Bruce Arians And RBs
August 11th, 2019
Right all along?
If there is one subject that gets Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians testy, it is running backs. Specifically, his running backs with the Bucs.
From coast to coast, every NFL pundit it seems has the Bucs looking for a running back. If it wasn’t Duke Johnson than it is Melvin Gordon. Just yesterday Joe read a piece that suggested the Bucs should trade for Gordon because the prospect of choosing between Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones is too scary.
And the only times when reporters have seemed to get under Arians’ skin is when he is asked about Bucs running backs. Arians has strongly defended them. He may be the only one.
Along comes Friday night and the first-team offense looked damn sharp in its only drive of the night, which ended in a touchdown. Yes, that drive included Barber and Jones touching the ball.
Saturday, Arians again spoke up about his running backs.
“That’s why I have been high on our backs,” Arians said. “Peyton [Barber] is a pounding guy that has a great jump cut that’s getting six [yards], getting five [yards]. And then RoJo (Ronald Jones) can hit the home run, but he can also pound it in there. He made some really good cutbacks and his explosiveness showed up. Dare [Ogunbowale] pass protects in nickel back. [Andre] Ellington is a pass receiver, nickel back-type guy. So yeah, I like our room. I really do.”
The thing that jumped out at Joe in training camp practices — and we saw a little bit in the game at Pittsburgh on Friday — is Jones runs with more power than he displayed as a rookie.
Joe isn’t saying that Jones will be a Pro Bowler ,but perhaps that weight gained in the offseason was a good thing? The way he runs with added power now, that extra muscle may come in handy running in traffic.
If Friday night’s seven combined carries by Jones and Barber was any indication, perhaps Arians was right about the running backs all along?
August 11th, 2019 at 10:03 am
One day we’ll draft a “REAL” rb……………
til then bucs fans………..SUC IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 11th, 2019 at 10:08 am
I was happy with the small sample size so far. Actually the whole offense looked sharp for the 1st preseason game on the road. Also, the starting offense on the only drive they were in had zero penalties. Now if the back ups could pull their heads out of their butts…..
August 11th, 2019 at 10:08 am
Even a serviceable running game can further open up the offense. BA only needs to be partially right for this to be an improvement! Gone are the days of Martin and Sims but we won’t know the run game problem is solved until well into the season.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Meh. No, the RBs are not marquee backs, but there are plenty of other positions we should trade for before RB.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:30 am
Trading for a RB makes zero sense. This team is strong in the passing attack and spending too much on a back when you can find reliable depth through the draft and free agency would be reckless. If we had cap room and didn’t have to commit to a long term contract that’d be a different story; but if my Aunt had………
August 11th, 2019 at 10:33 am
I guess you could get by with just serviceable running backs and still win but can you just imagine having drafted Saquon Barkley if we had the chance?
August 11th, 2019 at 10:37 am
Could it be that we had talent all along but just needed a coach to coach them?
August 11th, 2019 at 10:37 am
I’m with BA on this one. These guys can get the job done if the OL is performing well. The blocking scheme fits the skillset of Barber and Jones at the days of 2 yards a carry should be gone. We should send 4/5 yards pretty regularly with some big runs very possible. Barber does have a good quick jump cut and Jones will make more plays as his vision gets better. The depth in the trenches on both sides of the ball is so bad that we can’t be wasting money on big name RBs.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:38 am
Does it really matter when the Glazer and franchise goals are to embarrass the sport of football and collect basement titles…
August 11th, 2019 at 10:38 am
We haven’t had real coaching around these parts in over a decade. Its understandable you want to play fantasy and grab every name that comes up in a contract dispute.
RELAX! Our best offseason acquisition is already here… BA and his staff!
Sit back and enjoy the improvement.
In BA I Trust!
August 11th, 2019 at 10:39 am
I have been skeptical of our running backs, but they looked good on Friday.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:43 am
Trade Donovan Smith for Trent William’s and well have the most lethal and balanced offense in the league.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:48 am
Arians is right about a lot of things.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:54 am
Awshbucs
Who makes that trade ?
Maybe we can trade Rojo for Saquon, and Benenoch for Nelson while we’re at it….problem solved, SB here we come!
August 11th, 2019 at 10:55 am
Perhaps a redshirt year and giving the guy a chance helped Jones.
Jones is Koetter fail. No way you can ever convince me Rodgers is a superior back to Jones.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:58 am
Well William’s has said he wants out. I figure if we package Smith with a 2nd and maybe a 5th or 6th we could get William’s for that.
He’d transform our entire offense but the effect he would have on the running game would be immense.
