Let The Rumors Begin
December 14th, 2019
Final days in Arizona?
Yes, Joe damn near shot coffee through his nose watching Bruce Arians wax about his running game today.
Either Arians was just trying to be nice since it is the holiday season or he really does see football through a different prism than you and Joe.
Despite the way Arians talks about his three-headed version of Gale Sayers, Walter Payton and Roger Craig, the Bucs running game flat out stinks. There are no two ways about it.
Could Arians be intrigued about another reclamation project?
This past summer, Arians dragged one of his former Arizona running backs, Andre Ellington, out of retirement. He didn’t make the squad.
However, it appears a former Arians star players may be unemployed in a few weeks. Cardinals RB David Johnson is the fourth-highest paid running back in the league and is owed some $26 million the next two years if the Cardinals keep him.
Johnson currently has 336 yards rushing. (Yes, a smart aleck would say he fits right in with the Bucs.)
Arizona general manager Steve Keim tap-danced when asked if Johnson would return next season. If the Cardinals cut him, they will have to eat a chunk of his guaranteed salary.
Enter Arians. Johnson is still a relatively young man; he turns 28 next week. The closer running backs get to 30, the more nervous general managers get.
Johnson had a rough 2017. On the final day of the 2016 season (Jan. 1, 2017) Johnson suffered an MCL injury but avoided surgery. Nine months later he dislocated his hand and was out for the season.
Last year, Johnson returned to record his second-best season rushing the ball with 940 yards on a team that was the worst in the NFL. Who was his offensive coordinator in Arizona last year? Byron Leftwich, who is the current Bucs’ offensive coordinator.
Johnson, a third-round pick, was one of the few decent draft picks the Cardinals had when Arians coached there. He accounted for 2,118 yards of offense in his second season (2016).
Now Johnson is stinking the joint up but that could be because new Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury’s version of the Air Raid isn’t Johnson’s cup of tea. Johnson has only 89 carries, which is way down from his previous two full seasons of play. He has more receiving yards (366) than rushing.
(For comparison, Ronald Jones leads the Bucs in receiving yards from running backs with 241.)
Yeah, yeah, Arians thinks he has a bunch of studs in the Bucs backfield. You can damn well bet that when if Johnson gets released this winter, Arians will be kicking the tires of his former star running back.
December 14th, 2019 at 12:12 am
Licht should just work some magic and find an undrafted RB to fix up the running game.
December 14th, 2019 at 12:17 am
Any word on why he lost touches? Kenyan Drake is stinking up the joint and I think Arizona is a bad team in general but I’m just curious if he got beat out or what’s going on..
December 14th, 2019 at 12:18 am
Oh boy another running back to charge up the gut predictably for no gain. RPO’s what are those? we need to make sure the QB who cannot take care of the football doesn’t fumble. yet for some reason even though things like basic ball security are a foreign concept we are giving him 27.5 million dollars next year.
but yeah stud running backs always make NFL teams world beaters just look at the giant…… okay the brown… nope the panthers nope the titans Not really henry is elite but better QB play put them over the edge I guess Dalvin Cook won the vikings a game then got hurt again cause guess what these guys get hurt A LOT aside from that a more efficient passing game would help us much more then any stud running back. we could literally make shorter throws to godwin or howard to get a gain but NOPE NO RISK IT NO BISCUIT JUST GET YOUR INACCURATE QB TO CHUCK THAT DEEP. man it’s not wonder we lead the NFL in interceptions
December 14th, 2019 at 12:22 am
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO AND AGAIN A BIG FAT NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
I am basically the Billacheat of FF!!! I have won about 5G in the last five years. I have never lost money. I rode David Johnson till the wheels fell off. And they Have!
LOVE the guy but he is too injury prone. My wife picked him 6th overall and she is out of her only league DESPITE my strong objections to her. Do not want him here unless it is League Minimum which it won’t be.
December 14th, 2019 at 12:46 am
Joe
Love ya man, at least the realistic Joe… but please stop wasting your words.
You have written countless times about this subject and it NEVER comes to fruition.
YES….. we need a RB, but let’s draft a young guy instead.
Don’t blow it again Gump.
RB, OT, DT, QB
December 14th, 2019 at 12:50 am
The Bucs should try any form of whatever even if it results in a cheating scandal to protect the Almighty Famous Jameis and get his a run game!
