Backwards Philosophy
September 3rd, 2020
RoJo will be fine.
Joe just doesn’t understand this logic in any way shape or form.
Teams, when they sign new players, should be improving and upgrading at that position, no? Otherwise, what’s the point?
But Joe actually reads tweets floating through his timeline last night from Bucs fans worried about the fate of Ronald Jones and Dare Ogunbowale, among others, with the addition of Leonard Fournette.
These same people seem to be wringing their hands that RoJo and/or Ogunbowale may get less touches or — GASP! — may not be on the team after this weekend with the addition of Fournette.
Joe’s reaction? So what?
Why in the world would anyone sweat over a running back who nobody outside of possibly his immediate family thinks is a top-20 running back, or his backups? Joe has nothing against RoJo but Joe has been and currently is all about production. That is why Joe has been bellyaching about getting a legit running game for years — years!
Joe is focused on what is on the front of the jersey (“Buccaneers”) and not the back. Joe wants production and if the guy’s name on the back of the jersey happens to get production, great. If he does not produce, then for the sake of the front of the jersey he should be replaced for someone who can.
Joe just cannot fathom there are people out there stressed out about Ogunbowale because the Bucs signed Fournette. Lawd!
Look, if it means the Bucs have to sacrifice a never-been in order to obtain a stud, hail to the stud!
(Who out there wept uncontrollably when the Bucs drafted Tristan Wirfs, effectively ending Demar Dotson’s career with the Bucs? Or screamed hysterically when the Bucs drafted Vita Vea because it left Swaggy Baker unemployed?)
If the Bucs make it to the Super Bowl with Fournette, do you know of anyone who won’t watch the game or will spend the time otherwise throwing rocks at passing cars because Raymond Calais or Ogunbowale is not on the roster?
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:12 am
Rojo wasn’t ready to be the lead back when he came out of college, he has put some work in and will get a chance to show what he can do and have 2 quality backs to learn from. In the end we may not be able to afford Fournette after this year so his opportunity will come then if for our team or another, but he will have to wait a few years before he will be able to bank on his success but it needs to start showing now so he is still in the best situation for him.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:12 am
Dare Ogunbowale is nothing special and did more as a special teamer than as a third down back. No sweat if we lose him.
Fournette will be a difference maker in the Bucs running game. He has a been a top 10 in the following category since 2017: 5th in touches, 8th in scrimmage YPG and seventh in rushing yards. Crazy that some people are worried about ROJO getting less touches or if Dare is cut.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:16 am
Ohhh yeah, and RBs can get injured.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:22 am
Nail on the head. The Bucs got a legit top 7 running back and people are like: “oh noooos but what about Dare idunnowhat!”
On another note – Miami with many many more cases of the covid , decides to have 13k fans but our lawyers (I mean “leaders”) decide that we can’t have any. Sure, makes total sense!
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:24 am
Some people just get off on being negative over everything. That is why no matter what is done to improve at least on paper, there will be a sect that can never be pleased. Their misery is punishment enough for their tudes.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:26 am
Hey Alabama don’t worry about overall NFL ranking stats unless you want to mention #1 in total offense, passing yards, passing yards per game, and #2 in Td’s behind only the MVP from last years QB
Tired of the hypocrisy.
That said I’m excited about Fournette also.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:26 am
After years of watching football, you just want to see your team win. The Bucs have been the losingest franchise over the decades since their inception, not just in the NFL, But NBA, MLB, NHL. Thank God they hoisted the Lombardi once in San Diego. Some teams still have not. Yeah you like different players, but losing is not fun. I stopped a long time ago caring about the back of the jersey. I have followed this team since the first preseason game in 1976. Can even remember seeing the bumper stickers “The BUCS ARE COMING” before they started their first training camp. Yes you like different players but in the end, JUST WIN BABY!! Losing s*cks. Leornard Fournette- Bell Cow RB, Stud, big time production. No compensation to the Jags. It is now Super Bowl or Bust baby!!! Somewhere I can hear Al Davis saying, “John I don’t care Just win baby” GO BUCS!!!!
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:33 am
Clean House says “Hey Alabama don’t worry about overall NFL ranking stats unless you want to mention #1 in total offense, passing yards, passing yards per game, and #2 in Td’s behind only the MVP from last years QB”
Those are more team stats. Let’s not forget that Fournette did a admirable job last season against the 26th rank offensive line.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:51 am
Keep Vaughn over Ogunbowale, no brainer. No need to keep five RB’s. Bring Calais and Ogunbowale (if still eligible) back to the practice squad.
A lineup of Fournette, McCoy, RoJo and Vaughn has top ten potential.
Bucs are shoving all their chips to the middle of the table with this move.
September 3rd, 2020 at 6:55 am
Anybody who doesn’t think that Fournette is a significant upgrade needs to have their head examined!
I was rooting for Rojo, still am, but I expected more the first 2 seasons. How long do you wait for a RB to figure it out?!
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:05 am
RB was the weakest position group until now. RoJo had 2 yes to prove something and he didn’t.
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:23 am
Is it just me or does this have have Miami Marlins written all over it?
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:27 am
The reason that some of the sheep and so-called fans are upset because it was ole stale biscuit that built up rojo up for over a year now!!!!!!!!!!! Ole stale biscuit is the one saying that the RB stable was very good, that they had all the answers to develop them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But once again ole stale biscuit lies have been exposed again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It has been player “REPLACEMENT” with NO player ” DEVELOPMENT”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:29 am
The more LSU Tigers, the better!!!
