The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up for their showdown with the Detroit Lions. The Pewter Pirates have looked solid in nearly every facet of the game, aside from one, the running game.
Running back Rachaad White has been pedestrian in averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Veteran Chase Edmonds is injured. Rookie Sean Tucker has been a bit of a letdown. And finally Ke’Shawn Vaughn has been, well, nonexistent. So what can the Buccaneers do to fix this problem?
CBS Sports recently dropped a list of potential candidates to trade for Tennessee Titans’ running back Derrick Henry. And guess who was one of the team’s listed? Your Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Titans are struggling this season with a 2-3 record and at the bottom of the AFC South. So there’s definitely consideration they may move some players. Henry isn’t exactly a young back at 29 years of age.
Cody Benjamin on Henry and the Titans,
“Henry’s long been the heart and soul of the Titans’ old-school offense, but he’s pricey, aging for the position (30 in January), and already averaged fewer than four yards per carry in three of Tennessee’s five games so far. On an expiring deal, with the much speedier Tyjae Spears in tow as a playmaker of the future, there’s little reason for the Titans not to auction such a well-worn back, regardless of his resume. The challenge, of course, is realizing their playoff window is finally, truly closed.”
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Obviously adding Henry would help the Bucs running game, but how much and at what cost? The Titans aren’t going to give him away, he’s still Derrick Freaking Henry.
The Buccaneers have struggled to run the ball and need an infusion of talent at the position. That said, Henry isn’t getting any younger and would likely need a contract extension. Considering the Bucs have several contract extension to consider this offseason, adding another doesn’t make sense.