The Pewter Plank
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5 reasons to be pessimistic about the Buccaneers in 2019

By Cory Kinnan

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 28: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks on the sideline during the fourth quarter after being benched in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Tampa Bay 37-34. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 28: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks on the sideline during the fourth quarter after being benched in the third quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Tampa Bay 37-34. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a kick during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a kick during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The stubborn commitment to the running backs

In addition to the Buccaneers making no moves to improve the offensive line, the team also took the same running backs that did not manage to average four yards per carry and decided to run it back. While it cannot get much worse on the ground than it did a year ago, how are we to expect a much different outcome with just a chance in blocking scheme up front?

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Ronald Jones had one of the worst rookie seasons ever for a top 40 pick, averaging less than three yards per carry with just one score and less than 50 yards rushing. Peyton Barber, while nearing 1,000 yards a year ago, did not put up more than four yards per carry.

The only moves made at the running back position were adding a veteran running back who was out of football a year ago and an undrafted free agent from an FCS school. While third year back Dare Ogunbowale has stepped up this preseason, he has still averaged less than four yards per carry thus far.

One of the main reasons for Winston’s struggles a year ago was because he had to throw the ball too many times due to playing from behind and an ineffective rushing attack. With the same offensive line, running backs, and quarterback, how are things expected to be much different in 2019?

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