“He’s One Of The Very Best In The League Right Now”
October 1st, 2017
Another strong day for Jacquizz Rodgers
In the two games this season in which the Bucs committed to handing the ball off to Jacquizz Rodgers, the barely 5-foot-6 running back has 35 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown.
Joe’s not about to claim Rodgers is a Pro Bowler for those strong numbers, but that’s where J.R. Sweezy would send him.
Sweezy talked to Joe about Rodgers after this evening’s win against the Giants.
“He’s a special dude, man. We love blocking for him. He sets us up well in the run game,” Sweezy said of Rodgers. “We’re glad to have him. He’s one of the very best in the league right now, and he just continues to get better. The key is to just make the running game efficient, and he’s exceptional at that.”
Pretty strong stuff there from Sweezy, who isn’t typically the most over-the-top quote.
As for Rodgers, he told Joe he was upset he didn’t score on his 36-yard run in the first quarter. He was brought down from behind at the six yard line after busting through a hole up the gut and making a couple of Giants miss.
Rodgers finished today with 16 carries for 83 yards. On the season, he’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry, just under what he did last season.
Dirk Koetter said one giant problem with the 2016 running game was rotating through too many running backs. Linemen can’t get in a rhythm that way, Koetter said.
Well, if Doug Martin returns tomorrow, it’ll be damn interesting to see how Koetter handles his RBs stable.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:50 pm
I want some of whatever JR is smoking.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Lol our real running back will be here tomorrow.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Rogers looked sluggish on that 36 yard run, 93 of the giants caught up to make the tackle with ease.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:53 pm
It is gonna be interesting what the Bucs do about Martin.
I thought surely that Joe would create a multiple choice poll, to see how us fans feel about the Martin situation.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:55 pm
I expect a rotation of RBs for at least for Thursday’s game, with Martin and Rodgers more or less splitting the carries. I don’t care how much Martin may have worked to stay in shape, he is not in football shape. Not yet.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Let’s see…..not able to make the Bears’ 53…..that’s what we’ve been hearing for a couple of months now…
Also not making any 53 (but ours) Cameron Brate & Adam Humphries…
Not bad production from these would be insurance adjusters and UPS drivers.
October 1st, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Our real RB will be here next year….
October 1st, 2017 at 9:00 pm
One of the best in the league right now? That is an enormous exgaggeration right there. He has been average at best,, granted he did have a good game today. He may be one of the best complimentary backs in the league, but he is not a starting RB in the NFL.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Seriously, get Sweezy drug tested. If this were baseball, all of our RBs on the roster eligible to play would be 0.0 WAR guys.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:04 pm
the Giants were so bad at tackling.they couldnt take anybody down
October 1st, 2017 at 9:12 pm
Well one thing is for sure, rodgers is better than dalvin cook right now.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Can someone explain the reason we can never find a consistent punt/kickoff returner that can do more than just run into a crowd of tacklers? We need someone with some wiggle. Reedy is too plain n predictable. Y not just make CSims a big wr…he’s predictable at RB n can’t hit the hole because of his dancing toes. I’m a big Jameis fan but he really needs to work on his throws he’s inconsistent,he under/over throws n often throws behind the receiver. If he wants to b like ur Brady’s n mannings he must improve in that area.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:27 pm
I like Jacquizz, but as a backup. He had 16 runs for 83 yds with longest being 36 yds. Means that on 15 runs he got 47 yds … 3 yds/carry on those 15 rushes. Looking at his performances in the 1st 2 games, that’s the real Jacquizz.
Feel like I should be ecstatic about the Bucs win, but there seemed to be relatively few bright spots today. GMC was one of those; so was Brent Grimes & Kendell Beckwith. Our defense played quite well considering how banged up they are. Cam Brate & Adam Humphries continued to impress me on offense, but that was about it. Our offense held the ball for just over 25 mins TOP against a Giants team that was susceptible to the run & the short pass. Jameis threw the ball for 58% completion rate, way below what the other 3 QBs threw for against the Giants in their 3 wins. Play-calling continues to be the biggest disappointment to me however. May be time to let Todd Monken have a real crack at it, not just OC in name only.
