Lamar Miller, Ronald Jones & The Bucs
January 8th, 2019
The No. 38 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft belongs to the Buccaneers.
He turns 21 1/2 next month.
Ronald Jones was a massive disappointment this season, especially considering how excellent running backs were found in many rounds throughout the past two drafts.
In that orchard of backfield talent, the Bucs picked Jones and SnoopDogg McPlaybook (Jeremy McNichols). They’ve combined for 48 rushing yards in regular-season play.
But don’t write off Jones, says former Bucs general manager Mark Dominik, the most successful Tampa Bay GM of this decade. Dominik was on WDAE-AM 620 recently comparing Jones to seven-year veteran Lamar Miller, who has a couple of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and rushed for 973 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 5 TDs this season for the Texans.
Miller, like Jones, was drafted very young, just hours before he turned 21. Both checked in at 5-11 and a little light. Jones was 205 pounds at the combine; Miller was seven pounds heavier.
But, per Dominik, word quickly spread around the league that Miller needed more lower body strength to bring his young NFL game up to what he achieved in college. And Dominik said he sees Jones in a similar light, as a guy not yet strong enough for the NFL. Miller blossomed after a couple of NFL seasons of adding NFL strength, Dominik said, and Jones should be able to take the same path.
With more strength (if that’s Jones’ issue) would come more confidence. And Jones sure looked like a scared player at various times during his rookie year.
Joe sure hopes Dominik is onto something. Jones’ career mirroring Miller’s would be a very good thing.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
10 lbs……and catching balls and running routes ALL OFFSEASON !
January 8th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Gonna be hard to get touches with Bell and Barber in the same backfield….
January 8th, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Bell will not be on this team. He will go to highest bidder.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Jones and Spence were so good in college, I have to wonder if part, (a large part) of their problems were Koetter and his coaching staff. Koetter was a likable guy and a good offensive mind, but just not a good head coach. Running the whole team is much different than being in charge of one part of it. Hopefully the next coach will solve the Bucs problems. If Ariens really is the next coach I see the Bucs going AT LEAST to 8 and 8, maybe a tad better.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Rojo and McNichols and miss out on all of those RBs. Several undrafted RBs are better than those two, How can Licht and his scouts be that clueless?! It’s hard to be that inept.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Larry Says:
January 8th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Jones and Spence were so good in college, I have to wonder if part, (a large part) of their problems were Koetter and his coaching staff.
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LOL…those 2 positions are the easiest to transition to in the NFL…not talking about pass protection …just running the ball and rushing the passer
January 8th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
If Dominik says so……Come on Joe you keep on bringing this gentleman´s quote as if he was a kind of Genious or guru and it was a joke!!! The same kind of joke as the guy who brought Rojo….
January 8th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
PLEASE!!! No Bell at running back. Didn’t the Bucs learn anything from DJAX. No one needs a malcontent in other locker room. 53 SELFLESS guys on the same
page WITH TEAM GOALS not JUST THINKING ABOUT THEMSELVES!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
I have a hard time calling any 1 year player a bust but it feels different with the RB position.
RBs usually show some flash right out of the gates if they are legit. Not saying they put up stats and big numbers but you usually do see rookie RBs make a few splash plays in his first year. Most often when they show nothing at all, like Ronald did, you can basically write them off.
Ronald Jones should be fishing for a job come August……which means we need to add some serious competition at that spot.
And Quiz needs to go. He was awful at blocking this year which renders him close to useless…….which is something I hate to say because I really respected his game, before 2018 happened
January 8th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Who else going to the movies to see “Mortal Engines”? It looks pretty cool. It was in production for awhile, like Ronald Jones will be, if he survives the next coach, Bruce A….. We’re all still waiting. It still feels like a let down to draft a developmental RB which is a critical “now” need, you missed a few in FA and your on the verge being fired because the guy you promoted to HC sucks as a HC. Throw in a couple terrible drafts and, and, and your answer is a developmental, undersized, non catching, scared RB!
I will be going to see Mortal Engines but I dont see Jones lasting long without major progress.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
My prediction is that Shaun Wilson emerges and becomes a contributor next year.
He showed the flash that I kept looking for from Ronald.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
its all about development….something dirk and smitty both failed at…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Great, so we wasted our 38th overall pick on a project.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Last thing this team needs is bell. I put a lot of this on Koetter and Warhop. I bet everyone will take it up a notch in 2019 now that they don’t have a scary head coach
January 8th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
I’m with Altered Ego on this one. RBs shouldn’t need a ton of developement to show any signs of life.
