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Bucs plan a more aggressive running game

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 17, 2009

TAMPA - Regardless of who wins the quarterback battle for the Bucs this fall, Tampa Bay's offensive philosophy appears set.

Run the football.

New offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski is committed to a run-oriented attack, whether rookie Josh Freeman, Luke McCown or Byron Leftwich starts under center Sept. 13 when the Cowboys visit Raymond James Stadium in the regular-season opener.

"We will be a successful team running the ball – I promise you that,'' said Jagodzinksi, who improved Green Bay's ground game from 30th to 23rd in 2006 when he became offensive coordinator of the Packers. "That's one of my strong suits, my knowledge of the running game.''

In Jon Gruden's seven-year tenure as head coach, the Bucs never ran the ball on more than 46 percent of their snaps in a season, usually finishing below the league average of rushing attempts.

Jagodzinski is convinced Tampa Bay has the offensive line and running backs to forge a powerful ground game. That's good news for new head coach Raheem Morris, who vows the 2009 Bucs will force their will on opponents.

"When you talk about the violent football teams, the physical football teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, you think about downhill running and people smashing you,'' Morris said. "When you talk about violent teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, you talk about people running the ball downhill. We want to become those guys.''

Jagodzinski envisions a power running game, with Earnest Graham and newly acquired Derrick Ward breaking tackles and rarely losing yardage in the backfield. If Cadillac Williams recovers from yet another major knee injury, he will add fresh legs. Speedy Clifton Smith, who made the Pro Bowl last year as a return specialist, will also receive some touches in Jagodzinski's scheme.

"We are going to be a one-cut, downhill, physical football team,'' said the former Boston College coach. "I feel very, very fortunate about the type of line that we have here. I think that's one of our strengths. If you have a strong running game, you're going to have eight up in the box and you're going to have your opportunities to take some shots.''

At Buccaneer FanFest last month, Jagodzinski said the Bucs plan to be very aggressive through the air in the red zone, settling for field goals only as a last resort.

Tampa Bay threw only 18 touchdown passes last season and ranked 30th in red-zone offense, scoring touchdowns on just 22 of its 56 opportunities inside the 20.

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