Melvin Gordon & Todd Gurley Are Off The Board; Bruce Arians Sticks To His Philosophy
March 20th, 2020
A percentage of Bucs fans are salivating at the thought of the Bucs adding a true No. 1 running back to complement the greatest quarterback in history and the NFL’s best 1-2 punch at wide receiver.
(Is Tom Brady the greatest QB ever? That’s a fun debate best suited for bars after social distancing is gone.)
So how will the Bucs approach fixing the running back position? Bucco Bruce Arians said at the NFL Scouting Combine that he was seeking a David Johnson-type. Well, Johnson himself was traded from Arizona to Houston.
Young, three-down Pro Bowl backs Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley were on the market, but they were gobbled up. ProFootballTalk.com reported Gordon signed a two-year deal with the Broncos today for $16 million. Gurley is now in the NFC South on a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
This all made Joe remember the words of Bucco Bruce Arians during his sitdown with the Ira Kaufman Podcast last summer.
Arians was talking about how the running back position was a pleasant surprise, talking about how much he likes the physicality of Peyton Barber, was impressed by Ronald Jones’ spring explosiveness, along with healthy Andre Ellington and “solid” Dare Ogunbowale, who also had caught Arians’ eye on special teams.
“I like our backfield. I think it’s [an] ok backfield. There’s not a David Johnson or a Todd Gurley. But you don’t need one,” Arians continued.
Joe replied. “We could buy one though, right, if we want to? If they’re on the market?”
Arians’ volume kicked up a notch. “I mean (sigh), I don’t overpay for that position. David Johnson came in as a rookie, lit it on fire. You just got to find the right guys to fit what you want to do.”
It seems like Arians is sticking to his philosophy. Man, what a wild scene it would be if the Bucs drafted a running back in Round 1 next month. If you’re going all-in, you might as well get up on the high diving board.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Draft one in 3rd round or take a look at Dion Lewis a good pass catcher out of the backfield.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:07 pm
I believe Carlos Hyde is still on the market.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:07 pm
There is still hope, I guess these running backs aren’t the ones running to play with Brady at least at the price the Bucs willing to pay. There is still Chris Thompson, Dion Lewis and there has to be one of those top rookies, I will say it again, run ROjO run…
March 20th, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Lamar Miller, too. Either be solid addition, but still need to draft a RB early
March 20th, 2020 at 3:08 pm
He’s not big on RB’s because he doesn’t run the ball. Another reason the Steelers let him go. No runno the ballo O. He needs to draft some Alpha OL.
He didn’t write a book called the running game whisperer. He’s all about the QB position.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Jonathan Taylor
March 20th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
I’m holding out hope. I think he looking for the right fit and not just a name ie Dion Lewis!!!
March 20th, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Cam Akers second round.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Sharing a thought I just had. I for one would like us to get one of the top 4 OTs. But if we truly are going all-in (which it appears we are), I wouldn’t be made at a scenario where if the top 4 OTs off the board so we trade down and draft a RB.
What y’all think?
March 20th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
Especially if we get a 2nd rd pick for that Marine. Because then you could still address O Line in 2nd rd with a good G. & then address either front 7 or back end with Best player available
March 20th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
bob in brandon, i wholeheartedly agree, john taylor all day
1 jake eason
2john taylor
3o-line
4d-line
5bpa
trade for trent williams
resign suh
March 20th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
QB in the 1st. Brady is a bandaid.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
With the threat of Brady throwing and not turning the ball over and the receiving corps they have, they don’t need a stud running back. I like the idea of getting someone new but another O lineman and just having Brady there is probably enough. Look at the running backs Brady has had throughout his career. Serviceable that can hit a hole, block, and catch
March 20th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
But if Swift is gone then you could probably get those RB’s in rd 2. You can still use 1st rd pick on BPA.. like S, CB or DE
March 20th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Best not to overpay for a running back.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
but i thought free-agent were foaming at the mouth to join brady and the bucs. MORE FAKE NEWS BY THE MEDIA
March 20th, 2020 at 3:26 pm
I’ll give whoever we get at RB a chance.
Brady succeeded with Ridley and White and a bunch of other nonamers.
Bruce succeeded with Johnson who was a third rounder and hasn’t done much since Bruce left.
The plan at RB is so hard to guess at. And based on history it doesn’t have to be some big name guy to equal production.
