Running back Kregg Lumpkin had one measly rushing attempt for Tampa Bay in 2010. That one run, for a grand total of zero yards, was hardly enough to draw conclusions from.
But Lumpkin got a bigger dose of action Friday night in the Bucs' preseason opener against the Chiefs, giving his coaches reason to think he could be their solution as a third-down and change-of-pace back behind starting RB LeGarrette Blount.
Lumpkin carried six times for 24 yards and caught two passes for 10. But bigger than his numbers was the skills he showed. He displayed the ability to make tacklers miss and change directions, and showed soft hands as a receiver out of the backfield.
Blount, who desires to play on third down this season, didn't get much of a chance to do so.
Fantasy owners would love it if Blount was a three-down player, but the odds of that happening remain slim. If something happened to Blount, Lumpkin would probably form an uninspiring tag team with veteran Earnest Graham. Neither Lumpkin or Graham have much value as handcuffs.
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