Dirk Koetter Talks Faith And Ronald Jones
August 7th, 2018
It’s tough to fully judge running backs in Bucs training camp. It’s just not real football.
Breaking tackles is not part of the equation — by design — and not everything is full speed.
Other positions are much easier to evaluate, such as cornerback or receiver.
As a result, preseason games are especially important for rookie running backs. And the Bucs drafted one No. 38 overall in April. He’s Ronald Jones, who turned just 21 years old this week.
Frankly, Jones has not been the toast of training camp. That doesn’t mean he’s been bad, but nobody will label him the stud of the summer. That’s not a knock, just reality.
Today after practice, Joe asked Dirk Koetter how big preseason will be for Jones as it relates to the head coach’s confidence in him.
JoeBucsFan.com: As hard as it is to evaluate a running back outside of real football, is it fair to say these preseason games are extremely big for Ronald Jones and your faith in him going forward into the beginning of the season?
Dirk Koetter: Well I have faith in him already. I have faith in him. I can see how he works and I can see his explosiveness. So I already have faith him. I’ll just say that preseason games are part of it. I mean, you know, he didn’t play all those plays at USC and be a good running back. Preseason’s part of it, but it’s not, I’m not going to weight that any more than what I’ve already seen.
Joe gets what Koetter is saying about Jones’ accomplishments at Southern Cal. He was drafted high for a reason and nobody called it a reach. However, Joe believes preseason will be critical for Jones to earn Koetter’s trust for opening day in New Orleans.
So much is on the line early this season. And Joe believes Jones needs to show just enough in August to prove he deserves the rock in September.
No knock on Jones here; the NFL is filled with successful running backs taken in the second and third rounds that didn’t get much of a shot from Day 1 of their rookie seasons.
August 7th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
I know that’s what Im probably most excited to see in preseason along with the d-line
August 7th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Koetter says, “Well I have faith in him already.” Translated as “Omigod, this guy is a bust, and Licht just had his contract renewed. Wonder who the Glazers will pin this one on?”
August 7th, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Bottoms line: the kid will sit if he cannot pickup the NFLs exotic blitz packages. I also hear he is no doing well catching the ball out of the backfield.
August 7th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
“LOL! Joes knows more than Klueless. Kobe agrees with the 2not Joes, preason games vs professionals is more important and relevant than past USC pac12 defense tape….
Kobe Faker’s in depth 2018 Bucs season analysis coming up tomorrow…
“Kobe dropping some knowledge on the Buc Sheeps head”
Kobe Faker
August 7th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Meanwhile Darrius Guice is the toast of Washington’s camp
August 7th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
@lordcorn: where are my props and apologies from you as it pertains to all of your attacks on me regarding JameISNOT? I called it 100% correct and you now see what we are dealing with. I even called the suspension. It must suck for you to be wrong AGAIN. Joe has slowly let me back onto this platform but only after he screens my every entry.
August 7th, 2018 at 2:44 pm
I remember when they were raving about Dougie running around in the sand box saying how great he looked. I think they will be holding their judgment calls till after some real contact and live game situations.
Kids gotta work on his hands and also saw some clips on his blocking and is getting better in that department.
Man I am geeked for some football, Bring on preseason !! 2 days!!!
August 7th, 2018 at 2:44 pm
Just avg. more than 3yds a carry and we are golden baby. Give him the rock and see what he can do. My worry is that he is not considered our 3 down back, but instead we’ll have a RBBC again and he’ll never actually get into a game flow.
August 7th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
I think Peyton Barber is going to surprise a lot of people….They are going to run the wheels off of Barber, get all the mileage they can from him. Jones will have to be exceptional to take carries from Barber.
August 7th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
This is ROJO
See ROJO GO
GO ROJO GO!!!
I for one can’t wait to see something we haven’t seen seemingly for years – “Jones breaks into the open, makes a cut, makes another cut – To the 50.. the 40… the 30 – He’s GONE. TO THE HOUSE! TD Tampa Bay!!! Fire those Cannons!!!”
August 7th, 2018 at 3:13 pm
I think ROJO is going to be fine. Sometimes a rookie gets lucky and lands on a team that can spot him and groom him before throwing him to the NFL wolves.
