Dave Moore Talks Ronald Jones Struggles
September 4th, 2018
Developing
Team Glazer pays its former tight end Dave Moore (1992-2001 & 2004-2006) to deliver deep Xs and Os analysis on Buccaneers radio broadcasts.
He does a fantastic job — and he’s also great during his occasional sports radio appearance.
Moore hopped on WDAE-AM 620 this morning and was asked about the issues facing the No. 38 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, aka struggling Bucs rookie running back Ronald Jones.
Moore described Jones “as a work in progress,” and it’s not just fine tuning.
“It’s different at the highest level,” Moore said. “I mean, the difference in college and the pros speed-wise, it’s hard to describe. We always talk about that game speed, trying to get ready for it, adjust to it as a young guy when you get drafted or come up. We’re not just BSing. I mean, there’s a significant different in speed. And when you get in college, even the bigger Division I schools, you know, you have a guy here and there that can run at certain positions. But when everybody out there is as fast as you are, you know, when you get a ball and you’re going toward the line of scrimmage and don’t see anything.
“At those lower levels a speed runner like Ronald Jones will be able to put on the speed and run around the corner and outrace the guys chasing him. At this level you just can’t do that. So it’s something he has to get used to.”
Joe wonders whether Jones will get enough carriers to “get used to” the game, as Moore said. And it might not come this season. Jones could take a little comfort in knowing excellent running backs and fellow second-round picks like Carlos Hyde and Derrick Henry were riding the bench as rookies.
“It’s not an easy thing, you know, to change your running style, something you’ve been used to,” Moore said of Jones. “But yet he has the tangibles as far as being able to put his foot in the ground and accelerate run through a hole.”
Moore went on to say he’s not too worried about the Bucs using a committee approach with Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:30 am
Thank God for Dave Moore. have you tried listening to Gene lately? CAUGHT! DROPPED! EVANS NO! HUMPHRIES! Finally Moore interrupts. 10 yard completion to Godwin…
September 4th, 2018 at 10:33 am
#GeneIsGettingLeanInTheMezzanine
#RockOnMrDeckerhoffWeLoveYou
September 4th, 2018 at 10:51 am
2nd round picks need to be contributing esp lately with the nfl ready rbs that have been drafted and excelling lately in the nfl
September 4th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Dewey Selmon Says
“Thank God for Dave Moore. have you tried listening to Gene lately? CAUGHT! DROPPED! EVANS NO! HUMPHRIES! Finally Moore interrupts. 10 yard completion to Godwin…”
I would rather have him there making a few mistakes than not have him. Gene is a mainstay for this team. The day he’s gone is the day I care less about the radio broadcasts.
Dave Moore is accurate, but he really doesn’t have a voice for radio. It sounds like every word is forced out of his mouth. I like him, but for play by play, he;s not the right guy.
September 4th, 2018 at 10:58 am
@Dewey Selmon
that is so true, Gene D is amusing and confusing at the same time.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:03 am
More then half his carries in the preseason he was getting hit behind the line of scrimmage. Block for the man and maybe we can see what he can do.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:04 am
As to the topic of Ronald Jones, I disagree with Dusthty Rhothdes.
The advantage to having good depth is teams get to take their time in preparing their draft picks…develop them properly.
For example, Vita Vea is a backup right now. Once healthy, he will remain one until he shows he is ready to start. Because we have Allen, he can develop at a regular pace.
Same with Ronald Jones. We have Barber and Rodgers ahead of him. He can acclimate and work his way to second string, and then to being the starter. OR, maybe he becomes a Sims-like running back as a pass catching YAC guy. As a second round pick, that is acceptable…especially if Barber blows up and gets 1200 yards. (and that is possible)
If draft picks have to contribute right away, that means the depth is bad on a team. The fact that we do not have to start a pick is a good thing, not a bad thing.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:05 am
deckerhoff= HOF broadcaster, and i officially nominate him for the next president of these united states of buc fandamonium
September 4th, 2018 at 11:05 am
oh and rojo sucks, have a nice day
September 4th, 2018 at 11:19 am
I can´t understand this anti Rojo rubish……just 4 pre season games with ultra limted playing time…..let the guy play a decent amount of games, and then make a statement…..Why everybody is so anxious??????? Let the kid develop……
September 4th, 2018 at 11:25 am
I would much rather listen to Dave without Gene I could never understand why the guy gets as excited and it truly sounds like he is happy when the opponent scores as when the Bucs do. I want a true homer doing the broadcast. That may be just me though.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:28 am
rojo couldn’t develop a cold chill in fairbanks alaska, rojo couldn’t develop a picture at photo hut,
September 4th, 2018 at 11:41 am
I can’t shake the vision of the hole Peyton Barber ran thru in the 1st PS game for a 18 yard gain….if Jones had hit that hole he’d be still running….yeah he has had D players in his face in the backfield….he also has not been disciplined to hit the hole regardless if he thinks it is open or not…he has tried to bounce a bit too much….IMO all he needs is to hit a few big gains and he’ll be fine….of course he’ll have limited carries behind Barber each game and when he is in and it’s not a passing play…the WHOLE of the D will be zeroing in on him…yes it’ll be a work in progress for the rookie
September 4th, 2018 at 11:48 am
Okay, so someone correct me if I am wrong here.
