“Paying A Running Back, It’s Almost Death.”
March 4th, 2019
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That’s the old saying that could be relevant to the 2019 Buccaneers.
Head coach Bucco Bruce Arians has a son who played in the NFL; Jake Arians now works with the Arians Family Foundation and co-hosts a football podcast. Joe usually cruises through the podcast to see if the younger Arians drops any knowledge from his father, or any insight into what might be his dad’s thoughts on the Bucs.
In the most recent episode of TDFantasy, Jake Arians was adamant that it’s a horrible idea to pay a running back big money except in rare circumstances. One would be if you have a young quarterback still on a rookie contract. The other is if the standout running back is still very young. He gave the example of David Johnson, whose fat three-year deal expires when he’s 28 years old.
“Paying a running back, it’s is almost death,” Arians said.
So what kind of running back is ideal, per Jake Arians? Interestingly, he named Peyton Barber and Alfred Morris as examples of guys you can work hard for a couple of years at a nothing salary and then discard.
Hmmm. Is that an Arians family philosophy?
Interestingly, when talking about this year’s draft, Jake Arians said securing an “instant starter” guard with a second-round pick is always a rock-solid and undervalued move for a franchise.
For those wondering, no, Jake and Bruce are not estranged and by all indications are quite close.
March 4th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Cody Ford…but not at 5…
March 4th, 2019 at 1:05 pm
Drafting one a #5 is even worse unless it’s a young Adrian Peterson.
Any gm worth a darn should be able to find a starting oline in the 3-4 round.
March 4th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
Damn, who would even want to be a RB anymore?
They get the shaft financially and have the shortest shelf life.
If I’m a high school RB right now I’d be switching positions to CB or S.
March 4th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Wonder if the teams in the Super Bowl and the final 4 agree with that philosophy? Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, & kareem hunt before were all top flight backs….jags have a good RB available carlos hyde
March 4th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
@dusty… all those running backs are super cheap and that’s the point he is making. Also, carlos hyde is not good.
March 4th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Duthsty Rhothdes Says:
March 4th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Wonder if the teams in the Super Bowl and the final 4 agree with that philosophy? Alvin Kamara, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel,
.
.
IMO RoJo was Licht’s make up (need pick ) for Sony Michel….grrrr
March 4th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
What we need to do is allow UNRESTRICTED free agents that will command too much money and that we don’t need as much ie Humphries, Kwon, Fitz and replace them with bargain players or through the draft so we can recoup draft capital. THEN USE THE REPLACEMENT COMPENSATION PICKS (that the Patriots and other sustainably built teams do every year ) and end up with 2-4 extra picks almost every year to trade or stockpile young cheap ammunition year after year.
March 4th, 2019 at 1:24 pm
That’s Jake’s opinion. Jake, Arians. Wait who? How many years spent grinding in an NFL front office for Jake again??
People that pay LeVeon over a tidy, player friendly 3 year deal, will not be disappointed. That man wants Colbert and his ex-teammates to look soooo bad for so long, that his ISHHH on the field will be….stout…indeed.
Not concerned about what Jake thinks bout that one.
Go Bucs!
March 4th, 2019 at 1:47 pm
and folks bash LB for sitting out and wanting more $$$$$….lol….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
March 4th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
@StoutGospel
I wouldn’t pay LeVeon Bell the money his asking for since he is quitter and left his teammates hanging which turned out to backfire on him since PIT didn’t miss him AT ALL last year. Just another me 1st guy who only cares about money. And I agree I take nothing from Jake’s opinion and I don’t care and not sure why the Joes do either?
March 4th, 2019 at 2:08 pm
Hard to see a kicker and head coach having the same philosophy especially about how to build a roster
March 4th, 2019 at 2:08 pm
RB’s have to do so much now days, They have to block, be good receivers, have break-a-way speed, good vision, and ability to follow blockers while shedding 300lb D-lineman. Because of their size they take a beating and with few exceptions (AP) have shorter careers. So sure let’s pay them less and cut them after a couple of years. Oh and by the way let’s tell them ahead of time that that’s our plan for them. Guess that’s why I encouraged my son to play QB, 23 years ago.