Bruce has never brought a RB into Tampa Bay. I’m willing to buy in on whoever he chooses and see if it can go as well as guys leave keys Perriman and Barrett.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
A RIGHT TACKLE. IS MORE IMPORTANT. THAN A RUNNING BACK RIGHT NOW. Josh Wells vs Ronald Jones.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Remaining needs are OL RB DL/S. Ps I saw another club offer Gordon more money but Gordon wanted to play against the Chargers twice a year.. that could have been the Bucs!
March 20th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Ronald Jones is the guy. Get over it. Without a strong O-line , including backups, it doesn’t matter who you have running the ball. What’s the point of wasting a pick in the early rounds when your offence isn’t based around the run or can’t get holes open for him even if you wanted to? Draft linemen in the first two rounds and your team will always be competitive.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Trade down and pick running back #1
March 20th, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Offensive Line will cure multiple offense problems
March 20th, 2020 at 3:39 pm
If they draft a RB in Round 1 Tom Brady will fire both Arians and Licht on the spot. Gee, does he have to do EVERYTHING? OT and/or QB in first two rounds. Dion Lewis will be here by next week. That would still be an “ok” backfield, but Lewis can block and catch.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:40 pm
L.Fournette .
March 20th, 2020 at 3:45 pm
Dion Lewis is definitely coming. Just makes too much sense… might cost $2 which is a fraction of Gurley and Gordon; had down year due to Tennessee reload; has Brady’s total confidence in catching/blitz pickup and available without trade. This is gonna happen. Best part is adds immediate value and positions Bucs for flexibility in draft.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Just get Dion Lewis, or draft Akers.
March 20th, 2020 at 3:47 pm
I believe Rojo about to blow up! I was watching the Bucs Rams game last night on NFL network and he had two significant plays in that game called back on BS holding calls a TB led team doesn’t get called. He had a good yards per average in the limited reps. Get a complimentary 3rd down back with Brady’s input. Draft is viable but don’t reach
March 20th, 2020 at 4:09 pm
If the big 4 olineman are not available at pick 14. Trade back later in the 1st and get another 2nd. Then draft best a rb and best unavailable oline or dline.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Fuc*ing spell check.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:10 pm
I like Edwards-Helaire and Cam Akers equally both projected to go in rounds 2 or 3. Both are very versatile…great runners and natural catchers of the ball.
There…oops before Hoops busts me…their versatility make them ideal for Brady.
Another prerequisite though will be the ability to pick up the blitz and protect Brady. I honestly do not know if either of these guys can block.
FSU guys…you’ve watched him for two years…can Cam pick up blitzes?
March 20th, 2020 at 4:19 pm
We should get fournette 3rd pick ..maybe 4th
March 20th, 2020 at 4:20 pm
The draft will fix a few holes…
1st: OL
2nd: RB
3rd: Safety
Etc….
March 20th, 2020 at 4:21 pm
I can tell you Cam Akers is NO Dalvin Cook. Sorry to upset my fellow FSU friends, but it’s just true. Cam doesn’t have the explosiveness out of his base that Cook has and he doesn’t run with the same instincts, vision, and balance.
Doesn’t have the stature or strength to pick up your bigger blitzers (Cook doesn’t either tho). He’s a 3rd-4th round caliber back.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:28 pm
RoJo is solid, and will get the job done. Draft his backup in the later rounds. 1st-OL, 2nd-QB, 3rd-OL/DL, 4th-RB.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Gordon 8 million per year was too rich. We spent on other needs.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Whichever RB Brady wants by our second round pick.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Perfect, let teams buy expensive used goods. It will push a better RB to us in the draft.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Antonio Gibson in the 3rd or 4th.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:49 pm
I would take RD1 RB if the opportunity presented itself. Appears we have given up on Suh. Sure would have been nice to keep together that D-line.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:49 pm
There will be plenty of RB to choose from 2 round down. A lot of offensive skilled players this year in the draft. Wouldn’t be surprised if teams finds a couple WRs and RBs gems in the later rounds.
March 20th, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Devonta freeman or Dion Lewis and draft one in the 3rd. You gotta think TB12 is demanding new bodies in the backfield.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:05 pm
If “No Biscuit” thought that the 3rd round lottery ticket was the way to select RB’s, why didn’t they grab the greatest RB in college football history, Darrell Henderson, with the 3rd round pick last year?
Cam Akers or AJ Dillon might be there in the 3rd round this year but they are not Darrell Henderson.
