CBS Report: Ronald Jones “Struggling” With Playbook, Team Thinks He’ll Be A Midseason Standout
August 24th, 2018
So what’s really going on with rookie Ronald Jones, the Buccaneers rookie who in a very tiny sample size has popped an oversized balloon of hope fans had for him this season?
CBS Sports NFL insider prickly Pete Prisco seems to have answers following his visit to One Buc Palace this week.
The Bucs-Lions game tonight is broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m., so the network sent a team to practice this week. Mr. Prisco talked to lots of people and did several reports for CBSSports.com.
In the video below, Prisco is asked about Jones, who had a nothing-special training camp and has 11 yards on 12 preseason carries. Again, that’s very little to judge Jones, but expectations are sky high when you’re the No. 38 overall pick.
Prisco said he was talking to important people at One Buc Palace (Ira?) and the Jones forecast is all about success down the road.
“What he’s struggling with right now is picking up the offense and it’s been slow process for him,” Prisco said. “With these young backs sometimes, it takes them a little time for them to become comfortable; put your foot in the ground and go. And I think that’s what you’re seeing with him.
“In talking to the Bucs’ people, they still believe in Ronald Jones. And in fact, they think by midseason he’s really going to get it going.”
Prisco had more to say and check out the video.
Joe hopes Jones gets plenty of the rock tonight to get him confidence (hopefully) and let the Bucs evaluate him further.
Lets’ take a moment to remember what Team Glazer told Ira Kaufman about Ronald Jones in late May.
August 24th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Chop him up was a waisted pick right now…… Contribution-wise
August 24th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
Wasnt that the problem with snoops nephew last year, what is licht doing to evaluate these guys besides jumping in pools….licht seriously needs to watch the kevin costner movie where he is the GM of the Browns, draft day and take notes
August 24th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…..I hope not 🙁
August 24th, 2018 at 12:35 pm
ROJO will be just fine!!!
August 24th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
I was high on Rojo. Definitely disappointed so far. He looks totally confused out there and on the sidelines. Hope it clicks for him soon.
August 24th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
They told him they want him fighting for yards hint hint young man, it’s gonna be tougher here bro… Coaches know that homerun to the house crap in College is much harder to get in the NFL. Shame on Licht for drafting these kinds of RB’s. He’d be great for SF, SD, Indy, Minny… etc… Bucs? Wasted talent. Licht strikes again!
August 24th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
@TheBucsAnthem If they can give him some plays like Indy did with Mack, he can be a real threat this year. I trust Licht to do that. He did pretty good with OJ.
August 24th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
Meant Kooter not Licht 🙂 ^^^
August 24th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
still a little too early to write him off but damn….this aint encouraging….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
August 24th, 2018 at 12:43 pm
americasenabler Says:
August 24th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
@TheBucsAnthem If they can give him some plays like Indy did with Mack, he can be a real threat this year. I trust Licht to do that. He did pretty good with OJ.
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I was actually hoping we would’ve drafted mack instead…….but here we are now
August 24th, 2018 at 12:43 pm
I went looking for his Wonderlic score but couldn’t find it…did come across this
Dare Ogunbowale 35 RB……that is a 35 on the wonderlic
August 24th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
813bucboi Says:
August 24th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
still a little too early to write him off but damn….this aint encouraging….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
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I hope we’re not cursed with another the Jeremy McChicken player
………..cause McChicken was dumber than a box of rocks
August 24th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
This is a high second round RB. What is going on at One Buc? This is absolute amateur hour. Every jabroni on the couch knew you needed a three-down back. Even if he plays remotely decent tonight the red flags are everywhere.
August 24th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Wait, no one excited to see him beat that LB to the edge against Tenn? That was good stuff. Run that play all game and watch those defenses tongues start wagging, then crush their souls with Barber. This offense could be very very very good.
August 24th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Another genius at running back. Didn’t we one of these geniuses a couple of years ago? smh
August 24th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
@TheBucsAnthem LOL I’d give anything for Mack right now! 🙂
August 24th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
cut him before its too late
August 24th, 2018 at 12:54 pm
No one likes to waste 1st and 2nd rd picks like the glazer clowns…. its all about keeping basement streak alive
Back to back dumbasses at running back is no coincidence
August 24th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
To be fair in my search Frank Gore had a learning disability and a Wonderlic of 7….seems Jones will on the slow track….probably giving give a handful of plays he understands a let him go with those….he also has small hands
August 24th, 2018 at 1:03 pm
Can’t get the player to work on computer or phone.
