The Future Of Jacquizz Rodgers
January 11th, 2017
What is his role?
Just about a month ago, aside from possibly depth, there was no issue at running back.
Now? It’s a major need along with wide receiver.
Many times publicly, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has stated the need to acquire weapons for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, indirectly launching the hashtag #WeaponsForWinston.
As of this moment, with Doug Martin in rehab (allegedly) and suspended, your No. 1 running back is free agent-to-be Jacquizz Rodgers. Can he be the guy to carry a rushing attack?
Last week on the final “Bucs Bonus” show for the football season, seen in the small hours of Monday mornings on WFLA-TV Channel 8, long-time Bucs beat guy Woody Cummings offered his take on Rodgers and his future.
“He was sitting on the sidelines in Dallas thinking, ‘I have no future with this team.’ Now, he does have a future,” Cummings said. “What is his future? Is he is a third-down back? Is he the starting tailback? I am not sure that is the case. He certainly could be a piece of it but I think [the Bucs] really have to look for an every-down back.”
This is likely going to have to be addressed through the draft. As of now, the pickings of projected free agent running backs looks grim. Joe cannot believe the Steelers would let Le’Veon Bell walk away, but he does have baggage (nagging injuries and drug suspension).
Other than Bell, the Bucs are looking at perhaps Latavius Murray, old men LeGarrette Blount, DeAngelo Williams, Darren McFadden, Reggie Bush and Eddie Lazy, to name a few.
Of course, none of these guys would be available if their respective teams decide to re-sign them. This is why if the Bucs are going to get a big time running back this offseason, it will be through the draft.
January 11th, 2017 at 5:39 am
If Quizz averaged under 3 yards per carry like Doug Martin did I would be all in on the idea of taking or even trading up to get a RB in the 1st round, but he didnt. He was over 4 yards per carry which isnt bad (15th in the league actually). Is he the long term answer? No, but, in my opinion, it leaves us in a position where we can take a RB in the mid rounds (round 4 the latest unless Mixon will be there in round 5) to compete with him for the starting job and use the 1st round pick to fill a bigger need.
January 11th, 2017 at 5:47 am
Jaquizz brings a lot to the table (quickness, good hands, only 26, etc). Convinced that Bucs will re-sign him to a reasonable deal (probably 3 yrs). But still can’t see him as our lead dog. More than likely Bucs will void Martin’s contract, then attempt to re-sign him at a much lower price. But can’t see him as our lead dog either (costly suspension?). Sims contract is up also, but have my doubts Bucs will re-sign him (great hands, but using a RB slot for limited functionality is hard to justify). Barber will be with us again next year I’m sure, but as the 3rd or 4th RB for the time being more than likely.
Jameis needs better weapons though, and gut feel is that Licht will use one of our higher draft picks (rnd 1-4) to grab a RB. Depends upon who’s available where I think. If a quality WR (like Mike Williams?) is available when we pick in the 1st rnd, Bucs have to grab him. Same thing with a TE, RB, Safety … pick BPA in those priorities (over other positional needs). Bucs have a LOT of holes to fill this year … hopefully FA will reduce those considerably.
January 11th, 2017 at 6:16 am
We need a below…one that is there when we need him. Like Leveon Bell or David Johnson. But I don’t buy that Koetter is happy with our line. James needs protection they need to pay some guys in FA big to protect our QB.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:20 am
Alfred Morris is also available and isnt Murray from around here, Deangelo Williams would be great as well, get some quality OL in FA or through the first few rounds of the draft and then find a great #2 WR, then get backend help and send the bucs to NFC South champs
January 11th, 2017 at 7:27 am
We really don’t need to draft a RB. We have bigger needs elsewhere
January 11th, 2017 at 7:38 am
Sorry, I pass on drafting one. Keep Martin but demote him and redo his deal with a prove-it deal. Start Quiz for now.
Too many other needs, including needs that will help the running game.
Put a good oline together and injuries will be reduced (not all, but some).
This team WILL NOT cross a threshhold until both lines are very good. Period.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:42 am
We will not land a RB worth anything past the third round so if we do draft one hopefully it is with a pick in the first three rounds. If not we could be looking at another close season but one where we fall short of the playoffs.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:59 am
Pass, no to drafting a RB. Sign Murray if possible. No to resigning Martin.
