Fumbling On Running Backs
January 14th, 2019
Not good enough for Bucs.
Sometimes, Joe actually thinks the Bucs really don’t care much about a running game.
For years this team languished, grasping at straws that Doug Martin would be like the rookie Doug Martin who was quite effective.
Only in a contract year did Martin resemble his rookie self.
Then, in the last two drafts that were absolutely stocked with running backs, the Bucs seemed to find the only two that were just about worthless.
Also, in the last two years, despite drafting total stiffs, the Bucs had chances to get proven running backs that teams didn’t want. Two years ago the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick for Jay Ajayi, who helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. Last offseason Joe was screaming for the Bucs to pick up C.J. Anderson who was let go by the Broncos.
The Stinking Panthers, a team with legitimate goals of the playoffs each year, signed Anderson. And while he did little there and was released (not like the Stinking Panthers don’t have other quality running backs), and noted personnel genius Chucky picked Anderson up and cut him a few weeks later, Sean McVay and the Rams grabbed Anderson.
And that move paid off Saturday night. Against a strong Cowboys defense in a playoff game, Anderson was fantastic running for 123 yards and two scores.
But no, the Bucs can’t use a guy like this when you have Ronald Jones, Shaun Wilson and Jacquizz Rodgers scaring defenses so much teams hope they can wear yellow pants like the Rams — to hide their collective accidents in their pants.
Joe doesn’t know if the football personnel department of the Bucs simply doesn’t know how to evaluate running backs or if the past coaching staff didn’t know what to do with them.
In a few months, with a new coaching staff on board, if the Bucs add running backs — and they really need to — we might find out where the problem stems from in the Bucs’ inability to find and/or develop running backs.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:07 am
Not taking Guice will probably haunt them. I know he had major concerns but that still hurts.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:07 am
I was begging for Jason Licht to sign CJ Anderson, and Eric Reid, and Bashaud Breeland for WEEKS into the 2018 season. And other than picking up what looks to be a gem in Carl Nassib, Licht sat on his hands.
I’m happy that he got us B.A. but apart from that he’s done nothing that tells me he shouldn’t have been fired at the end of 2017…
January 14th, 2019 at 10:09 am
Even though Fat Contrelle was running through some wide open holes, I’d still consider him an upgrade over anyone on the roster. Sorry PB.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Guice is a freak but hard to get upset about not drafting a guy with injury history who tore his ACL in the preseason lol….
January 14th, 2019 at 10:13 am
When you don’t have a good running game your offense gets predictable……QB can not miss, and WR and TE can’t drop a pass in order to score…….That being said, if you add to that an awful defense and poor kicking you get a losing season………So its not only on the coaches, is on the GM’s and the owners!!!!!
January 14th, 2019 at 10:16 am
Joshua Jacobs is the truth
January 14th, 2019 at 10:18 am
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have an OL that can’t run block. What’s the point? Fix the OL and get a RB. There’s no point looking at what a RB is doing on another team. Our OL is not the Rams OL.
Period.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:19 am
50
i agree…
passing on guice was a huge mistake….i dont see how rojo was rated ahead of guice on their boards…..guice couldve been taken in the 1st round…rojo shouldve been taken in the 4th….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 14th, 2019 at 10:20 am
*don’t have an OL that CAN run block.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:24 am
LUV
i agree…
i like joshua jacobs…
i like FAU- Devin singletary and memphis darrell henderson too in the mid/late rounds….both are physical runners with hands and nice speed….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 14th, 2019 at 10:25 am
Forget about Guice jeesh
See Nick Chubb or
Kerryon Johnson
January 14th, 2019 at 10:25 am
need a oline first… not sure there is a single keeper on that entire oline starters and backups alike all suck. the best lineman marpet is barely average on a good day.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:27 am
LOL
January 14th, 2019 at 10:28 am
In the past two years, the HC was way more concerned with putting up huge passing numbers than any other thing. Running the ball was just something to talk about in hopes the lb’s would bite on the play action. CJ Anderson was not good enough of a blocker for this team. I still have no idea why they drafted Jones. He might be successful in a new system but they seemed to want a third down back that could catch and block. He never did much of either.