I feel pretty sure Payton Barber is #1 on the RB depth chart for a reason. He’s a powerful smash mouth kind of guy and after seeing him two seasons now Koetter has a comfort factor with him. That’s a good thing. Barber will be a solid workhorse setting the stage for ROJO to come in and spot him with a total change of pace.
The combination of the two of these guys has me excited.
August 7th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
@JameISNOT
Not sure what you’re talking about but feel free to link it up. I’ve been wrong before about sh1t and will own it.
I’m guessing this has to be entirely related to the suspension as most Winston debates I recall being in have been about his performance on the field; although I’ve chimed in about the suspension a little here or there.
When the news was released I was pretty upset and disappointed in Jameis. I think he was a drunk entitled idiot that night but I don’t think he’s a rapist or some serial abuser. This is the only case against him in that regard with any legitimacy; and it’s still a drunk he-said she said where at worst he tried to engage her sexually and was shut down and immediately withdrew and backed off per her own account. He’s a complete moron for even thinking about hitting on an Uber or Lyft driver lol. he’s hopefully learned about general etiquette in life. He definitely has enough red flags on his character now that he has no room to f up anymore.
So I duno what you’re referring to exactly – but i’ve just been reacting as news came out. For example – we didn’t know that it was a fact at all that he was ever alone with the driver – that was never publicly known or confirmed until the suspension came out. If you are patting yourself on the back for guessing/predicting the total games of a suspension; cool good job I guess? In my face lol
August 7th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
I can’t wait to see him in pads
August 7th, 2018 at 3:52 pm
The biggest cause for concern in the beaten up OLine. Dirk even mentioned that they may not have enough players to get through the 1st preseason game. I don’t care who you have a quarterback, no one will be successful if the defense of Lyman cannot be blocked.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
So there…..Preseason games can be meaningful…..
August 7th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
I feel that Barber is going to get the lions share of the carries. I know we sucked last year but that kid was like a breath of fresh air. Jones should be a nice change of pace, and a potential home run threat. Longing for the days of Alstott and Dunn.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
@JameISnot
Not sure what you’re talking about exactly but most of my Jameis debates have been about on-field performance. Feel free to link something and if I was just blatantly wrong I’ll own it. I’ve been wrong before and don’t mind admitting it.
If it was about the suspension I duno what it could even be. All my opinions and statements were based on available info. The info we got when the suspension came produced a lot more news we didn’t have – and I had reactions to that and don’t recall any debates with you about anything then. If you want to pat yourself on the back for predicting what would be confirmed as facts and the # of games the suspension would be for then cool I guess? Good job?
August 7th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
I just can’t wait for football. Preseason is fun, but I’m looking forward to game one at the Saints
godeep
Lyman was my high school back in the late seventies. We won one game in my senior year. God, I hope we can block THAT defense!
August 7th, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Lord, I was going to respond to him the same way as a third-party Observer. I check out most posts and comments pretty much daily like most of the regulars but yet I could not recall any to do between you and this guy who seems fairly new anyway.
August 7th, 2018 at 5:15 pm
@Bobby M, I agree with you 100%. I believe if Barber had gotten the call earlier last season we would’ve won more games.
August 7th, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Not every rookie picks every thing up from day 1. Let him get some games under his belt. His confidence will grow.
August 8th, 2018 at 2:18 am
I have a good feeling about Jones. I think the combination of Barber and Jones could come to be known as a more potent attack than WD-40 ever was, and I say that knowing that Alstott is my favorite Buccaneer. I think Jones will eventually take over as starter, but I think both Jones and Barber will be here for years. I think we’re in for a very good season. We’re going to surprise a lot of people this year.
August 8th, 2018 at 3:15 am
Yeah our longest rushing TD was 2 yards last year.
I’ll bet anyone we get that x10 at least.
August 8th, 2018 at 6:51 am
Everyone these days want a 235 lb “every-down back.” One who can block, run, and catch the ball well. With barber also being in the equation, I am happy with smaller but explosive type back who can bust one or two for a large plays. He’ll be a dangerous 3rd down back. Go ROJO
August 8th, 2018 at 7:02 am
Ronald Jones is the key to the Bucs season. If he plays well the Bucs have a chance. If not Koetter will be looking for work.