Mixed Messages On RoJo
April 10th, 2020
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Social distancing seems to have kept Bucco Bruce Arians off the page from the script handed to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
As we all know, NFL team headquarters are padlocked thanks to [national advertisers don’t like that word]. Therefore, employees relocated to their home offices.
Just hours after Arians yesterday all but promised an upgrade to the Bucs’ running backs, in part because Ronald Jones isn’t a great receiver, Licht went on national radio today to sort of say, not so fast, on putting RoJo out to pasture.
Appearing on “Schein on Sports,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM Radio and hosted by popular sports television and radio personality Adam Schein, Licht again said the best of RoJo is still to come and he has faith that RoJo can be the Bucs’ go-to guy in the backfield.
Licht sounded more like a guy sold that RoJo is the solution not the problem, though Licht did use the verb “upgrade.”
Adam Schein: I’m curious what you see when you look at your running back position. You drafted Ronald Jones a couple of years ago out of USC. I really liked the pick. You know, I think it is fair to say, “Mixed bag.” There were some really positive flashes last year. What have you seen from him and are you guys in the running back business?
Jason Licht: You know, I think that is a position where we will continue to look to upgrade and get some depth. I would say that Ronald Jones, had from Year 1 to Year 2, the leap that he made was awesome. I don’t think we have seen or anyone has seen what Ronald Jones can truly do. I expect him to make another big jump this year and so does BA. … I think, if you watch our team last year, and I am not putting blame on any certain thing, it was just that we were behind a lot. We were trying to catch up. We couldn’t get our run game going. I think we are going to make some adjustments this year and I think we are going to see a much better product this year whether we upgrade there or not or add there or not. I think Ronald Jones is going to make another big leap this year.
Well, if nothing else Joe is glad to understand Licht (and Arians?) agree the Bucs have an issue running the ball. The first step to repairing an issue is to come to grips that you have an issue. So Joe sees progress here, however small.
Now how does Licht plan to resolve this issue?
He indicated the bad rushing attack wasn’t just one thing. Could it have been the defense (but Joe thought the defense was just fine)? Could it have been Demar Dotson’s run blocking? Was it giving the ball way too much to Peyton Barber? Or likely all three?
How many stud running backs can you recall who stunk their first two years and then became studs in their third seasons? Not too damn many. So the Bucs are banking on an outlier? Again?
Instead of the Bucs relying on hope (once again), just go out and get a damn running back early in the draft. If having another runner of equal or better value motivates RoJo in some way, great. That’s a win-win.
If the rookie is better than RoJo, great.
If RoJo shames the rookie with a Pro Bowl season, fantastic.
Hope is a terrible way to fix a problem on a football team.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:34 pm
The Defense??
Might have been the turnovers and pick sixes that forced us to play catch up
Ya Think???
April 10th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
ROJO’s numbers simply did not stink!!! If you look at things like his catch % and run ypc and multiply them out with more attempts his season would more closely resemble a Gordon or Johnson type.
Now we could ask WHY didn’t he get the touches? Many possibilities including those brought up by Licht.
ROJO continued to improve and his numbers the second half were better.
Our OL ranked 7th overall was not bad in Pass Pro but we were near the bottom in run blocking.
So many turnovers dictate play calling and diminish the opportunities to run it.
ROJO was NOT good at pass pro..too many times defenders just rag dolled him and tossed him aside…he barely slowed them down.
Or my favorite…ALL of the above.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
I agree with jmarkbuc,
The defense hasn’t been a problem for a decade now.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:48 pm
How many RB’s who didn’t perform well or even look good carrying the ball, their first 2 years in the NFL, end up becoming a productive RB or even #1 on their team? I can’t think of any of the top of my head, does anyone else have any idea?
April 10th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
They will draft D’Andre Swift at 14. No point getting cute in the draft and getting the 3rd or 4th best RB when you have Tom Brady.