OLine must be fixed. Figure out the scheme that most of the guys can run and run it. Stop putting finesse players on the interior. Last two seasons one of the Guards have been finesse players.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:28 am
If this team brings in Kareem Hunt, all will be forgiven. We can then spend draft picks on OL. Let’s make Kareem the Komeback Kid in 2019.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:30 am
*sorry not ALL will be forgiven re:Kareem kicking a woman. I meant the RB drafting and development woes will be forgiven.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:32 am
@SB
Amen. Just think, our 2nd round could have been Kerryon Johnson, Donte Jackson, and Justin Reid.
Even if we leave out the obvious debate of Derwin and Vea because I think Vea is going to be a better more athletic version of Haloti Ngata, and even if we still draft Carlton Davis over Reid because Jordan Whitehead might not be so bad, the 2018 draft could have been transformative.
But instead it was awful. Preciate Licht for B.A. but I honestly wish he were gone.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:32 am
The Bucs O-line was inconsistent, damn near horrible. I doubt C.J. would’ve made a difference.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:32 am
luvmybucS……….man right on, not sure on draft status of jacobs as far as round but he is the next kamara…mark that down
January 14th, 2019 at 10:34 am
@ChanEpic
Did you watch that video? That “Kick” was like a preschool pat. It had no force behind it whatsoever. He was acting like a lunatic when he launched himself into the guy and knocked him into her, but come on. People can’t make a mistake out of anger anymore and not lose their career? A life time of hard work should be thrown into the garbage for a mistake?
I don’t want to live in that kind of world and I don’t think you do either.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:37 am
Watching the games over the past couple of weeks, these teams just play the game different than the Bucs tried. The teams that won up front, won every game.
I sit back, really trying to remember games the Bucs won up front on either side of the ball….. That’s a small list. I know there had to be a couple, but at best, the Bucs were hoping for a draw.
This is a D-line draft. As much as I would love to draft an O-lineman, I’m not sure given the state of play in the college game, that is a smart use of the pick. Its time to really start thinking about the draft.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:40 am
@SchwiftyBuc – I didnt say he doesn’t deserve a 2nd chance. I just don’t condone violence against women in any way shape or form. I want Kareem Hunt, and anyone in a similar situation, to be afforded the ability to learn and grow from their errors. I’d be glad if he did that in a Bucs uni.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:41 am
@ChanEpic
“If this team brings in Kareem Hunt, all will be forgiven. We can then spend draft picks on OL. Let’s make Kareem the Komeback Kid in 2019.”
YES!
#signkareemhunt
#forgivedropkickstothehead
#shestartedit
#bucredemption
January 14th, 2019 at 10:41 am
Oh damn my b. Didn’t see that you said you wanted to bring him in. Lol I’m with you unless we can sign Bell.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:47 am
@Todd – Yeah because football fans talking on a fan site about football outcomes that may or may not happen = #SheStartedit.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:53 am
Maybe Kareem Hunt isn’t that good. KC seems to being fine without him. Is it worth the public scorn?
January 14th, 2019 at 10:53 am
Would MUCH rather have Hunt @ $6-7M (and he may not get even that) than Bell @ $13-14M.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:55 am
KC does have a great system, but still think Hunt has skill and would definitely be motivated to prove the team that signed him made the right move.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:56 am
Todd McNair is new RB coach.
He previously coached Reggie Bush at USC.
His familiarity with USC system should help Ronald Jones
January 14th, 2019 at 10:59 am
It’s very simple Joe. DIrk had final say on what running back he wanted. Dirk wanted OJ Howard…guess what he got OJ Howard. That doesn’t mean Jason Licht didn’t want him just as much or more. –Joe
Why would you think it was any different with the running back position. Jason went out and obtained the players that Dirk wanted. The role of the GM is to support the Head coach the best way possible. And sometimes the best way possible is to put your foot down. –Joe I’m sure he voiced his opinion on any situation but at the end of the day Dirk got exactky who he wanted at the runnng back poition and paid for it.
