Can RoJo Carry The Rock?
October 25th, 2018
Ready for more work.
With Peyton Barber dinged up (he did return to practice today), is that a sign second-round pick Ronald Jones will get more carries?
Or would Jones even be — gasp! — a bellcow back for the Bucs in Cincinnati?
Jones was the subject of some chatter from Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken today and, of course, Monken wouldn’t tip anyone off what his plans for RoJo are on Sunday.
RoJo has been little-used with only 17 carries in three games and his production has been forgettable except last week against Cleveland.
“He continues to get better,” Monken said of RoJo. “He needs practice. He’s getting that. He’s getting more and more reps. He is gaining more and more confidence.
“He has to dial in some of the little things that come up when you play the best in the world and I think he is doing that. He is only going to get better. He does have talent.”
When asked if RoJo could tote the rock 20 or 25 times a game Sunday, Monken wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know,” Monken said. “We haven’t asked him to do that.”
If the Bucs want to give RoJo a spin, the rookie told Joe he’s ready.
“Most definitely,” Jones said of his ability to be a feature back. “I’m not going to say ‘no” to any more touches. I’m just going to do what they ask me to do.”
RoJo sooner or later has to get his feet wet. Joe doesn’t think he was drafted in the second round to be a part-time player. Might as well start against a poor defense like the Bengals have.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Looking at the alabama tape and that would be a huge NO
October 25th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
You know what would help the struggling running game? Two words: FULL BACK!
I would like to see this kid light it up though. I forgot what a healthy run-game looks like!
October 25th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Can he actually stay on his feet after being touched by a defender?
Can our o-line open more than 1 hole legit hole per game?
These are the more important questions.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Stop actin like his guy is retarded-
He was a top explosive back from USC
Got some news for all you derelicts out there. He’s the best back in our team.
Start giving him the ball and let him figure it out.
Another news flash- we suck, so who cares
October 25th, 2018 at 2:31 pm
@Bucsfanman agreed on the FB, but isn’t that what we have Alan Cross for?
October 25th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
unbelievable- Yea, but they use him so sparingly. They constantly run out of single-back formations using TEs to block. I just don’t see that it’s been effective. Call me crazy, but would it hurt to have some more 2-back sets?!
October 25th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Yea I hear ya. Either that, are start running out of shotgun / passing formations at least.
Seems like when we line up in that obvious run formation we almost never get any yards, and especially so in short yardage situations. If we can’t run block when the defense knows we’re going to run, we have to throw them off the scent.
October 25th, 2018 at 2:58 pm
It wouldn’t matter if he was having a breakout game Koetter would still bench him to make sure every active back was getting carries
October 25th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Something! Anything! They need to figure it out. Having Jameis throw 40 times a game is not healthy.
SF had some interesting run plays last time I watched them using a FB but it may be a zone concept, not sure.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
My best guess is if Jones gets 20 touches he will get 27 yards
October 25th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
I’ve got him on my work fantasy league team. But, I’ve also got most of the Bucs as well. Jameis, Mike, Jackpot, O.J., Jones, and Barber. Catman is my kicker as well. I’m sitting 3 and 4 right now. And that’s without setting my lineup game 1. I traded for all these guys, and forgot to put ’em in. I’m not playing to win anything, it’s just office fun. Rojo gets his first start this Sunday.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:23 pm
If they’re going to run Jones, they need to spread the field out and use him out of the shotgun. Give him simple reads to make and let his natural ability take over.
Running him into the middle of the line doesn’t make sense.
The offensive line blocking for him would help as well.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Prob not. Also, can Vea get more than one tackle? Prob not. Licht needs to go! This draft was a disaster.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
.1 yards and a cloud of dust
October 25th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
He does seem to slip a lot prior to contact. I think the initial defensive speed to the ball threw him off. He looked nonchalant getting started. He needs to hit his stride earlier than he’s ever had to. He’ll be a site to see when he breaks one. Looks like #29 of the Pony Express when he gets free. Break away speed.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
I like Jones. Seems humble, says the right things. I think (hope) he’ll get to where he needs to be.
October 25th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
@Eric LOL
October 25th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
@Dusthty Rhothdes – just checked that out and yeah, he looks A LOT like he has since he’s been a Buc. Does NOT break tackles and gets caught from behind. In my opinion, he needs to add at least 10lbs of muscle to survive the NFL ON THIS TEAM.
October 25th, 2018 at 4:01 pm
Dusty Rhodes you do realize that almost every college running back looks bad against alabama. It isn’t like he was behind an nfl offensive line in that game. How many usc offensive lineman are starting for teams this year. Off of that team. I seen the highlights he had a couple nice runs he did all on his own. The rest of the game he was being hit in the backfield before he even gets started. Hard to judge someone off of that tape. Unless he was running behind Notre dames offensive line with two first round picks off of it last year. That tape is irrelevant to me and to all the scouts who rated him so high. You do realize he just turned 21 years old. It is t like he is a 24 year old rookie coming in. He is green and he will need time. Sure you see people like Kamara that come in and make it look easy. Others it takes a while to learn the nuances of the nfl. They the kid have more than 17 carries before you start calling him a bust. He could run for 200 yards Sunday. Then you will be his biggest cheerleader
October 25th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
We’ll never know unless they give him more than 9 carriers or 9 series for gods sake.
October 25th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
He won’t get a chance 65 pass attempts 3 picks this week. Lions and Broncos rookie RB do look a lot better so far.
October 25th, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Monken said rojo needs more practice, WTF, are you serious? maybe he will be ready by this off-season. RoJo is a bust the sooner you admit it and move on the better off this team will be.
October 25th, 2018 at 8:24 pm
This staff simply can’t coach up a player… if they are not a slam dunk stud out of college like Evans or Howard they digress the minute they hit the field with this coaching staff. Again there is another rookie running back‘s contributing to their teams success taking away after this bust
October 25th, 2018 at 9:01 pm
We have the #1 offense in the NFL.
Stop b*tching people!
October 26th, 2018 at 10:53 am
Maybe Rojo can start kicking Field Goals.
We should definitely put Vita Vea back for Kickoff duties too.
Then my confidence in Koetter pole might change a little.