Sad Outlook For RBs
August 1st, 2019
Ugly ranking.
In the early going of Bucco Bruce Arians’ first training camp as head coach, it seems one subject is his first (only?) irritant.
Bucs running backs.
Arians is tired of getting asked about running backs. But there is a reason he keeps getting asked. Last year the team was woeful at running back and the Bucs willfully ignored the position in the offseason.
Just before training camp, Arians was asked about running backs and he had an audible sigh before answering. On Friday, he was asked about winning with a “substandard” stable of running backs and Arians bristled and had a sharp reply.
Arians’ stock answer is he likes the running backs, sort of the way Dirk Koetter responded when asked about a weak position on the team, he would answer, “Our guys are our guys.” Arians may be one of the few humans walking the face of the earth who likes the Bucs running backs.
Keyboard-pecking Mike Clay of BSPN, a spreadsheeter, recently took apart the Bucs and ranked the team dead-last in the NFL at running back.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Peyton Barber did very little (3.7 yards per carry, 3.3 yards per touch) with a lot (254 touches) last season, but is expected to lead this backfield again in 2019. A potential second-year leap from Ronald Jones is possible, but it’s hard to expect much after he managed 77 yards on 30 touches in 2018.
Barber has shown little to nothing in training camp. Nice guy, loads of effort, minimal results. Effort is great but without results, what’s the point?
Now Ronald Jones showed a few things, as in nice runs, when the pads came on earlier this week. Anything from him is a positive after his dreadful rookie season. What the Bucs need, however, is results in a game. As in yards gained, not bouncing around in the backfield.
Whether RoJo’s emergence in early training camp — very early — can carry over to the regular season is another thing entirely. Right now on the first day of August, it’s difficult for Joe to argue with Clay’s ranking.
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August 1st, 2019 at 11:05 am
Yep basically this makes sense till proven otherwise.
Cannot wait for the regular season to start so we can stop looking at rankings and analysis and projections all based on last year.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:11 am
Lord of corn is right!!!!!!! Cannot wait until we can rank this team in the bottom for what they are doing on the field this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 11:15 am
If we run straight ahead on all first downs…the same results will probably reoccurs. However, if we aren’t entirely predictable then we should have better results. Both the running scheme and running play calls were so telegraphed that it was a miracle that we had positive yards on average.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:24 am
Barber’s yet to show any explosiveness if he gets into the secondary. If he’s the leader in rushing this year, sad story. At best, he’s the next Ernest Graham-serviceable backup. Still not the guy. I never thought otherwise. But it’s all hope.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:36 am
We’ll see how hard this team plays for Bucco Bruce
August 1st, 2019 at 11:39 am
Lord C … You opened the door for Realist LC & he couldn’t help himself. Still can’t figure out why anyone would follow a team so devoutly when they have such negative aspirations for the coming year. Predicting doom & gloom so you can be part of the ‘I told you so’ crowd isn’t being right; it’s just being negative for negative’s sake IMO.
And for all those worried about the Bucs running game, be patient. BA wants to see what’s he’s got in the resources that he inherited BEFORE augmenting or replacing them. He’s successfully freeing up salary Cap money & I’m betting that we’ll add (first) a quality veteran OLineman (after cutdowns occur) and very possibly another quality veteran RB IF Barber, RoJo, Ellington and/or Anderson don’t work out. Right now there’s nothing out there … let’s all be patient.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:43 am
Is this a Bucs fan site or rant site. I have never seen such a pessimistic group of so called fans.
If all you do is come here to spit (with an h) on the Bucs why come at all?
I think Rojo was out of his depth as a 20 year old rookie in a system which Koetter admittedly didn’t like or use rookie running backs.
A year later he is bigger stronger putting in the effort.
Barber is basically Ernest Graham. Can do everything but won’t break a game wide open. Think Anderson could be a diamond in the rough. Has size speed and pass catching ability like a 3rd rounder the Cards drafted in 2015.
