Herron adds a little backfield depth

The Bucs signed former Northwestern University and Packers RB Noah Herron to a free-agent contract Tuesday, adding depth to a thin backfield after the loss of Earnest Graham to a severe ankle sprain Sunday (see previous posting for details).

Herron missed all of 2007 with a knee injury and hasn't played in 2008. He last saw action in 2006, when he rushed 37 times for 150 yards and caught 29 passes for 211 yards. He was among a few backs worked out by the Bucs on Tuesday.

It's not clear whose spot on the active roster Herron is taking, but the Bucs are likely to place both Graham and LB Geno Hayes on injured reserve. Hayes suffered a serious knee injury against Minnesota on Sunday, the details of which have not been revealed. He is expected to be replaced by a free agent who will provide help on special teams, Hayes' primary role.

As for Herron, it's not known where he will factor in the backfield, but the most likely scenario is that he'll be kept around in a role much like that of Michael Bennett, who played only sparingly before his release last week. Herron was a seventh-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2005 and later that year was signed by the Packers off Pittsburgh's practice squad.

Comments

[Valrico Rick]

...and the band played on!

[Jesse]

Why not sign a RB that is familiar with the system... say Michael Bennett?!?

[Jay]

Bennett is playing for San Diego - he didn't even clear waivers.

The Bucs expect their 3rd string RB's to play special teams - and play them well. Smith made the team just on that alone, just like Earnest Graham before him.

I asked in the other thread, but I found the answer - Kenneth Darby is now STARTING for St. Louis Rams, with Steven Jackson out. Wow. From buried on the depth chart and practice squad here to ok, well he's playing for a craptastic team, but he's starting. That's pretty good, and gives me hope that the Bucs have an eye for RB talent.

[hank the angry drunken dwarf]

ba ba booey!

[jeff]

BUC FANS SUCK

"That's pretty good, and gives me hope that the Bucs have an eye for RB talent."

What good is that "eye for talent" when these backs don't even play in Tampa anymore?

Or are we just a glorified farm club now?

Then again, judging from the Kool-Aid Krewe, if Gruden doesn't play you it means you are worthless. Only those He deems worthy are any good.

[Larry]

How boring is it to keep reading these nothing posts from people who don't know diddly about team mechanics? Get a life. Go root for the Bengals or Lions where you might have something to gripe about.

BUCS ARE GOIN TO BE OKAY, THEY WILL WIN THE DIVISION, AND I DONT SEE CAROLINA WINNING IT ALL. WE ARE A GUD TEAM BUT GRUDEN JUS CALLS STUPIDPLAYS AT TIMES. WE WILL BE FINE.

[Erick]

Anyone else see the analysts on NFL Network list the Bucs in their Top 5 teams, on two separate lists? Oh, let's hope. Hopefully they can keep the respect they're getting.

[Leo In Canada]

Erick, 2 National Sports Networks up here have placed the Bucs in their top 5 on many occasions this year. They vary weekly, but our boys have been in the mix regularly. The Bucs are a favorite topic because of Jeff Garcia being a huge star in the CFL previously.

[JV]

At this point in the season, it's not the personnel on the field. It's the play-calling that matters. Gruden said it best, "he has to do a better job in the Red Zone." HE'S RIGHT! He has given up on the short out routes to Jeremy Stevens, boot legs, or a pitch. If he wants to run the ball, he has get the play out of the pocket and use Clayton, Gillmore and Faine to make a BIG A** hole. I am not a Gruden hater. But, am a GRUDEN IT'S TIME TO DO BETTER.

[J]

Actually Antonio Pittman is starting in St. Louis in place of Jackson. Darby is the backup.

[DR]

Who cares about rankings/listings? The only teams that should care about that are the NCAA Division I schools. Rankings mean nothing in the NFL? Ask the Giants about rankings. Do you think they cared they were picked to lose evry week in the post season last year?

[Leo In Canada]

DR, My comments relate back to many posts concerning a lack of coverage for the Bucs. They receive their fair share up here.

[Jay]

If you're going to make a Jim Jones reference, at least get the drink right. It was grape Flavor-Aid. Not Kool Aid.

And look at the RB / FB talent this team has had over the last few years. Every single one (with the exception of Smith) is a starter or a Pro Bowler.

Mike Alstott
Warrick Dunn
Kenneth Darby
Michael Pittman
Lorenzo Neal
BJ Askew
Jameel Cook
Earnest Graham
Cadillac Williams
Thomas Jones
Clifton Smith

I'd say that's a pretty good eye for talent.

[pete]

Carolina has 2 healthy really good backs so it is in their favor to win the division at the moment. And hey guess what, Kenneth Darby is going to start for St. Louis this Sunday!

[skp]

kenneth darby is starting because the 3 halfbacks in front of him are all hurt, not because he's a great talent...just like andre hall was in denver before he got hurt again.

