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Running Out Of Options

By MARTIN FENNELLY

Published: Oct 9, 2007

Groundhog Day.

It was a Monday like last Monday, with the possible exception of the carpet beating at Indianapolis. Another Bucs runner has succumbed. This week's unlucky contestant is Michael Pittman. Three-and-two doesn't feel like 3-2 anymore.

Wait a second! Bucs linebacker Barrett Rudd was a runner in high school.

"I set a Nebraska record for touchdowns," said the former fullback from Southeast High in Lincoln. Bucs coach Jon Gruden even talked to Ruud in training camp about some goal-line fullback. We think it was the heat.

Ruud smiled and said he's available.

It's so bad Gruden would be using Mike Alstott if he wasn't hurt, too.

"It's a hard situation at this point," Gruden said.

It will get harder.

Enough Strings For A Noose

The Bucs play Tennessee on Sunday and the Titans don't like giving up rushing yards as it is. The Bucs will trot out Earnest Graham and Kenneth Darby. That's the first and second string. Just enough strings for a noose.

That's why all living running backs are in play for the Bucs, and why Dr. Gruden and his assistant, Igor Allen, also will be searching medical schools for cadavers. Maybe the Bucs finally get lucky, knock on wood, or Tiki.

"We've got a guy on our team who has a brother who's a good back," Gruden said with a grin. "I've got Barry Sanders' number in my pocket."

Corey Dillon appears happily retired. Ricky Williams can still run - and he can still smoke. San Diego's Michael Turner? Not likely.

Trades like that don't really happen anymore.

"We're going to go for it," Gruden said of the search. "Going for it, you still have to have someone who's a willing partner. Sometimes that's easier said than done."

The NFC South is extremely winnable. The Falcons are Vick-less, the Saints have sinned great sins and the 3-2 Panthers are without Jake Delhomme.

The Bucs need a solution. They need bodies. They need them so badly you wonder why Pittman wasn't placed on injured reserve.

The Bucs also have 112 quarterbacks - 113 if you count Tree Boy Jake Plummer. Everyone out there needs a quarterback, right?

Gruden would doubtless spend a first-day draft pick on instant relief. He didn't bring Jeff Garcia here to rebuild. Why stop at running back?

But everyone wants running backs. Everyone knows the Bucs are desperate.

And none of us knows if the Glazers would mortgage any more future in the name of Gruden and 9-7. This might be the time for it, but they might not bite. If you think the Glazers aren't a factor, ask yourself why Chris Simms is still a Buc.

Stay Loose, Kid

Then there's the very real question of what impact any running back could have in the near future.

They'd have to learn Gruden's system, and while it's not the Manhattan project, it isn't paint-by-number, either.

"It takes time," Gruden said. "That's why you have minicamps and training camps and offseason programs."

"We've got a lot of plays and protections for a guy to come in and learn in a short time," Graham said.

The Bucs could be 3-5 before you know it. To review: The Bucs have beaten the 0-4 Saints, the 0-5 Rams and the 3-2 Panthers, the 3-2 Panthers having beaten the 0-4 Saints, the 0-5 Rams and the 1-4 Falcons.

Earnest Graham expects to have company. But there's no guarantee the help will be enough or in time. Jeff Garcia ought to limber up and Gruden should ask Ronde Barber for tickets to Tiki on the "Today" show.

And Barrett Ruud?

Stay loose, kid.