December 14th, 2019 at 1:07 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Bucs jersey next year. I’m thinking about upgrades for the trenches with the 2020 NFL Draft, along with a rush linebacker. I wouldn’t take a RB in the draft until later.
December 14th, 2019 at 1:08 am
Idk if he is the answer but we definitely need another running back
December 14th, 2019 at 1:14 am
Would rather be into a rookie contract than overpaid “reclamation” project.
December 14th, 2019 at 1:20 am
Not fully sure.
December 14th, 2019 at 1:36 am
I still feel we have quality RB’s, we undeniably need to fix the O-line, and be more creative on run blocking schemes. Vea as a lead blocker once in a while.
Draft a future LT and slide Donovan Smith to RT. He will probably scream and holler but I think he would be a pro bowl RT every year.
December 14th, 2019 at 1:45 am
Zakk Moss….in the 3rd.
December 14th, 2019 at 2:10 am
Dam Max I have been high on him for a while. If we could get him in the third that would be the steal of the draft. For the Bucs a RoJo Moss combo would be deadly. Let’s spend the first two on the trenches tho IMO
December 14th, 2019 at 2:42 am
It feels like if we keep winning we’re gonna be in the Jonathan Taylor range in the draft. It’s mostly wrs around that projected area right now too, so maybe that’s where we’re get our rb. Don’t forget about Kareem hunt too. Plenty of options I think
December 14th, 2019 at 3:55 am
just. say. no.
December 14th, 2019 at 3:55 am
tatu from fantasy islands says:
NO
December 14th, 2019 at 4:07 am
Bucs don’t need some very high-priced RB to complement RoJo (who’ll be coming into his 3rd year in 2020). What we do need though is to DRAFT our own version of Derrick Henry (6’3″ & 247 lbs) who can get you 4.5 – 5.0 YPC all day long (currently averaging 5.0 YPC this season … he’s also a FA for next season).
David Johnson (6’1″ & 224 lbs) isn’t that guy … he’s averaged 3.6 YPC over these past 3 seasons. Our very own Peyton Barber (5’11” & 225 lbs) has averaged EXACTLY the same (3.6 YPC) over these past 3 seasons. And oh ya, Peyton can probably be re-signed (he’ll be a UFA when the season ends) for a LOT less money than David Johnson would cost. Personally wouldn’t mind re-signing Barber as our THIRD RB for next season, at the right price of course.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:14 am
Defense rules,
Henry would be a plug in and play. If not Henry , a back of power and speed. If we can’t find both in a single player then get 2.
The offense is killing it for a back like a Henry to step in and start knocking out chunk yards. The opportunity is there now. Problem is, we have the wrong type of backs for this type of system. That seems vaguely familiar but I can’t put my finger on where I’ve seen this issue before…anybody?
If we stick with the guys we got, then oline has to be the focus. If we stick with the stationary duo of Barber and Rojo. Don’t expect the run game to become dynamic, because we sign a rookie right tackle.
Pointing to playing calling , specifically BL finding his inner da Vinci and returning as a creative genuis in the run game isn’t happening. If that’s what you want creative run game, then it’s a coach we need.
What’s the easiest way to get from A to B? I’d say it’s obvious, find the right back. 1 position is the fix. Fortunately, we have the licht method, draft a back and draft another and swing a trade just to draft a novelty player like a transgendered back from a non binary d3 school.
. Laugh if you wish. But when the licht is on, there’s no clouds over Raymond James stadium.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:24 am
The bucs have allowed 41 sacks this season. The bucs are 24th in the league in rush yards per game. The bucs use running, to set up for their primary offensive weapon, the forward pass… the bucs are ranked 2nd, with 298.2 yards per game. This adds up to a 3rd ranked offense with 392.8 yards per game. This article follows the same school of thought for our QB, that the individual player is the problem. It’s a collective effort, also known as complimentary football. We have a QB that, despite being being sacked and pressured, is a single toss from 1st in passing yards per game. We have 2 of the three top receivers in the nfl(Evan’s and Godwin). Our tightends are sup-par, OJ hurts more than helps, and Brate is a victim of OJ hype. But back to the running back position. You can have a top rated player at the RB position, but he wont gain a single yard without an offensive line. Its highly possible, that we have a top rated player at RB, possibly 2.. who are victims of a horrible offensive line..