Dillon might equal Mike Alstott.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:06 pm
ronald jones is that man! we need oline b4 anything!!
March 20th, 2020 at 5:08 pm
They wont draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round, and probably not 3rd round either. Arians loves T.J. Logan, he’ll get every chance to be one of the pass catching backs.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Was just listing to Moving the Chains and they did a live mock draft. All four of the top tackles were gone, as was Kinlaw, so Miller picked D’Andre Swift. He mentioned that is a good receiver in addition to being a very good runner. If the draft plays out this way I would be ok with Swift in the first. The kid out of Wisconsin is good, but man he ran it a ton there and not sure how long he would hold up in the NFL.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Could trade down in the second and still possibly pick up Cam Akers. Run and catch. +1,100 yards rushing and 14 TDs behind a terrible oline. Could be a nice one-two with RoJo
March 20th, 2020 at 5:41 pm
I would look at Ty Montgomery. Cheap and can play RB and split out.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:42 pm
I still see Arians drafting a OL and RB in 1st 2 rounds and a QB in the 3rd. And for the OL and RB I think first will be which ever position with the highest in value when the Bucs pick then the other in the second and definitely a QB in the 3rd
March 20th, 2020 at 5:43 pm
Bruce won with Jerome bettis and edgarin James if I’m not mistaken at RB .. Steelers and colts. Of course David Johnson at cardinals.
Bruce is over his head.
The meltdown will be Running game. And again pass defense. So far those areas haven’t been address and those areas were the weakness and still are.
You expect … by adding a QB everything is fix??
Not including kicker in the talk.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Could have had Running back Todd Gurley for $5M this season as he signed with the Falcons on a one-year $5 million deal.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Lol, Steve, I really hope that Arians doesn’t think the way you do. Hopefully he tries to find BPA matching with a need. So the mock I just listened to all 4 tackles were off the board when we picked at 14. You don’t just say screw it, lets take Jones even though we grad him out at say 25 because we are picking o-line in the first. If one of the top 4 is there I hope they do pick a tackle, but I assume they have their draft order in place at this point and will probably stick pretty close to it. Based on Arians comments in the past I won’t be surprised if the pass on both offensive linemen and RBs in the first two rounds. I hoping Brady has some say here as to what he needs to be successful.
March 20th, 2020 at 5:49 pm
I don’t think there are just 4 stud OT’s, I think there are 6.
Trade back with someone desperate for a WR like Philly (Ruggs) and get there #21 and #53.
With the 21st pick take Josh Jones OT Houston
#45 Gross-Matos Edge Penn State
#53 Cam Akers RB FSU
3rd round take AJ Dillon RB Boston College
March 20th, 2020 at 5:51 pm
The QB and a good OL make the RB. Elliott has massive holes in Dallas before he’s touched. People refuse to listen.
March 20th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
We draft Jonathan Taylor and this offense is going to be NUTS!
March 20th, 2020 at 6:28 pm
Although now that I think of it DeAndre Swift might just be a better fit with Brady considering how lethal he is as a receiver out of the backfield.
Either one would certainly add an entire new dimension to our offense.
The smart move for the future would definitely be to draft the best Tackle or Pass rusher, but if we’re seriously trying to make a push for the Lombardi, adding a gamewrecker of a running back might just be the way to go…
Regardless this year and the next are going to be wildly exciting. Go Bucs!
March 20th, 2020 at 6:45 pm
OL in round 1 QB in round 2 RB in round 3
I think the Bucs new OL signing can push Cappa at RG and provide excellent depth at all positions. Hurts and Eason should be there in rd 2 to groom for the future.
March 20th, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Get:
Lewis as a UFA
RB Swift (UGA) if available in the 2nd round
QB Fromm (UGA) in the 3rd if he’s there.
We’re set then.
March 20th, 2020 at 7:20 pm
It was a mistake not getting Melvin
Jason can’t draft
March 20th, 2020 at 7:20 pm
If the Bucs signing Brady means they’re going all in, then they need to go get the best RB available, which would be Kareem Hunt. Pay the 2nd round tender the Browns put on him, and watch him block and catch for Brady. He’s a better overall back at this point in his career than anyone we would draft. Use our draft picks to solidify OT, DT/DE, and Safety. We should also be able to pick up another decent WR in this deep draft. Don’t give me the choir boy routine about Hunt, either. He made a mistake, but he’s not Greg Hardy, Ray Rice, or even Joe Mixon.
