“Instant Starter”
May 3rd, 2018
Lauded by national scribe.
Despite the loud offensive-line-is-horrible crowd banging their canes on the floor (or in some cases, banging their aluminum Miller Lite bottles on the bar), the Bucs’ offensive line was neither horrible nor the most important team need in last week’s draft.
As a result, in studying each draft pick, good guy Mike Tanier of Bleacher Report hails Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht as a visionary for plucking USC running back Ronald Jones in the second round.
Of all the Bucs’ draft picks, Tanier believes Jones is an “instant starter.” Why? Tanier examines the Bucs running backs on the roster prior to Jones being drafted.
The current Buccaneers running back depth chart consists of Jacquizz Rodgers (5’7” nifty-shifty career third-down back who is neither particularly nifty nor shifty), Peyton Barber (Just another guy) and Dalton Crossan (high school lacrosse star who played football at New Hampshire; upside is Jacquizz Rodgers). Jones will be an instant starter on this unit and provide a major upgrade for an offense that is stacked with skill-position talent at the other positions.
What does Tanier like about Jones? A lot, specifically his open-field running.
Tanier also mocked the running backs-can-be-found-in-the-sixth-round crowd, all but daring anyone to find a running back drafted in the sixth round who can match Jones’ skillset.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:06 am
Well, he should be the starter. I can see a committee aproach happening tho.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:14 am
Thunder and Lightning, Power and Speed, Barber and Jones. Look out NFL, with the newest additions to the O-line in FA and the Draft we finally got ourselves a backfield.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:14 am
i wouldn’t say day1 but by the end of the season he’ll probably get slightly more carries per game than barber…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:23 am
agree with joepopp. doesnt even matter just mix he, sims, peyton, and a serious THUMPER in the mix altogether!!! itll make him far more effective early on and make it harder for defenses to gauge the offense. not a fan of the pick but know he has the talent. jameis has to get to his soul.. lol!!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:27 am
By the end of the season? No way. RoJo is the most talented RB on the roster. He’s going to get the bulk of the RB duties ala Cadillac. Barber will spell him though. But, I wonder if RoJo is the type that needs a certain number of touches to get going or whether he can plug and play. But, he’s hands down the homerun threat and for that reason alone he needs as many touches as possible.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:29 am
Why not day one?
If he doesn’t have fumble-itis why the heck wouldn’t he start?
We know he’s fast and he’s young.
Running backs have a very short shelf life………so ride him while we can!
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:30 am
Jones has home run ability despite his poor 40 time at the combine due to a hamstring issue. Some have compared him to Shady McCoy. If hes even half that he needs to start day one and get as many carries as his body can handle. He is a little slight of frame but will have to bulk up for the NFL. The guy ran track and excelled at the 100 meters so he will be a huge upgrade since the last speedster I remember us having at RB was Jeff Demps which was a failed experiment. Lets hope he can block for Jameis or his time will be given to Barber. Cant wait to see this guy run.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:30 am
The Bucs had the worst group of running backs in the NFL last year….I’m pretty confident Ronald Jones II is going to start.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:32 am
Guys, what you are failing to consider, is that even if RoJo is the most talented and dynamic back on the team with the football in his hands, Koetter isn’t going to put him on the field often if he is shaky in Pass Pro.
That’s how Koetter operates.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:32 am
Need two RBs. Jones should get most of the work – with his speed. But Barber isn’t bad, either.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:37 am
Phase one essentially complete (minus the usual post draft signings). We have acquired better players in several positions. But we can only guess how good these players will be until step 2 is complete…coach them up on the scheme. I hope the players and staff continue to follow the process and have a healthy and effective camp such that the upgrades are not just paper tigers. Phase 3 is TBD, but here’s also hoping at least our new DL coach can infuse some improved gameweek prep and gametime management. So far so good for where we are. Go Bucs!
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:46 am
I was hoping they were gonna double down on Jones and Guice. That would’ve been something but Barber ain’t no slouch. He’ll get his share of snaps. He’s got skills.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:53 am
I like the NO Saints Backfield, Kamara Ingram combo. I think we have our Kamara back but I am not sure who will fill the Ingram role. I know there are several opinions on the ideal running game, the 3 down back or the running back by committee approach. Ideally you need a break away threat and a grinder. You need fresh legs,a goal line threat, and a pass catcher. If you can get all that riled into one player great, just hope he doesn’t get hurt. Possibly Barber could continue his progress, especially since it appears our O-line may improve.
