“Obvious Fit”
March 7th, 2020
Running back hunting.
The math seems to add up.
Melvin Gordon is a talented running back. The Bucs have bupkis for running backs.
Melvin Gordon is an every-down back. The Bucs have a bunch of sometimes backs.
Melvin Gordon is talented. The Bucs running backs are talented — for backups.
Melvin Gordon wants to get paid. The Bucs have a good chunk of salary cap room.
Melvin Gordon is looking for a job. The Bucs have an opening — or should.
So why not bring Gordon to Tampa Bay? Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report believes it’s a perfect match.
… He would be a major improvement over Ronald Jones II, who has never lived up to the hype that made him a second-round pick in 2018. The Bucs have an exciting selection of skill position players led by wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Gordon would dramatically improve a run game that ranked 24th last year (95.1 yards per game).
Let’s think about this for a second: Is Tom Brady, Philip Rivers or any of the free agent quarterbacks going to want to come here without any running back to lean on? As it is, defenses don’t respect the Bucs’ run game one ounce, and it allows defenses to pin their ears back on Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, who absorbed 106 hits last year despite having escapability.
And if the Bucs have no intention of upgrading the weakest unit on the roster, are any of these statues any better than Jameis?
C’mon Bruce, just bite the bullet and go pay Gordon. You can thank Joe later.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
I swear Joe doesn’t know anything about football. Did you not watch RoJo in the final two games? You think he’s bupkis? Dude is a prime breakout candidate next year. #StepYourGameUp #GetOffWinstonsNuts
March 7th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Melvin Gordon in the decline part of his running back career. I am ok with a 3-4 million per year salary. If any more, let another team overpay for him.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Zzzzzzzzx
March 7th, 2020 at 12:07 pm
BA has said he doesn’t want to spend money on a RB. This leads me to believe we will draft one this year, maybe 3rd Round, or so.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
If we could get him on the cheap, I’d be all for it. I don’t see that happening, though.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:15 pm
You might be able to get Cam still in the 3rd but after that not too much else!
March 7th, 2020 at 12:17 pm
I still believe we need BIG guys up front first!
March 7th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
ROJO is still very young. I think he is only 22. Younger than most in the nfl. I still think he could develop to be a homerun hitter. However Gordon is proven and would be great to bring in at the right price. We could have an exciting 1-2 punch that way.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Two games vs. two seasons.
Even MSNBC can do the math here. 🙂
March 7th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
I actually think ROJO may end up being better than Gordon. I really think there is some major potential with ROJO.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
I think bringing in a Melvin Gordon would help ROJO, I also think given ROJO the chance to be a feature back is is a 1500 yard from scrimmage kind of back. I’m not in practice, I don’t know football like BA, Licht and the coaching staff, but the eye test says give him more of a load. I go back to the final game, ROjO had 11 carries for 108 yards, no way in overtime, that he should not have gotten carries number 12 & 13…, the way he was running the ball, then maybe we are not having that 30 – 30 conversation. Maybe we are having 34 – 29, because we have established the run.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
MSNBC felt the bern on that one.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:45 pm
God joe these articles are hair brained as of recent. Let’s go over some recent talking points
1. Lets overpay for a washed up
Overrated past his prime if he had one running back
2. It would be way too expensive to draft a right tackle at 14 NO both tackles are the most important positions on the offense besides the QB
3. In the last week you seem to keep implying it’s Arians and the coaching staffs fault for Winston’s turnovers when this has always been who he is.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Say if the top 4 tackles are already off the board when the Bucs pick at 14…Would you all be opposed to taking Jonathan Taylor in the 1st Round? I just don’t know about taking a RB in the 1st unless you KNOW he’s gonna be great…This kid running a 4.39 has got me thinking, he’s faster than Saquon Barkley with comparable size.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:54 pm
Draft another running back after 3 or 4 years in the NFL veteran backs are usually damaged goods.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:54 pm
Joe your coffee is just not getting it done..
