Hiring Skip Peete as new Running Backs coach
It was more than just moves on the field that the Buccaneers made this offseason. While the team added some potential impact players, it also made some key moves on the sideline as well.
The headline hire was Dave Canales to replace Byron Leftwich as offensive coordinator. He comes over from a Seattle Seahawks system that has experienced sustained success over the last decade-plus, and the Bucs are hoping he can bring some of that culture to Tampa Bay.
It's one of Canales' hires we want to focus on.
Skip Peete was hired to be the new running backs coach. It was a quiet hire that has the potential to be the loudest move the team made all offseason. He comes over from the Dallas Cowboys, where he coached Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to be the best running back duo in the league.
That's the sales pitch: the coach of the best running back duo in the NFL comes to fix the league's most embarrassing run game.
It's a low bar for Peete to clear, but the long term impact could be huge. Rachaad White is assuming RB1 duties this year and poised for a breakout season. Chase Edmonds signed in free agency and brings a veteran presence to the running backs room. Ke'Shawn Vaughn is still here as well, and has incentive to boost his stock in a contract year.
All of this combines to create a situation where one of the absolute worst rushing attacks last season becomes one of the league's very finest. Peete could develop White into a star back for the Bucs as well as partner with Canales to completely flip the offense around.
Lest we forget how the Seahawks liked to collect running backs like rare coins but deploy them to great effect. Take that from Canales and merge it with what Peete brings to the table and all of a sudden the Bucs are cooking.