October 1st, 2017 at 9:45 pm
Come on! Quizz ran hard! A bunch of 1st downs, including 2 great screen passes and runs after. Even his short yardage – he made 1st person miss so as not to lose any yardage. 2 yard sweep call at End Zone was bad play call. Either up the gut with a run, or a shovel pass up the middle. Or pass on 1st down. Bad Red Zone play-calling. Quizz is better than average. A number 1 back for sure. Would have had over 100 today if gotten at least 20 carries. And was sure to get 100 + over Dolphins 1st Week. Winston is more suspect as number 1 QB than Rodgers is as #1 Back. Give Quizz the rock 25+ times and see what happens. Like last year. And keep Sims on the bench. Even on 3rd down. Rodgers is better at that too. Only bad day was against Vikings, and Rodgers was non factor, because they were getting blown out and never ran the ball. That’s not the fault of the RB!
October 1st, 2017 at 9:53 pm
I’ve seen lots of posts about DK’s playcalling, JL’s drafts, Nick Folk, on and on. Some sage, others; well, not so much. But what I have not read in the comments is anything about one remarkable aspect of recent Buc success. Yes, I’m talking about one Ali Marpet. This Division AA small school Licht pick moved from excellence at the right guard position to starting center and has done pretty damn well, learning curve included. I think the guy deserves some praise for manning up to a significant challenge. That somehow no seems to notice is a bit of a conundrum. Give it up for a job well done! GO BUCS.
October 1st, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Our real RB will be there tomorrow…….you all better get ready for some awesomeness!
October 1st, 2017 at 10:20 pm
“Our real RB?” Who’s that? Trade Martin, before he shows he’s average.
October 1st, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Quizz finally showed a little life today. He made some guys miss and broke a few tackles. We didn’t see any of that the first 2 games. He had a decent game. But I still think Martin is the better back. As Ronde said, “Martin can make his own space” by eluding and breaking tackles. With this o line we need that type of runner. Quizz gets you the yards that the o line gives you. Martin takes those yards and gets you more out of them. It will be interesting this week, with the short week, how they distribute the RB work load.
October 1st, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Jon, you must not watch much football if you think Rodgers is a legit RB1. He’s a very solid RB don’t get me wrong, but he’s definitely a #2.
October 1st, 2017 at 10:54 pm
I’ve watched enough. As much as anyone. And I’ve seen backs with as much talent, and less, get 1000 yards. A good line and good play calling — mixing it up — is all you need. I saw this guy in high school and college. He’s better than a #2. And better than Freeman on Falcons and a bunch of others starting on winning teams. I’m not saying he starts everywhere, over anyone, but he can start for Bucs without offense losing a beat. He’s got 35 touches for 150 yards this season. Why are so many of you complaining about running game. Complain about sacks and play calling and Winston throwing some terrible passes. Complain about injured Defense. Vikings game was no sign of anything. Defense was sick and hurt and getting blown out. There was no running game — they were in 2 minute offense for 3 quarters. Did you not see what Rodgers did last season when he got ball and got rhythm? And yes, he should also be in as 3rd down back too for dump-offs and draw plays. He’s not small. He’s short! Like Joe Morris from mid-80s Giants. Remember him? 5-7 and 195. Led league in rushing behind great 0-line. BTW — complain about the Center too. That shotgun snap is awful!
October 2nd, 2017 at 12:43 am
Let’s see, the reason people are talking about the running game is because this post is about the running game. That’s typically the point of the comment board, you comment on the content of the article. In this case, the article is about Quizz Rodgers – hence the reason I’m talking about Quizz.
Look I’m not saying he’s not a good back (I’m glad we have him on the team), but he’s not a bonafide RB1.
October 2nd, 2017 at 2:42 am
He did his job …he’s our #2 Running Back!
October 2nd, 2017 at 3:28 am
That was as good as one should ever expect from Rodgers. I for one enjoy his production and the commitment Koetter had for the run. Still would like a few more runs but we will take what we get. Sims even forgot who he was for one play put his foot in the ground and turns up the field on a toss sweep.
October 2nd, 2017 at 4:30 am
lol bunch of unappreciative haters
October 2nd, 2017 at 8:45 am
He is a solid back up. When you have defensive ends running you down from behind there is a problem with speed. He is a nice change of pace guy but I am looking forward to seeing if our best option at RB can return to his pro bowl form starting Thursday.
October 2nd, 2017 at 9:51 am
Quiz had him a game. Might have sealed who gets cut when Hamster gets back. 2 runs for for Payton yesterday is not a good sign. I hope they can keep him around somehow, he’ll be a good running back somewhere.