Melvin Gordon was the topic that soon morphed magically
into another sermon regarding #3 & all his gifts…
Rebuttal: #1- Last playoff game was a loss to Oregon
Highlighted by complete Meltdown on the
field of play & the sideline with Coach..
#2- 50 fumbles,hands of stone anyone ???
#3- “Eat a W”performance…
#4- 5 years later he says “check your sheet,I’m ballin”…
#5- 28 W’s & 42 L’s…
March 7th, 2020 at 12:58 pm
No. Way too many very talented running backs available in this draft. If we can score Dobbins or Helaire in the second round we should definitely pull the trigger on either one of those guys.
March 7th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
He would be perfect compliment to Ronald Jones in all reality as long as we dont break the bank. Hes still a great recieving back who could be a number 1 as well if needed. There has been alot of talk about Rivers struggling due to oline….same could be said for the rushing yards for Gordon.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
@ Joe
I would go defense with pick #14 if all 4 tackles are gone. That means that either Kinlaw or Chaisson or Brown should be available and I would pounce on any one of them with pick #14.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
I think we should sign a free agent runningback, and draft one in the 2nd or 3rd rd maybe.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Everybody on this site knows Joe is a homer for his personal favs or a negative Nancy about his personal goats. Just ask the great love lost- Johnny Football- a star in the bupkis league of failed players. Hilariously he responds to a post about rojo mentioning his first year in the league- actually referencing a statistical body of work of 23 carries. But that’s what make this site so fun it’s like you always get to be at thanksgiving dinner with your opinionated crazy uncle. It’s family! But seriously I love the Joe enthusiasm and it allows us other armchair (non)experts to feel free to comment about our opinions because joe is so unabashedly bonkers and clearly off base at times with the homerism. And the nicknames are hilarious too- although I wonder if there will be a peter king style update to refer to America’s Favorite Unsigned Free Agent Quarterback Jaymiss WinsomeLosemore.
No for my own homerism- TB2TB2020! That’s a campaign I support!
March 7th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Marine is right. Giving any running back in the NFL big dollars on a second contract never works unless he is extremely special. Gordon is just okay. In fact Ronald Jones averaged more per carry this past season. And Gordon is considered an upgrade? How? Plus he’s going to be cost-prohibitive unless he agrees to middling dollars which last year’s holdout show is not the case.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Marine:
Thinking you are right, depending how free agency shakes out (meaning who the Bucs can keep on defense).
And thank you for your service.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
I would definitely like to see Melvin Gordon come to Tampa. He’s talented, a strong runner & capable of catching the ball as well. Still young at 26, I think he has a lot to give, and wants to excel in his position.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
🙂
March 7th, 2020 at 1:15 pm
We’re gonna draft Taylor with a trade back into the first. A least that’s what I’m hoping for. Why pay a rb who’s best days are behind him when you could get a gem prospect like Taylor for a third of what Gordon is gonna want?
March 7th, 2020 at 1:28 pm
I like this draft:
#1 – J. Willis. OT. Alabama (or Thomas from Georgia)
#2 – JK Dobbins. RB. Ohio State (if Dobbins isn’t there pick Hellaire from LSU)
#3 – J. Eason. QB. Washington State
#4 – N. Harris. G/C. Washington State
#5 – M. Pittman Jr. WR. USC
#6 – J. Guidry. S. Utah
March 7th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
But if all four OTs are gone we go defense – Kinlaw, Brown or Chaisson.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Look at Melvin Gordon’s career stats. He has had garbage years with low YPC. Maybe that is because RB production depends MORE on OL play and playcalling/scheming/game management than the RB himself. Look at Leveon Bell on the Jets last year. Bell on the Bucs last year would have struggled too. You really don’t seem to understand this concept, yet the evidence is in the stats! As you love to say, LOOK AT THE PRODUCTION. Melvin Gordon is overrated and will be overpaid. Draft Perrine in round 3 or a couple late round RBs, sign a budget FA… The main thing is upgrading the O Line and better situational playcalling.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Then we move up into the late first round and grab an OT – Jones, Niang or Jackson.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
RoJo is much more than bupkis. Fine with Gordon at right price but what does Joe mean by just go pay the man?
