Mr Palmetto is the author of the South Carolina blog, Garnet & Black. Be sure to check it out!

Greg Schiano has a special place in his heart for wrecking ball running backs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-year coach and former linebacker rode Baltimore’s Ray Rice until his wheels fell off during his tenure at Rutgers and is probably thinking along those same lines heading into this season in a highly-competitive NFC South.

As the division’s bottom-dweller, the Bucs need some new energy on offense and according to most mock drafts, Alabama’s Trent Richardson seems to fill that void.

Richardson, a Heisman Trophy finalist a season ago, recently had his knee scoped after aggravating it prior to the BCS title game and will not participate in on-field activities at the NFL Combine this week. He will, however, be available for interviews with scouts and general managers.

His strength and speed is well-documented during off-season workout footage and Richardson’s minor surgery shouldn’t affect his draft stock. The Bucs’ leading rusher last season was Oregon product LeGarrette Blount, infamously known for his temper tantrum against Boise State.

Richardson could add some stability to an offense that has leaned too-heavily on quarterback Josh Freeman. The Bucs had a minus-16 turnover ratio last season and rushed for 1,039 yards less than the opposition.

Tampa Bay has the fifth overall selection in April’s draft.