They can get OL in the 2nd or 3rd Rd. The class is deep and the 3rd or 4th best OT left at 14 (if one is even left) will not be light years ahead of any OT available in the 2nd Rd.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
I was down on him his first year but he showed some really good things last season. That being said, we need another RB to share the load with him. We also need another QB to groom and of course more linemen. No way we address all those needs in one draft. Later picks at RB are not going to get the job done either no matter how popular that opinion is year after year.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
A lot of us fans saw RoJo make progress last season, and that turnovers and penalties were affecting his ability to get the ball on a regular basis. I don’t see where we need to replace his production but there should be a viable backup to replace Barber. Someone preferably with a little different skill set. A short yard specialist with 3rd down receiving skills. Someone like AJ Dillon is what we need.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
I seriously think Licht will move down twice in round one and load up on 2’nd/3’rd round picks. When he gets down in the high twenties, he’ll draft Dobbins towards the end of Round 1. In round 2 he’ll draft a RT, Safety (Delpit hopefully lol) and then best available players from there.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
I can also see Licht drafting 2 running backs this time around
April 10th, 2020 at 1:12 pm
I think there’s better value in Offensive Tackles after round 1.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:14 pm
SPBF says,
ROJO was NOT good at pass pro..too many times defenders just rag dolled him and tossed him aside…he barely slowed them down.
————————————————–
RoJo bulked up to around 220lbs last season but so many are advocating for smaller backs like Swift, or CEH etc… In what world do you think this makes any sense given you’re comment on pass protection?
April 10th, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Hoody ALWAYS had a respectable running game to protect Brady……the Bucs?…LOL….always had a dysfunctional running game. Lots to be done to make this team “Brady ready” and translate to wins and not the usual short term marketing boost we see when Glazers old big name players
April 10th, 2020 at 1:20 pm
If Swift is the best 3 down pass catching back in the draft you should pick him and go OL in rd 2. The rest of th NFL will thank you because he won’t get past KC @32.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:20 pm
* When Glazers sign old, big name players
April 10th, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Come on down Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the price is right.
I love Johnathan Taylor too, but two things worry me about him; his fumbling woes and only one year of average production as a receiving back. Which is the exact kind of back we need. That’s why CEH and his 50-plus catches last year and proven and production as a pass-catching back. Plus, I think CEH is one of the better pass pro backs in this draft…at least P4P!
April 10th, 2020 at 1:29 pm
“How many stud running backs can you recall who stunk their first two years and then became studs in their third seasons? Not too damn many. So the Bucs are banking on an outlier? Again?”
He had 4.2 YPC his 2nd year which was the NFL average basically – while doing damage in the receiving game – so I don’t think he “stunk”.
Also for reference on backs emerging late: Melvin Gordon had 3.5 / 3.5 / 3.9 YPC his first 3 seasons.. Then averaged 5.1 and had ~1400 yards and 14 TDs.
I don’t think Rojo sucked his 2nd year but I do think we need to add a pass catching / pass blocking RB. My vote is for Clyde Edwards Helaire
April 10th, 2020 at 1:33 pm
LordC
Agree about CEH but he’s similar to ROJO….so I want both CEH/Akers and Dillon.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Bringing a veteran that is strong in pass blocking and receiving like Devonta Freeman makes the most sense to me. I would still want a back from the draft, but then we have flexibility to grab one whenever and don’t have to rely on a rookie for pass sets.
April 10th, 2020 at 1:49 pm
stpetebucsfan,
I respectfully disagree w/ your assessment that CEH and RoJo are similar style backs. I don’t think so. They have many, many differences, traits, physical stature, styles, and excel (or not excel) at different parts and facets to their respective game(s), etc.
I don’t think they are very similar at all. Some similarities, but many differences across the board.
April 10th, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Running Game under Jameis: “It’s fine. It’s adequate. We’re just not executing.”
Exact same running game under Brady: “Well, we need to upgrade it for sure to protect Brady and keep defenses honest.”
April 10th, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Everybody gets so worked up about our rushing attack. But ya gotta kinda connect the dots. Dirk didn’t exactually leave us with much of one.