Draft only lineman for both sides oh and I need the BUCS to bring home depot… Get it lol
#BUCSbringhomeD.Poe
We need a big nasty in the middle
January 11th, 2017 at 7:59 am
Just makes me wonder how exactly you people expect to win football games if RB isn’t all that important. View the current landscape of the playoffs point out to me which organization is meh when it comes to they’re RB situation.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:05 am
So get Poe out of KC and then turnaround and draft another liw rated O linemen??? I get it Now, you people are totally unconcerned with the success of Jameis Winston. To hear you people talk he’ll resemble a miracle worker handing the ball off to some has been nobody. I guess in y’all mines its okay Matt Ryan and Drew Brees have gang of options at they’re disposal to work with,Fameis will be okay just draft more underrated O linemen. Something tells me my HC and GM feel differently. Thank gawd.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:08 am
Quizz will make for an outstanding relief pitcher. Licht will go get the Ace out of FSU and you o line freaks will cringe. No worries tho when he gose 80 yards the first time you’ll quickly come around.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:14 am
Another interesting stat from the wild card round – all of the winning teams had a RB or tandem of RBs that carried the ball over 20 times. The winning teams also either had their one primary RB avg over 4 yards per carry or their tandem avg was over 4 yards a carry
January 11th, 2017 at 8:23 am
Bonzai- that sounds great but you won’t be able to redo the deal with Martin unless you have a competitive alternative on the roster when the season starts. If you don’t then he has the leverage because he suddenly becomes needed. Draft a back in round 2-4 and possibly sign a FA back then you try to rework that deal with him. At least at that point you have a viable stable to roll forward with if a contract redo is not workable.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:41 am
Here’s what I’m wondering tho. It seems obvious to me RB is of bigger concern than others around here seem to feel. The way the business aspect of the NFL works tells me it is highly unlikely DM will ever dawn a Bucs uni ever again. I’m curious to know tho why dose it make more since for the colts or eagles to take a RB in the first then it does the Bucs. I use those two teams as an example because those are the two I keep hearing are in need of RBs. A position I’ve heard many HOF QBs say is QBs best friend.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:43 am
C’mon NosBos
I’m not saying that at all. If you can get #WeaponsforWinston in the draft I’m all for it
January 11th, 2017 at 8:43 am
@Dallas- I disagree. It’s the Bucs who hold leverage. They have familiarity with Doug and he with them. It’s hard for me to imagine that Doug would WANT to go anywhere else given his ‘history’. At least that’s my opinion anyway. I agree with Bonzai, we have bigger needs and I don’t think Cook will be there at #19. Sorry Nole!
Quizz is a nice player. I don’t think he’s a full-time guy though. Wasn’t he injured a few games this year?
January 11th, 2017 at 8:48 am
Martin should be gone! Yes I’m the bleeding heart here and I have compassion.
Sorry for his drug/health problem but let’s be honest here.
While “some” here believe GMC is the reason we lost out on reaching the playoffs if you really must ID ONE player who deep sixed us it was actually Martin. If he had show up in 2015 form that is the one thing that could have put us over the top…that and better luck with injuries.
As far as Quizz I’m a big fan but he’s a complementary back to me not a real pounder although after that Carolina game I concede I may be prejudiced because of his size.
So assuming we do not get Cook or Fournette I wouldn’t mind seeing the big kid from Texas in the 2nd round…even if we have to trade up a bit.
Foreman is 6-1 250 and runs a 4.55 40. We could finally go into beast mode for the first time since ???? Blount?
I think DK’s committee with Quizz and Foreman would work fine. Don’t know much about his receiving…just seven catches…but if the D stacked the line against him or think they have been assured it’s a running play when he’s in the lineup just means #3’s passing targets might at last get some separation.
Separation? What is that anyway. Don’t see it much around here that’s for sure.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:49 am
I was talking to some friends about your boy Cook. From what I hear we don’t stand a chance in hell to get him… Gone by our pick.
So do we trade up for him, needing other pieces. Who do we then draft? I’m not a college fan so I only know the players by you guys bringing them up. Btw thanks cuz
Yo JOE
Knowing is half the battle
If OJ Houston is there along with Cook. Who do you pick. And why.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:57 am
Oh and what’s wrong with signing Murray. He is a proven RB in the league. And I could be wrong but isn’t he from here. If he’s interested bring him home
I’ll take a RB who already knows the NFL speed
And won’t hit a rookie wall
January 11th, 2017 at 9:27 am
Whatabuc….free agent RBs rarely workout, other than Michael Turner, the wear and tear RBs take there lifespan in the NFL isn’t very long, of course there are exceptions, Latavius had the 2nd best OL and played with 2 stud receivers and a very good QB, only if he takes less than what Dougie would’ve cost us, but drafting a younger back, plenty of good backs available this year, my hope is Joe Mixon, but he’s starting to look like a late 1st rounder early 2nd
January 11th, 2017 at 9:40 am
OL with first pick unless licht can adress that in FA, then go and get a big time WR, go after mixon or mack or the texas RB, there is only one first round RB starting in the playoffs and his legitimacy is tied to the dallas OL, where the cowboys have had 2 diff rbs lead nfl in rushing, in GB who are legit to make superbowl a WR playing RB, so the RB as a first round pick unless its a once/lifetime days are gone and you still need that OL, like in dallas….falcons have 2 3rd or 4th round backs carrying the load, get OL solidify the line for jameis….stay awy from the cadillac williams of teh first round
January 11th, 2017 at 9:59 am
All of this RB talk has me thinking. Didn’t we spend a 1st on Doug Martin in 2012, and a 3rd on Charles Sims in 2014? And now in 2017 we’re talking about spending another high draft pick on a RB.
