How Important Is The Running Game?

Looking back at last years season we can take away a couple things, the defense was terrible and the bucs would win games when they would run the ball. Tampa was almost forced to run the ball because they had a rookie at QB but if you look at the game stats a lot can be seen.

Doug Martin rushed the ball 20 times in 6 games last year and the bucs won 5 of those games. Many will say we fell behind so fast so we had to pass the ball and abandon the run but I disagree. The best way to control a game is by controlling the clock. If you can chew time off the clock by running the ball that means less possessions for high powered offenses like the Saints, Falcons and Panthers. By abandoning the run so early and having 3 straight incompletions and punting the ball back to the opposition leads to more chances to get pummeled.

Koetter is a smart offensive mind and I'm sure he noticed the same thing. Martin was paid handsomely this offseason and deserves the 20+ carries a game. The offense will only run more efficiently with a strong running game as defenders will play in and give away the big gainer over the top. Let's take the old ball coaches advice (Gruden) and pound that rock!