Bucs Review: Running Backs/ Full Backs

The next position group that I’m going to discuss in my Bucs Review is the Running Backs, including the Full Backs.

This is an interesting group because extreme decisions are going to have to be made, mainly to the back up positions.

Here is what the Buccaneers running back and full back situation looks like as of right now.

Running Backs
1) Legarrette Blount
2) Carnell “Cadillac” Williams
3) Allen Bradford
4)  Kregg Lumpkin

Full Backs
1) Earnest Graham
2) Erick Lorig

The starting running back will be without question, Legarrette Blount. Rushing for over 1000 yards in less than 10 starts is an amazing feat, on top of his 5 yds per carry, which is the most impressive stat. Blount de-throned Williams midway through the season and looks to be the next elite big back in the NFL.

The back up to Blount is when it starts getting messy. Cadillac Williams, is a free agent and it is still unclear as to whether he will be brought back or not. If Williams is resigned, it will be as a role player that is used on 3rd down and obvious passing situations, and I am not sure if Williams will want to be a backup, regardless of his team first mentality. As a starter in 2010, Williams averaged maybe 2.0 yards per carry and had seemed to have lost the acceleration he had shown when hitting the hole in his prime before the surgeries to his patella’s. In my opinion, Cadillac is no longer an NFL starting caliber running back.

Williams proved to be much better as a third down back, making an impact when catching the ball out of the backfield and as Freeman’s personal protector. If the price is right, I could see the Bucs being happy to bring Williams back and allow him to be third down back. 

If Williams is not resigned, the Bucs may turn to rookie, Allen Bradford, or the versatile veteran, Earnest Graham. I don’t see Lumpkin beating out either Graham or Bradford, and if Willliams is resigned, Lumpkin will become expendable.

Graham is great at catching the ball out of the backfield, breaking tackles, and pass blocking. The problem is that Graham has been prone to injuries the last couple of seasons and has already crossed into the dead zone for running backs, being over 30 years of age (31). Graham also serves as the teams starting full back. He really can do it all, but it may not be for that much longer if injuries continue to be an issue. However, the Bucs have equipped themselves with capable backups such as second year player and former defensive end, Erick Lorig.

Lorig serves as more of a blocking threat than a running threat, but at 6’4” 275 lbs, I would have to say that he brings significant size to the position. Having Lorig at fullback gives the Bucs another big body for their north-south rushing attack. The vision of the Bucs, is to use big backs like Blount and Bradford to wear down defenses. Both Blount and Bradford weigh over 240, have deceptive speed, and will run people over all day long. If Graham goes down, or is forced to play the role of the third down back until Bradford gets up to speed, the Bucs will have Lorig waiting to play. 

Speaking of Bradford, I wouldn’t be surprised if he played some full back if the Bucs do lose Graham to injuries. The Bucs are wanting to utilize the full back more than just as a blocker, and it could be possible to see Allen Bradford used at the position. Bradford was underused at USC and brings a unique toughness that I credit him having from playing line backer before he was converted to running back at USC. Like Graham, Bradford isnt afraid to stick his nose into traffic and stick someone. 

Bradford may be asked to do the same thing that Graham does and play both running back, full back, and will mainly contribute on special teams. Bradford is bigger and faster then Graham, and would give the Bucs an interesting weapon to work with and would possibly allow the Bucs to carry an extra player at a different position. I see Bradford playing more running back and splitting carries with Blount, but I wont be surprised if he ends up playing some full back too.

Overall, the Bucs are pretty set at running back. There are questions surrounding Williams’ future with the team and concerns of Graham staying healthy, but even if the Bucs happen to lose both either via free agency or to injuries, they should be pretty set with Lorig and Bradford to call upon.