August 11th, 2019 at 10:58 am
I listened to the 2nd and 3rd quarters (long-time radio fan–hate the boob tube). Two players stood out: Dare O and Ryan Griffin. Dare has already won a roster spot. I read somewhere that he is considered to be a vastly underrated fullback. Not bad for a 2nd year player. 🙂 Griffin finally was able to play on the field. Once he got rid of some rust, he was playing very well for a Fameis backup. I can see why BA gets ornery. Bucs have RB talent, no doubt about it.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:03 am
**Testing–moderation tech bugs strike again***
August 11th, 2019 at 11:06 am
Every spot cannot be filled by an All Pro.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:07 am
“What hurts defenses is when a runningback is a dual threat. Both run and pass
Problem with Barber and Rojo is they are not natural and proficient pass recievers. They get tackled immediately after the reception
*Rojo doesnt have the vision and physicality to hit the hole
Kobe Faker endorses Dare Ogunbowale”
Kobe Faker
“I would rather get cut”
Dare Ogunbowale
August 11th, 2019 at 11:09 am
😊🤟🏾
August 11th, 2019 at 11:10 am
You stay put unless the next Barry, Marshall, Edgerrin, or Walter becomes available.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:15 am
If anyone bothered to actually watch some film, they’d realize that Jones was a between the tackles one cut back. Kind of like how Arians is using him. Play calling over the past three years wasn’t bad…. play design relative to the players talents was abysmal.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:20 am
Hey Joes: TBTIMES reporting that LVD had minor surgery on left knee. Do you guys have any further info?
August 11th, 2019 at 11:23 am
Bruce Arians said that last week. Called it a “procedure.”
August 11th, 2019 at 11:31 am
I would trade Detroit a seventh round pick for Zach Zenner. The kid is an amazing rb, he has ZERO miles on him and c’mob….detroit is a sh!t hole of a football team that has no idea what they are doing so don’t give me the ” well he’s been on the roster for 3-4 seasons and can’t get the start ” b.s ok?
They were stuck on abdullah and game him two years too many , and now they have Johnson ( who is really good, no need to bench him) with other guys as well. Tenner has been given almost no opportunities to grab the lead job. WR, Boldin said after playing the last year in detroit that he thought he deserved the starting job ( this was the offseason before they draft Johnson) The guy runs very hard, has really good vision, a TON of heart, can pass block and is just severely over looked. If he can be had for a sixth or seventh I would do it in a heart beat.
Ellington looks like a waste of a roster spot. He’s a good teacher for ROJO and Barber looks quicker and more elusive than he has ever in the past two seasons so I feel great about our first two. No need to over pay for another guy that will want playing time. Call Detroit been saying this for two years now.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:32 am
He’s also 220 lb.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:32 am
Thanks. I hope LVD is getting the Buc Luck bugs out cos he knows it’s going to be different this season as in more wins!! 🙂
August 11th, 2019 at 11:33 am
Maybe we should trade ME13 for DARRELL HENDERSON and his astonishing 2.2 yards per carry, that would solve all problems
August 11th, 2019 at 11:34 am
Donavan Smith will be fine. He has an minor injury right now Arians is just letting him stay warm until it counts
August 11th, 2019 at 11:34 am
How great. With some media, we’d have to pay to get old news or just read JBF to get it days earlier for free. Almost as good as going to bucs practice ourselves. Kudos again Joe!
August 11th, 2019 at 11:35 am
Thank you!
August 11th, 2019 at 11:51 am
RB’s looked good but it was also against Steelets 2nd team. I’ll reserve judgment.
August 11th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Two podcasts bashing the weight gain before a preseason snap now we r thinking it could be a good thing. Go figure. He didn’t show up overweight
August 11th, 2019 at 12:15 pm
The problem with trading for a RB is that you would have to trade for a RB with unquestionably more skill than Barber or Rojo…..so that would take a decent pick…..and then, we have little to no cap space.
It makes more sense to pick up a RB or Olineman or both from the many cuts that will be coming.
It will be interesting to see if Dare or Anderson get the 4th RB slot.
August 11th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
RB will be ok. We need to upgrade OL, DL and safety depth.
August 11th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Name the last great RB to win a Superbowl. I’ll wait…
August 11th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
I think we will be the 1st team in NFL History to have (2) 1000-yd WR’s (ME13, Godwin), a 1000-yd TE (Howard), and (2) 1000-yd RB’s in Rojo & Barber…
Man, that would be impressive…
August 11th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
… And scr€w anyone who thinks otherwise, Lol
August 11th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
You don’t have to wait long. The Pats would not have won their last two titles without the contributions of RB James White. I’m not saying he was in any way dominant, but his runs and catches in the clutch put the Pats over the top in tight games.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Well said Wesley… poor coaching, poor player development, poor scheme, poor O line, and what do we have? We have a problem with the running game, regardless of the running back. Surprise, surprise. And what kind of back is often most hampered by an O line? A small back relying on that first step or two to get some space and turn it on when they see a crease. I withhold judgment on the talent of our young players, since the coaching has been rather amateurish. I will say that by the end of this year, we should have a pretty good idea what we really have in these players.
