RoJo Channels LeGarrette Blount
August 25th, 2020
Strong run.
If RoJo can just string a play like this three times a game, there will be no kvetching from Joe or Bucs fans that RoJo cannot get the job done.
Running back Ronald Jones isn’t having the greatest camp. Sure, he had one or two good practices. But it seems for every good practice he has, he has two that are just meh. Today looked to be a meh practice.
That is, until RoJo decided to muscle up and then use his speedy wheels to make like former Bucs running back LeGarrette Blount against the Packers.
It was late in practice. And the only noise RoJo had made to this point was pretty much running to nowhere as the Bucs’ run defense was flexing its muscles.
In the last few minutes of practice, the Bucs held two red zone periods sandwiched around a series held at midfield. It was there at midfield that RoJo made a play where he appeared every bit the part of a No. 1 back.
On a designed run up the middle, RoJo ran up the gut and maybe got two or three yards as the Bucs’ defense collapsed on him in a perfect display of gang-tackling.
Except for one thing: They forgot to tackle RoJo. Maybe the defense thought the play was dead?
The Bucs are not tackling to the ground so perhaps the defense thought they had stopped RoJo. But there was no whistle and RoJo sure as heck didn’t give up.
All of a sudden, RoJo blasts his way out of the sea of red jerseys (Bucs defense was wearing red) and once past the anthill of bodies, RoJo aimed for the right pylon and raced for a touchdown.
Jenna Laine of ESPN was able to pick up an exchange between Mike Evans and Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians just after the play.
“Is that live?” Evans asked.
Arians responded, “F’ yeah we’re live!”
(FYI, Arians was awfully feisty today. More on that later in a separate story.)
Now if RoJo can turn in more runs like that, people won’t be stomping their feet so much about the Bucs’ run game.
August 25th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
Hopefully Rojo can build on that experience. Ground and pound!
August 25th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
The best predictor of future performance is past performance.
August 25th, 2020 at 1:07 pm
D-Rome- Agreed. I don’t hear an inordinate amount of positives being thrown his way. This from a guy who had EVERY area to improve upon.
I HOPE I’m wrong but, I’m not warm and fuzzy about his prospects.
We’ll see.
August 25th, 2020 at 1:16 pm
the number one run defense by miles has all returned and some players may be even better than last year. Im not really expecting ROJO to look like a consistent force in practice against our defense
August 25th, 2020 at 1:17 pm
I thought Rojo ran very well last season. Impressive considering we couldn’t run behind the right side of the offensive line. In the games he had the chance to stay a part of the gameplan, he looked like a bellcow in my eyes.
August 25th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Our run defense makes most every RB look bad……McCaffery, Barkley……
August 25th, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Agree with Pepsi, Radsy and Tampabaybucfan. Go Bucs!
August 25th, 2020 at 1:40 pm
I wouldn’t say Rojo is having a bad camp because he dropped some balls in 1 practice.
I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews about his weight and not losing speed.
R.E.L.A.X.
August 25th, 2020 at 2:10 pm
ROJO to the house will be said often this season! Book it!!!
August 25th, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Name one of the many top their running backs the Bucs faced last season that LOOKED like a top tier running back.
You expect Jones to run wild against the same unit? Jones is going to eat yards this season!
August 25th, 2020 at 3:53 pm
D Rome, fanman
There’s definitely a reason Shady was added at the last minute.
August 25th, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Our run defense was #1 last year everyone is back this year. Our run game wasn’t good and hasn’t been good. BL loves to call plays up the gut. I’m hoping for a bit of creativity in the run game that will open up the middle of the defense later
August 25th, 2020 at 4:41 pm
It sounds like Rojo’s yardage is a direct correlation to the effectiveness of the offensive lines’ blocking, kind of like all RBs!? ;/
I’d love to see the offense open up more & bigger holes. Maybe they get better at running the ball as they run it more frequently but, giving all the receiving weapons, our Bucs probably pass to set up the run.
August 25th, 2020 at 5:04 pm
There are some RBs that can blast through a line every once in a while. RoJo is not one of them.
He can run fairly well if the line can blast a hole for him.
August 25th, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Jmark- Rojo had some nice runs. For the life of me, I can’t figure why he didn’t get more carries…unless…the coaches are seeing something we’re not. Going into his 3rd year, I would expect a lot more polish from a highly-touted back. I do not want to see another 2nd round talent go by the wayside. That said, you can’t imagine there’s a whole lot of trust there with Vaughn being drafted and Shady being signed.
Please, please, please prove me wrong Rojo!
August 25th, 2020 at 6:11 pm
I hope Rojo emerges as the number 1 RB this season but it sounds like McCoy is having a better camp.
August 25th, 2020 at 7:43 pm
But did he catch any damned balls today?
August 26th, 2020 at 4:10 pm
You know the run game has 2 components right??? The back doesn’t block the dlmen so he can run through a hole! If the olmen aren’t opening holes what can he do?