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Five Issues to Watch in the Buccaneers’ Third Preseason Game

By Alan Schechter

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter (left) and defensive end Noah Spence (57) talk as they work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) hands off to running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) hands off to running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Game

As Bailey Adams pointed out, the running game did improve against the Jaguars.  They did up their number to 158 yards and 3.6 yards per carry.  However, it simply has not been good enough.  So far in the preseason, they have averaged 2.9 yards per rush.  That is nowhere near good enough for a team that coach Koetter dubbed a “run-first” team.

Doug Martin did not play in the second game, but in the first, he only averaged 2.6 yards per carry on five attempts.  Charles Sims was a little bit better in his first action against the Jaguars, averaging four yards per carry against the Jaguars.  The offensive line hasn’t gotten a great push, granted, but the running backs have not had a burst either.

Peyton Barber is the team’s leading rusher, and he has only averaged 2.8 yards per carry.  Let’s get it going.

Next: Wide Receiver Depth

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