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Justin Evans Jersey ,1commentHere are some highlights from the running back group that the Buccaneers may be interested inESTShareTweetShareShareCombine Recap: Running BacksBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be in the market for a running back to help boost a struggling part of the offense. Here are some highlights from the running backs at the Scouting Combine that the Buccaneers may have some interest in.Myles GaskinKey Stat: 4.58 40-Yard DashHere’s the thing about his 40 - it was good, but his initial burst wasn’t great. It was around 1.5 seconds for the first ten years which means he doesn’t have a great get off but gets faster and stronger the longer he runs. That could be beneficial if he’s used as more of the “power” back, but not great in the sense that he’s not going be explosive at the line of scrimmage. Devin SingletaryKey Stat: 4.66 40-Yard DashSo Singletary, when at the podium Thursday, wanted to remind everyone about how he’s the same size as Barry Sanders. He said it numerous times. However, he doesn’t move like Barry Sanders. A disappointing 40 time could see Singletary drop a bit, which is beneficial to the Bucs if they’re looking to score running back help in the mid to late rounds. No doubt Singletary is quick on his cuts and shifty, but not a breakaway speed kind of guy. But then again, a breakaway speed guy isn’t exactly what the Bucs need...Josh JacobsKey Stat: DNPJacobs didn’t participate in any of the drills due to a tweaked groin, but he’s still a name to keep an eye on. No, I don’t believe the Buccaneers would take him at number five, but if they are able to trade back an accumulate some picks, you could see them move back up to snag Jacobs if the groin injury causes him to slip. He’s been linked to the Bucs by numerous analysts already including Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah, but the fifth pick is just too rich. That doesn’t mean the Bucs won’t have a shot at arguably the best back in the draft.Elijah HolyfieldKey Stat: 4.79 40-Yard DashHolyfield definitely didn’t impress in the 40, running a 4.79. However, that may not be a huge issue for the Buccaneers as they have a speed guy in Ronald Jones that Arians has stated he’s very excited to work with.Miles SandersKey Stat: 124.0 inch Broad JumpAlthough it wasn’t the highest, 124 inches for the broad jump places Sanders in the top five. The lower body explosion is key due to the strength a running back has to posses in his lower body. This kind of strength allows backs to power through tackles and gain those tough few yards in goal line situations. Sanders has some deficiencies but he’s a powerful runner that can be had in the mid rounds, allowing the Bucs a nice duo with Jones.Overall, the running back class is somewhat underwhelming, but there are some nice backs that can become full time guys with the proper development. If Arians and his staff are going to continue to work with Jones, bringing in a guy that can share time with a different style of running can help the offense immensely - especially if that player is the type that can pound the ball in those goal-to-go situations where the Bucs have had trouble in the recent past. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got after Cam Newton all game long, sacking the Carolina star four times and intercepting four of his passes.“The ‘D’ was fantastic,” coach Dirk Koetter said after Sunday’s 24-17 victory over the reeling Panthers.Truth is
Chris Godwin Jersey , though, the Bucs go as Jameis Winston does.The fourth-year pro delivered another strong performance in his second start since regaining the starting quarterback job, outplaying Newton and fueling hope for a season-ending turnaround.Winston threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, Andrew Adams had three of the defense’s takeaways, and Tampa Bay (5-7) suddenly has its first winning streak since starting the year 2-0.“Jameis’ production when we don’t turn the ball over — when he doesn’t turn the ball over — is always going to be there,” Koetter said.“Jameis is a fantastic player, and sometimes that gets negated by turnovers,” Koetter added. “You could see the last two weeks when we don’t turn the ball over we’re a lot harder to beat.”Winston completed 20 of 30 passes, following up on a turnover-free outing during the previous week’s 27-9 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He also led the Bucs in rushing with 48 yards on five attempts.“I thought Jameis hurt us big time with his mobility, tucking the ball and running a couple times and converting some early first downs for them. That kept us off-balance,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “A couple times he got outside. And when he did, he was able to find the receivers open.”Meanwhile, Adams led a spirited defensive effort against Newton, who came into the game feeling he’s been playing the best football of his career this season, even though the Panthers (6-6) have lost four straight after a 6-2 start.“I take this one personally. I just have to play better, that’s what it comes down to,” Newton said.“As a signal-caller, as a quarterback, it’s hard to point blame when you’ve got to account for yourself in the mirror,” Newton added. “And when I look back at this game, it really comes down to myself protecting the football. … You can’t just keep throwing the ball up for grabs. I’m a better player than that, and I know that.”Winston threw TD passes of 3 yards to Adam Humphries and 13 yards to Chris Godwin in the first half, moving the No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft ahead of Josh Freeman as Tampa Bay’s career touchdown pass leader with 81.Newton completed 28 of 41 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns
Mike Edwards Jersey , an 8-yarder to Christian McCaffrey in the first half and a 10-yarder to Devin Funchess that finished a 92-yard drive and trimmed a 14-point deficit to 24-17 late in the third period.Tampa Bay couldn’t put anything together offensively to put the game away after that, and Carolina’s chances of getting closer were thwarted by two fourth-quarter interceptions.“We gave ourselves a chance at the end of the game, but you’ve got to make some plays earlier so it doesn’t come down to that,” Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly said. “We did some good things, but obviously we didn’t do enough.”A week after setting a Carolina franchise record with 237 total yards from scrimmage during a 30-27 home loss to Seattle, McCaffrey rushed for 106 yards on 10 carries and had nine receptions for 55 yards.Godwin, starting in place of the injured DeSean Jackson, finished with five catches for 101 yards.STREAK STILL ALIVENewton has thrown at least two TD passes in 11 straight games, extending his franchise record. In addition to being sacked four times, the Bucs hit him as he delivered the ball on his past two interceptions.Rivera said the quarterback was “a little sore” by the end of the day.“We’ll see what the doctor has to say,” the coach said. “For the most part we’ve been able to get through it, but he got really sore at the end of this game.”TAKEAWAYSThe Bucs went seven consecutive games without forcing a turnover before creating six takeaways — all interceptions — the past two games.That’s after only having one interception in the first 10 games of the season.The first two picks Sunday led to a field goal and Winston’s TD pass to Godwin.INJURIESPanthers: TE Greg Olsen limped off after re-injuring his right foot in the second quarter and did not return. … G Trai Turner also left in the first half with a neck injury.It’s Olsen’s third injury to the same foot. He missed nine games last season with a broken foot, had surgery and returned to play. He re-broke it this year, did not have surgery and came back quickly.“Today, my foot just kind of had enough, kind of ruptured on me,” Olsen said. “I’ve been able to manage it since I came back (from surgery). But today it popped pretty good on me.”Buccaneers: Played without three starters, Jackson (thumb), CB Brent Grimes (knee) and T Demar Dotson (knee/hamstring). … S Justin Evans (toe) left in second quarter and did not return. … S Isaiah Johnson was evaluated during the second half for a concussion and did not return.UP NEXTPanthers: at Cleveland, their fourth road game in five weeks.Buccaneers: vs. New Orleans, finishing stretch of three consecutive home games.