“He Reminds Me Of Kevin Faulk”
July 1st, 2020
Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson sees something he likes in the Tampa Bay backfield.
And it’s not Tom Brady’s shadow.
It’s a running back! Specifically great potential for two Bucs backs.
Tomlinson was chatting on NFL Network recently about the Bucs running game complementing what should be a stunning passing attack. Like most sane observers, Tomlinson noted how little Ronald Jones was used last season. Joe still finds one of the most puzzling 2019 stats; healthy Jones got just 80 carries in the final 8 games. What were Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich thinking?
It was a mind-blower, especially considering the Bucs realistically were out of the playoff hunt and likely already knew Peyton Barber would be allowed to walk in free agency.
It’s also why Jones was barking on national radio before the Super Bowl.
Tomlinson, however, seemed more intrigued by rookie third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn out of Vanderbilt. Tomlinson liked his explosiveness in the SEC and said Vaughn reminds him of Kevin Faulk, a true go-to guy for Tom Brady out of the Patriots’ backfield for nearly a decade.
Vaughn has very similar measurables to Faulk’s when he came out of Louisiana State University in 1999.
Joe is bullish on Vaughn. Eventually Jason Licht has to get one impact running back on his resumé, right?
Joe just hopes Vaughn can get up to speed fast enough. Faulk talked to WEEI Radio in Boston and shared his key to being a successful running back with Brady: know what Brady knows about situations and make sure he knows that you know.
July 1st, 2020 at 11:25 am
He better be!!!!!!!!!! Because everyone knows the answer was not on the bucs roster nor the coaching staff!!!!!!!!!!!!! And just like last year, it will. Ome from player replacement, because there has been no player development from the bucs coaching staff!!!!!!!!!!!!! These players better be self starters and “all-in” for this is the last year for the so-called “win now coach” named ole stale biscuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 1st, 2020 at 11:27 am
i like vaughn…tough kid….runs hard….
run game will open up…..teams cant plan to stop the run and force us to throw….we dont have Mr. 30 for 30 anymore….
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 1st, 2020 at 11:30 am
Wow…could we get so lucky?
July 1st, 2020 at 11:31 am
no player development?…lol…
did you watch the games last year or did you watch smitty call defenses for the P.A.L. bucs?…..
cappa developed, dean developed, SMB developed….
the previous staff couldnt develop mud if you gave them dirt and water!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 1st, 2020 at 11:40 am
lack of player development ended when mike smith and lovie smith were thrown out the building
July 1st, 2020 at 11:40 am
I like Tomlinson’s evaluation. Almost as much as I like Vaughn’s potential. I think he will be a pleasant surprise to most.
July 1st, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Gator fans know Vaughn. He was a pain in the a$$!
July 1st, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Last season was boom or bust, there was no controlled play. When the Bucs tried to run a normal, controlled, series it withered and died.
That will not happen this season, Cappa turned into a run blocking beast and RoJo got behind him for a few nice looking plays. Leftwich will build on that because he also now has Wirfs to run block. Calais and Vaughn might make a bigger impact than RoJo this season because RoJo needs someone to open a hole for him.
Vaughan and Calais should be better scrimmage runners, Vaughan was awesome in college.
July 1st, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Mike and Lovie Smith…. ?? A person can actually say something positive about those two people’s football prowess…. What an idiot
July 1st, 2020 at 1:26 pm
^^^^^ What Greg said^^^^^
I was just about to type that.
July 1st, 2020 at 1:29 pm
John Says:
July 1st, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Mike and Lovie Smith…. ?? A person can actually say something positive about those two people’s football prowess…. What an idiot
………………
I think you need to read the post again by BucemUp. If that doesn’t help then you need reading comprehension courses.
July 1st, 2020 at 1:52 pm
This isn’t good news. Kevin Faulk wasn’t very good. Never even came close to breaking 1000 yards rushing.
July 1st, 2020 at 2:29 pm
The goal was to evaluate Winston as much as possible….there was no major investment in Rojo on the horizon. Frankly, less production helps the Bucs with leverage should he blow up this year similar to Shaq. ONE good year doesn’t grant you a ton of leverage as a RB when you have Brady & Company, but had he blown up last year and continue into this year, then Rojo has some degree of leverage.
Also….teams were stacking the line and Leftwich was taking what the defense was giving which was daring Winston to throw. They had no choice but to throw.
July 1st, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Exactly what I was wondering. Why was he used so little and Barber who had zero dynamic play capability got the lions share of touches. Obviously Jones was the most dynamic running back we had. In that Rams game i think he truly showed how good he can be. I am hoping Vaughn is better and then we will truly have a rushing attack. Still would like to have a battering ram type back for short yardage situations but beggers cant be choosers lol!!!!!
July 1st, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Does Vanderbilt being called “The Harvard of the South” also apply to their football players? If so, this kid won’t have any problems learning the offense.
July 1st, 2020 at 4:34 pm
This is looking like the year that RoJo puts it all together. Third year pro, second year in this offense, turned it on toward the end of last season. Now he will be pushed by the rookie. Remember, he’s actually still younger than Vaughn. RoJo knows that he needs to be able to catch and pass protect to stay on the field, even though he’s a dynamic runner. I think RoJo will have a breakout and dominate snaps.
258 rushes
1083 rush yards
47 catches
398 receiving yards
July 1st, 2020 at 4:45 pm
Being in Knoxville and a UT grad I’ve seen Vaughn play in person and on tv. I was pleasantly surprised when the Bucs drafted. There was a few backs who I had ahead of him coming into the draft. He is a complete back who can do a little of everything. He has quick one cut burst and is tough to bring down. I’m excited to see what he can do behind this o-line.
July 1st, 2020 at 5:06 pm
KnoxvilleBuc: Agreed. I didn’t know that much about Vaughn when the Bucs drafted him, but he looks good.
July 1st, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Half decent rbs can be stars on really good teams?
July 1st, 2020 at 5:52 pm
I’m glad to see Rojo building chemistry with Brady. Would love to see Vaughn play well too.
July 1st, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Here’s hoping that he’s closer to Marshall than Kevin Faulk. Either way, at least he won’t be a bust.
July 1st, 2020 at 6:15 pm
I see a lot of hype from several people about Vaughn, I just hope everyone is right.
July 2nd, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I think you answered your own question Joe. The Bucs were basically out of the playoffs and the Bucs knew they were not going to keep Barber – so why pound Rojo if the playoffs were out of reach. Save Rojo, pound Barber. Simple math.
July 2nd, 2020 at 5:42 pm
We coulda had Dobbins….I said it then, and I’ll keep saying it. A bonafide 2,000 yd a season rusher fell right into our laps, we picked a midget Safety instead.
Of we’ll, a least Licht didn’t choose a kicker.