Bucky Irving “Has Work To Do” To Fit In “Explosive” Bucs Offense

Throughout the offseason, Pewter Report has chronicled Bucs running back Bucky Irving’s first NFL training camp after he was taken by the team in the fourth round. Irving has showcased the skillset that led to some high-end production at Oregon and which has earned him the No. 2 running back spot heading into the regular season.

In the preseason, he had 18 carries for 80 rushing yards and a touchdown, a 4.4 yards-per-carry average. Despite being efficient as a runner each game, he wants to continue improving as a player to fit in a revamped Tampa Bay offense.

Bucky Irving Is “Locking In” On The Details And Mastering The Bucs’ Playbook

Bucs OC Liam Coen and RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Corey Perrine/USA Today

Since being taken in late April, Bucky Irving and the rest of the Bucs’ 2024 draft picks have had four months to get adjusted. During that time, Irving has grown as an NFL running back in understanding the differences at the next level. Although he wants to be fast and explosive on the field, he first has to analyze it off the field.

“I’d probably say the details, and mastering my playbook so that the game can slow down for me,” Irving said. “The game moved pretty fast when I first got here. My mind was spinning everywhere, but for me, I’m just locking in my playbook and understanding why [we’re] calling things, and things like that. Overall, just letting the game slow down for me.”

The difference in game speed is something the rookie running back further discussed.

“The game speed right now is pretty fast,” Irving added. “Guys really [know] what they’re doing, and guys are being in the right gap [and] guys filling in the right gap and things like that. There’s not a lot of guys misfitting things out there on defense, so I would probably say it from that standpoint.”

Bucky Irving: “My Game Is Not Where I Really Want It To Be”

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and WR Ryan Miller – Photo by: USA Today

As Bucky Irving continues to acclimate himself to the league and the Bucs’ offense, he has liked what he has seen from the guys around him. With offensive coordinator Liam Coen calling the shots, there are plenty of players ready to ball out.

“I feel like this offense is explosive,” Irving said. “We [have] a lot of guys that can make plays in a variety of different ways. From the wide receivers, from the running back room, quarterback, the guys out front blocking, protecting…I mean, we’re going to be a very explosive offense.”

Still, that does not mean he thinks that he is there – just yet.

“No, I still got work to do,” Irving said when asked if he accomplished what he wanted to this preseason. “I got a lot of runs that I could have probably got more yards and things like that. Pretty much setting it up a little bit more, just detailing more things that I can be better at.”

After the team selected him, Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek spoke about why Irving has “a lot of qualities that we look for in a running back.” With the team placing more emphasis on bringing in high-character players, it seems they have found another as Irving recognizes he can get better and hone in on the finer points of his game.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

“I feel like my game is not where I really want it to be,” Irving said. “There is always room for improvement. I feel like nobody has the mindset of ‘it can’t get better,’ I feel like there is always room to get better in many different ways.”

At the end of the day, Bucky Irving is thankful to be a Buccaneer.

As he heads into 2024 as a complement to starting running back Rachaad White, he appreciates the trust placed in him and wants to be everything the team hoped for when they drafted him.

“I always thank my guys – they could’ve picked any other running back, and they put their trust in me in coming here and [they] hold me to a high standard,” Irving said. “Everything that they heard from going through the draft process…I just want to be that guy that I showed them on tape, and to come over here and showcase my talents.”