The guy just can’t make a play.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Tune on NFL Network guys. It’s time
January 8th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
I’m not giving up on Jones so soon…the young man showed in college that he has the coveted top gear that can break long plays. I liken him a bit to Marlon Mack on the Colts. His rookie season was disappointing and injury riddled much like Jones’ was. Hopefully Jones has a year two breakout much like Mack has done in Indy. The talent is most definitely there if the new coaches can help Jones flourish at the pro level.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
We should be signing Kareem Hunt. We already know he can play.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Nevermind. Stupid idiots act like it was breaking news buts not.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Good call Jimmy Jack… looks like this is all but done.
January 8th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Hahaha tnew. I though they were making a official announcement since they broke into a scheduled program but it was just more rumors.
Dumb idiots.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
jimmyjack
quick fix right?….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Gotta LOVE hearing all US arm chair GM’s and HC’s put in out 2 cents worth.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
“Buccaneers to offer head coach job to Bruce Arians” is top news on nfl.com
January 8th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
I’m not even close to being ready to write Jones off.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
813bucboi
This team never was quick fix… has lacked talent for years. One reason why Licht shouldn’t be GM.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
813 if you don’t want a quick fix your not very smart.
Rams & Bears quick fixes. Tell me what’s wrong with that?
What do you want a five year plan?
January 8th, 2019 at 1:21 pm
I know this team needs a lot this draft but Jonah Williams looked rough last night.
I’m an advocate of Devin White at #5.
Guy is an absolute game wrecker.
Please watch his highlights and tell me we don’t NEED this identity at Tampa.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:22 pm
Lamar Miller was at least a natural pass catcher out of the back field.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:22 pm
I’m not even a big fan of Lamar Miller but, this is as apples and oranges as it gets. The PAC 12 can’t hold a candle to the talent and competition in the ACC, and the ACC isn’t even the best conference. Well, with Clemson beating the brakes off of Bama, I guess the ACC is the best!
I digress. Jones was not a good pick, PERIOD. There were far better RBs at that spot.
That said, he’s ours and he’s a young dude so maybe he can turn out OK.
I’m not holding my breath though!
January 8th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
He needs to get into shape and show more confidence before the draft cause new regime won’t screw with him. (see David Johnson)
January 8th, 2019 at 1:24 pm
It seems like the final terms are being put together. I imagine this has to do with the coordinators. Joe had an interesting thought regarding that on the last podcast. Arians may want a play caller for this situation. Taking that off his plate could set him up for another year or so.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
I heard them say Byron Leftwich as a coaching staff addition. That one kinda came from left field.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
You wanna give RB’s a little more confidence? Fix that offensive line. Spend quantity of quality picks on future road graders. If history has shown us anything is that a dominating offensive line can make a team virtually unstoppable. Everyone used to rave over how Denver was a RB goldmine. How seemingly seasons after seasons they would produce 1000yd rushers and none were high draft picks with the exception of 2nd round Clinton Portis. Different names but same uniform. Because Denver made it a priority to draft big nasty road graders. Shanahan and crew would use premium picks to draft lineman and use later round picks on the RB position. Listen to Terrell Davis who accredits his HOF gold jacket to his offensive line mates. He said without them, he’d been just an ordinary back.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Then, why draft him at #38?
I thought, “He has a rocket up his a$$.”?
Maybe the rocket is preventing him from catching the ball, breaking a tackle or throwing a block!?
January 8th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
LOL! First time I’ve heard it put this way but you’re right!
January 8th, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Jean- Didn’t Denver actually use a zone-blocking scheme? I don’t remember their line being big.
You have a great point though. It was “plug and play” for much of those years.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Yesterday the Bucs questioned Bruce about his prostate. The team doctor said ” I think you’re lying. There is a hole in your story, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. ” Off to the hospital they went but before the exam began, they requested a second opinion. So two fingers were used during the exam.After the prostate exam, the doctor left. Then the nurse came into the room.At that point, she whispered the 5 words no man wants to hear: “Who the heck was that?”
that is the reason now for the delay according to my sources. And I’ m sticking to it!
January 8th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
You’d look scared also if the second you were handed the ball you’d have 3 defensive players touching you.
Did we ever hand him the ball twice in a row?……I mean, we screamed “we are handing it to Rojo” every time he entered the game.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Could of had Marlon Mack for nothing . Fans were more adept calling for him then this front office
January 8th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
I just cant help but feel that Bruce Arians would find a way to get a 2nd season Ronald Jones up and running.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:42 pm
Belicheat is the bar. Everyone else is just a pretender.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
ChanEpic Says:
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.
ChanEpic Says:
December 4th, 2018 at 12:33 pm
RoJo needs to add at least 10lbs of muscle, really really really work on breaking tackles and learn how to catch and block. And THAT is a 2nd round talent? Nah.
ChanEpic Says:
December 7th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
We drafted a RB in the 2nd round, who is light in the pants, cannot block and cannot catch. But he is coming along? Whatever!
How did this guy get picked in the 2nd round? It was clear from the first time I saw him practice, this guy was/is SUPER LIGHT for the NFL RB role. Again, how can I see that immediately but people, very well paid, people could not?