The backs aren’t the issue the line is. We need one more run blocking lineman and some good coaching as well as using the backs more in the screen and dump off game and this offense will hum.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:54 am
I’m blue in the face.
It’s the offensive line dummy.
August 1st, 2019 at 11:56 am
I with ya Canabuc, the misery and hatred posted by many on these boards is over the top. 11-5 Go Bucs!!!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Agreed Canabuc…Joe stop b!tching about RBs like we’re going to get Zeke to come in this year and get 1,400 yards for us. Much more interested in who we should be targeting and possibly a big trade for a RG since Cappa is on the first team at RG before Jameis gets leveled game one and put on IR.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Canabuc this lame city central. I chime in strictly to be aware of those who talk ish so I can talk ish back once the season starts. Joe claims to be a Buc for decades. Makes me wonder, I’ve already warned him he might wanna find a new journalistic style because its gonna be a lot harder spinning this daily bs once these wins start stacking up he shortly.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:09 pm
I guarantee that 80% of those runs were for losses before Barber saved their asses. Admitted bad run blocker per Muppet and predictable running in 1st down, being a running back in the previous system was fools game.
And how can you predict RB play for RBs in a new system!?
August 1st, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Again?
August 1st, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Canabuc Says:
August 1st, 2019 at 11:43 am
Barber is basically Ernest Graham. Can do everything but won’t break a game wide open. Think Anderson could be a diamond in the rough. Has size speed and pass catching ability like a 3rd rounder the Cards drafted in 2015
^^^Absolutely not even close to Graham, but agree with everything else you said though.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Same old negativity. So many on this site steal the very essence of being a fan. Shame.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Everyone knows nothing at this point.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:39 pm
So….Joe….now you tell us….the Bucs had a woeful running attack and did practically nothing to improve it this year (sarcasm)……I know things are slow but this would be what is commonly called a “rerun”…..
August 1st, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Joe can we just make a blanket statement that our RBs stunk last year and no one expects them to do any better this year? Easier then posting articles from 200 pundits.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:50 pm
One thing you can count on is another basement title..
Glazers won’t have it any other way
August 1st, 2019 at 12:55 pm
They could have had the best RB in college football history (8.2 YPC). Darrell Henderson last year had 57 runs for more than 20 yards, scored 27 TD’s, and led the nation in yards after contact (6.18).
He also was rated the best receiving back in the draft and probably will be the best kick returner in the NFL.
Gump and Biscuit could have solved the Tampa Bay running problems on the 2nd day of the draft but they traded him to the NFC Champs for two magic beans.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Ten years of missing the playoffs. The fans that expect unicorns and rainbows are either brand new fans or dont deal in reality. Many of us are the see it to believe it plan for now. No reason to be a pollyanna.
August 1st, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Pollyanna??? Psst,I gotta whip out the dictionary.
August 1st, 2019 at 1:06 pm
Melvin Gordon wants to be traded….
August 1st, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Ghost keep beating that dead horse. It’s your right as an American.
August 1st, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Prognosticators, this is what they do. Admittedly, Bucs showed nothing last year and if they started showing something, DK would become predictable to every fan, every player on the Bucs and more importantly, the other team. I’m gonna prognosticate too, Bucs will have more rushing yards than the Cowboys, Falcons, Saints and a host of other teams.
August 1st, 2019 at 1:24 pm
“Still can’t figure out why anyone would follow a team so devoutly when they have such negative aspirations for the coming year.”
Because he cares more about being right about his takes on the team in this comment section than the team actually doing well.
If he really was a football savant who could predict yearly results with such accuracy he’d stop posting here and go make some $$ in Vegas instead of talking crap to everyone and acting like a jack4ss constantly.
Then again most are betting against the Bucs. It’s a safe lazy and easy position to forecast doom for this team. But it’s sad to see from a fan.
