Blount could end up with a 1,000 yard season

It’s the one benchmark that is sure to go bye-bye for good if the NFL really does go to an 18 game regular season schedule; the 1,000 yard season. To be real, it lost a little bit of it’s luster in 1978 when the NFL went from a 14 game season to a 16 like it currently is. To get 1,000 yards, a back had to average 71.5 yards per game. Doesn’t sound like much, but still a 1,000 yard back is still considered to be a good back. In an 18 game season, you would only need to gain 55 yards a game, so a landmark will be removed from consideration, and hopefully some good astericks will be placed next to the greats who managed to accomplish the feat before. Fast Forward now to LeGarrett Blount, who did not start running the ball until week 6 when he had 11 carries for 62 yards. Week 6! Now he sits 224 yards away, a long shot no doubt, from passing the still important milestone that would be an even bigger feat considering when he started to get the rock. Blount got his first carry against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 3, and impressed coaches and fans alike with his ‘Alstottish’ “BOOM, BAM, BIFF!” style of running. With his first real action in week 6, he didn’t wait long to have his first 100 yard game; he got it the very next week on the road against the Cardinals. The very act of getting a 100 yard effort on the road is herculean by any Buccaneer team. Blount was bottled up by Atlanta and Baltimore on the road only half way to the century mark in each, sandwiched in between were a couple of near efforts. But our newest running sensation has produced 100 yard efforts in two of the last three weeks, and up next are the 6-8 Seahawks, and then a road game at New Orleans that could end up being a pivotal contest for playoff rights. Anyway you look at it, the Bucs have found their answer at running back for the next few years. LeGarrett Blount has good hands too, only coughing up the ball twice, once on a nice strip from behind by star Corner DeAngelo Hall, and the other time when he was hit so hard he lost feeling in his arms! There may be issues with his hitting holes in short yardage situations, but those are details that can get worked out in the offseason. Remember, Cadillac Williams was a liability on third downs because he couldn’t catch the ball. Now he is the third down specialist. NOTE: Check back today around 4 pm for a bonus article on the Bucs rushing attack, a look at Bucs stats, and an answer to the question, are Stats really for losers? You can decide for yourself. Also, the answer to this question: Who is a better rushing team, Pittsburgh or Tampa Bay?

Click Here to Watch the Video FULL size PLAYOFF UPDATE: The Bucs are still alive in the playoff race, despite the fact they hurt themselves with the loss to Detroit. The best chance the Bucs have of getting in is cutting out the Saints, and its the only option where they have the chance to take care of business themselves. This weekend, Atlanta hosts New Orleans, and both teams are still fighting with reasons to play. Matt Ryan has only lost one game at home, so it looks like New Orleans will lose two games in a row. The Bucs should be able to handle a road weary Seahawks team, which would set up a virtual playoff game in the SuperDome; Tampa Bay at New Orleans. The winner goes to the playoffs, because the Bucs would have common games advantage over the Saints who lost to Cleveland and Arizona this year while the Bucs beat them. Another way in is via the Giants spot; if NY loses to Green Bay, and to Washington (both games on the road) and the Bucs win their final two, they can get in.