BY: John Mamola

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano says he wants to get the running game up to par, and wants to use running back LeGarrette Blount more in that phase.

“I think LeGarrette, we need to get him more involved” said Schiano during his Wednesday press conference carried live on 620 WDAE.  “There was the whole thing with the injury and then we weren’t sure what it was.  So it threw things into a flux a bit.”

The Buccaneers running back has been dealing with a slight groin injury suffered in the opening game against Carolina.  Blount’s reps have dropped significantly since then as first round pick Doug Martin has picked up the majority of the work. 

Through three games, the rookie Martin has carried the ball most frequently in Tampa Bay's rushing attack, 63 times compared to Blount's seven carries. But Blount is averaging a half yard more per carry than Martin.

Schiano says that Blount has shown improvements in recent weeks.

“He’s practicing very well now, he’s ready to go.  I think we’ll have a good one two punch like we envisioned early on.  That’s what my hope is.”

As to how the carries would be divided up between Martin and Blount, head coach Schiano was mum on releasing a specific number.

“It’s more of the perfect feel type thing” said Schiano.   “When it feels good when he’s in there and it feels right as he’s starts running people over and hurdling and all that stuff.  Then we bring in Doug (Martin) back and he’s fresh again, that’s the perfect world.”

Schiano went on to say that one week the split could be 50/50 and the following week could be 80/20.

Listen to head coach Schiano’s press conference below