I’d like to see the Bucs sign Darkwa. RB roster of Barber, RoJo, Wilson and Darkwa. We need another 3 down back with some NFL experience going into the season.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
You guys crack me up. Labeling a guy a bust after 2 preseason games. Look at who’s been blocking for him, scrubs that wouldn’t make most people’s teams. Seaton was a turnstile last game. You can def tell he’s thinking too much. Chill out. Just like everyone who was bashing the MJ Stewart pick.. boo hoo, Oliver was still on the board!….. I don’t see people b’tching now.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
“What did Kobe say months ago… You sheep are sloww
Gump, here is your chance to redeem yourself..
Josh Adams
“Thank me later”
Kobe Faker
August 24th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Gotta develop those RBs!
Develop.
#firetheglazers
August 24th, 2018 at 1:13 pm
Is it me or is it looking like our first TWO picks of the most critical 2018 draft have gone to waste? Its early but its not looking good. If those 2 CBs bust, Licht will be looking for a job regardless of his extension.
Vea – healing calf
Jones – learning….
August 24th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Lamarcus
Why do you waste your time here? We already know your posts before you even type them. (fill in blank with coach/GM/player) sucks and the Bucs are hopeless losers who have no chance to even get to .500 this year. It’s not just tedious it’s becoming very boooorrrriinnng!
August 24th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Donuts:
Vea – healing calf
Jones – sucking (trust me from what he has put on film it ain’t just the playbook)
August 24th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Let me guess, he also turned down a scholarship just like the short yellow bus patron JW. Yet another example of the GMs inability to do any research on the folks he drafts. RJs only responsibilities were to work out and learn a playbook and he could not get it done. And to think next years coaching staff will be stuck with both of these idiots, which will chase away quality candidates. Just like Gruden ran to the west coast to stay away from dumb as a bag of hammers JameISNOT.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
First Nichols now Jones what the heck does Koetter have in that playbook? Devonte Freeman couldn’t get on the field his rookie year under Koetter either.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
You’d run away from Joe Montana if someone threw $100 million in your face and you were about to be the King of Las Vegas.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
Pretty obvious Mr. AC/DC doesn’t have a f’ing clue about running backs.
Passes on Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara for SnoopDawgMcPlaybook, and drafts ballet princess Charles Sims who is brittle as a bag of Fritos over Devonte Freeman.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:48 pm
give the man a full rookie season, then evaluate.
Maybe 2.
August 24th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Struggling with the playbook is code for “can’t trust him to block blitzers” and other passpro issues. Missing a blocking assignment can get your quarterback hurt, which translates to a lost season for every team without a defensive juggernaut.
The best way to establish a good running game is to jump out to a few 21-3 leads and let Barber and Jones be finishers. Our modus operandi to establish the rushing game has been to go run, run for two yards and then call the “Save us Jameis” play on third down. If you look back over the last three years at how many times we’ve gone run, run on the first two downs for 3 yards or less, I think we’d lead the league. If you just looked at the frequency of run, run for 3 or less (aggregate) yards in the first half, we’d lead the league by a huge, even historic margin.
Koetter and Monken need to let Jameis get us a lead, then turn the RB dogs loose to finish it out.
August 24th, 2018 at 2:15 pm
Godeep
Please explain yourself
I’ve heard the phrase “dumb as a box of rocks”
You’re the only person that I have heard use the phrase “dumb as a bag of hammers”
Where does that come from?
Are you a Russian hacker?
August 24th, 2018 at 2:15 pm
The fact that so many of you have to change your username 4 – 5x every season is far more pathetic that RoJo’s performance throughout preseason.
August 24th, 2018 at 2:20 pm
^^^It wouldn’t be so funny if it weren’t true! At least they’re persistent!
I was hoping we’d see more from Rojo by now. I just hope it clicks for him at some point.
August 24th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Man, you boys are a bunch of *unts! Not even 3 preseason games completed and you’re writing the kid off. All you do is complain about EVERYTHING!!! Good god!
August 24th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
So many dummies on this site.
August 24th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
One 65 yard TD and all will be different…if I could post a video here it would be a shot of a large school of herring..all heading in one direction then in a flash all heading in the other….
August 24th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Guys what would we do without all the haters to laugh at? It would be season over without the comic relief!!!
August 24th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
JabooBuc:
I concur. There are a bunch of idiots that post on here.
August 24th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I remember a few years ago people were saying a RB here was to stupid to learn the playbook and did not want to give him time. And how many Super Bowl rings does he have now?
August 24th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
^
You must be one of them……….
BTW I love when you call people names……..it just shows how intelligent you truly are
August 24th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Just so you all know I played Lions vs.Bucs in Madden 18 on All-Madden mode and Ronald Jones had 8 yards on 9 carries. Part of that is me but part of that is the (apparently) stout run defense of the Lions. Ziggy Ansah killed me.
