The Buccaneers may be happy with the running back position after all.
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Since the season came to a close we have discussed the Buccaneers running back situation at length. The Doug Martin situation is fluid, at best. No decision has been made as of yet, but many believe he will be gone.
We don’t know what Charles Sims is going to look like, and we know that Jacquizz Rodgers is back for another season. However, the conventional wisdom has been that the Bucs aren’t done. Dalvin Cook is a name that has been tied to the Bucs quite a bit. Cook is even interested in reuniting with Jameis Winston.
But, what if Jason Licht already feels comfortable with the running back room? What if he feels that the Buccaneers are all set? It certainly would change things with the draft right around the corner.
Take a look at Licht’s thoughts on the backs, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times:
"“We’ll continue to monitor (Martin). We don’t have to make a decision right now,” Licht said. “I will say this: We really like Jacquizz. We’re glad we got him back. Charles Sims unfortunately had injuries last year, but we still like Charles as a playmaker, especially catching the ball, as a receiving threat. Peyton Barber‘s one to watch. Peyton Barber was a productive back in college. Last year, particularly the San Fran game, he had a couple of opportunities and made the best of them. He’s still a young guy, was a junior that came out, and he still has an upside. It may not be as grim as a lot of people and the perception is. We’re actually very excited about that group that I just mentioned, but you never know.”"
What if this isn’t posturing? Think about it, most of the league runs a committee system at running back. The number of bell-cow running backs are few and far between. Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims, and Peyton Barber are capable backs, whether or not Doug Martin returns. They could make maybe a small move with the intend of this already being the top of the depth chart.
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Or, Licht could be just hiding his cards, preparing to make a big move at the running back position. We don’t know, but it is interesting to speculate that we could have been all wrong about the plans from the start.