The Practice Squad allows for 10 players plus 1 international exemption player for a total of 11 players, correct?
Here’s our list of PS players:
WR Bobo Wilson
CB Javien Elliott
DE Demone Harris
OL Cole Boozer
TE Tanner Hudson
S Godwin Igwebuike
DT Jeremiah Ledbetter
DE Patrick O’Connor
RB Dare Ogunbowale
LB Azeem Victor
LB Eric Nzeocha (International Exemption)
September 4th, 2018 at 11:49 am
Rojo gonna show up Kamara on Sunday!
Rojo gonna juke some fools in the open field.
Lets go Rojo!!!
Shut em all up!!!
Go Bucs!!
September 4th, 2018 at 11:54 am
Buc believer….it’s not just you. Gene Deckerhoff is garbage in my opinion. It’s local radio I want a announcer that acts like a fan.
As for Jones I’ve heard a couple others saying the same thing as Moore is saying. You draft a QB in the 2nd round and you gotta be willing to give them some time. They gotta learn new playbook and are asked to do things they haven’t done before like pickup blitzes……all the while they aren’t even used to the game speed. It sounds like it can be very overwhelming.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:56 am
I truly wish the Glazers would find something else for Deckerhoff to do. Put toe to leather and boot this inane, babbling microphone abuser out of the boot. The team I enjoy most is Chris Myers and Rhode Barber, second best being Charles Davis (very astute), without the boring drone Tom Brennerman. Gene ‘Trade Winds’ Deckerhoff needs to find other employment, like bridge tender, or toll taker. Anything, but calling game for our Pewter Pirates. 40+ years of mind-numbing inanity is enough. In The Bay With Gene Away!! Go Bucs!!
September 4th, 2018 at 11:57 am
joe, given how pathetic this franchise has been and the fact it owns the worst winning percentage in the history of NFL poor Mr. Deckerhoff has called more loses than any broadcaster in NFL history. He deserves much better.
as far as rojo goes just another bust for an organization that has thrown nearly 34 1st round draft picks down the drain…. all the cool kids are building their teams from the trash heap though!
September 4th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
Except most / a ton of rojo highlights are him running between the tackles. He had some outside speed runs too but guy looked like a great inside runner coming out imo.. he didn’t continually force it outside using his speed much
September 4th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
I can never remember if I like Bonzai or not… so many names, and so many of them are way off base… but I totally agree with him here (of course maybe I always do, hence, not remembering).
Anyways, from what I’ve seen from Jones, is that he has hit the hole hard, worked hard, has been hard to tackle, doesn’t go down easy and has pretty much gotten all that was there on his carries. He legitimately has had some awful blocking during preseason. That’s not to say it’s excused, but just that he could’ve looked a lot worse considering how bad his plays have been blocked.
I think he starts the year as the 3rd or 4th option at RB. Obviously, Barber is #1, how nice will it be to hear the name “Barber” over and over? Rodgers will undoubtedly be more trusted to be the 3rd down RB and considering how shifty he is (but not particularly fast), he will be a good option in the screen game but also circles, options, and flares. Jones is probably most capable in running the wheel but I doubt he would be brought in for only that. Wilson might also be getting off the bench before Jones as well as he is also more reliable in the passing game. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jones is inactive the first few Sundays of the season unless he shows he is a good special teams player.
September 4th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Kamara was a 3rd round pick, and balled out of the gate! No excuses!
