Jake Arians: “Until Ronald Jones Proves That Home Run Hitting Ability”
September 7th, 2019
You want insight into the Buccaneers’ run-game approach, Joe’s got a window for you to peek through.
Joe wrote back in March that the Bucs’ power players see a potential top-5 running back when they study Peyton Barber. Notice the Bucs did nothing significant when it came to signing or drafting a running back this offseason. It was status woe. Heck, they didn’t even shake up the offensive line, other than swapping Alex Cappa for Caleb Benenoch.
That lack of upgrades was perhaps the greatest indicator that Bucco Bruce Arians believes Dirk Koetter and Todd Monken were lost when it came to establishing a running game and coaching up offensive linemen and running backs.
Ronald Jones, the No. 39 overall pick in last year’s draft, revived from the dead during this preseason. He looked like a real NFL running back. Now the question is how much will he play?
Jake Arians, a former college and NFL kicker, and the beloved son of Bruce Arians, dabbles in media and is part of a fantasy podcast that also talks a lot of pure football on The Draft Network.
This week, the younger Arians touched on the Tampa Bay running game and offered what Joe believes is a peek into his dad’s approach to Jones.
“I think Peyton Barber is a better play than Ronald Jones early in the season until Ronald Jones proves that home run hitting ability,” said Jake Arians, who also said he likes O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin to have “big” games on Sunday.
Joe is dialed into that comment about Jones proving himself as a home run hitter. Joe suspects that comes directly from Bucco Bruce Arians.
And it makes sense.
If Jones can’t show that he’s an explosive back in limited carries and crank out the occasional 30-yard run, the Bucs will just roll with Barber as their bell cow. At least he has shown he can protect the football and grind out tough yards late in games.
Joe thinks it’s noteworthy that Jones showed nothing as a kick returner during the preseason. It was as if Bruce Arians was saying, “show us that word class speed,” and it never materialized. And then the Bucs went out and claimed a kick returner on waivers.
Certainly, Jones will get touches on Sunday and Thursday. Joe sure hopes he makes the most of them or he might end up battling with Dare Ogunbowale by the end of September.
September 7th, 2019 at 6:52 pm
It’ll happen tomorrow! He’s going to bust 2 long runs and go over 100 for the day
September 7th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
RoJo is the Noah Spence of RBs. I hope I’m wrong but I’ve seen nothing special from Jones. Another Jason Licht 2nd round doozey! All I hear is how there’s no depth and the roster is thin at RB, Oline and Dline yet the GM gets a 5 yr extension. SMH!
September 7th, 2019 at 7:12 pm
If the Bucs have one 750+ yard rusher we’ll be lucky, but I don’t see that happening. RoJo is our best shot but at less than 4 YAC, I don’t see it. Hate to say it, but the offense is going to be Jameis throwing the rock 45-50 times a game . Hope the Defense is ready this year because we’re going to need it to have a shot at playoffs.
September 7th, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Arians also said he needs more than.two carries a game. And Dare should be catching some passes..I just fear the leftwhich
September 7th, 2019 at 7:17 pm
Rj lacks vision, thus way he’s not a good kr/pr. If you watched his college games he gets the ball no cuts no moves just run fast as he can to the end zone. Nfl it’s more about making a defender miss & the holes are much smaller.
September 7th, 2019 at 7:17 pm
I think we’re all waiting for him to show that ability
September 7th, 2019 at 7:24 pm
I just read an article about the Niners being banged up, starting safety is out (along with others). I loved Kwon, but he did/does miss some tackles and probably isn’t all the way back from his injury. Hopefully we’ll run the ball effectively, whoever gets the carries.
September 7th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2019/09/49ers-notes-mckinnon-ward-verrett-hurd?fv-home=true&post-id=152770
September 7th, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Joe please remind Jake that low standard bucfan falls in love and assigns greatness after 3 plays made in a 5 year period yes preseason is included. Jake doesn’t understand his audience yet
September 7th, 2019 at 8:02 pm
Ogunbowle looks impressive when he has the ball. Not sure if it’s just wishful thinking on my part or maybe the competition but he stands out.
September 7th, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Kwon is goin to be so jacked up he is going to over pursuit his 1st over pursuit. Can wait to watch him cover OJ.
