The Bucs were 0-7, and lost a lot of close games. It was time to rebuild, and the Bucs had no running game to speak of. A new back was given a shot in week 8 at home against the New Orleans Saints and he made the best of his situation. He gained 64 yards on 20 carries, but also had 50 receiving yards. He earned another start at tailback. He started week 9 at Pittsburgh, and he gained 126 yards on 42 carries. He WAS the Bucs offense; and the Bucs led 12-0 going into the 4th quarter, but lost the game. So the Bucs headed into week 10 and the Bucs finally got their win. Our featured back gained 219 yards on 31 carries, still one of the best single game Running games in history. When the Bucs need to end the game, they handed off the ball, and he got a first down and almost took it to the house. Game over, game secured.
Just like Blount’s carry last night to put him over 100 yards, James Wilder took advantage of his opportunity to start at tailback, and made the best of it with his tough running style. Lately, we’ve heard about Blount reminding people of Mike Alstott; that is because Alstott is the last tough running back the Bucs had, and he is the one everyone remembers. But if your history stretches farther back like mine does, no.32’s smooth running style comes to mind more than no.40 does.
Besides, Alstott became Alstott by catching the ball his rookie year; he didn’t run people over until the next year or so. And NO, my intent there is not racial, that is not what I mean. It’s just that the way James Wilder came onto the scene with the Bucs, LaGarrett Blount reminds me of that; a game with a few carries and some promise, to his first hundred yard performance and multi-touchdown game.
Now hopefully the Bucs won’t wear out his legs like they did #32!
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