March 4th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
That’s cool @Boogie….but THIS GUY would pay LeVeon, as I mentioned in the structure above. And I’m not going to get into that “quitter” bullsh!t like we all did on here before, we’ll just agree to disagree, for those that hve fully studied all sides OF THE contractual issues and brilliance, like Florio did masterfully over weeks on PFT. It’s sooo layered, and complex, to long to rehash.
Have to take the emotion out of it, and disregard the name on the back of the jersey. Just the business side of using that commodity to generate vastly different results at the RB position, on any team, especially the Bucs. A….commodity. Bringing forth results.
But then again…it seems you think (thought) Conner = Bell…right? 🙂
Go Bucs!
March 4th, 2019 at 2:38 pm
We don’t need to worry about the Bucs spending too much money on a RB…..because, we don’t have any money.
March 4th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
So long as we resign Barber I’ll be an happy camper. He is the perfect foundation to build a RB core.
Next step would be to find a rookie with some wheels.
March 4th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
And to hell with RoJo…….Don’t know what the problem is but I don’t like it. If he can’t hack it again this year I’ll be pleased to see Shaun Wilson get the opportunity. He showed actual promise last year during preseason and his 3 carries in the first few games.
March 4th, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Nice hands 84 that looks like it might be holding if it gets seen by the refs.
March 4th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Ive only been sayin this for 6 months now. Replace RT in 1st. Get a Guard in 2nd. Get top notch RB in 3rd. Fix run game. Fix offense. Helps the defense stay off the field. Helps Jameis. It so simple its blinding. But yall want a defensive player and the defense may still be terrible
March 4th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Defense needs about 6 players. Offense needs 3.
March 4th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Qadree Ollison 6-1 230 4.60e Pittsburgh
March 4th, 2019 at 4:04 pm
If the Bucs don’t bring in a Foster or Iupati in free agency – then drafting a Guard in the first 3 rounds becomes much more of a priority.
March 4th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Actually looking at the RBs on the final four teams process his point. Of them only Gurley was a high draft pick, Michel was very late first round, Kamara and Hunt middle rounds. Three are on the rookie contacts, Gurley is much like Jake states working with a young QB when extended.
March 4th, 2019 at 4:53 pm
The same use and discard philosophy applies to slot receivers. Sorry Adam. Thank you for your service.
March 4th, 2019 at 5:07 pm
This is a league wide view. Thats why i was shocked when Leveon bell did what he did. No way he recoups that 14 mil.
March 4th, 2019 at 5:08 pm
This draft offers good middle round work-horse RB’s that could be paired with a resurgent RoJo 2.0… Snell / Barnes / Montgomery all fit the bill as between the tackles power backs to pair with RoJo’s speed. (Thunder & Lightning)
March 4th, 2019 at 6:46 pm
JimmyJack
“If he can’t hack it again this year I’ll be pleased to see Shaun Wilson get the opportunity.”
I really like Wilson and he doesn’t get enough credit or talked about by others. Broke ACC records at Duke and he has it all if you watch his tape. Wilson 6 carries for 29 yards vs. RoJo’s 22 carries for 21 yards last year before Wilson went down. I think he has the potential to be the one-two punch with PB and one of Licht’s UDFA diamond in the rough.
March 5th, 2019 at 9:35 am
Catcard202 you are absolutely right about the Bucs needing another power back such as Snell, Jr. We now have three speedy change of pace backs on our roster but don’t have a power back to back up Barber. We also don’t have a third down back who can stonewall a blitz or even analyze it is coming like Snell can nor has great hands for passes, as he does as well.
March 5th, 2019 at 9:33 pm
Owly…Who you BS’ing… I’ve dreamed of Benny in a Bucs uniform for 2yrs.
I’d take Benny on a 3rd rnd rookie contract over LeVeon Bell in FA, right now.
Any doubters should pull some tape. Just Youtube some highlights..He’s wired for the league… Old school tough – Workhorse RB…Works like one on & off the field. Leads by example, great in the community & has very high expectations of himself/those around him. (Loves the underdog role / non-destructive chip motivates every rep he takes!)
Combine can’t measure “It”…But he has it.