January 8th, 2019 at 1:46 pm
He just like Doug Martin , can’t catch double sided tape !!
Can still be a good player you just hv to adjust to his skill set
January 8th, 2019 at 1:46 pm
No 813bucboi…it’s all about talent….. which Ronald Jones lacks significantly.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
tbbucs3 – He has talent, it’s just college talent. He is too light to survive the NFL and an offseason workout plan, with some man beasts, should work wonders for this kid.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
The Ronald Jones apologist are out in full force today.
Just accept that the guy the worst NFL running back that I’ve seen in a long time. And what makes it even worse is that he displays terrible body language, has no leadership and shows 0 signs that he actually cares. He’s like a Desean Jackson without the talent.
What were you thinking Jason Licht???
January 8th, 2019 at 1:53 pm
He can’t run and is not instinctive and has hands of stone.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
You don’t teach someone how to catch!
January 8th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Our o-line is so bad there is no way to judge Ronald Jones at this point. No rb in the NFL could succeed when the whole right side of the O-line collapses on a regular basis. Seriously, this needs to be about fixing a pathetic o-line first.
January 8th, 2019 at 1:56 pm
“Now Joe, what does mother say about listening to Mark Dominik?”-Mom
“Not to do it.”-JBF
“And why aren’t you suppose to listen to him?”-Mom
“Cus he doesn’t know sh!t.”-JBF
“That’s correct.”-Mom
January 8th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Buc4ever – how come barber looked decent behind the same line?
January 8th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Buc4evr
Explain how Peyton Barber (an average at best RB) was able to look decent with the same exact oline for the Bucs?
January 8th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Jones looks so lost, but I didn’t see him as much scared as confused. He wasn’t asked to do what he did in college. At USC, he was an inside runner, in a trap blocking scheme. Occasionally, he would sift thru a zone blocking scheme but he was primarily an inside runner. Watch his highlights, there aren’t many outside runs. Here all he was asked to do was outside runs in a zone blocking scheme, run routes as a receiver and pass pro. He was expected to play like a Kamara, and has never been asked to catch the ball.
The O-line doesn’t look physically talented enough to be a good trap blocking unit. They are poor zone blocking. I would love to hear the new O-line coach assess our line, seriously pay a ton of money for that.
Just because he is small doesn’t mean he can’t be an inside runner. Go watch Warrick Dunn highlights.
My first thing I do is buy him a jugs machine and give him a performance bonus for catching 1000 balls a day. Catching a football can be learned.
He is at the end of his plank here as a potential bust. Hopefully, a new coach can help this young man develop and turn his future around
January 8th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
As a armchair GM I am not ready to give up a RB when 90% of the time he is being tackled as he gets the ball.
I agree with Jean offensive should be a high priority.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:01 pm
Peyton Barber’s style is more suited for the zone blocking scheme. Short area quickness, but struggles to make players miss in space (he might go thru you) and will not run away from anyone. Jones needs a hole then can hit you for a monster gain.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
That’s REALLY scary hearing you say that Dominek is the most successful Bucs GM the last 10 years! Damn we are in trouble.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Draft Darrell Henderson out of Memphis in the 3rd round. Boy is a beast… Look him up!
January 8th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
I might be considered an apologist but I HATED the pick and still do. I wanted Guice, and still do. But, Jones is on the roster. The team invested a top 40 pick in him. I’d rather go all in and see if there is anything to salvage. I’m sick of watching coaches pound the players into duties that don’t fit their skillset.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
You hate to write the guy off after one season, but if he does not produce in the preseason the Bucs should not waste a roster spot on him in 2019.
If the Bucs sign Mark Ingram to a short term contract(2 years) and sign Tevin Coleman as the Bucs third down running back they would have a very solid group at the position.
First Team: Mark Ingram
Second Team: Peyton Barber
Third Team: Tevin Coleman(in on obvious passing downs)
January 8th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
He needs more strength? A couple more years to develop into an NFL-quality player? Who was the idiot scout that evaluated Jones?
January 8th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
One things for am skippy, If Jones does not cut the mustard under Arians? He’s gone. Arians does NOT..keep dead weight around. Everybody contributes on his teams.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:06 pm
100% agree, make or break preseason and camp for Jones. Better stay healthy
January 8th, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Name me a player that sucked this badly and then miraculously became good?
