Buccaneers coach nips concern in the bud regarding new draft pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a number of new faces to their roster over the last two weeks with the selection of 7 players in the 2024 NFL Draft and the signings of several more undrafted free agents. 

Among the new additions is Oregon RB Bucky Irving, who the Buccaneers selected in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick. He should be the frontrunner to form a one-two punch in the Bucs' backfield with incumbent starter Rachaad White. 

However, there has been concerns by some regarding his speed, which was mentioned by a reporter to Bucs RB coach Skip Peete on Monday.  Peete noted why straight-line track speed isn't always a telling factor on the football field.

"Well, they're the 40 time and then there's football game speed," Peete said.  "I think when you watch him play, I think he's quick enough to get away from problems and issues, has the ability to accelerate the crease and get through to the second and third level. So, I think that's the most important thing. Some of the greatest running backs aren't the fastest. I mean, I know Emmitt [Smith] wasn't four four, four three. I don't think Barry [Sanders] was a four three guy. I've coached some four three guys, but those guys are pretty good runners. Four five.  DeMarco Murray wasn't a four three guy. Marion Barber wasn't four three. Todd Gurley was about four three before he got hurt though."

Irving didn't have the greatest combine in Indianapolis back in March.  He posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.55 seconds.  He also turned in a 29.5-inch vertical jump and 9-foot 7-inch broad jump.  His athleticism score was listed by NFL.com as 24th among running back prospects. 

However, the production was there from Irving on Saturdays, who earned second-team All-PAC 12 honors last year with the Ducks.  He ran for 1180 yards at a healthy 6.3 yards per carry and tied the team lead with 11 touchdowns.  He also was a significant part of the Ducks' passing game, with 56 catches for 413 yards and two more scores.  

It's not as much the straight-line speed on a track, but the burst Irving hits the hole with that is impressive, per Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen. 

"The nice thing I like about Bucky is he gets to his top speeds early.  Like when he accepts the handoff, he bursts and accelerates through the hole, and can make people miss in space."

Irving will get his chance soon enough to start showing that the combine was an outlier for his football career, as the Bucs' rookie minicamp takes place from May 10-12.