September 4th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
There’s also more responsibilities and a much deeper playbook…..Not only are the athletes better, but rookies are trying to NOT blow assignments vs simply react and go…..When his brain slows down, hopefully his reaction will speed up. He doesn’t look fluid right now….he’s kind of dancing. Blount was that way when he was with us…..Terrible short distance back…Would always dance behind the line. He’s become much better over the years.
September 4th, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Tired of hearing about developing players. So many good players come out of college and adapt to the NFL quickly. ROJO is a running back, he doesn’t look like he can be developed if he can’t do it already we should give up on hime and get a running back that will contribute right away. You are going to play rookie running backs on this team anyway. Why can a 4th or 5th round pick do it and a solid 2nd round pic still needs more development time. NO EXCUSES,
September 4th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
I don’t see why it even matters to let him develop when Peyton Barber is doing such a great job. If all our hopes were pinned on a rookie back to play lights out in his rookie season then I could see it being a big deal. Right now, not so much
September 4th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
He will be fine. Give him some time. After all, he did play on that slow speed PAC 10. Sure they have sprinkled in some speed buys but any team in the SEC will have every starting DBaxk just as fast as RJones. Hell, half of the linebackers would be.
September 4th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
I agree with joestang. No one was talking about allowing Saquon Barkley or Derrius Guice (drafted after Ronald Jones II) taking time to develop. The Rams didn’t need Todd Gurley to develop. The Saints didn’t need Alvin Kamara to develop. The Chiefs didn’t need Kareem Hunt to develop. I could go on.
I don’t want to hear this nonsense about him being a second round pick. Second rounders are supposed to be first round talents that just didn’t get drafted because teams had other needs first. In other words, they are supposed to be impact players right off the bat and teams can’t afford to miss on them either.
September 4th, 2018 at 1:59 pm
It’s sadly getting to the point where I want specific players as well as the team to succeed to shut up our own “fan” base rather than to succeed to shut up others and the national media. Rojo and Vea are busts because one got hurt behind the line all preseason and the other didn’t play in it. I want nothing more than to see them beat New Orleans and then come on here and see Lakeland tmax and now we got another tool named I like gunslingers whining that this is the last win we will get. Gonna be interesting to see what this team does especially since the teams own fans are also counting them out. Should be the worst home field for another year
September 4th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Joestang- we should give up on Ronald Jones huh? Good thinking. Give up on a rookie second round running back because of a pre season statistic. Good lordy some people must be miserable today being back at work. The idiocy has truly reached new heights. Can’t wait for Atlanta to score a touchdown and people will say “see how easy it is”
September 4th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
Yep and drome he also said we should give up on him. I’m fine with him expected to produce but saying we should give up on him is Ludicrous.
September 4th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Go deep,
I have to believe that you’re not that familiar with Pac-10 teams. Certainly not familiar enough to make the claims you have. Because any average fan of college football knows that it’s not the Pac 10 but rather the Pac 12.
September 4th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
D-Rome- My contention is that he should have at least flashed in preseason. One or two plays that make you go “Hmmmm”! We saw none of that. We’ll have to see. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
September 4th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Bucsfanman
what about the 35 yard pass reception from Fitz in the Detroit game? Wasn’t that a thing of beauty?
September 4th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Um Joe, Carlos Hyde had Frank Gore who ran for 1.1k yards and Derrick Henry had Demarco Murray who ran for almost 1.3k yards their rookie season.
Those RB’s weren’t on the bench because they played like garbage and were sitting behind an UDFA from Auburn who wasn’t. They were on the bench because legit RB’s had great years ahead of them.
Don’t compare RoJo who is behind an undrafted RB in Peyton Barber who I have to google half the time because I forget his name, to RB’s who were behind legitimate Pro Bowlers and one potential HOFer in Gore.
September 4th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
Trench- Gotta give props where it’s due! It was a nice reception. Just as a runner though, he hasn’t looked good IMO.
September 4th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Withholding judgement until I see him be hind the starting O Line. He had absolutely nowhere to run on every touch he got through preseason
September 4th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
I don’t think the Bucs should entertaining getting rid of him. Certainly not until his rookie contract is up.
To your point, it’s concerning. I don’t want to hear this “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine” nonsense. Perhaps he’ll be fine but teams don’t draft running backs in the 2nd round to groom them years down the road. You draft guys like Justin Watson and Jack Cichy in the 5th and 6th rounds to groom them. Speaking of which, Watson flashed a ton in the pre-season when he had his opportunities. Same with Cichy.
