Countdown: Top 10 X-factors For 2018 – No. 7
July 18th, 2018
It’s Joe’s daily countdown look at the top 10 X-factors for your 2018 Buccaneers season. Today’s No. 7 is about fixing a lingering Dirk Koetter headache.
Joe is fired up! Training camp is just eight short days away.
No. 7 – Ronald Jones
Explosive plays were the Dirk Koetter theme last spring and summer, but that plan did not materialize, even with DeSean Jackson in the stable. The Bucs were brutal when it came to what Koetter calls “explosives.”
Now, Koetter has added one of college football’s home run hitters, a true another-gear runner in 20-year-old rookie running back Ronald Jones, the No. 38 overall pick out of Southern Cal.
Heck, the Bucs could be a dominant offensive football team if Jones is the real deal. One could argue that Jones is the ultimate x-factor for this team. Peyton Barber is a good running back, Joe believes, but he doesn’t have the juice of Jones and the elite backs in the NFL.
But will Jones prove himself quickly? Will Koetter’s trust — and Jones’ production — arrive soon enough for him to have a massive impact this season?
Joe wouldn’t bet on it.
Heck, even Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers’ all-world, 2013 second-round pick, had a slow start to his stellar career. Bell was injured in the 2013 preseason and in his first eight games, he racked up 141 carries but just 455 yards, a 3.2 yards per carry average.
Jones is nursing a hamstring issue that hopefully won’t hinder his development.
No. 8 – Contract Years
No. 9 – Ryan Fitzpatrick
No. 10 – Noah Spence
And just in case you missed Saturday’s series introduction, here are four guys you won’t see on The Countdown and why.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:44 am
This is ROJO
See Rojo GO
Go ROJO GO!!!!
July 18th, 2018 at 11:44 am
Wow….I thought most JBF posters have already put Rojo on the IR because of his injured hammy…..
Kiss my a$$ you negative b–tards!!!
July 18th, 2018 at 11:53 am
I like these picks so far for the X factors. Even the order seems about right.
Jamaal Charles / Chris Johnson are some of my favorite backs of the last decade or so; and this guy is the closest thing I’ve seen to that type of player on tape since.
He doesn’t have the hands of Charles but I don’t recall Johnson having elite hands either – which is more of the comparison for me.
And that’s honestly not much of a concern to me. 90% of any pass a RB catches is typically just dump off’s / screens from like 5-10 yards away from the QB – which the average adult male can catch lol.
All it means is that he is less of a weapon on wheel routes or deep routes; but hopefully he can improve in that area.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:54 am
Also some RBs definitely run more full route trees and are use din the slot – but I’m just talking a typical RB not specialized 3rd down back when i refer to 90% of the passes being check downs / screens / short yardage routes
July 18th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
The guys a stud. Look for a 1000yd rookie season!!
July 18th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
“One could argue that Jones is the ultimate x-factor for this team. Peyton Barber is a good running back, Joe believes, but he doesn’t have the juice of Jones and the elite backs in the NFL.”
Exactly my opinion Joe. I agree with what D.R. and TBBF and other posters have pointed out.
IF the Dline is as good on the field as on paper…if the OL is at least decent…and if ROJO and that OL can produce a running game…whoever plays QB for this team should still produce wins. Great D…good running game…and the Jameis fiasco shouldn’t matter whether Fameis or Fitz is under center.
July 18th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
@Joe … “Will Jones prove himself quickly? Will Koetter’s trust — and Jones’ production — arrive soon enough for him to have a massive impact this season? Joe wouldn’t bet on it.” RoJo is definitely an X-factor Joe, and I agree with your conclusion about him probably not having a massive impact this season. He’s got a LOT to learn to become an all-around back & his hamstring issue shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly. But there’s no reason that he can’t be a major contributor, not unlike the Saints’ Kamara was last year (he only averaged around 15 total touches a game rushing & receiving). Will RoJo have a ‘massive impact’? It’s possible, but not all that likely (Bucs are predominately a passing team after all).
July 18th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Dude has burst. Dirk will probably sit him the first 6 games….
July 18th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
I guess I can’t really argue with this, though I would have switched spots with Fitz. Seems to me, Fitz is more important, considering he’s starting the toughest three game stretch in NFL history.
July 18th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
I hope Rojo is a quick healer and will be ready for our first three toughest games. Jensen can pull block and with Marpet, D. Smith, and Jensen blocking to that left side and a quick pitch outside to Rojo they should be able to open holes to the outside for Rojo to slip through and turn on his after burners and we could have some explosive runs. Short yardage bring in Barber and line up Vita Vea as the FB (he was a successful RB in High School—remember the Fridge), and there is no way anybody can stop us from a first down or touchdown on short yardage.
July 18th, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Hate the frickin hamstring. Peyton to move the chains and Rojo to explode. Or at least run really fast to the sidelines.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:04 pm
I’d say if Koetter expects to win then he can’t be friggin picky about a rookies ability to play like a veteran. Koetter needs to be more of a gambler this year if he expects to be here next season. No holds barred. I think when a team has to win it’s makes them more dangerous and unpredictable. Being overly conservative is playing not to lose where Koetter needs to be really aggressive and play to win.
July 20th, 2018 at 7:58 am
This “hammy” epidemic seems to hit the Bucs hard every year. I’m not sure it’s the players, their genetics, or the Bucs’ training, including the strength and conditioning folks and the athletic trainers. It seems to hit the Bucs harder than other teams with someone always out with a “hamstring thing.” The player genetics is just a luck thing until they can do some genetic testing once the technology exists to get that deep into a genetic profile, but may the trainers and strength and conditioning staff can something to toughen up those hamstrings. Some of it may have to do with the players learning how to take care of their bodies, specifically their hamstrings, better as they gain experience.