Banking On Ronald Jones
July 17th, 2018
Signs point to usage.
Joe loves that the Bucs decided to pick a running back early in the draft.
But for Joe, was it soon enough or did the Bucs wait too long in order to save coaching jobs?
Yes, Jones was drafted No. 38 overall this spring. But Joe wonders how much he will be used? Beadcrumbs to follow suggest its perhaps not as much as some believe.
First, there is the history Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has with rookie running backs. Let’s just say the history doesn’t suggest Jones is due to blow up this year. Koetter’s background with rookie backs is, well, sketchy.
Then there is the fact Koetter is hung up so much on his running backs blocking. This was a key reason why Koetter leaned on washed up Muscle Hamster Doug Martin so much and so long it damned near torpedoed his own career. Joe will bring a jarring stat tomorrow to demonstrate what a near-disaster [for Koetter] banking on Martin was.
Demar Dotson is returning from surgery — both the team and Dotson are confident he will be full-go next week for training camp — but where have we heard that same song before only to learn of an ugly ending? And of course, Caleb Benenoch appears to be the odds-on favorite to start at right guard in the wake of J.R. Sweezy getting released.
What Joe is getting at is with a guy who looks to be a first-time, full-time starter at right guard and Dotson being anything but a sure-thing at right tackle due to rashes of injuries the past few years, Koetter is going to want a running back taking snaps who is more of a proven blocker than Jones.
Add up the uncertainties of the right side of the offensive line with Koetter’s history with rookie running backs and his affinity for backs blocking over running, and it doesn’t add up to Jones getting a bunch of touches unless he blows up so much that he would force Koetter to play him more.
The gang of “Good Morning, Football” on NFL Network seem to be sold that Jones may just save the Bucs this season.
How do the @Buccaneers get on the #RoadToRecovery in 2018?@heykayadams thinks a healthy dose of rookie RB Ronald Jones could be the 🔑 for TB. pic.twitter.com/IiFiF1TiXx
— GMFB (@gmfb) July 16, 2018
July 17th, 2018 at 5:25 am
I’m no doctor but my understanding is repair of a torn meniscus is not nearly so severe for an OL as a significant back surgery like Sweezy had. I have heard of those type of knee operations often are minor in some cases if the they are done to clean up cartilege from old injuries. Let’s hope Dotson is out there as planned. That said, it makes sense that Barber may indeed need to split reps with Jones. I wonder if this also has anything to do with keeping Sims around.
July 17th, 2018 at 5:58 am
Interesting dilemma for Koetter Joe … IF RoJo can’t effectively pass block or catch out of the backfield, that seems to signal one of two things to the defense: either RoJo’s getting the ball for a rush, OR the Bucs’ QB is at risk. Either way, I’m with Koetter … if you expect a lot of offensive snaps, you’d better be an all-around back.
Personally I’m not enthralled with our RB herd. I like Peyton Barber, but don’t like us going into the season relying on him as the lead dog. I like the Ron Jones pick, but he’s just an unproven rookie IMO at this point. I like Charles Sims, but he’s a specialized player IMO who Koetter still hasn’t figured out how to use. And Jacquizz Rodgers is to Koetter like Linus’ security blanket was to him. If I were Jason Licht, I’d be looking to add a proven bruiser RB to the RB stable before the season starts. (Might also want to add a veteran outside CB AND a veteran swing Tackle/Guard to that Christmas list).
July 17th, 2018 at 6:28 am
Charles Simns, your 3rd down pass pro back, he is good at it. Peyton barber, short yardage grinder. Ro jo feature back. Just let Rojo run and chuck can do 3rd down stuff this year.
July 17th, 2018 at 6:53 am
If still hardly used devonte Freeman as a rookie I think he is Lovie like enough to continue that trend no matter how stupid it is
July 17th, 2018 at 7:15 am
I can’t wait to see what this guy can do. For us to have any hope of winning any of the first three games this guy needs to play lights out right away.
July 17th, 2018 at 7:29 am
We have to rely on the fact that the Bucs did their homework on RoJo. He’s not the back I would have chosen, but he’s our guy now. Hopefully, the Bucs will employ a 2-back system that plays to the strengths of each back.
For RoJo, get him out in space, for Barber, between the tackles. If they’re used properly, we should be OK.
July 17th, 2018 at 8:12 am
“There’s 5 or 6 backs in this league who can go 80 yards and the Bucs now have one of them”
Here’s the flaw in your theory Joe. Koetter loves explosives – more than he hates missed blocking assignments.
Rojo is gonna flash that speed and home run ability a couple times early and coach K will sold on playing his new weapon “as is” a lot more than Joe has been suggesting…
July 17th, 2018 at 8:17 am
It should be remembered that Koetter had Maurice Jones Drew, and ran him often.
Give coach Koetter a back who can actually run, and he will use him.
How quickly some people forget
July 17th, 2018 at 8:50 am
never understood the Bucs front office and RBs!! Didn’t get drafting Sims so high. didn’t get hanging on to Martin last year. Didn’t get Jones over Guice.
July 17th, 2018 at 8:56 am
Kpetter was given a reprieve by the Glazers. He either figures out how to use rookies or he goes the way of many coaches (Gruden) who refused to. Rookie sensations can propel a team to the playoffs but only if you let them.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:02 am
It will depend on our defense. If it can hold leads for us and shut down offenses, we’ll run the ball more. If we have to constantly struggle to score, we won’t run the ball much.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:04 am
^^^^^^^^^^^
“Give coach Koetter a back who can actually run, and he will use him.”
Ummmmm yea, well he didnt do a really good job of that last year with Martin.
Coach better get his act together or he’s gonna be out the door soon.
just sayin
July 17th, 2018 at 9:29 am
BucNole, Martin could not run.
July 17th, 2018 at 9:57 am
Why did they have to give him #22? Lol
July 17th, 2018 at 9:59 am
Well Andy Reid said they knew Kareem Hunt was special in Training Camp and they rode that horse, so I truly believe Koetter will know soon if RoJo is the real deal.
Speed kills, even if his longevity is only 5 years, feed him the rock!!
Of course Kareem also brought this
https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2017/08/21/this-block-by-chiefs-rb-kareem-hunt-is-insane/
July 17th, 2018 at 11:53 am
I have a feeling they will try to add at least 10 LBS of muscle to Jones, at least not to much to slow him down IMO, he has the ability but his hands are horrible and blocking is questionable, both workable. I just hope they don’t become predictable with the running back assignments.
July 17th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
..And they let Pemphile walk
July 17th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Joe,
Is there such a thing as a “quickness grade”? If so, do we know Ronald Jones’ grade?