Jones? Not so much….
September 4th, 2018 at 4:10 pm
All this being said, I’m still worried Jones will be a Bust. I mean he could barely get to the hole in preseason. And he does not show break away speed. Kid might not have it at the NFl level. We shall see. They will keep him for a couple of yrs. But I don’t like what I see. Now if we can only get Vea healthy……
September 4th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
Getting hit 6 yards behind the LOS as you’re being handed the ball, that’s a huge issue. Ronald really had no legit chance to show of anything this preseason, he never really had an opening that he missed, he wasn’t hitting the wrong hole as best I can tell, each time he was handed the ball he had someone hitting him before he got to the LOS. It’s literally the same thing that happened to Martin all last season. People that only look at the box scores will say boring things, but you have to look at every play, and I don’t believe Ronald had more than a few carries where he wasn’t being hit in the backfield, and on those plays he was picking up about 4-6 yards. Then that dumb sweep play would be called, which hasn’t worked since before Gruden was here, and he’d lose 6 yards.
With all that said I didn’t like the pick, I said so at the time, it was a complete waste to pick a RB in the second round as Barber was perfectly adequate to start, and the Bucs should have brought in someone like Carlos Hyde to play with Barber and spent that 2nd rounder on a safety so we’d never have to see Conte again. But even with that as the baseline to say someone is a bust because in preseason they didn’t show anything when they literally never had a chance to show anything, well that’s just your typical online mob mentality. I don’t know if the guy is a bust or not, and preseason showed us nothing to prove or disprove that.
September 4th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
The only advise I could give RoJo would be to experiment on his drop back from the line of scrimmage. He could be too deep or he may not be deep enough.
September 4th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Kamara is ONE pick. That’s not just a small sample base it’s an absurd sample base.
RB’s bust at a high rate. If Derrius Guice who was clearly a very talented RB never really returns from his blown knee will he be a bust.
Kamara is the EXCEPTION…not the RULE…and he has turned in exactly ONE season. If he continues to excel he will be one of the magic 1 in 5 RB’s drafted in the 3rd who turn out well.
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2015/2/20/8072877/what-the-statistics-tell-us-about-the-draft-by-round
There is a very high bust rate for RBs. The first round gives you a 58% chance of finding a starter followed by 25% in the second, 16% in the third, 11% in the fourth, 9% in the fifth, 6% in the sixth and 0% in the 7th.
If you rank the rounds by the total RBs drafted you find that the greatest number are drafted in the 7th, followed by the 4th, 6th, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, and 5th.
September 4th, 2018 at 7:38 pm
to broy34 you must not have been a buc fan very long. We will see by years end if ROJO is worthy of a 2nd pick. You keep waiting for him to bust loose with a 12 carries for 45 yards and you would be overjoyed. He sucks.
September 4th, 2018 at 9:16 pm
I agree with D-Rome and others. 2nd round RBs should be flashing. Rob Jones hasn’t shown much at all. We always have these players that are well liked, don’t perform, and we wait and wait. Kenny Bell, Noah Spense, the list goes on. Best of luck to Rob, I hope he makes it, but his super stardom looks light years away. Now that its regular season, hopefully the coaches can find a way to take advantage of his skill set so he can contribute. Right now Doug Martin looks like a step up.
September 4th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Todd Gurley was absolutely horrific in 2016. After a fine rookie season a bad line and bad scheme did him in. I didn’t know what he was capable of. Alas a new coach, scheme and a better O line and now Gurley is the consensus 1st pick in fantasy drafts. Now he is ‘flashing’ again. Give it time for RoJo. If 2016 was Gurley’s rookie year people would be saying the guy can’t play. Seems silly now to even think it.
September 5th, 2018 at 11:21 am
We should be worrying more about why Jones had no blocking, allowing him to be tackled immediately on hand off most of his carries. Of course Koetter will never figure out he has to look closely at Warhop for the culprit. Our OC is savy enough to figure that out but now his focus is more on play calling. The Saints have good DEs that will be after Fritz. We needed to move our best pass blocker, Dotson, to LT, and let Leidkey play RT, but Warhop is too inept to figure that out, apparently.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Joestang- been a fan for 20 plus. Watched Cadillac Dunn alstott and both good Martin years. For someone to say we should give up on him may just be the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in these comments