RB in free agency is not a bad idea given I’d like to grab 2 OL in first 3 rounds of draft but who knows what’s available when Bucs are on the clock. At 14 we’re kind of in no-man’s land for both OT and QB… now if we trade back for another pick and you want to use the extra one on a RB that might work.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
I’m beginning to believe that Joe has never seen a running back that he didn’t like…..unless he plays for the Bucs……
Forget these FAs & draft a RB in the mid rounds…..or get a USFA…..we’ll be fine……if we improve our Oline run blocking….
March 7th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
UDFA
March 7th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
I would of rather had Ekeler if I had a choice of Charger RB’s.
March 7th, 2020 at 1:54 pm
That’d be a nice draft, Marine Buc!
March 7th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
@Joe … “The Bucs have a good chunk of salary cap room. Melvin Gordon is looking for a job. The Bucs have an opening — or should. C’mon Bruce, just bite the bullet and go pay Gordon. You can thank Joe later.”
Wow Joe, there’s just so much wrong with that ‘analysis’ it boggles the mind. First off, that ‘good chunk of salary Cap room’ will be more than eaten up with all those expensive FAs we NEED to sign. FAs who DON’T include Melvin Gordon.
Secondly, Gordon averaged 4.0 YPC over 5 years. Heck, RoJo averaged 4.2 YPC last year behind our funky OLine. Gordon’s only surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in ONE season (2017), when he coincidentally had his most carries & averaged 3.9 YPC. Nothing special catching out of the backfield either IMO (75% lifetime catch %). RoJo’s over 77% in comparison BTW.
And oh ya, Gordon’s missed 8 games in the past 2 years due to injury. That’s what, a 75% availability percentage? Ya right.
Spotrac shows him with a Market Value of $8.3 mil. A 2 Rnd draft pick would cost under $2 mil. That $6 mil difference could be used to keep Cam Brate … AFTER we draft a studly RB … or maybe Brett Perriman. Or maybe sign a really good backup QB (just in case). Or it MIGHT make the difference between being able to re-sign 1 of our critical DLinemen or having to settle for Swaggy Baker II. Thanks Joe … but no thanks.
March 7th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Any player that Joe recommends should be avoided like the plague. He hates winners like Brady, and loves losers like Jamoist. Could you imagine if he were the GM of the Bucs??? Licht would seem like Einstein compared to Joe!!! #NoPlayoffs
March 7th, 2020 at 2:14 pm
So let’s keep acting like Jones is doo-doo. The man had over a thousands yards from scrimmage. How many of his runs were called back? How much of his playing time was given to other backs? I believe if he was given the chance to get the majority of the carries, he would’ve gone over 1,000 yards rushing. Of course the Bucs need some backs to go along with Rojo, but stop acting like he’s not more than capable if given the appropriate chance. I don’t want to hear about the blocking garbage either. Fix the Oline and see the difference.
March 7th, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Or we could NOT overpay him, and draft a better RB.
March 7th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Melvin Gordon is one of the most overrated RB’s in the NFL. He wasn’t even the best RB on his team. He’s not worth anywhere close to what he thinks he’s worth. He had one season where he averaged 5 yards a carry, beyond that he’s about a 3.7 ypc guy.
This is just typical Joe latching onto a name that he recognizes.
March 7th, 2020 at 3:29 pm
No
March 7th, 2020 at 3:36 pm
Gordon would be a great addition… I’m not sold on ROJO yet… Lets see who free agency plays out… We can draft a Rb\B as well…
March 7th, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Joe put out a poll asking the fans if they want RoJo to be the #1 RB next season or another guy ( free agent) and im willing to put down $100 that the answer is RoJo.