January 14th, 2019 at 10:59 am
Ehh.. a lot of those yards were in garbage time when the Cowboys D was gassed and the Rams were just trying to kill the clock and pick up 1st downs.
Anderson is a complementary back. Put ROJO next to Gurley and he’d at least get his season total of 44 yards. lol
January 14th, 2019 at 11:00 am
I’m thinking the coaching staff didn’t or wouldn’t know how to use these guys. I would like to see Ronald Jones with new staff before calling him a bust. I don’t see why they wouldn’t use him on draws and inside zones out of the gun like southern cal used him.
January 14th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Arians will get it all fixed guys..Relaaaaaaaaaaaaax!!!
January 14th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Duthsty
If not better
January 14th, 2019 at 11:22 am
GM and coaching sucked, now it’s just the GM
January 14th, 2019 at 11:31 am
I agree with all of the intelligent fans who say we need to get an offensive line that can run block way before we worry about who are running back is.
One other thing, character guys win. No losers mentally like hunt and desean for me. Get guys who love football more than they like beating their wives, or crying about touches.
Go Bucs!
January 14th, 2019 at 11:31 am
But can he block???
January 14th, 2019 at 11:35 am
Man, CJ Anderson was running that ball like he was looking to hurt someone. He was a wrecking ball.
January 14th, 2019 at 11:39 am
I’ll wait for BA to evaluate our oline before I pass judgement this time.
January 14th, 2019 at 11:42 am
813 & LUV
I’m with you on these RBs.
It’s a solid / deep class and less teams need them than usual.
Jacobs seems like an ideal chess piece back for todays NFL
January 14th, 2019 at 11:57 am
This will be an interesting off season, which will include seeing what Arians does at RB. Still trying to figure him out, but I would be surprised if he went for Hunt.
January 14th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
I agree with The O-Line critique. They need to take the blame. Ot at least the O-line Coach. You can rattle off RB after RB, name after name, with regard to whom they should have signed or drafted. But I do not think it would have made one damn bit of difference. When you look at The Chiefs, The Rams, The Saints, and most good teams. The Broncos for years… It’s the O-line, their Coach, and the schemes and plays the Offensive Coordinator comes up with. They can plug in almost anybody and get results. Put any Bucs RB behind The Rams line and they’d get yardage. Except maybe Jones. He looked a little lost. But then, maybe with a different Staff and a couple of good Guards, he might have had better direction.
January 14th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
How Quizz is still on a NFL roster is absolutely stunning to me. There’s multiple posters on here who are more explosive running the ball than he is.
January 14th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
BA believes in 2nd chances… Hunt has the goods. If we draft Jonah Williams as well we could easily improve how we run the football.
January 14th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Only reservation I have about Hunt is the fact that it’s pretty much guaranteed that he’ll serve no less than a 6 game suspension whenever he is inevitably allowed to return to the league.
January 14th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
Bucs could have claimed LB Reuben Foster…& just stuck him on the shelf to see how that played out. (Charges Dropped)… But no one wants the PR hit.
(WAS could afford the risk with DJT on full blast in DC, all-day everyday….They knew RF’s legal issues would be lost in the media wash within days!)
January 14th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Things will not change this draft if Licht is still picking. We will miss on every pick.
January 14th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Who cares I blame coaching more than Jason
January 14th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
I simply do not get all this Guice love. He was great at LSU.
He’s not been great in the NFL. Payton Barber’s numbers blow away Guice’s numbers…of course when one player’s numbers are zero that’s not hard to do.
Hopefully Guice will heal as well as Dalvin Cook. He at least averaged 4.6 yards and got 615 total this year. Barber had better total yards.
I really liked Dalvin in the draft and wanted to get him…but if it’s either Dalvin or OJ I take OJ everytime. If he continues to heal Dalvin can be an excellent running back…OJ is already an excellent TE with the potential yet of being generational. No way I’d rather have Dalvin over OJ.
