Buccaneers: Game day spotlight vs. Bears – Jacquizz Rodgers
By James Yarcho
As the Buccaneers prepare to take on the Chicago Bears, this week’s spotlight will be placed on running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
How do you stop the lone two weapons on the Chicago Bears? Control the time of possession and ruin their game script, right? In order to control the time of possession, the Buccaneers have to run the ball.
Enter Jacquizz Rodgers.
Rodgers filled in well for Doug Martin last season, racking up 560 yards on 129 carries in 2016, good for 4.3 yards per carry. That’ll certainly do here in these next few weeks while we await the return of Martin.
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Running early and often, establishing that ground attack will not only allow the Bucs to control the tempo of the game, but it will open up the passing game – especially that deep ball to DeSean Jackson.
The game day temperatures are going to reach the 90’s, which is a huge disadvantage to the Bears. Getting Quizz going means long, extended drives and keeping the Bears’ defense out on that field, in that heat, getting worn down. That means sooner than later they’re going to be spent and the Bucs will run away with things.
Love him or hate him, Quizz is the Bucs’ starting running back for the next three weeks. Yes, Peyton Barber will get his carries and Charles Sims will catch some dump-offs and hopefully not have any carries between the tackles, but Jacquizz is going to carry the load for the Buccaneers in the next three games.
He has two 100-yard games under his belt with the Bucs, so it’s not out of the question for Koetter to trust him in that role and see him hit over 100 yards again in the first three weeks.
Next: Everything You Need To Know Before Bucs Kickoff
Who is your game day spotlight on? Which Buccaneers are going to break out in the first game and set the tone for the season? Let us know in the comment section below!