A Glimmer Of Hope
May 12th, 2018
Bucs RB Ronald Jones. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
If Joe can take Bucs coach Dirk Koetter’s words literally, then Ronald Jones won’t be held back if he is running effectively.
Joe has a seed planted in the back of his head that if somehow Jones, an explosive runner who the running-back-needy Bucs drafted in the second round, doesn’t pass protect to Koetter’s demanding standards, he’ll see limited action despite his running skills being needed on the field.
Koetter’s history with rookie running backs is, well, uneven. And Joe vividly remembers a past “Hard Knocks” when Koetter was offensive coordinator at Atlanta being all over tailback Devonta Freeman for struggling at pass protection.
Freeman, now a top running back in the game, easily had his worst season in the NFL his rookie year, which happened to be his only year with Koetter.
And Joe knows, in part, Peyton Barber got limited carries in favor of well-past-his-prime Doug Martin last year because Barber was considered shaky in pass protection.
This subject of pass protection and Jones came up after the first underwear football practice rookie minicamp practice Friday.
“All running backs coming into the NFL have work to do mostly in protection.” Koetter said. “Most colleges don’t have a whole lot that they ask these guys to do protection-wise, but [Jones] is going to do fine. He will get it.”
These are encouraging words.
Look, Joe is not trying to trivialize pass protection. Of course it is important. Perhaps vital. But Joe is also of the mind that you draft and play a running back, a tailback, to — you know — run the ball. If he can block, that’s icing on the cake.
It reminds Joe of how former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik used to crow about blocking icon Michael Clayton. Sure, he could block. Problem was, he couldn’t catch!
What’s the point of having a wide receiver on the roster when he cannot catch? That’s like having a guard on the roster who is a total turnstile but he can catch the ball. That’s not his main responsibility! What’s the point?
You feeling Joe?
May 12th, 2018 at 8:12 am
#22?
What he didn’t want to show up former Safety Tony Covington, and sport #25
May 12th, 2018 at 8:13 am
We do need his speed and shiftiness immediately, pass blocking is important too but he will get better at it.
May 12th, 2018 at 8:14 am
Him & Peyton should play for it, best man wins the starting gig. And the number
May 12th, 2018 at 8:20 am
Well….you don’t need to pass block when it’s a running play.,….so, run.
May 12th, 2018 at 8:28 am
After seeing JW3 slammed to the ground in the first few games, you would think that joe would appreciate good pass protection and not trivialize it and wonder why some rb got more playing time!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2018 at 8:29 am
Yup Cichy would agree..lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTirt1ZQFI4
May 12th, 2018 at 8:31 am
@Joe … “You feeling Joe?” Not really Joe. You’d be the FIRST one to yell & scream at Koetter if Jameis was lost for the season because RoJo missed a block and Jameis got blown up as a result. There are some awesome hunters on on the opposing DLines who’d love to take Jameis home as their trophy. Your better RBs learn how to block as well as run. I’m with Dirk on this one.
May 12th, 2018 at 8:46 am
No one is saying keep him on the field during obvious passing downs.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:00 am
What’s the point of having a wide receiver on the roster when he cannot catch? That’s like having a guard on the roster who is a total turnstile but he can catch the ball. That’s not his main responsibility! What’s the point?
___________________________
I don’t get the analogy. RBs and WRs are expected to block as part of their responsibilties. Guards aren’t even eligible receivers and can’t be unless they line up outside of a tackle – in which case they wouldn’t be guards.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:00 am
You mean the Devonta Freeman that gave up the strip sack that cost the Falcons the Super Bowl? That’s your example of a RB not needing to pass protect?
May 12th, 2018 at 9:07 am
@Rich
Joe often struggles with his analogies.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:14 am
@Luv
Lol keep in mind that the clip you’re referencing is from 2015, RoJo’s rookie year. He was much better in pass pro in 2017.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:27 am
@LuvmyBucs
Rojo needs to man up in pass pro.
Cichy destroyed him!
May 12th, 2018 at 9:29 am
The video Luv posted doesn’t shine a very good light on USC running back pass protection. Those college backs barely stuck out a hand to slow Cichy down. Jones has a lot to learn.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:35 am
Liking the Cichy pick. If this kid heals up properly he’s going to be a player.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:39 am
Jones will get it! Don’t worry! Got plenty of time until preseason.
May 12th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Schemes
Schemes
Schemes
……………….Koetter will find a way
May 12th, 2018 at 10:08 am
It’s underwear football!!! No hitting! Yet people are already disparaging our “effort”. SMH
Let’s at least get to some pre season games to see how these guys perform against NFL opposition…not in drills during underwear football.