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:54 am
I wrote before that I liked the pick. And here is one of the reasons: https://www.upi.com/2018-NFL-Draft-Fumble-rates-for-all-running-back-prospects/7311518380025/
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:55 am
He is a 3rd down back for the most part.
Should have drafted bo Scarborough with our last pick
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:56 am
You guys are sleeping on Barber.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:00 am
Anybody hear anything special about any of the after draft Free Agents the Bucs picked up? R there any with the potential to make the team? Just wondering. Thanks. Oh yea… one more thing… am i the only one that thinks that Bucs should cut bait with OL Sweezy… clearly he is permanently injured and not worth the salary he is due!…Im just saying!
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:02 am
Dude said P. Barber is just another guy.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:08 am
To put him in perspective the only backs with more rushing yardage than Jones at USC were Charles White, Marcus Allen, Anthony Davis and Ricky Bell. He had more yardage than Reggie Bush and to German Bucs point he only fumbled twice in 623 attempts. PFW compares him to DeAngelo Williams and Jamaal Charles. The guy is not a 3rd down back i just pray he can block for Jameis because if so we got at a great pick. Oh and if so he can play 3rd down too.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:11 am
Jones ran track at USC for awhile, he is far from being slow! The Man pulled his hamstring at the combine, and that effected his time in the 40.
I have heard that he really has at least 4.5 speed, and many estimate his speed in the 4.4’s !
He is something Tampa has not had in quite awhile, a running back who can possible score every time he touches the ball.
I hope we run him early and often, because the establishment of a legit running game will do wonders for our offense.
Go Bucs !
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:16 am
BLAKE
I agree….dirk will stick with barber in the beginning…..I don’t see whats the big deal if we let him get acclimated to the nfl similar to what the saints did for AK…..from week8 on, he’ll probably be getting the bulk of the carries….
yall sleeping on barber tho…..kid is hungry as ever….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:16 am
#22….will excite and Jameis will go nutz chasing him down the field….Dalton Crossan is a intriguing complement….still need someone other than Fitz in the back up depth chart….Fitz is not real solid insurance and either are the other no names in the QB room
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:21 am
It’s good to have a ONE-TWO punch at RB and I think we have that with Barber/Jones. Obviously the better, more effective back on any given Sunday should get the carries. Game-play should dictate this.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:33 am
Day 1 starter please…..of course he will earn it
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:37 am
How about we let training camp play out before we start to pencil in starters? I still believe in the potential of Peyton Barber and I would like him to have an opportunity to earn the starting spot instead of it being gifted to a rookie who hasn’t played a single down in the NFL.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:43 am
Chris in WA Says:
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:37 am
How about we let training camp play out before we start to pencil in starters?
^^BINGO^^
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:53 am
Im all for letting training camp play out the starter. Barber is better than the amount of carries he was given last year for sure. He’s actually the perfect compliment to Jones with his tough inside running. If you look at his tape when he gets full speed he carries the ball exactly like Eric Dickerson as Terrell Davis states is the closest comparison. Thats just too good to be true but I guess you never know. We are so used to average backs that someone with that much talent is a pipe dream.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:53 am
Sounds to me like he doesn’t attribute Jones starting to his talent, rather default b/c we have no better talent.
Am I crazy, or does RJ seem very very average RB?
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:59 am
Anybody who thinks he is not good needs to watch game tape.. combine speed don’t mean anything…when the pads on is what matters and this kid can fly with them on ..
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:07 am
BH….you are crazy….but crazy people never recognize that in themselves….you are crazy just in case you have a reading comprehension stutter too…
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:26 am
BadHombre read the posts prior to yours I wont say your crazy but no he is defintely not a very very average RB.
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:33 am
It’s all about Yards After Contact or YAC. A successful NFL running back is able to break tackles. Take a hit and keep moving forward. Our line is below average. If Jones is going to be successful in Tampa he needs to be able to break a tackle and earn YAC. Something Doug Martin was not very good at.
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:33 am
We need a bruiser a power back. I’d do it myself but my back man
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:35 am
To compliment my boy RJ2K
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:39 am
Jones and vea are perhaps the 2 best draft picks the Bucs have made in a long long time. Both will pay big dividends for us. We finally did something right.