Don’t mean to sound negative, be seems we fans are constantly and consistently undervaluing the effects of quality leadership and skilled coaching on an organization.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Chris Warren III is an American football running back who is currently a free agent.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Well said Wesley… poor coaching, poor player development, poor scheme, poor O line, and what do we have? We have a problem with the running game, regardless of the running back. Surprise, surprise. And what kind of back is often most hampered by an O line? A small back relying on that first step or two to get some space and turn it on when they see a crease. I withhold judgment on the talent of our young players, since the coaching has been rather amateurish. I will say that by the end of this year, we should have a pretty good idea what we really have in these players.
Don’t mean to sound negative, be seems we fans are constantly and consistently undervaluing the effects of quality leadership and skilled coaching on an organization.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Leggerette Blount and Jay Ajayi who are currently free agents. What do I win?
Then Marshawn lynch oh wait my bad…lol
August 11th, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Best thing the Bucs can do to boost the running game is to grab 1-2 quality veteran OLinemen before the season starts. Our DEPTH is pretty bad, and I’m still not convinced we’ve solved our RG conundrum.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Derrel Henderson with 7 touches for 8 yards last night omg
Where’s that ghost / clown jack4ss now? Lol
August 11th, 2019 at 1:47 pm
I agree with DR. The weakest position on this team is OL. I expect to see numerous new names on Big Ugly jerseys by opening day. I would not be surprised to see as many as three new OL faces not in camp today on the 53 on Wednesday before SF.
August 30 & 31 will be Turnstile Day at One Buc Palace.
August 11th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
I’ve been trying to tell you, Joe.
7 carries by the 2 top guys. Good start but 7 carries –Joe
August 11th, 2019 at 2:33 pm
All of this RB trade talk is ridiculous, we’re fine a RB; RoJo is the potential star of the group…
We just need our offensive line to consistently open up running lanes…that Imho was the biggest problem last season; what made it even worst was how predictable we were with the play-calling when we did decide to run the football…Most of our running plays seemed to be blown-up at the LOS…
The overall effort on running downs just never seemed to be consistent; even Barry Sanders would’ve had trouble rushing for 1000 here with that effort…Imo, you can always question things like talent in general and experience, but you should never be able to question effort…
August 11th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Been saying it for two years. We need help on both sides of the line. Starters are in good shape but god help us if we lose another one.
August 11th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
@LordCorn…
He’s probably changed his name by now… lol
August 11th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
I’m done with worrying about positions because they sucked under Dirk. I wanna see what these guys can in a new system under an entirely new coaching staff.
A quick evaluation of the game shows good rushing performance from all of our running backs so what would the freaking point be?
If we make a move it should be done to upgrade the team. Safety and secondary depth was freaking horrid out there…….wasting roster moves on RB doesn’t even help us where we need it. Not to mention we could lose a key player in the next week’s and wasting trade or CAP capitol on a position not needed would be a complete face palm moment.
For now the RBs look good. Let’s not fix something that aren’t broke just cause Dirk’s team had issues…..newflash this aren’t Dirk’s team no more.
Now if these RBs regress then we’ll talk. But wanting to add a RB now is saying they are destined to regress and is also ignoring other holes we currently have on the roster. It’s a totally peabrained idea.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
All the negativity that’s been flowing from this website’s articles at least you have the courage to question it. It’s why you go with the coach over writers who say things they think and how it’s right for the sake of credibility. Even if for one game the o line and backs looked like they have been trained Backup lineman not so much, they need more talent
August 11th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
DL is another position that should worried about before RB too. Our passrush was less and less existent as the game went on. That didn’t happen with RB.
I don’t know what the obsession is about RB but it’s stating to get annoying. Just happy that our front office wants nothing to do with any or these kneejerk ideas about RBs.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:08 pm
“7 carries by the 2 top guys. Good start but 7 carries –Joe”
fair enough, but even on those 7 carries you saw the skill set needed to deploy a pretty effective running game if given the daylight up front. Both Barber and RoJo had great vision on their jump cuts, took contact falling forward and were ripping off 5-6 yards a clip.
Once they open up the playbook and these guys start getting looks with designed screens and properly timed play calls, they will even look explosive at times.
Then with the threat of Winston scrambling around and making plays with his feet, tucking it and barreling forward instead of forcing it downfield, it will open up a new dimension to this offense.
You’ll see. Just let it play out.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:34 pm
It was 1 vanilla drive. No game planning. It looks great. But way to early to make any judgements.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Any body hear how Anderson is looking? I figured he’d get in the 4th, but never saw him. I’d like to see his game this week.
August 12th, 2019 at 3:37 pm
Is Koetter going to go down as the worst talent evaluator in the history of Bucs Head Coaches? You obviously cant blame the GM and to miss that badly on Cappa and Jones who both would have contributed to a running game we didnt have makes you wonder what Koetter was smoking. Koetter viewed all offensive players in how they contributed to the passing game. So perhaps Cappa is a better run blocker and Jones isnt a great receiver but to write their talent off and relegate them to the bench was not only irresponsible but pretty much brain dead.