March 7th, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Would potentially save a high pick. 👍🏻
March 7th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
D.R.
Thanks for putting in that effort. I do not know what part of ROJO’s actual production the Joes discount everytime they make these disrespectful posts.
March 7th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
Let’s find a RB with a Super Bowl ring…….that will assure us that we are getting the right player (sarcasm)
March 7th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
2019:
Melvin Gordon’s yards per carry…………3.8
Ronald Jones’s yards per carry……………4.2
Why are people enamored with Gordon and not Jones? The 2019 Charger OL was probably about equal to the 2019 Buc OL. Why would I pay a guy who averaged less per carry more money when I can pretty much find a guy to average 3.8 for a lot less dough.
March 7th, 2020 at 4:59 pm
The running game would have looked better if Jay-Miss didn’t throw so many first quarter INTs which ended up with the team playing from behind more often than not.
March 7th, 2020 at 5:05 pm
It really doesn’t matter if we had Barry Sanders , Jim Brown or Bo Jackson . If you don’t let your runningback run the ball 25 times a game then why are we even talking about bringing him in ? BA offense is trash to me . He got big Ben killed in Pittsburgh and that’s with a good runningback and blocking line . I don’t know why yall like BA so much . He’s not the quarterback whisper to me at all and never have been . He’s just been apart of teams that had good defenses . Even with the Cardinals back then the NFC west was trash the only team they had to worry about was the Seahawks and the 49ers 1 year . BA is a outdated coach that put his quarterbacks in bad situations . And this year will be the same thing regardless who the quarterback is . That’s why I hope Jamies leave because then everyone will see the problem that it really wasn’t Jamies the hold time .
March 7th, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Defense Rules has said it best, draft a RB and save the money to resign DL.
And thank goodness Brate has four more years left on his contract too, the guy does everything he’s asked to do well including block, and the guy has velcro hands. Not his fault BA’s offense doesn’t use the talent on the field better.
March 7th, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Not sure the Bucs need a scat-back type of runner with a smallish lower body vs a bruiser. Just my opinion. Drafting one…especially early…gives a team 4-5 years which for a running back tend to be their best years.
March 7th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Rojo trash
March 7th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
I would like to see if Tampa can draft a RB and please get a return specialist too. I think if BA is locked on to keeping the defense together he would trade for David Johnson but I would hate if he does that because he is injury prone but based on his salary they would start him. I would like to see RoJo get more touches and 3rd down looks to.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:11 pm
Joe…. a former UW Madison RB is a good idea. But Taylor is the one we could really use.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
I admitt I have seen limited games from Gordon. In the games I did saw my impression was he’s soft. And yes I know the highlight reels disagree. Maybe I just caught a bad game or something………Still with that price tag I’m only signing him if Suh insists on leaving. Otherwise defense gets that money.
Let Licht do his job and find us a cheaper option at RB. David Johnson sounds great but no way the Cards trade him to us. They already got bad PR from us taking their old coach who was beloved there. Don’t see it.
Do your job Licht.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:36 pm
@Joe, or somebody, what’s Gordon’s asking price. I like the idea. He’s a solid back. Jones did a really good job last season but every time he got rolling they’d put Barber in. I never understood that. Barber was really bad but Jones is primed to go, as said above. Gordon would give that 1-2 punch though. I remember when Carolgina had Stewart and Williams, they were almost unstoppable at times.
March 7th, 2020 at 6:45 pm
Nope if the Bucs are a passing team which they have been since Dirk koetter took over you dont give big money to a running back when you can upgrade in the draft. Not only does that cut into free agent money it also cuts into Chris Godwin money too.
March 7th, 2020 at 7:17 pm
There is this RB out of SE Rhode Island State……..can’t recall his name…..wasn’t invited to the combine…..but he runs a 4.16 40 and is 245 6’2″……..bench pressed 62 times…..and vertical leap 47″…..