May 3rd, 2018 at 11:49 am
The OL ,without any health/injury issues is already greatly improved over 2018….#22 will Fire the Cannons !……
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Looking at the last five games (when given a starting role), Peyton Barber ran 4.3 YPC. That’s the same YPC as Marshawn Lynch; around top 15 for last season. I think it’s ignorant to label Barber “just another guy”. He now has experience, youth, and perhaps an upside. Barber and RoJo are complimentary, like Alstott and Dunn were. Glory years 2.0!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Rodgers is the odd vet out…there will be many FA vet RB’s to chose from…and one will be in the starting day rotation…IMO….Dalton Crossan has a shot at bumping Rodgers….
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:19 pm
He better be…if he can’t beat out this gang of stiffs…we screwed up another 2nd round pick
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:21 pm
DB55
that’s why I was beating the drum for bo scarbrough….should’ve brought him in as an UDFA…..k.petteway would’ve been good too!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:27 pm
813….there are very good reasons lumbering Scarbrough lasted as long as he did…before some team decided to kick the tires ….he’ll be stood up in the hole and stopped in the NFL….big and slow goes home…
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:48 pm
@DB55
Peyton Barber? I mean he’s no Earl Campbell, but he did a fairly good job of getting extra yards through contact. At 5’11 225 he has good size and if our O-line is even marginally better at Run-blocking, Barber should prove to be a viable option.
I actually think that Barber and Jones skill sets compliment each other quite well.
May 3rd, 2018 at 12:53 pm
813- Why give up on Barber? I thought he ran well.
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:05 pm
The Duke U RB will be the third down back and KR.
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Draft is over so don’t really care what writers think anymore about who we drafted or who will start. This checking start has zero excuses it’s time to evaluate them now
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:22 pm
If Jones comes of of the preseason breaking tackles and hitting endzone with speed and power then you run him 25 times a game while jameis playaction passes and only spell Jones with barber so he can rest or maybe some goal line work..
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:24 pm
I can’t understand why the Bucs haven’t signed CJ Anderson.
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Barber is far from “Just another guy”. He will from a great pairing with Jones. It would be nice if they could both get around 15 carries a game.
Jones is the real deal but that will just push Peyton even more. I’m excited to watch them run all over teams this season and hopefully many more !!
May 3rd, 2018 at 1:27 pm
We don’t need CJ Anderson and why would he come here now? We have 2 solid backs and lil guy Quizz can hold his own as well. Cj will want to start and he won’t here
May 3rd, 2018 at 2:17 pm
Ptwalk Says:
May 3rd, 2018 at 9:56 am
You guys are sleeping on Barber.
———————————————————————
No they aren’t. Barber is a fine player, but the blue chip athlete that has clocked 10.3 100 meter times, and one that could have easily been a 1st round pick should be starting. Barber can spell him for 7-10 carries a game.
May 3rd, 2018 at 2:41 pm
It will be the OL….folks….the OL will spring every RB the Buc line up !
May 3rd, 2018 at 3:16 pm
This is ROJO
See ROJO GO
Go ROJO GO
May 3rd, 2018 at 5:07 pm
“Open field running.”
Here we go again.
Two guys come to mind when they “get into open field.”
– Doug Martin.
– Charles Sims.
Now, how to get ANYBODY there into open field. They could NOT do it last year. Am I wrong?
If Jones can’t do well up the middle with a so-so O-line, then he’s another lost cause at RB. The recent unscientifific but likely balls-on accurate oh-so-true poll Joe had out there had Ronald Jones as the best guy to carry the rock. A guy who’s never played a single snap in an NFL game. Yeah, I voted for RJ myself. I like Quizz and Peyton as backups. That they are.
Sorry…I’m excited about the pick. But I’m a show-me-first guy. It is troubling when a guy have no clue about gets my vote to be the bell cow.
May 3rd, 2018 at 8:12 pm
You guys can keep on arguing about irrevelant issues. It really doesn’t matter about what last years Oline did or didn’t do.
This year has a totally different line anchored by one of the biggest offseason moves C Jensen. Neither G may be returning and RT is still a question mark at this point.
Last years Oline has nothing to do with what we are looking at in the future. Barely worthy of a conversation.
May 3rd, 2018 at 10:46 pm
I fully believe that Jones will make Buccaneer fans smile.