Especially one who believed in such a failure of a defensive coordinator but can’t admit they were wrong, and would rather go all in on hatred against a new staff out of spite.
Bucs better suck or this guy’s world will likely collapse.
GO BUCS
August 1st, 2019 at 1:28 pm
Ghost, he only scored 25 TDs and had 27 runs of 20+ yds.
“In 2018 Darrell Henderson took what was given to him and turned 27 of his runs into 20+ yard gains (first in the nation), 25 of his touches into scores (second in the nation), and averaged 15.5 yards per reception (fifth in the nation among RBs with 10+ catches)”.
August 1st, 2019 at 1:28 pm
I will say that I wanted to blow this whole thing up last year. Jason Licht p1ssed me off and has not been a great GM.
But BA is a legit a4ss coach with a better resume than any recent hire so I’m approaching this season with some optimism/excitement.
If I felt the way Realist did I wouldn’t be on JBF spewing crap.
I’d go find something else to do with my time until I felt I could follow the team without going on a negative end of the world rant every day. Not healthy.
GO BUCS
August 1st, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Predict 7-9 this year
August 1st, 2019 at 1:36 pm
I think Arians realizes that the lack of running game wasn’t all the RBs fault. Really, everyone should realize that by now, so articles like this appear pretty tone deaf. Barber can do enough to grind out yards in tight spaces and short yardage situations. Jones was an elite college RB who our previous regime had issues finding a use for. Mix in our league worst run blocking and his damaged confidence as a result of all of these factors, and the picture looks pretty clear to me. The fact that a week into camp he’s looked like a guy many were so sure he never would be should really clue some people in.
I’m more interested to see if this new coaching staff can improve the play of the OL. If that happens, I’m not worried about Barber and Jones. They’re both good enough to get the job done, and Arians seems to agree. He doesn’t mince words like Koetter used to. He actually believes they are good enough to work in his offense…and he has seen what “good enough” looks like with David Johnson (who, btw, was an unproven mid-round RB when Arians got him and helped make him into a household name).
August 1st, 2019 at 2:07 pm
I’ll call it 10-6 if this young defense can come through.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Barber will rush for 1000 this year. Maybe 1300.
Just calm down.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:17 pm
Hasn’t shown anything in practice.
What a crock, like that means squat.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Up in the sky….it’s a bird…it’s a plane.. it’s Nega-Joe and his trusty companions the Buc Negettes. Guys settle down. These are the same guys who said the rams were not going to be good when Mcvey took over, now they are kissing his ass. When the Bucs start winning they will be on the bandwagon. You guys need to start thinking like winners or you will always be losers. The past is the past. I remember all the articles when Bruce was about to be hired everyone was so excited. Now Bruce takes over and because he didn’t draft who you wanted or get the free agents you wanted now he is incapable of creating a winning culture. Can we at least play 1 game first? When we start winning don’t say ish. Just quietly enjoy the success of our team because anything you say will be irrelevant non believers. If you are not going to believe in this team why are you here? Every time some pundit talks negative about this team Nega-Joe and Negettes go into panic mode. So I guess the pundits are always right. I remember a pundit that Joe holds in high regard that said in 2010 the Bucs would only win 2 games, we where 10-6. You can call it a fluke or make any excuse you want doesn’t change the fact he was wrong. Just a little note from the GED section, these pundits are guessing and in many cases the fan have more time nod than them, but you Negettes call me crazy when I say we are going to win, but someone who could care less about this team and doesn’t do the research you take their word for it. Statistics only tell one part of the story.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:19 pm
“Lord Corn
has absolutely no credibility because of his unwavering bromance with Nowhere Spence”
Kobe Faker
August 1st, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Hopefully we give Ajayi a look.