He’s flying under the radar so I think we can pick him up in the 7th round….
March 7th, 2020 at 8:03 pm
You don’t pay 2nd contract $$ to RB’s in today’s NFL… End of story.
March 7th, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Catcard202 that’s the problem with all the losing team . The national media tell yall that you don’t need a running back but every year the teams that win and make the playoffs all of them can run the ball . This year all the quarterbacks that threw for over 4,000 yards none of them made the playoffs . We have to be a balance offense to win . Football have not change that rule . Tom Brady was carried by the runningback the last superbowl . The Patriots has all ways had a running game but yall let the national media blind yall to what really win in this league . Go bucs …
March 7th, 2020 at 8:53 pm
As much as I want an upgrade at running back I don’t think that Gordon is the answer. He turned down 10 million per year and I wouldn’t pay him half of that considering that he has accomished very little so far. Get a cheaper vet and draft one or two.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:22 pm
He’s not that good.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:45 pm
If Gordon wants a lot of money then that is a no.
There is no point in paying a RB a lot of money, it very rarely works out.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:48 pm
Really have no idea.
March 7th, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Better than ROJO that’s a fact.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:10 pm
In the first we should trade up a couple spots and get Kinlaw or trade down a couple spots and get Delpit or an edge. BA will not draft a RT in the first round. Maybe in the second or third. Defenses win championships.
March 7th, 2020 at 10:41 pm
I just hope the Bucs be careful again with these free agents. We’ve seen year to year how poor the Bucs free agents have been Last year was a good year hope they follow that protocol this year I dont know how other Bucs fans feel but, I don’t like the idea of bringing in Rivers, Gordon, Daulton or Bridwater. Brady I wouldn’t mind them bring in sort of what Denver did with Payton. Other than that hope they stick with the safe free gent signing and use the draft to build this team. The Bucs are very close to a power team just need Jameis to play little better or bring in a Brady as a bridge QB and draft and develop a QB
March 7th, 2020 at 10:52 pm
At that thought process it would be a much better argument to try to lure Derrick Henry for that type of money !!! Not that I’m down to really pay top dollar for a running back but if any free agent back would be it would be it would be Henry for sure . which Rojo would compliment as change of pace back better than Gordon also .
March 7th, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Mr Entertainment
March 7th, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Oneilbucs Says:
March 7th, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Catcard202 that’s the problem with all the losing team . Blah Blah blabble blabble.
I said you don’t pay 2nd contract $$.
No inference to “not needing a RB”, just not overpaying for a spent commodity.
You draft or go UDFA route & keep them on rookie contracts. Use them up & move on to fresh legs collecting rookie/base salary checks.
You cannot pay a RB elevated contract dollars & have it go south. Gordon’s a good RB – just not worth the coin he expects.
I like RoJo & expect the yr he’s ready for 20+ touches & a 1200-1500yd total offense / 10 TD season..It’s yr3 – it’s his yr to break-out.. But it starts w/ play calling, run blocking & making a commitment to physicality.
Get a starting RT, a healthy yr from Cappa, a complementary RB to pair w/ RoJo (Power Back AJ Dillion) …& maybe a Slash-Back – Slot / RB / Wildcat QB / KR-PR (Lynn Bowden.) to juice the chess board.. * role players to keep the DEF honest.*…All on Rookie Deals that in total w/ be less than Gordon alone.
1 goes down, it doesn’t wreck the cap…A major commitment to a 2nd contract in the range of what Gordon think he’s worth…Cap Wrecker.
March 8th, 2020 at 5:25 pm
pickuo zach zenner to complement ronald jones end of story dude will come cheap and is a 4.5 yard per carry power back
March 9th, 2020 at 7:09 am
I like the idea of AJ Dillion and RoJo, where is he projected to go? Wouldnt mind if 3rd round if he lasts that long.