“I Like That Running Back”
January 27th, 2020
Former Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount is a big fan of a current Bucs RB.
Sometimes it takes a running back time to get the hang of things in the NFL. So by all means don’t stop feeding him the rock.
And where did Joe get that knowledge? From a guy that was a typical victim of Bucs shot-callers during the Lost Decade, when the team would run off strong players and then wonder why they cannot win games.
This piece of advice Joe got from LeGarrette Blount. The former Bucs running back had 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2010 and was thrown aside two years later.
In typical Bucs fashion, Blount would go on to win three Super Bowl rings. Some locker room cancer, eh?
Joe caught up with Blount last week at the Pro Bowl in Orlando. Blount had brought a group of youngsters to Pro Bowl practices from his foundation. And when you get three rings, you get special access to the practice field.
So Joe asked the Perry, Fla. native to assess Tampa Bay running backs. Blount is one of only two running backs in the post-Chucky era to run for a 1,000 yards in a season for the Bucs (sad!).
Blount left no doubt he’s a big believer in Ronald Jones.
“I like that running back,” Blount said. “He’s going to be a real, real, real force to be reckoned with. He’s one of the better backs I have seen come through there in a while.
“I think he is going to be nice. I would love to see him get more touches. He’s one of the nice all-around backs in the league. He’s a good player. I like him a lot.”
Joe thinks Jones could be that guy. As Blount hinted, Jones needs to touch the ball more. Feed him!
Still, as much as Joe may think (hope?) Jones could be that guy, the Bucs should not just cross their fingers and hope. Go draft a guy and maybe sign a guy, and maybe Jones can beat them out and get enough carries to get up a head of steam.
January 27th, 2020 at 5:27 am
The offensive line needs to play more energy. Give Ronald Jones III a whole, and it is going to the house. LeGarrette Blount was let go by the Buccaneers and won three Super Bowls. Imagine that! LeGarrette Blount’s 1,000 yards season was the result of him playing in ten games. He also contributed a lot in those Super Bowl wins.
January 27th, 2020 at 6:34 am
to frank and honest I don’t think this coaching staff wants to find that guy, starting to not like the vibe of this staff as far as putting players in the proper position to succeed. Most teams use their talent! I think Rojo and OJ was not used properly last year so I sure hope that change this year!
January 27th, 2020 at 6:47 am
If Ronald Jones just was given 15 carries per game…..he would be a 1000 yard rusher……Just 15
He averaged only 10.75 carries per game at 4.10 with 724 yards.
Peyton Barber averaged 9.625 carries….
So…..yes…..Rojo should get more carries.
January 27th, 2020 at 7:18 am
Leftwich sucks
January 27th, 2020 at 7:57 am
If what is left of the sheep think that a overrated qb needs 7 seasons to develop, then it would seem that they would give a below average RB 3 to 4 seasons to develop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In reality what happens is that you will watch bad play for multiple season with more losses than wins, only to overpay for average play that will lead to more losses than wins!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy it sheep!!!!!!!!! The last couple thousand will have RJS stadium all to yourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though you will see another losing season, be happy how easy it will be to get to and from the stadium this season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2020 at 8:18 am
I mean what is blount supposed to say? Jones sucks and the bucs are terrible. He is not an nfl talent evaluator. And unless it is someone growing some of mexico’s finest sensemillia new strain that he is evaluating then pass on what his theory on ronald jones
January 27th, 2020 at 8:22 am
I do like easy parking. You’re right. There is always a silver lining and we should focus on the bright side. Thank you, El Buc Optimist-o!
January 27th, 2020 at 8:36 am
I would love to see him get more touches.
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Fkn DUH!!!! And you people think you have competent decision makers leading the circus. Smh
January 27th, 2020 at 9:19 am
Lol.
So easily manipulated.
January 27th, 2020 at 9:20 am
Feed him till he pukes!!!
January 27th, 2020 at 9:53 am
You can “hope” about Jones, or hope about a free agent or draft pick.
Either way it’s still hope.
January 27th, 2020 at 10:28 am
@ Tampabaybucfan
Exactly!!! Case closed.
Jones was running hard and never had a chance to really get hot, either through bad coaching decisions or turnovers.
And, damn…
Letting go of Blount was such a bad move. – He was so much fun to watch, definitely added a certain mentality.
Check out the YouTube highlights.
#bucslife
January 27th, 2020 at 10:31 am
Let’s not just forget that one of the main reasons that Blount was let go from the Bucs was he cared more about smoking weed than football at that time. No one questioned his abilities. This was the reason he was let go from the Steelers as well.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-patriots-legarrette-blount-suspended-substance-abuse-20150407-story.html
January 27th, 2020 at 10:37 am
Agreed, the Bucs need to draft a stout, straight ahead, RB to pair with ROJO. Draft one in the 2nd or 3rd round.
January 27th, 2020 at 11:08 am
Blount was a major head, case sucker punching a guy in college and ruining his draft stock. We took a chance and his talent blossomed.
BUT HE WAS A HEAD CASE!
He played for four different teams after us. I absolutely do NOT question his talent. I do question why someone like Belicheat would cut bait with him not once but twice. Belicheat obviously saw his talent and put up with WHATEVER caused FIVE teams to give up on him.
Aquib Talib is exactly the same…clearly a major talent with ISSUES!!!
He is on his 3rd team since the Bucs and also cut by Belicheat.
The Bucs DID NOT MISS on these two guys or they wouldn’t have continually bounced around the league. At minimum then the Bucs weren’t the ONLY teams to take a pass and since Belicheat ultimately passed on both of them the Bucs are in pretty good company.
January 27th, 2020 at 11:46 am
The play calling needs to progress if RoJo is to bloom. He needs an initial hole to get started. The Bucs didn’t play to make holes until the last two games.
The first down runs were dumb. No line play at all went into those plays. They were set to fail as soon as they were called.
January 27th, 2020 at 11:47 am
Blount gets himself run out of Tampa because of behavioral issues but somehow it’s the Bucs fault?
January 27th, 2020 at 11:51 am
The crazy thing is the wildly different offensive play calling weve had during the season. There were some games that all we did is drop back and have receivers out on long developing routes every play (while none of them being separation specialist), barely any running, check downs, screen game, or quick slants. Then wed have games like Arizona where screens and short passes were built in like its what we do, and we targeted Rojo 8 times in the passing game. Can we get the Bucs offense to consistently look like the Arizona game please? After a full season under Leftwich, none of us know what our offense really looks like. Bombs away with Winston all game half works.. it can get us yards and TDs but it also gives us debilitating results in the way of TOs.. Leftwich and Arians need to step it up next season
January 27th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
hard to establish the run when you’re playing from behind due to TOs…..
less TOs=more RB touches….
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 27th, 2020 at 9:19 pm
St Pete Bucs , I not calling that a sucker punch but it was a sucker talkin sht that got punched