Half-Empty Or Half-Full On Andre Ellington?
July 21st, 2019
One persistent theme of the offseason was Bucco Bruce Arians’ public presentation of 30-year-old running back Andre Ellington, a guy Arians cut in Arizona two years ago — and a guy out of football entirely last year.
Arians said multiple times that Ellington was now healthier than he’s been in four years.
That’s quite a statement. An optimist would applaud, a pessimist would say Ellington is 100 percent injury-prone and a Hail-Mary signing at 30 years old.
Ellington was slowed in Arizona by multiple injuries to his foot, hip, knee and concussion issues. They drove him from rookie stud (1,023 all-purpose yards) and solid second-year guy to NFL afterthought.
Now he’s wearing Bucs colors and he might be the second-best running back on the roster.
Maybe the most fair assessment of Ellington now is that he’s a more talented but more injury-prone and older version of Jacquizz Rodgers. That won’t help any Bucs fans sleep tonight.
Still, Ellington is a legitimate X-factor on roster a little short of running back talent. Maybe he has a quick start to a season left in his body. If Ellington can help the Bucs win a game in September or October and nothing more, he will have been well worth the pick-up.
July 21st, 2019 at 7:52 pm
Let BRUCE ALL MIGHTY do what he do! GO BUCS GO FAMOUS GO SUHY!!!
July 21st, 2019 at 8:10 pm
Being quite honest (would I ever be anything but?), I hope RoJo has gotten it together but Ellington has been in the back of my mind as the guy who will more than likely give the Bucs a servicable run game. If both of those guys can step up and Barber even maintains the status quo, that’s huge over last year.
July 21st, 2019 at 8:12 pm
Yes, BA kept Ellington because of his familiarity with the offense, but make no bones about it, Bruce Anderson, and Dare Ogunbowale are fresh much younger legs and if things are done according to best player, rather than teachers pet, they will put Ellington on the bubble.
July 21st, 2019 at 8:36 pm
would rather take a chance a rookie
July 21st, 2019 at 8:43 pm
Very solid scat back, should be great on 3rd downs.
July 21st, 2019 at 8:47 pm
If I’m the Bucs I’m giving Ronald Jones a good workload in the preseason……If he flashes we can roll with our guys.
If Ronald can’t hack it I’m looking to upgrade before the season starts. Ajaiy is out there. So is Blount. Lynch is out there but I don’t think he’d come to Tampa. Jeremy Hill is a guy I personally like or maybe the Bucs like somebody we haven’t heard much of.
You aren’t finding a stud RB at this stage but it’s not tough to find a solid runner…….I would use the exact same approach at Guard. Like RB it’s one of the easier positions to fill if you just need a solid contributer.
July 21st, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Half empty, 3-4 years ago would’ve been a different story.
July 21st, 2019 at 9:32 pm
Magadude … The RB most ‘in the back of my mind as the guy who will more than likely give the Bucs a serviceable run game’ isn’t on the Bucs roster yet. But he will be before Sept 8th. So will a new starting Guard. It’ll take BOTH to really improve our run game to where it’s ‘serviceable’.
July 21st, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Ellington is a change of pace back and insurance if Rojo does not work out. Ogunbowale and Anderson are powerful enough to take over if Barber gets hurt or needs a breather. They both can run successfully between the Tackles and Anderson can start as a Third Down Back if needed and is adept at catching passes if needed and should make the 53 man roster. Ogunbowale should also make it because he is valuable on Special Teams too. We will be fine even without adding another back as long as Rojo plays well!
July 21st, 2019 at 10:57 pm
I’m excited to see Bruce Anderson in training camp. There’s a great scouting breakdown on him on YouTube. He has all the tools to be a every down back in this league. Maybe not this year but this kid could easily be the future Bucs all purpose back. A great UFA signing.
July 22nd, 2019 at 1:24 am
@Magadude, no you’d never be “dishonest” *wink* *wink*
July 22nd, 2019 at 6:29 am
I thunk hes a camp body here to get rojo on track with his old role. Doubt he makes the final 53 unless he can last a full season but hard to believe his body is in football shape
July 22nd, 2019 at 9:16 am
If Ellington makes the team he will make his mark on 3rd down. He will not be a featured back nor the change of pace back. You have to have guys who can stay in the backfield and pick up blitzes, chip a DL, run a draw or screen or release out into a pass pattern. This guy is a pros pro and hopefully he has something left in the tank.
July 22nd, 2019 at 9:40 am
Karlos Williams deserves a shot here. Would probably be cheaper. He’s definitely younger and an awesome talent.
July 22nd, 2019 at 9:57 am
@Joe. You guys rub shoulders with any personnel people? Try to slip karlos Williams name in one day!
July 22nd, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Arians is just helping out one of his former players with some free money.
July 22nd, 2019 at 4:15 pm
@Gettinthebucs – Karlos Williams. Really? He hasn’t played regularly since 2015. This is the 2019-2020 season. Duke Johnson for a 5th round pick? Ogunbowale deserves a longer look.
July 22nd, 2019 at 5:12 pm
@Jackpc1. I don’t care you can’t teach 6’1″ 230 lbs with a 4.48 40. Dude is only 26 and could be had for cheap on a 1 year deal. Average over 5 yds a carry with like 90 something carries as rookie. Can also catch the ball extremely well. He’s the closest thing to David Johnson that’s available out there. I think Duke Johnson would be an awesome pick up but id rather not give up a pick for a back. He’s only got two years left on his deal too which means he’ll want a new deal at the end of the season. I’m not gonna lie I’m an FSU fan but it’s not like I want the bucs to sign Mario Pender or something 😂. We’re talking about someone who has proven they can do it at a high level. Even if he hasn’t quit smoking weed, the leagues about to finally soften on that too.
July 22nd, 2019 at 8:24 pm
we have a lot of X-factors on the roster, hope they don’t turn into 0 factors.