PFF Grade Roundup: Bobby Rainey Has Best Running Back Performance in Recent History and More

Nov 17, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey (43) high fives fans after they beat the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense featured little-known waiver wire addition Bobby Rainey, who slipped tackles and burst into open space for a monstrous day on the ground. And despite Rainey’s status as a twice-released emergency backup who stepped into the spotlight against a poor Atlanta defense, he now has an accolade which will earn him respect from football nerds everywhere.

He posted the best grade for a running back in the history of Pro Football Focus.

Rainey posted a +6.9 using PFF’s grading system, thanks to breaking eight tackles to go with his 163 yards of rushing and three total touchdowns. He also chipped in positively in the passing game and as a pass blocker to help add some positive points to his gaudy grade.

Pro Football Focus hasn’t even been around handing out grades for a decade, so Rainey’s performance can’t be compared against those of Priest Holmes and Shaun Alexander from somewhat recent memory. But considering that it’s the best grade the site has given to a running back in their history speaks volumes about the way the relatively unknown backup played on Sunday.

Here are some of the other interesting facts from PFF’s grades for the game.

Offense

• Mike Glennon earned a solid +2.4 for his efforts on Sunday, which is his second positive grade of the season (the other came against the Miami Dolphins).
• Chris Owusu played more snaps than Skye Dawson at wide receiver, showing that the oft-injured Owusu is slightly preferred to the recent signing Dawson.
• A week after putting in a dominant performance, Erik Lorig had a much worse day on Sunday against Atlanta. He received a -5.0 grade with most of the negative points coming from run blocking.
• Demar Dotson posted yet another positive performance, holding onto his lead as the top-ranked right tackle in the NFL according to PFF.

Defense

• Gerald McCoy posted an insane day on defense, with six quarterback hurries, three sacks, a batted pass, and a tackle. His penalties set him back in overall grade, so focusing on the tremendous +7.9 grade he earned as a pass rusher speaks volumes to his dominance. McCoy has a lead of just under +12 grading points over the next closest defensive tackle so far this season.
• Adam Hayward played most of the snaps in place of Mason Foster when he left with a concussion.
• But the Buccaneers employed some interesting formations on defense all afternoon, as they had three corners on the field for nearly every single snap of the game. They employed three-man fronts to allow for Dekoda Watson to see the field as a pass rusher (something he did 18 times on Sunday).
• Darrelle Revis was bored yet again on Sunday, as he faced only one pass, and it was not completed. So far this season he has been targeted 37 times and allowed 19 catches for 128 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and four passes defensed. It’s safe to say he’s still Revis Island.