January 8th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
I’m more so blown away when I look back at the last few drafts and how we continued to pass up on good RBs for the likes of McNichols and Jones. As it’s been stated in here, how do you miss this? From the time I watched film on Jones he was my least favorite RB in this past draft. His long runs were a product of gaping holes and he was just simply faster than anyone on the field. Time and time again he’d run into his blockers back (lack of vision) and wouldn’t make very many misses. Would just turn and try to out run them. There are a handful of FAs that are interesting and as far as the draft I really like David Montgomery from Iowa State. I’m hoping as a smaller school prospect he goes under the radar. If not then maybe Josh Jacobs from Alabama as a later pick. He could be a compliment to Barber (In the case we don’t add more depth) and/or possibly take over the role.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
We shall see, but everything about Jones this year looked awful. We had sh!t for oline but that guy couldn’t find a hole and get through it to save his momma’s life. And those hands? More stone cold than the wrestler.
Looking for Shaun Wilson to be Jason Licht’s next UDFA geme in the rough.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
This all may be mute. BA if hired is a big.. HUGE.. second chance guy. Who in the NFL needs a bigger second chance than any player?? Kareem Hunt.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
It is sooooooooo easy to find a talented RB these days.
There is literally zero sense in pining and being patient for a guy who doesn’t have the moxie.
Go get the next Phillip Lindsay.
January 8th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
jimmyjack
so bruce is capable of a quick fix……
so we should expect playoffs next year?…..the year after?…..
surely bruce doesnt need a “5year plan” to get us where we want to be which is in the playoffs…..
i just want to make sure i understand you correctly…..your saying bruce will provide a “quick fix” because he’s a great coach with loads of experience and will have have a great staff…..so he doesnt get the “it takes time” excuse right?….quick fix right?….playoffs next year right?…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
JimmyJack Says:
January 8th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
813 if you don’t want a quick fix your not very smart.
Rams & Bears quick fixes. Tell me what’s wrong with that?
nothing….but according to you they went about it the wrong way…..they hired young and unproven coordinators as HC’s…..
how’d that work out for them?….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 3:09 pm
All I know is we’re dumb if we are counting on Rojo to be anything more than the 4th string back.
Hope for him to be a star but RB is not a developmental position.
The only way the coaches may have messed him up; is by giving him his first 20 carries behind the worst run blocking i’ve ever seen in my life (referring to preseason). They didn’t do anything to get him going in space or allow him to make any play to gain some confidence.
His first carry he made a nice cut back and broke a tackle and gained 5 yards lol. Solid carry on his TD run too. Then downhill after that.
HIs college tape was great outside of not showing enough as a WR
January 8th, 2019 at 3:17 pm
813, i am surprised at how much you seem against Arians as a great hire for us. I definitely understand how you feel about Kris Richard and i agree that his future is super bright. But, as a Bucs fan, is there really no part of you that would be excited about Arians taking over this team?
January 8th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
ROJO reminds me of when we drafted Dexter Jackson (WR) in the second round. Total bust and does not belong in the league. Plays scared, can’t catch, closes his eyes on runs up the middle. Licht should be gone! Plus he passed on an All-pro safety!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 3:45 pm
Lamar Miller had 250 yards on 51 carries his rookie year. Average per rush 4.9 (Miller’s second highest avg of his career).
Ronald Jones had 44 yards on 23 carries as a rookie. Average per rush 1.9 yards.
So between Miller actually averaging more per touch as a rookie than he would for most of his career and the fact that Jones was far less than half of that his rookie year I’d say Dominik explains things as he would as the GM of the Bucs, like a 28-52 moron who passed on Golden Tate so he could trade up for Arrelious Benn.
January 8th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Wow Doctor_berto, that is some really bad memories there that you just brought up.
Dexter Jackson (not the Super Bowl MVP)… but the kid who took the fetal position on kick returns. Oooh,, bad memories Doc.
January 8th, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Everyone blaming the RBs for the bad rushing attack is WRONG!!!!
Look no further than the OL. I dont care if we had Gayle Sayers….this OL had no push…missed blocks constantly….and were not talented enough against more physical teams.
I have no idea what you guys are watching sometimes. Geesh..this includes JBF. Why have you not written with the same tenacity about this OL…it always starts with the OL.
Bucs OL most over rated bunch in NFL.
January 8th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
I am definitely not arguing with you, donuts. I actually really, really like Peyton Barber. The kid has incredible passion for running the football, and with even a decent OL, could have averaged 4.4 per carry.
January 8th, 2019 at 4:49 pm
demon
no excitement….bruce is a meh hire imo…..
good coach but not what we need imo…..
if he’s hired, he’ll support but i also expect a “quick fix” sense he’s an experienced HC….meaning playoffs…..dirk needed time to figure things out….surely bruce doesnt need time….he should come in an provide a quick fix(playoffs)…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…#KRISISTHEPICK!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
January 8th, 2019 at 6:04 pm
Jones will be good next season
January 8th, 2019 at 6:23 pm
RoJo is a no go. Miserable waste of a pick
January 8th, 2019 at 9:17 pm
Kareem Hunt is 23. Barber is 25. Fix the oline + Hunt + Barber = Best running game in the NFL.