It was a need last year but it was one they had to push off til this season. You gotta remember Bruce inherited a last place defense. That side of the ball absolutely had to get addressed by any means necessary. Standing pat on the rush attack was the right call. We now got a defense that’s accending and it seems to be in good hands with real leadership and a staff that is developing players nicely.
You can give the defense another piece or two but we can now really focus on major upgrade to our backfield.
Now if they don’t address the running game we got a problem. But they will and I think it’s pretty easy to see what the plan was.
That had to figure out that defense last year or this team was going nowhere.
Don’t see us getting into day 3 of the draft without a new Tackle and a RB…….And I don’t think they’ll stop there.
April 10th, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Chris Simms did an excellent video showing that DeAndre Swift is actually the fifth best running back and Clyde Edwards Helaire is the best running back in this draft. https://youtu.be/sXvlfdXXvqw
April 10th, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Howard Cosell
In here talking nonsense. Go check every pats gm last year tell me who the top rusher was. And also how many yds said rusher had compare to bucs rushers
April 10th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
BigMacAttack…trade down twice in the first would be a dream. Don’t know about two RB. People need to realize we’ve got excellent expensive older players on defense (LVD, Suh, JPP). It’s more than just Brady and a young QB that needs to be thought up. Shaq said the correct thing that losing Nassib was huge. If we traded down in the first for an extra second would have no problem going RT,RB,DT,OLB. Not in that particular order.
Defenses win championships.
GO BUCS!!!
April 10th, 2020 at 2:44 pm
*young QB that needs to be taught up.
April 10th, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Arians has already doomed ROJO. He recently said he wanted a better pass catching back.
This means we are either gonna draft another running back, or sign one.
April 10th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
“TB12 and Rojo does not mix
TB12 DOES NOT TRUST Rojo
Rojo is not a smart player
Kobe sees alot of aloof VH3 in Rojo. playing in his own little fantasy world
Where is the dependable outlet player that TB12 MUST HAVE to succeed”
Kobe Faker
April 10th, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Pat, yep Clyde all day everyday. His low center of gravity, his cuts and of course his pass catching. I seen all of that back when I first started promoting him. Swift may have a little better blocking ability, but Clyde has that right balance of patience and vision.
April 10th, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Any jump from nothing is awesome, it still doesn’t mean he can be a three down, go-to back.
RoJo needs someone else to open a big hole for him. That is proved by the fact that his only good games were when Cappa got his arm fixed and figured out the game.
Blowing holes open for a back is okay for certain plays, but not for play action or as an outlet.
Trade down in 1 and grab one of the few safeties. Take a RT and RB in 2(with the trade down) a QB(Gordon, Morgan, Stanley, etc.)
Then get a IDL and a couple of O-line backups. Takes a couple of years to develop and o-lineman anyway.
April 10th, 2020 at 6:26 pm
I’ve seen posts about the Bucs taking a running back in the 1st Round. There’s probably a less than 10% chance that happens. Reasons:
1) Arians doesn’t value the RB position that much
2) BA is at least partially happy with RoJo’s play
3) Better talent at other positions (OT, DE/DT types)
4) Bucs 2nd Round pick is a sweet spot for RB’s, with possibly 2 or 3 of the top 5 still on the board. Maybe even 3rd or 4th Rounds, if they like somebody better in the 2nd.
I wonder if the same people who are calling for RB in the 1st are the same people who were calling for Ed Oliver to be our 1st Rounder last year. I was 99% sure we weren’t taking that guy.
April 10th, 2020 at 6:38 pm
I agree 100% Joes. We should draft 2 and get someone with a pulse in free agency.
April 10th, 2020 at 7:22 pm
Bryce Perkins with a 5th or 6th….he’s a RB who can also QB, or a QB who can be a RB. A nice change of pace guy to ice away the games after we’re winning and pull Brady.
