RoJo Among NFL Leaders
October 4th, 2019
Production.
OK, so Joe is still not won over by the Bucs running backs and made that clear on the internationally popular Ira Kaufman Podcast this week.
And Joe still isn’t. Of course, Joe’s standards for a good running back include that the back can break off a 35-yard run or take the rock to the house at any given time, always a threat to drop a bomb on a defense any time he touches the ball.
Think Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Adrian Peterson when he had money or to a lesser extent, Dalvin Cook.
It seems the NFL’s standards for a current good running back are not as high. This is not a knock on fans in any shape or form. It’s just what the NFL is in a passing league of 2019. And Joe has evidence.
Look at the information Field Yates of BSPN dug up. Bucs running back Ronald Jones has one of the largest percentages of runs over five yards in the NFL. Better than Alvin Kamara, even. And Joe’s a big fan of Kamara.
Greatest % of rushes gaining 5+ yards (min. 40 carries):
1. Matt Breida: 51.2
2. Mark Ingram: 45.5
3. Carlos Hyde: 44.2
4. Ronald Jones: 44.0
5. Alvin Kamara: 40.7
6. Josh Jacobs: 40.3
7. Todd Gurley: 38.3
8. Derrick Henry: 38.0— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 4, 2019
So maybe Joe needs to get with it? Football changes; football adapts. No longer can O.J. Anderson come into the league and have 50-yard touchdown runs against one of the better defenses in the NFL.
These stats Yates dug up also seem to suggest the Bucs are eating up clock, too.
October 4th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Now give RoJo those to runs back and redo the stats.
October 4th, 2019 at 12:03 pm
I’m convinced that he is the back that should start the rest of the season. It’s clear that he’s put a lot of work in the gym and film room. I hope that he gets even stronger in the offseason.
October 4th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Rojo broke a few against LA and were called back joe…for a team that was so bullt to stop the run for him to break those I would think it’s a tease for us fans of something he can do consistently when he’s given the opportunity to
October 4th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Barring those penalties he would have had 149 rush yards I believe. When’s the last time we had a 150 rushing yards in a game and against a decent defense. Doug Martin days…that ONE good year he ran for 1500?
October 4th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Amazing what a year’s maturity and better OLine blocking can achieve, isn’t it Joe. RoJo has really turned it around.
Your point about suggesting that the Bucs are eating up the clock is a good one. Turnovers & TOP are two critical elements in any NFL game IMO … win those two and your chance of winning the game is exceptional.
o Game 1: Bucs lost BOTH categories … and lost the game.
o Game 2: Bucs won BOTH categories … and won the game.
o Game 3: Bucs won BOTH categories … but lost the game (but should’ve won).
o Game 4: Bucs won BOTH categories … and won the game.
BTW, based on your table, I bet New Orleans is kicking themselves for letting Mark Ingram get away.
October 4th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
No one is saying Rojo is anointed as the next HOF running back, but there is no denying he has been good this year. And this last game he broke two long runs. If they continue to feed him he should get better and potentially could be a top RB.
October 4th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Seems like we now have a pretty good OL and a pretty good RB and a better than average Def.
Kicker still scares me a bit but I feel pretty good about this team right now
October 4th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
We need to shift or focus to the defense
How do they stop a team at 17-21 points?
October 4th, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Whatever is working, stay with it. Barber starts game for a series to break the ice and then RoJo takes over as primary RB. The kid may not be elite at this point but he is a solid starter from what he is showing and good enough to keep defenses honest and unable to sell out on pass defense.
October 4th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Defense Rules Says:
October 4th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Amazing what a year’s maturity and better OLine blocking can achieve, isn’t it Joe.
imo, its coaching!!!!!….
we’ve seen a number of players produce better this vs last year and i doubt everyone all of a sudden decided to “mature”….lol….
GO BUCS!!!!!!
October 4th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
Rojo runs angry and has the speed to break one. Keep feeding the kid and he will house some no doubt.
October 4th, 2019 at 1:15 pm
The more Rojo plays, the better he’ll get.
October 4th, 2019 at 1:45 pm
use all 3 backs keep everyone healthy and fresh and hungary….. the formula for winning in the nfl is keep these guys motived …. contract motived….