[DR]

Leo, my comments were towards Erick. It's good that Garcia gets the respect he deserves somewhere. These guys bashed him and wanted that turnover guy, what was his name?

[Jay]

Sorry Skp, you could say the same thing about Earnest Graham (replaced Cadillac and Pittman), Stephen Jackson (replaced Marhall Faulk), and Michael Turner (who replaced LdT).

[CW]

his name is greasey...as in greasey fingers.

Here's to hoping Heron doesn't even need to see the field! Go Caddy, Dunn and Smith!

[Russell]

I like this guy. Even if he never gets on the field, he's at least useful to protect the team hotel on the road:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,362849,00.html

[mm]

I read a story on this guy. Apparently he was a victim of a burglary while he was in his home. He unscrewed a bed post and beat the hell out of the burglar! I think him and Trueblood will form a great bond.

[STTs]

does anyone really expect herron to actually play one snap this season?
look at michael bennett gruden brought him on mid season last year only time he has really played was the preseason and don't forget what a genius gruden is he didnt think graham was worthy of playing time until there was no one left to play signing herron means absolutely nothing he will never play unless everyone else goes down and then it is questionable

[Kurt]

Herron may play special teams.

[Steve]

Herron can contribute on special teams, something Bennett never did. Secondly nobody has pointed out his size, he is 5'11 and 225 pounds. That is similar to Graham. We have no guy to pounded it when we need to gain a yard, hence BJ Askew getting the goal line touchdown. I'm not saying he is guranteed to fill that role but I'm sure that was under consideration when he was signed.

I liked Darby but as mentioned before he is essentially the 4th back who has started b/c of injuries

[skp]

"Sorry Skp, you could say the same thing about Earnest Graham (replaced Cadillac and Pittman), Stephen Jackson (replaced Marhall Faulk), and Michael Turner (who replaced LdT)."

Jay, not at all...jackson was a first-round pick, he was brought in specifically to replace faulk and did. turner and graham both got their shot with the team that drafted them - i.e. they were always considered good enough to survive the numbers game. in turner's case he was the primary backup, a player expected to get carries...graham is the closest comparison to darby

i agree with your original premise - that the bucs have a knack for finding solid RB depth (although they are still searching for an elite starter, hopefully caddy is it), but i don't think that it's appropriate to put "last man standing" darby in the same category as some of the others you mentioned who earned their status through production, like graham eventually did. is there any question that darby will be either 4th string or off the roster once stephen jackson, brian leonard, and antonio pittman are 100%?

[Wiggles]

Bruce Allen is an idiot. Noah Herron is awful. We could have signed someone like Ron Dayne who's got a lot more experience.

[Jay]

No, I'll concede that Darby isn't the superstar stud that Jackson is, but maybe Denver proved something over the years that a good RB is important, but not worth overpaying for. The talent levels are pretty much a plateau until you get to the elites like Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson and LdT - and even then you see that despite their greatness, they can only elevate a terrible team to mediocrity. The Bucs have a great young o-line, a stifling defense, a decent corps of receivers, and a pretty good QB, so while none of the RB's are considered spectacular, they'll do well in the system.

[Itch]

Herron - knee injury and no proven ability to be a true performer.

Bennett - No injury and proven ability to be a performer.

This is one of the stupidest series of moves I have seen Allen/Gruden perform.

Herron does not know Gruden's convoluded offense and it will take a year to do so. Bennet had already been seasoned in the five real plays that are wrapped up in 5,000 BS shifts and disguises. This makes no sense at all.

Lets pray for Dunn, Smith to stay healthy and a miracle cure for Caddy.

Mike Alstott - Not brought in by Gruden
Warrick Dunn - FA, best years not under Gruden
Kenneth Darby - Cut
Michael Pittman - Underused, now in Denver
Lorenzo Neal - One season, long before Gruden
BJ Askew - Wow, a Gruden signee
Jameel Cook - Cut before
Earnest Graham - Took how many years to "recognize" the talent?
Cadillac Williams - Bust in the making
Thomas Jones - Let go in FA
Clifton Smith - Severe fumbilitis, the kind Alstott "supposedly" had but hey, this is a Gruden kid (even though he's been cut before)

Yeah, Guru and Bruce sure do have an eye for talent. Nice list LOL

[Brian]

Stephen, like your posts..have we ever received a full or straight answer on why Bennet was released? Thanks

[Pat]

They wouldn't pick up a Ron Dayne or Najah Davenport due to their salaries being guaranteed if they get released after we no longer need them (ie one game or two). This is due to their time/tenure in the NFL. That's why they pick up a no-namer Herron who has only been around two or three years. If we dump him after a game, only the time spent here gets paid.

[Kevin]

Bring Mike Alldrop back!!

[jrscott]

the most likely scenario is that he'll be kept around in a role much like that of Michael Bennett
========================
i.e. Pine Rider. Bench Warmer. Towel Boy.

[Itch]

Kevin you are an idiot.