April 10th, 2020 at 8:47 pm
I’m now 100% convinced the Bucs are going RB in the 1st round.
They may try and get cute and trade down a few spots to pick up some additional picks, but they’re going RB in the 1st round for sure.
Forget all this “2nd Round” RB talk. Swift and/or Taylor will be taken at the bottom of Round 1 no matter what. There will be a little run on RBs at the top of the 2nd round before the Bucs pick because everyone knows they NEED a RB.
You don’t come away with the #5 or #6+ ranked RB in the draft and realistically expect him to be a game-changer.
The Bucs are ready to WIN NOW with Brady and his age. They desperately need a solid RB. The only way to guarantee that is to draft one in the 1st round.
They can go OL in the 2nd or 3rd round.
THE QUESTION IS…
WHO IS YOUR NEW BUCCANEER…
SWIFT? OR TAYLOR?
April 10th, 2020 at 8:51 pm
I’m not sure what the “mixed messages” are. He said he saw some good things from Rojo and they are looking to add to the position and improve the run game. Nobody counts on just one RB anymore unless they’re the rare workhorse, bellcow back.
So what mixed messages are you talking about?
April 10th, 2020 at 9:13 pm
^ Out of those 2 it would be Taylor. Yes he has some miles on his wheels, but he played behind one of the finer O lines in college…..But I still rank Clyde above all of them….always have.
April 10th, 2020 at 9:40 pm
How could anything be 100% certain, unless you were making the pick yourself? There are too many reasons for a RB in the 1st would be illogical. I’ll give it a 5% chance, and will apologize to you if we do go RB in the 1st.
April 10th, 2020 at 10:09 pm
If you pick one out of the five top offensive tackle in the first round you’re normally picking a day one starter. This notion that lineman need time to develop are for later round selections. Donavan Smith was a day one starter.
April 10th, 2020 at 10:11 pm
What NFL teams have a need at RB?
1) Dolphins
2) Chargers (have Ekeler, not a pressing need)
3) Rams (maybe Darrell Henderson is ready to take over in LA)
4) Titans (have Henry, not a pressing need)
5) Falcons (have Gurley and Hill, not a pressing need)
6) Bucs (have RoJo, need someone else who can catch)
I don’t see any of the teams picking in the 2nd Round that would draft a RB just because they know the Bucs need one. We’ll see, though.
April 10th, 2020 at 11:41 pm
Umm, did you read his script?
“We were playing from behind and couldn’t get the run game going.”
EVERYONE: He’s saying Winston’s INTs were the problem.
Duh
April 10th, 2020 at 11:55 pm
Joe in Michigan,
I said I was “100% convinced” meaning I THINK that’s what will happen. I didn’t say it was 100% certain. They could draft a punter. Who knows what they’ll actually do.
April 11th, 2020 at 12:03 am
Joe in Michigan,
Something like 8 out of the 12 teams ahead of us in the 2nd round have at least “ancillary” RB needs according to several “Team Needs” site lists.
And that doesn’t include many teams behind us that could trade up to get ahead of us knowing that we desperately need a RB.
I’d bet anything that at least 4 RBs are gone before our 45th pick in the 2nd Round. And if that’s the case, our best case scenario is getting the #5 ranked RB or worse.
That’s NOT an option. We need a difference maker in the backfield. We only have RoJo now having let Barber go. We have one of the WEAKEST backfields in the NFL.
D’Andre Swift or Jonathan Taylor will be wearing Pewter this season. It’s just a matter of which of the two the Bucs like best.
April 11th, 2020 at 4:22 pm
There’s a ton of vets available at no cost. Again, using a draft pick on a RB is just stupid. We have a 2nd rounder already, and we have completely garbage as far as depth goes at WR. If they can’t get a top T in the first they need to take a WR. RB shouldn’t even be on the list of people unless you want to take a late round flyer. There’s way too many good RBs as FA’s to spend another high pick on a RB, when you have nothing at WR past Evans and Godwin, and there’s no real options in FA and you have no money.