October 4th, 2019 at 1:46 pm
813bucboi … I agree … it’s better coaching. It MIGHT also that RoJo has matured since he entered the league as a 20-year-old. And MAYBE that he’s gotten somewhat bigger, and very probably is in much better shape than he was last year. MIGHT also be that our OLine seems to be performing better this year, especially in run blocking. Hmmm, MAYBE it’s ALL OF THE ABOVE. That’s always a safe answer on multiple choice tests.
October 4th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
Nah, I’ve been down on Jones ever since he’s been drafted, and can still see he struggles to control his athleticism. That said, now i see a bigger, ridiculously athletic dude literally learning how to move on every run, who’s also seemingly inspired, like a kid who finally learned how to drive his sports car.
October 4th, 2019 at 2:07 pm
So because RoJos two 35+ yard runs got called back for bogus holding calls that means hes not capable of them?
Do you even watch the games Joe?
October 4th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
So maybe Joe needs to get with it? – Joe
I don’t know, Joe. I don’t see anything wrong with making a player or team earn our respect.
And I don’t believe anything is wrong with setting high standards, so long as they are not impossibly high.
I also don’t think ‘full’ respect has to be given all at once. It can be earned over time, in bits and pieces.
For example, this year I came in saying #ShowMeDon’tTellMe. I’ve been voting little confidence in the poll. This week, I raised it a notch…because it was earned.
Still plenty left to earn.
So in regard to Rojo, I said at the end of last season that it was too soon to consider him a bust…that we had to see how he responded over the off season. Much like Mike Evans did after his second year.
Best to acknowledge growth, be positive about it, but don’t oversell it. Most tampa fans either over or under sell everything, depending on what week it is.
Bandwagon fans for the most part. The real fans stick with the team through think and thin, have a long view, but give respect as it is earned…with an eye for development.
October 4th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
DR
agreed
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 4th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
I’ve been posting for months about how Joe can’t tell the difference between an effective running game that fits a system and keeps a defense honest, and one that is driven by a generational superstar RB.
Still can’t tell the difference. “Joe’s standards for a good running back include… Think Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Adrian Peterson” Correction, those are Hall Of Fame caliber running backs, sir, and to my knowledge NONE of them have even a Super Bowl appearance on their resume much less a championship.
Joe is not qualified to talk running backs. Went out of his way to insinuate RoJo isn’t capable of busting a 35+ yard run, when he had TWO just this past sunday that were called back. The hot takes are half-baked almost 100% of the time. This running game is very effective and is moving the chains and contributing greatly to this teams ability to control the clock and TOP. But you won’t ever see Joe write an article about the benefits of dominating Time of Possession… because it doesn’t matter if you’re not a superstar running back.
October 4th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Didn’t Dorsett win a SB or two?
October 4th, 2019 at 4:44 pm
DB55
The D is a work in progress….but that’s the operative word…they are making progress IMHO.
The backend of our defense is incredibly young and inexperienced but not without talent. Some like VHG are probably being asked to do more than their talent permits…but he’s probably headed to cover slot targets instead of #1 WR’s once we have a full complement healthy and a little more experienced.
I’m still a big Devin White fan…let’s see what he can bring when he’s healthy…I do not count on JPP…I still find it hard to believe he can put his neck and spine on the line…but hey…I could be wrong. IF BOTH of those guys come back…we’ll be very, very dangerous the final 8 games.
October 4th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
YES
YES
YES
I really do think that RoJo is capable of doing great things for this team.
He is starting to show that he can turn that potential he showed at USC into results for the Bucs.
I believe he will get better all year long. The kid is super talented, and now is showing that he has the work ethic to get it done.
October 4th, 2019 at 5:44 pm
Think Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Adrian Peterson when he had money or to a lesser extent, Dalvin Cook
I think the issue your having is who your trying to compare the guy too. Think those other plays just a few more snaps than rojo has?
October 4th, 2019 at 6:53 pm
“3 words
Klueless fvking Koetter”
Devonta Freeman
October 4th, 2019 at 10:08 pm
I thought Kobe was going to leave JBF of Jones got 80 yards in a game.
October 5th, 2019 at 12:39 am
Run Rojo run!
October 5th, 2019 at 12:40 am
Cobra…that was 50 yards…and Kobe’s the biggest liar on the site.
October 5th, 2019 at 8:18 am
Barry Sanders wasn’t a lightweight either. Just sayin’…. Go Bucs!!