhaus noted that the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka No. 19 overall for a reason. Teams don’t generally draft a guy in the first round for him to watch the game from the sideline. Bruchhaus seems to think, if you follow the money (i.e., investment), the Bucs under Josh Grizzard may be more of an aerial attack.
As Bruchhaus believes that would lead to more big runs from a big-play guy like Bucky. And big plays generally lead to touchdowns. You know, fantasy football!
Defenses facing the Bucs will have to play honest, per Bruchhaus or they will get lit up by the loaded Bucs passing attack if they bring too many in the box to stop Bucky.
Advantage: Bucky.
"RB1 at some point in his career… maybe this year."@lindsay_rhodes & @sambruchhaus did some digging into stats that matter for RBs…
and came away real excited about Bucky Irving. pic.twitter.com/nWiMlIOgvm
— SūmerSports (@SumerSports) May 28, 2025