Apparently we’ve already seen enough of ROJO in day one to see his speed…we’re not going to really know who well he masters blocking until the hitting begins for real.
May 12th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Joe
So according to this PFF article the premiere RBs in this league suck at pass blocking and vice versa.
Essentially if you want a blocking RB draft Peyton Hillis if you want to score draft lashawn McCoy
Apparently Matt Forte is the exception.
It’s an outdated scheme, the nfl is changing before our very eyes and if old man koetter don’t get it quick he’ll be replaced by a 34 yo in Jan.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2010-pass-blocking-efficiency-running-backs
May 12th, 2018 at 10:23 am
Blocking RB’s are good for one major thing…they can erase mistakes made by OL and stop a jail breaking DE or DT from crushing their QB. If they are called upon to do that there has already been a mistake!!! Short of an FB blocking for another RB there shouldn’t be that much blocking except to erase mistakes.
With two EXCELLENT TE’s…one of them known for his blocking prowess…Koetter lines up seven hats to block 4-6 guys. Let’s just get the OL to do their jobs and the RB’s won’t need to be great at picking up the blitz.
Let’s have Koetter call the right plays and blitzes may end up as a simple outlet pass to ROJO who then swings it up the field for a giant gain.
If we’re that frightened about lack of protection set one of the TE’s in more of an FB position and let them pick up the blitzes…they have the size to match.
May 12th, 2018 at 10:33 am
Still don’t under and not taking bo Scarborough in the 6th round
May 12th, 2018 at 10:34 am
Meant to say still don’t understand not taking bo Scarborough in the 6th round
May 12th, 2018 at 10:42 am
I like that ROJO is wearing #22.
The time to run the gerbil stench off of that number is NOW – as opposed to just letting it sit there and fester on the practice squad or something…
May 12th, 2018 at 10:47 am
@Blake_Bucsfan – Lol, I know brotha. Still Luv the footage though.
@teacherman777 – No Doubt
May 12th, 2018 at 11:04 am
When your franchise QB has a bum shoulder, pass protection is the most critical element for your RB….particularly when the QB grossly trumps the RB in value to the offense, team and franchise. Martin knew his assignments and blocked better…Barber was “ify” at times at knowing where to be and executing….One bad hit and you may have the same situation as Luck in Indianapolis. While football involves the randomness of a bad break on any given play, coaching thinks in terms of odds and statistically the odds were greater that Barber was more likely to miss on his assignments then Martin. When it comes to running plays, from a strategic standpoint you cant simply plug Barber in on the plays you are running or you tip your hand to the defense.
I would guess with Winston healthy, the team is much less concerned with the occasional missed assignments if the trade of is homeruns in the running game. Neither Martin or Barber offered that and both were dealing with a beat up Winston.
May 12th, 2018 at 11:13 am
Hate to state this to the Buc sheep
but at 200lbs…its tough to be a good pass blocker
you need the weight and leverage along with the technique
“Just sayin”
Kobe Faker
May 12th, 2018 at 11:50 am
Rojo is 6ft and 210 and put together. He’ll be fine in pass pro. More importantly, he’ll be a huge weapon this year. Finally a take-it-to-the-house guy in the backfield with speed and ability that will make defenses respect the run.
May 12th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Preach Joe, Preach!
May 12th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Jones is only 20 and could easily fill his frame with an extra 5-10 pounds by week 1. I wanted an every down back in this draft, witch is why I was so high on Penny. I loved his tape, but it never occurred to me that he could be a first round pick. He was always mocked late 2 or 3 so I never considered it. My mistake. I guess Seattle saw what I saw. Not that I’m a pro scout or anything! Lol
May 12th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Does anyone know what happened to 87? He wasn’t banned and I missed it, was he?
May 12th, 2018 at 6:08 pm
If the line creates holes for this kid, and he really is that explosive after a five yard gain I don’t think many teams will be blitzing when he is back there unless it’s an.obvious passing down. It’s all.up to the oline to make.those holes though. Give him five and he will get twenty plus. I.love this pick more than the first rounder, but that’s only because you know who will ruin him.
May 12th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Passblocking is something that can get better with experience. It’s a basic BS reason to keep Jones off the field for just blocking.
May 12th, 2018 at 11:11 pm
I sure hope Derp doesn’t screw this up. I swear he’s his own worst enemy.
May 13th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
25 is Peyton barbers number
May 13th, 2018 at 5:07 pm
Why the f did he choose 22 pick anything else bro.