December 14th, 2019 at 6:26 am
The bucs have allowed 41 sacks this season. The bucs are 24th in the league in rush yards per game. The bucs use running, to set up for their primary offensive weapon, the forward pass… the bucs are ranked 2nd, with 298.2 yards per game. This adds up to a 3rd ranked offense with 392.8 yards per game. This article follows the same school of thought for our QB, that the individual player is the problem. It’s a collective effort, also known as complimentary football. We have a QB that, despite being being sacked and pressured, is a single toss from 1st in passing yards per game. We have 2 of the three top receivers in the nfl(Evan’s and Godwin). Our tightends are sup-par, OJ hurts more than helps, and Brate is a victim of OJ hype. But back to the running back position. You can have a top rated player at the RB position, but he wont gain a single yard without an offensive line. Its highly possible, that we have a top rated player at RB, possibly 2.. who are victims of a horrible offensive line..
December 14th, 2019 at 6:39 am
Now imagine what would happen if we had more talent on our OL. Better protection for the QB, which would give him more time to make better decisions(aka… less interceptions, less sacks). An OL that can run block and take credit for the first three yards… giving the running back a chance to exceed 4 ypc. Yes, you would suddenly have an offense that can make up for the worst of defenses. Complimentary football, those missing pieces.. an OL that protects the qb and can run block.. and a secondary that isn’t the worst in the league. If only there was a high quality veteran CB available right now… Janoris Jenkins. I think we can lock down that missing piece on defense for 10mil, then focus our draft attention on the abysmal OL. Now imagine what that would look like…
December 14th, 2019 at 6:40 am
Joe, There have been a lot of swing and misses with free agents. Big Dog used to say there usually is a good reason why a team lets a good player walk in FA. A running back is a high risk player. Nothing but a cheap deal will make sense
December 14th, 2019 at 6:54 am
If we draft offensive lineman with 2 of our first 3 picks we would be just fine in the running game with Rojo and a rookie rb with size or elite speed. Rojo seemingly is 1 more block away each week from breaking a huge one. He definitely proved he is a #1 back in this league.
I’m proud of this team. Deep down I know Jameis is not a Super Bowl caliber QB but damnit no one wants to win more and no QB puts his body on the line more than JW. I totally agree Donovan Smith would be a great RT and our biggest need is a LT this offseason.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:18 am
Totally agree Bucfanduh! Great points. Should be our main focus this offseason. Go Bucs!
December 14th, 2019 at 7:27 am
No, thank you! We should be in good position to draft a top RB in the 1st and we should.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:50 am
To run successfully, you must have a line of run blockers. We have soft Tackles and a Center who had a nasty reputation but has coasted.
The game has changed. The OL the GMs seek are guys who can backpedal and not guys who fire off.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:51 am
K_bassuka… your top rated running back just got smashed for a 3 yard loss. He does some spectacular things. He reminds me of Barry Sanders, Emmit Smith, and Walter Peyton.. all wrapped up into a beautiful lil muscle bound 4.2 bundle that will be the greatest RB of all time. Sadly, there are no RBs that can be drafted this year that meet any of your specifications.. even if there was, they’d be a top 3 pick… which is 13 away from a team 16th in the order can expect. And even if we did somehow land the greatest running back of all time, he’d be just another RJJ relying on an O-line that is… not… anywhere close to good. Work that full brain you were blessed with.. dont be a retard fan(apologies if my use of the word retard offends anyone… it is not meant as a disrespect to those that are afflicted by mental retardation… it is simply the most applicable word that can be applied to a fan that has absolutely no clue what they are talking about).
December 14th, 2019 at 8:07 am
What the heck happened to Bruce Anderson? Lots of people were talking that kid up.
