| The Buccaneers are well aware that RB Warrick
Dunn wasn’t himself last season, and they know just the antidote. Give him space.
In 1998, former Bucs offensive coordinator Mike Shula gave Dunn plenty of opportunities
in the open field. Dunn responded with a career-high 1,026 rushing yards (4.2-yard
average).
Last season, however, Dunn had fewer chances to utilize his speed and agility, and his
rushing total fell to 616 yards (3.2-yard average).
That won’t be the case this coming season, when the Bucs trot a more athletic
offensive line that will help create space for the diminutive Dunn. This offseason, Tampa
Bay signed C Jeff Christy and OG Randall McDaniel from the division-rival Vikings in hopes
of not just improving the team’s pass protection, but its running game as well.
Christy is one of the league’s lighter linemen, weighing in at about 285 pounds.
But he uses his size to his advantage by playing with good mobility. Christy will play a
large role in Dunn’s success, because it will be Christy leading the way toward the
outside as a pulling center, opening a lane for Dunn to burst through.
Such a play was a staple in the Vikings’ ground attack, with Christy often paving
the way for RB Robert Smith, who is also at his best when running in the open field.
McDaniel is also very adept at pulling. Despite his age (35), the veteran guard remains
one of the most athletic linemen in the game. He, too, will be a lead blocker for Dunn,
who suddenly finds himself with a nice pair of linemen to hide behind before breaking
away.
Dunn has the ability to run inside. In fact, that was a big reason head coach Tony
Dungy wanted the 5-foot-8, 180-pound "scatback" in the ’97 draft. But
it’s obvious that Dunn does his best work in space, and the Buccaneers’ coaching
staff plans on giving him just that this coming season.
Dunn, a three-time first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference running back at Florida
State, Dunn was known for his tremendous quickness, body control and balance. Sudden
bursts and double cuts were commonplace, and he showed great ability as a receiver.
None of this is to imply that Dunn’s game has changed. On the contrary. While
he’s proven to be a bit fragile in his NFL days, Dunn has shown every ounce of the
ability he flashed in college. He’s just either been used incorrectly or fallen
victim to an anemic Buccaneers offense.
That should all change in 2000. Dunn will be surrounded by a better supporting cast not
just on the field, but off it as well (out goes Shula, in comes former Titans offensive
coordinator Les Steckel). Heck, even the prized acquisition of the offseason, Keyshawn
Johnson, has been called the best downfield-blocking receiver in the game.
The stars are aligned for Dunn to take flight, and it couldn’t have come at a
better time. You see, he’ll be eligible for free agency after the season.
Cha-ching. |