January 11th, 2017 at 10:38 am
I say no to RB in the 1st. Protect the QB should be priority over RB.
January 11th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
I’m all for drafting a potential Superstar RB, but I like Rodgers and I also think Peyton Barber is a potential Franchise RB.
Don’t laugh. I really think Barber has ‘it’.
January 11th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
PLEASE no RB in the first round!! Oh lordie..we have Quizz and Peyton coming up, restructure Doug’s contract and then get Marlon Mack in the later rounds..
January 11th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
I like the idea of obtaining Marlon Mack from USF that a few have mentioned here. Yeah homer speak. Just wishful thinking since most are doing just that.
January 11th, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Quizz is a nice player and has good experience in the league now while still youngish and with relatively low mileage. A nice combination for a backup/ third down RB who won’t be too terribly expensive. 100% resign him – but we need a bit higher level of skillset on a down in-down out basis to be consistently good as an offense.
What we need is a healthy, motivated, drug-free Doug Martin (at a heavily reduced price due to his ineffectiveness and indiscretions last year). Koetter has supported having Martin here since the day he arrived – and if Doug does everything asked of him during his “recovery” period over the next few months and displays the right attitude of contriteness and determination to get back to form – then I could easily see the Bucs giving him a legit “2nd chance” to redeem himself and re-claim the top RB spot if his on field performance is deserving of it.
Its really kind of up to Martin how this all plays out IMO. If he does everything right – then it would be easy for Licht to conclude that we have bigger needs than RB to spend high draft picks on – like WR, DL, Safety and OL.
January 11th, 2017 at 2:35 pm
And TE as well. I wouldn’t mind seeing us give Winston a new weapon in the form of O.J. Howard in the 1st round. He looks like a beast TE and i think our positioning is about right to be able to get him at pick #19. He would be Winston’s new best friend over the middle to go along with reliable Brate and Hump.
WR in the 2nd, BPA at DL or OL in the 3rd.
January 11th, 2017 at 5:39 pm
Some of you guys keep mentioning the “great” RB’s on the playoff teams. A couple of them might be great; the rest are good. However, I am almost amazed by the amount of talent at the wide-out positions on all of these teams. On most of them, ME is the only WR from our squad that would start. The others probably don’t even see the field!
January 11th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
@No NosBos
I think many are missing some things here, including you.
First, you are right, RB does play a big role in winning games. No one can intelligently deny that.
A football team has tiered positions. First tier is QB. You must have a good QB. You can add MLB to that for the defense.
Second tier comes the two lines. “Success starts up front” for both sides of the ball.
Third tier is WR, RB, CB,and OLB.
The other positions are forth tier or later.
You want sustained success, build from the top down. The career life of a RB is shorter on average than any other position. If you have holes on the first two tiers and get a RB, you’ll only have occasional success. If you build the line first, they will open lanes for any RB.
On top of that, Jason Licht has had no problem at all finding good RBs off the street.
And finally, you don’t know that there is not a good OL guy in the top of the draft. You just know there isn’t an obvious one. Ali Marpet was not obvious (though I wanted him). But aside from that, there are TWO LINES. There are good Defensive Linemen in the top of the draft. We can take a DE or DT in round one, OL in round two, WR in round three and then possibly target RB (if at all).
Licht might just sign a good one in free agency (there are always surprise releases) or trade for one. Or he might have one he wants that goes undrafted. Or he could get one fron another league.
Heck, it is so early that he could fill any of the above positions that way. The point is, no one is saying we can win without a RB. But we don’t need the one you want.
January 11th, 2017 at 8:03 pm
Joe mixon!!! He could be this years steal of the draft.
January 11th, 2017 at 11:10 pm
If your offensive line is any good and your coach isn’t awful you can find a running back just about anywhere. Now Martin is a special talent when healthy – you won’t find him just anywhere, but Rodgers is not a special talent, he’s just a guy – teams don’t cut special talents multiple times when they’re already in their peak years.
Certainly bring back Rodgers, there is no reason not to – he showed he’s a competent back, just don’t expect him to start every week. Bring back Mike Smith as well – that kid just does well when he gets the chance to play, very basic north-south runner, I still think he’s going to have an Earnest Graham late bloomer type of career, and he’s the same style of runner as well.
Also perhaps draft someone if there is a ton of value, but man the Bucs need WRs, corners, safeties and DL-depth and OL-depth more in my opinion.