December 14th, 2019 at 8:08 am
Mixon
December 14th, 2019 at 8:16 am
Kareem Hunt and David Johnson , get rid of Ogubuhalhjfkieksk and Peyton Barber
December 14th, 2019 at 8:18 am
Matt… please define what it takes to be a “Super bowl caliber QB”. Deep down you are a bucs fan, like me, who wants to mouthwash with buckshot every sunday. And you are completely right about Smith, who would benefit from a position swap. I just dont know what Super bowl caliber is…” is it Brad Johnson, the only buc QB to win SB? Is it Trent Dilfer, the guy who was the SB Ravens QB the year before Brad? Is it Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom, Tom… Tom….. I lost count… Brady(who is having a horrible season, but will probably still be a SB caliber QB this year)? Is it Cam Newton, or… gasp… Colin Kaepernick . They made it to the Superbowl… so by definition, they are Superbowl Caliber Quarterbacks. Payton Manning, Big Ben, Russell Wilson.. . Eli Manning.. Goff gets half a point… but they are Superbowl caliber QB’s. I love the concept… but I think as a buc fan I understand that although the QB is a Factor, there are ONLY SUPERBOWL CALIBER TEAMS. Unless, you are Tom Brady…
December 14th, 2019 at 8:43 am
David Johnson was drafted in the third round, exactly. That’s what you have to do. Find the next David Johnson in rounds 3, or 4. The current D.J. is shot. Joe you listed the injury history, and at what price would he come? Certainly wouldn’t want his current contract. He’d have to be completely cut, clear waivers, then it would be his choice where, and at what price he signs.
December 14th, 2019 at 8:44 am
Zach Moss is trash!!! With alot of college carries….PASS!! Kareem Hunt should be the target, no other focus, no other RB moves, unless its the 7th rd of the draft. RoJo is just fine as a change of pace back. Bruce Anderson is on the practice squad and will be on the roster next year. We HAVE to draft Olineman as a priority!! I’m not necessarily saying in the 1st rd either.
December 14th, 2019 at 9:02 am
Tom Brady and Sony Michel are both having down years.
Ya think it might have something to do with their OLine??
Ya think if the Bucs ever made OLine a priority in the draft, the RB’s would be more productive and Jameis’ interceptions may come down??
The Jets signed Le’Veon Bell- how’s that working out??
December 14th, 2019 at 9:32 am
I say go get Bell…much better runner and a workhorse.
Before any of these RBs…we need a 1st round Oline man oe D Line
December 14th, 2019 at 10:37 am
No way. Injury prone
December 14th, 2019 at 10:46 am
My vote is a big NO, RB have a short shelf life and have rarely lived up to big contracts. So just keep find one in mid round or undrafted FA.
December 14th, 2019 at 10:53 am
Easy pass.
First, the running game here isn’t dominant because Arians offense is a VERTICAL OFFENSE. Always has been.
The way Rojo has improved, he could easily be a top RB in a year or two. But he won’t be because Arians and Leftwich prefer to throw the ball more…which is why Winston is on pace for more yards than any year in his career.
December 14th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
Hard pass.
December 14th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
he has a huge contract, radio jox out here hoping Arians does a sucker move and buys him out word for word he sux this year and last year wtf we don’t need that
December 14th, 2019 at 12:30 pm
i live in Az
December 14th, 2019 at 2:44 pm
he was putting up numbers early in the year mostly due to his receiving abilities. but his running wasn’t up to par and his lack of explosiveness was evident plus seems to be injury prone.
December 14th, 2019 at 2:45 pm
There’s at least a dozen good running backs in the draft just draft one for Christ sakes.
December 14th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
johnson had success early in the season with his receiving abilities but his running struggled he looked slow. he is too injury prone also. would be overpriced for what he offers
December 14th, 2019 at 6:12 pm
Two words: Bad Knees.
December 15th, 2019 at 8:03 am
BucFanDuh… You are wrong on this one. Just last year alone the Raiders picked a pretty good RB with the 24th pick in last year’s draft, which by the way was the first RB taken in the draft not to mention that where we pick we will be able to trade back and still be in good position to choose one of the top RB in this year’s class. Now, I’m no NFL historian but, I don’t recall any RB in the NFL that performed well after getting paid, coming back from injury, switching teams, and up there in age. That’s just an unicorn RB.
We don’t need to find the “next greatest RB in the history of the NFL”, but one that the opposing D has to fear. I will take Taylor, Dobbins, Etienne, Hubbard, and Swift over any 2020 expected free agent RB. Licht just has to pick a top RB and not the one that it’s available after every other team made their choice.