I understand the ACL is a concern, and I’m not sure if there are any other vets out there worth a glance, but he seems like the obvious fit both considering price and scheme. So why not.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:22 pm
If we really had an O-line so dominant that the backs could line up in a power I and run the ball right down the D’s throat, nobody would say a word about Barber. Last year on 3rd and 1 the Bucs were running pitch backs to try to get a few yards only to be caught in the backfield. Seriously, how messed up is that?
August 1st, 2019 at 2:23 pm
“The fans have more knowledge than them”
August 1st, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Ghost you might as well jump on the Devin White train with the other Vita haters. Mike Edwards gonna be Tyrann Mathieu 2.0. You know because they both wore #7 in college. Duh.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:29 pm
At least the bucs are consistent the o-line sucks and the backfield sucks.
August 1st, 2019 at 2:32 pm
don’t all you optimist predicting success get tired of being embarrassed year in and year out with asinine predictions of success or do you just like being being made the fool and repeatedly being nut-punched year in and year out
August 1st, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Lol I have barely even mentioned Noah Spence’s name all offseason
/ have not been counting on him with unwavering faith lol
It’s ok tho I like Kobe
August 1st, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Second Highest Paid O-line in the NFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! only missed the top spot by $850,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What garbage is that!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the sheep still want to make trades and hand out new big money????????????? It will not take long for the whole to be exposed!!!!!!!!!!!! Will the sheep, still cry about “holding them accountable”?????????????
How long? Not Long!!!! Because what they reap is what they’ll sow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 3:05 pm
realist says: What garbage is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thats the same thing “real fans” said about smitty’s defense game after game!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 3:22 pm
Yeah, ol smitty- lets give the receivers 10 yard cushions on 3rd and 2. All day and dare them to throw for three yards.
August 1st, 2019 at 3:23 pm
CannaBuc and the rest of “inspired” fans who wonder why some of us doubt that this team is going to rise from the ashes of multiple consecutive seasons with primarily the same team that has failed in the past. The “famous” BA may make a difference this season- -just like Raheem, Lovie. Schiano, Dirk (did I miss anybody?) did in the past?
The fact that we are here reading Joe’s thoughts on the Bucs and interacting with guys like you should tell you we have a right to be here, as much as you and Buc U. Some of us prefer to deal with reality and limit the mindless, “they’re going to be great! Playoffs! 10-6.” and so forth.
Nice that you are so sure in your opinions. Won’t that be nice for you when the Bucs beat the 49rs 30-14. We’ll see you here after that game. I predict 9r win by 9. Does that make me a 49r fan? Maybe I view the world differently than you. That’s OK, too.
At most, our new MLB is a 25% upgrade over Kwon from last year. Our OL and DL got zero talent infusion, yet you see blue skies ahead. We’ll see.
August 1st, 2019 at 3:25 pm
What irritates me about the negative trolls that haunt this site is that they imply they are somehow “better” fans than the more hopeful optimistic fans. As if fandom required great football knowledge or expertise. I don’t claim to be some sort of football savant. I have a normal job outside of sports. I am more of a “real” fan than the guy who always claims to be one because of his self-proclaimed knowledge because I love the team. Yeah, there I said it. I love the city of Tampa, and so by proxy I root for its’ teams to win. I want them to go 19-0 every year regardless of who the head coach or starting QB are. This guy who always claims to be a superior fan, what he calls a “real” fan is a “real” (insert expletive of your choice) instead. I read this site a lot but rarely post, but this guy pisses me off.
August 1st, 2019 at 3:26 pm
25% upgrade? Ok.
August 1st, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Keep picking on Ronald Jones, Joe, confidence is everything and Koetter rained on his parade by talking about what ROJO could not do on a constant basis. Arians gets it that confidence is a huge ingredient with winning NFL Teams. When you have a coach that says “If I knew what to do I would fix it.” you just want to waive the white flag. Not under Bruce Arians he is going to have both Jameis and ROJO with newfound confidence and production in 2019. Mark it down.
August 1st, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Best offense in team history last year with these running backs. Best scoring and best yardage.
