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Buccaneers bolster backfield with versatile Giovani Bernard

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 06: Running back Giovani Bernard #25 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 06: Running back Giovani Bernard #25 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Bruce Arians likes a pass-catching threat out of the backfield and the Buccaneers got a good one in veteran Giovani Bernard.

The defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter 2021 with an eight-game overall winning streak. The club now also has a new toy for seven-time NFL title holder Tom Brady. Via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Buccaneers are signing former Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Giovani Bernard to a one-year deal. The 2013 second-round pick from the University of North Carolina was released by the club last week.

Bucs’ head coach Bruce Arians has made it known his affinity for running backs that can catch and pass block as well as tote the rock. And it’s safe to say that Brady has taken advantage of sure-handed talent out of the backfield during his career. From Kevin Faulk to James White, the 21-year veteran has utilized the underneath passing game to near perfection.

In 2020, running back Leonard Fournette ranked fifth on the team with 36 catches. But he totaled only 233 receiving yards (6.5 average) and didn’t reach the end zone. Interestingly enough, Fournette actually led Arians’ team in receptions during the club’s four-game postseason run. But his 18 grabs resulted in only 148 yards (8.3 average) and one score. White put up some big numbers with Brady when they played together but he opted to re-sign with the Patriots this offseason.

Back to Bernard. In eight seasons in the Queen City, he rolled up 6,564 yards from scrimmage and 33 touchdowns. He caught at least 30 passes in each of those campaigns and his regular-season pass-catching resume reads 342 receptions for 2,867 yards and 11 scores.

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All told, it’s a solid move by Buccaneers’ general manager Jason Licht and the defending Super Bowl champions. It gives Tom Brady another proven weapon who has some postseason experience. As the saying somewhat goes, the rich always seem to get richer. And a team looking to become the first NFL titleholder to defend its championship since Brady and the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004 has not only retained the bulk of its talent from a year ago (including all 22 Super Bowl LV starters) but many have just gotten better out of the backfield.

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