September 7th, 2019 at 8:15 pm
Everyone listen up. Barber sucks! No one wants him to be the starter. He’s not good enough. I think we should have given Bruce Anderson more of a shot. But anyway, yeah. Peyton sucks.
September 7th, 2019 at 8:24 pm
Bucs rule!
September 7th, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Ronald looked pretty decent during preseason so I am looking for him to show us some flash in one of these first two games.
And agree with Joe. If he can’t do nothing he will be replaced within the first month.
September 7th, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Suh-per bowl.
September 7th, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Hope Jones breaks out and takes the job. Barber is just a workhorse got to give him credit he gives it his all.
September 7th, 2019 at 9:16 pm
If Barber and Jones are pretty close in YPC, we will probably see more of Barber, simply because he is a better blocker to protect Jameis.
That said, I am really rooting for Jones, because of his big play ability.
September 7th, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Barber impacts games with physicality and big hits. He is the perfect compliment back to a future guy who can break open games with big gash runs. If he ever gets that guy to pair with him he’ll get the credit he deserves.
September 7th, 2019 at 9:23 pm
Y’all sleeping on Barber, go look at his highlights from last year.
September 7th, 2019 at 9:34 pm
Enough talk about RoJo’s promise. Show me.
September 7th, 2019 at 10:15 pm
I dunno. Or do I.
This is the only site, a fan site of any of the 32 teams….that would talk or use a son on a podcast of wherever, as having some relatable value….to the stalwart that is BA (and this team). This Jake person, has…yeah. What…on this team??
I dunno. Or do I.
Remember gang…”things that interest” is the continuum for landing on here, as has been purported before.
September 7th, 2019 at 10:35 pm
hope everyone is excited for the game tomorrow!
I know I am!
quick predictions?
sure! why not?!
Jameis throws for 327 yards and 3 tds (1 pick)
barber gets a td as well, while also getting 65 yds on the ground.
oh yeah, and those 3 td tosses go to… Evans, OJ, and… yes! ROJO!
didn’t see that coming did ya?
how bout the D, my fellow Diehards?
any predictions from you?
I see NASSIB making his way to Jimmy G, as well as MT VEA (twice?)
And you guys know I like what I’m seeing from some of our DBs with this new defensive scheme, but DANNNNNNNNNG!
Can’t wait for tomorrow!
GOOOOOOO BUCCCS
September 7th, 2019 at 10:49 pm
On this eve of our opening game I’d like to take a brief moment to thank the Rays for making the summer months much more bearable with competitive baseball. Now we get football and a pennent race this fall. Well done!!!
On a similar note I am still sick in the pit of my stomach about the collapse of the Lightning. Right up there as one of the most embarrassing performances in Tampa Bay sports history……It will be a while but I’m very curious to how they respond to that pile of garbage.
September 7th, 2019 at 10:53 pm
Game time Rojo…let’s see the new you! Hoping for the best
September 7th, 2019 at 11:12 pm
Some of y’all don’t maybe don’t remember how Michael Pittman played in 2001. Only a few of you may be too young to have seen him play that year.
When Dungy was fired and Gruden was brought in to put us over the top he had to scramble around and put an offense together. Warrick Dunn had already jumped ship and gone to the Falcons before Gruden arrived. Pittman was a “journeyman” RB and did an adequate job that season. His only one hundred yard game was in the Super Bowl itself.
I see Peyton Barber as at least as good as Pittman. (No I have not compared their career stats. I’m commenting based on what I remember only.) He is just fine. I too hope RoJo and Dare will come through for us also.
September 7th, 2019 at 11:18 pm
@JimboBucsFan: Let us not forget Thomas Jones, a fine RB…who couldn’t keep from dropping the ball on the ground.
September 7th, 2019 at 11:35 pm
JimbobBucsFan – Pittman wasn’t good at anything other than beating women. Watching that moron run into the back of his offensive lineman on every play was truly one of the worst things about the 2002 season. Meanwhile that dummy Gruden didn’t bother putting Alstott back there despite Alstott being dramatically more productive and totally destroying the Browns by himself the one time that year that Gruden gave him the ball. The 2002 Bucs won because of a defense that gave up a net average (it’s scores – points given up) of something like 3 points a game, all against top 10 offenses.
September 7th, 2019 at 11:54 pm
Barber is #1 until he gets replaced. Jones will get his chances. I’m more concerned about run blocking.