It’s 2019, who cares about a running game.
Anywho, not having Dirk telegraphing what is coming in the run game is a huge improvement. Remember the endless articles about Martin being washed up and the sole problem with the running game? Remember how he went to Oakland and was really productive on a terrible offense that could barely throw the ball? Well, you see, the problem wasn’t Martin…
August 1st, 2019 at 4:28 pm
I agree with Nick We have had the worst coaching in terms of confidence in Tampa bay History
August 1st, 2019 at 5:16 pm
Mark Swygert
What should piss you off is the actual embarrassing on field results produced year in and year out. outside of Gruden glory year this franchise has found ways to embarrass itself in every possible way… i love the bay…. the bucs embarrass the bay… mons venus has a better rep and far more talent than bucs
August 1st, 2019 at 5:56 pm
Bucs > Tmaxcon
But Tmaxcon is good for a belly laugh every now and then… so I guess both are entertaining.
August 1st, 2019 at 5:57 pm
“Ghost, he only scored 25 TDs and had 27 runs of 20+ yds.”
Sorry Bucsdelight, you’re wrong. 22 rushing TD’s (#1), 3 receiving TD’s, a 99 yard kickoff return and he threw a TD pass. Total 27. He had 57 20+ yard runs.
Total rushing yards, 1909 playing as a back up. (87.9 YPC).
Read em and weep!
August 1st, 2019 at 6:16 pm
(8.9 YPC)
August 1st, 2019 at 6:41 pm
Folks, all we know right now is the O-Line sucks at a ZONE-BLOCKING scheme!
Guess what? From some of the comments we have heard, that scheme may be changing to POWER-BLOCKING! Take the man in front of you and blow him out the way!
I think Bucs O-line will look much better u see this scheme when running the ball….Keep it simple and BE PHYSICAL!!
I think you’ll see a better picture !!
August 1st, 2019 at 8:42 pm
Swamp Buc
there is no denying that more people leave with smiles from mons venus than the den of depression on Sundays….
August 2nd, 2019 at 12:49 am
The Bucs site has the results from the fifth practice. No interceptions by Jameis and the Offense is doing better than in all the past practices this year! BA is bringing them steadily improving just as I thought he would. I watched the Falcons tonight lose their first Preseason game despite the fact they concentrated on their OL in the draft and got Risener at Tackle and the top Guard in the draft and added four OL Free Agents to add to their outstanding LT and top notch Center and the Broncos absolutely embarrassed their first team and won the game. BA should beat them twice this year. The Saints has an aging QB and only one outstanding WR and have lost their excellent Center. We have great speed on our Defense this year and plenty of length and many playmakers with a proven DC. The Panthers fast short RB should meet his match this year, and we played them close last year. Sorry pessimists. I like our chances with a better HC than any of the HCs we face in our Division this year!!!
August 2nd, 2019 at 3:46 am
So far Jason Licht has proven to be a below average gm but I don’t think that he is an imbecile. I’m guessing that we pick up another running back before the first game.
August 2nd, 2019 at 8:55 am
LOL, you doing his whole career man. He didn’t do 57 carries of over 20+ yds in one season. I showed you the facts, not sure where you got yours. Also, I wasn’t counting his return TD and passing one.
August 2nd, 2019 at 10:14 am
Wise Bucs fans know that JAY-MISS is a bust because he can’t win games with a bad defense, bad O-line, bad special teams and bad run game.
Aaron Rodgers went 36-0 the last two years with just a little bit more help than Jameis has gotten from his roster, so Jameis should have at least gone 34-2 or something close.
But don’t worry, WE wise Bucs fans will run JAY-MISS out of Tampa!!!
August 2nd, 2019 at 7:09 pm
If the defense can halfway keep its end of the bargain/game, Jameis and krewe will think they died and went to football heaven. Tamponmax is back advertising for a strip club. Airhead: you’re on the wrong site.