August 24th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
athem
tell me about it….i remember Winston trying to break it down in the hotel room and he still f’ed up in the game….
i was hoping for d.foreman last year….he was having a good year until he got hurt….we think we have it bad…try being a texan and losing your QB, RB, both DE’s, o-linemen, safety, LB…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
August 24th, 2018 at 3:46 pm
D-Rome Says:
August 24th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Just so you all know I played Lions vs.Bucs in Madden 18 on All-Madden mode and Ronald Jones had 8 yards on 9 carries. Part of that is me but part of that is the (apparently) stout run defense of the Lions. Ziggy Ansah killed me.
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LOL
If ROJO performs like crap tonight and you’re right……then I’m gonna ask you for my next lottery ticket numbers!!!!!!
August 24th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Not worried. Some rookies just need time to grasp an NFL playbook.
August 24th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
How can you really call him a bust without talking out of your behind? 11 carries in 2 games. 2 pre-season games. A rookie. But you know better because why? Your spring-loaded negativity is hilarious. Sad. Keep it coming. Go Bucs!
August 24th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
CBS must be ready my posts…because that is exactly what I’ve been saying.
August 24th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Reading I mean
August 24th, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Some rookies do need more time buc rookies just need to escape to a real franchise that actually tries to compete. 16 years without a meaningful win coupled with over a decade since they even played a game that matters. Its not negative when its reality. Truly no hope as a bucfan. Real bucfan just wants to see winston evans and marpet have success elsewhere
August 24th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Reach87
16 years without a meaningful win is hilarious… most people can’t be that bad if they tried.
There is no hope…. optimists on this site are ignorant delusional little people living in denial….
Get ready for another basement title
August 24th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Does no one remember his first 3 carries against Miami? His 1st carry was a very nice 8-9 yard gain where he broken through an arm tackle and got a first down. His second carry was stuffed behind the line, not his fault at all. And his 3rd carry he showed some very nice vision/ lateral agility on a 5-6 yard run for a TD.
After that he’s struggled mightily, but I’m firmly a believer that it’s just an adjustment period. This is coming from someone that couldn’t believe we picked Jones over Josh Jackson or Derrius Guice on draft night. He won’t be a Kareem Hunt (who I wanted SO very badly last year) but I do believe that he’ll end up being viewed as a very good pick up sooner or later.
I like him a hell of a lot more than I like Dalvin Cook.
August 24th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Can’t catch or learn plays- having trouble believing all of this
August 24th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
@Mike
All of the recent (last few days) tweet clips of Jones that I’ve seen show him improving as a pass catcher. Some people take longer than others to learn an NFL playbook.
Jones is dedicated to improving, and he has all the talent/ natural ability in the world to become a very good player in the NFL.
August 24th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Said it the night he was drafted, its a wasted pick and Vea will be average at best. Koetter and Licht will be out after this year.. 4-12
vs Saints L
vs Eagles L
vs Steelers L
vs Bears W
vs Falcons L
vs Browns L
vs Bengals L
vs Panthers W
vs Redskins W
vs NY L
vs 49ers W
vs Panthers L
vs Saints L
vs Ravens L
vs Cowboys L
vs Falcons L
August 24th, 2018 at 5:09 pm
ROJO might be the REAL Snoop Dogg McPlaybook. Snoop IS a huge USC fan! lol
August 24th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
So, our former 21 year old rookie QB that only played 2 seasons in college can learn the playbook at the hardest position at witch to learn it, but our 21 year old rookie RB can’t learn just his responsibilities? He just needs to know witch side to run and watch out for blitzing LBs. I know there’s more to it, but that’s doesn’t seem too hard. Winston had to learn EVERYONES responsibility on each play. Why is this so hard. I can’t remember any other McPlaybooks other than our two. What the hell, man!
August 24th, 2018 at 5:55 pm
Cmon guys settle down. 12 carries in 2 preseason games. Woopie. The line has blown as well. Im more worried about the blocking than rojo. It is a bit concerning tho if he is having a hard time figuring out what hole to hit. Put some hair on it Rojo!
August 24th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
I’m not really worried about Rojo. We have a starter, so we can afford for him to take a few weeks to get ready.
Although I DO think it wise to sit Barber the next 2 games.
August 24th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
You don’t draft USC quarter backs or running backs the last time they had a good quarter back was 35 years ago n running back since Marcus Allen. You draft them . Sam Dornald will be Mark Sanchez just watch he’s getting the same hype.