January 14th, 2019 at 2:36 pm
Bucs hired RuhRo’s position coach from USC. Hmmm…..
January 14th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Chalk me up in Joshua Jacobs fan club too. You’re dead on LuvMy Bucs. I actually wanted Kamara back then too. I would go so far as to say Univ of Tenn didn’t even use him to his full potential. Instead we got Justin Evans. We could have traded down in the 2nd round and still got Kamara but hindsight is 20/20. Plus, the jury is still out on Evans. There’s potential there. I think of Evans in the John Lynch mold though. He’s a hitter and that doesn’t translate to today’s NFL.
January 14th, 2019 at 3:50 pm
You can spend from now till hell freezes over lamenting Dalvin Cook or Kamera ad nauseam but at some point we all have to start thinking about how BA looks at the Buc’s and what he see’s. He definitely would have grabbed OJ and considering Todd McNair’s history at USC Jones might not be the busts we all see now. I’ll admit I will spend most of the offseason observing Arian and this new herd of coaches he’s hand picked. I won’t try to guess what influence they will have on players or who will be here on opening day for that matter.
January 14th, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Start by signing Kareem Hunt and another veteran like Adrian Petersen asap, keep PB and dump Jacquiz who can go sign with the Falcons, give little Rojo another try with BA in charge–see how it plays out.
January 14th, 2019 at 5:21 pm
Left tackle, right tackle, right guard. and maybe we could have a running game.
January 14th, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Shaun Wilson. Licht’s next UDFA diamond in the rough. I really hope he gets more of an opportunity to show what he’s got. Everyone thought RoJo was going to be a superstar so Wilson wasn’t getting much of a chance. He did well in preseason at RB and has all the skills. Did not do well at returning in the regular season.
Wilson- 6 carries, 4.6 yrd avg, 29 yards when he went on IR
RoJo when Wilson went on IR- 22 carries, 1.9 yrd avg, 21 yrds.
January 14th, 2019 at 7:29 pm
BA Give Hunt a second chance. IN BA WE TRUST
January 14th, 2019 at 7:44 pm
Danny can’t believe Quizz is on a roster??? Really? Well, he’ll be on another one next year. He can block with the best of them. Top 10 3rd down back in league. And can run — if you give him an O-line. He proved that a couple of years ago. And if you saw him in college — he killed everyone, including USC!
That so many on this thread think that any other back could have done better in this system, with this line, is just naive. Kareem Hunt would not have gotten much done with this 2018 team. Maybe Jim Brown, but that’s about it.
January 14th, 2019 at 7:53 pm
Lol Joe !! Fumbling on RBs, DTs, OTs, CBs, LBs, DEs, Safeties should I keep going ? The only thing this idiot aka Drafts a Kicker in the 2nd is OJ HOWARD!!! Still can’t believe the GM has a job, but his track record belongs in the CFL and sadly will ruin the draft again. Bolts sure don’t miss on the draft and might have to put the Rays in there because they have one of the best farms in MLB, but until the Glazers ( who do nothing for the community like Vinik does ) sell this organization they will stay in the pits and get what they deserve
January 14th, 2019 at 8:39 pm
Gm has a job because our owners needed him for now.End of story.I was in favor of his release,but the Glaziers made the right move and we need to give them our full support.Licht–come on man and rise to greatness this year!!!!!!!
January 14th, 2019 at 11:44 pm
Imagine if it wasn’t the running backs, but the play of the o-line in front of them??
What a thought!!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:50 am
Buc50 Says:
January 14th, 2019 at 10:07 am
Not taking Guice will probably haunt them. I know he had major concerns but that still hurts.
————
This post reeks of stupidity!
January 15th, 2019 at 11:51 am
The reason why Anderson is consistently available is because he’s not a pass catcher and he’s not a special teams player. So either he’s your starting RB or he’s cut. Most teams don’t have the luxury of carrying a RB that doesn’t start, catch passes, or play special teams. Glad I could break this down for you folks that don’t understand how the bottom of a roster works.