March 20th, 2020 at 7:27 pm
Darrell Henderson may be the greatest RB in college history but he’s a ghost in the NFL
March 20th, 2020 at 7:40 pm
clarification: trade down and pick running back # 1 and pick up a second round pick to use combined to get a safety # 2
March 20th, 2020 at 7:45 pm
22 running backs were taken in the 2015 NFL Draft. Today, not a single one of them is still with the team that selected them.
Draft and Develop my ass for running backs.
Draft and abuse them is the moto of an NFL team.
March 20th, 2020 at 7:47 pm
10 Todd Gurley RB Georgia St. Louis Rams
15 Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin San Diego Chargers
36 T.J. Yeldon RB Alabama Jacksonville Jaguars
54 Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska Detroit Lions
73 Tevin Coleman RB Indiana Atlanta Falcons
77 Duke Johnson RB Miami (Fla.) Cleveland Browns
86 David Johnson RB Northern Iowa Arizona Cardinals
95 Matt Jones RB Florida Washington Redskins
106 Jeremy Langford RB Michigan State Chicago Bears
108 Jalston Fowler FB Alabama Tennessee Titans
125 Javorius Allen RB USC Baltimore Ravens
126 Mike Davis RB South Carolina San Francisco 49ers
138 David Cobb RB Minnesota Tennessee Titans
149 Jay Ajayi RB Boise State Miami Dolphins
155 Karlos Williams RB Florida State Buffalo Bills
168 Michael Burton FB Rutgers Detroit Lions
174 Cameron Artis-Payne RB Auburn Carolina Panthers
205 Josh Robinson RB Mississippi State Indianapolis Colts
206 Aaron Ripkowski FB Oklahoma Green Bay Packers
230 Marcus Murphy RB Missouri New Orleans Saints
231 Joey Iosefa FB Hawaii Tampa Bay Buccaneers
235 Kenny Hilliard RB LSU Houston Texans
March 20th, 2020 at 7:56 pm
@HowToSpellRhonde
Carlos Hyde is old news, he has bounced from team to team the last couple of seasons, nothing special about him. The upcoming draft is pretty good for running backs.
March 20th, 2020 at 8:09 pm
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
March 20th, 2020 at 8:25 pm
Stuuupid to take a RB higher than #3 round. Akers or the LSU kid would be a great fit if they last that long.
March 20th, 2020 at 8:36 pm
You never overpay for a rb especially the ones that were on the market this offseason. Draft one of dobbins/taylor/Akers in round 2 and grab an explosive pass catching back like Adrian killins out of ucf in round 5. He could be our Ekeler or Darren sproles type back who also happens to be an elite returner.
March 20th, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Gordon is nothing special, the people promoting him did nothing but look at the box score. The guy is fine, but very average, and he got way above average money.
I hope Gruley don’t haunt the team. For the money he got, they Bucs should have really tried to get him. If he’s healthy and can play, he – unlike Gordon – is a game changer. Obviously however, it’s the if with Gruley, and right now do you play the *if* game when you need to win right now? I don’t know.
Anywho, again, for the dopes yelling about needing a RB — we have a RB. Rojo looked good at the end of last season. The Bucs need a 3rd down back and Dion Lewis would seem to be a perfect fit. Or Freeman, he’s another guy who can catch the ball.
March 20th, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Well if an FSU guy doesn’t sign off on Cam it makes me lean even harder on a Dillon pick. Agree Jim Edwards Helaire wouldn’t be a bad pick either.
Dillon is a big bruiser with soft hands who catches the ball great out of the backfield. Combined with ROJO and Dion Lewis who could show our backs how to run routes that Brady likes we could have a stout running game…with one of those stud right tackles.
March 21st, 2020 at 8:05 am
I’m good as long as we get one before round 4.
March 21st, 2020 at 8:36 am
Gordon is way to streaky, and Gurley…the Rams needed him to play and he didn’t, why? Arthritic knee is my guess. If he was healthy and still had it, they would have played him. Draft an RB in 3 or 4. They are there to be had. My old football coach used to say “I can teach my dog to run with a ball, but I can’t teach him to how to block”.
March 21st, 2020 at 11:58 am
Never followed the Patriots but isn’t Brady used to having a true fullback (block and catch)?
March 22nd, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Great Post geno 711 !