September 3rd, 2020 at 7:58 am
Dang Joesph – you brought it hard with that post!
In reality the Bucs (and every other team) will be up against the salary cap next year as it will be much lower. I can see the Bucs keeping Rojo with his rookie contract, writing a new cap friendly contract for Fournette and keeping Vaughn on his rookie contract next year. If that should happen, we should be set at RB for a few years. Let’s just hope Vaughn can show something.
September 3rd, 2020 at 8:16 am
Joe, I wasn’t excited about Fournette coming to the Bucs, but have since changed my mind. This was a no brainer. I don’t think it’s a knock on Rojo, you just improve the roster, and competition wherever, and whenever you can. As far as our other young backs, they can be protected on the PS this year, so it’s not like we’re losing, or giving up on them. With Fournette, we now have a pro bowler at every skill position on offense. How can you not like that?
September 3rd, 2020 at 8:32 am
I think RoJo will have a good season, but Fournette is an elite back with outstanding production.
The running back position is one of the most likely to have injuries. So these other backs may get their chance.
I think it is great the Bucs have taken what was the weakest position on the team and turned it into a strength.
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:13 am
Thunder and Lightning with a mix of Gandalf sprinkled in.
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:21 am
@Hodad,
There is no protection on the PS, anyone can be picked up by another team.
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:31 am
This year you can protect 4 players.
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:36 am
Cut Shady and Dare. Vaughn on roster Calais practice squad.
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:36 am
Hodad- With Fournette, we now have a pro bowler at every skill position on offense. How can you not like that? Nuff Said!! at least on Offense lol GO BUCS!!!
September 3rd, 2020 at 9:41 am
Who will be the 4 players protected? Just wondering.
September 3rd, 2020 at 10:14 am
TOM Says:
“Who will be the 4 players protected? Just wondering.”
.
.
They are going to have to be paid as though they are on the active roster, too, I think. Otherwise you would be denying them the opportunity to be paid on someone else’s roster.
September 3rd, 2020 at 11:02 am
Or when the Bucs got rid of America’s QB !! Lol !
September 3rd, 2020 at 11:06 am
I hope Fournette works out, but is he really much of an upgrade over RoJo?
2019 stats:
Fournette – 4.3 yards/carry, 6.9 yards/reception
Ro Jo II – 4.2 yards/carry, 10 yards/reception
Just saying. If RoJo had even gotten 15 touches a game, he’d be over 1000 yards for the season. Kid won’t ever develop if he never gets the ball though, and will be yet another wasted 2nd round pick.
September 3rd, 2020 at 11:12 am
I think the only backs leaving is probably calais and the other udfa dude. Vaughn better learn from dare how to play special teams.
September 3rd, 2020 at 12:05 pm
So funny how the Rojo was good enough for Jameis.
But for Tom Brady? Rush right out and get an immediate free agent upgrade…. NOW!!!!!
September 3rd, 2020 at 12:08 pm
unbelievable Says:
“I hope Fournette works out, but is he really much of an upgrade over RoJo?”
.
.
I pretty much agree with this, but the line Fournette has run behind hasn’t been very good. But then ours didn’t run block that well either. It seems like a push, to me.
He is a different kind of runner, though, so there is the idea of them both offering change of pace from the other. I just can’t wait to watch!
September 3rd, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Rojo and Fournette are RB1 & RB2, and equal touches basically…
Fournette will be replacing Dare on the game day roster.
Dare is headed to the practice squad now.
Rojo and Fournette will form the best RB1/RB2 tandem in the NFL.
19-0.
Greatest Team Ever Assembled.
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Joe I am one of them fans. And TBH I care more about Dares future then Ronald…….Only just because I know Dare had to scratch and claw his way to truely earn a roster spot & to hold it. I think it’s normal for fans to have a genuine care and appreciation to players of their choosing.
All that said I do agree with where you are coming from. I will appreciate the hard work Dare gave us but I dont care at all his time in Tampa Bay is numbers and perhaps his career over. We have no upgraded and dont need to count on Dare anymore. Facts are facts and we are a better team with Fournette on the roster instead. It’s a cold business but at the end of the day we gotta try to win.
Thanks to Dare for giving this team all he had. It didnt go unappreciated.
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Unbelievable…..Them stat lines are really not relatable. Two different teams. Fournette was the only thing to worry about on the Jags and that likely made his yards much tougher to earn. Rojo had the benefit of being on a top offense…….Yet of course RoJo didnt have very good run blocking. Not sure if the Jags are a good run blocking team.
Basically anything Fournette did as a Jag means nothing……Let’s call it the Djax effect. What Fournette does in a Bucs Jersey holds much more weight…..actually it’s all that matters.
If the Bucs believe Leonard and Ronald are equal runners I expect to see them split Carrie’s and see if one guy can separate themself………..Still at this point I think its flat out wrong to question if Fournette is a upgrade……Hes carried the ball 250+ times and is totally proven. RoJo is not proven. Also Fournette can catch and probably block better he is a complete back. On paper it’s a clear upgrade. We shall see if it plans out.
September 3rd, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Get a grip people Fournette is here but he is on a one year dew and will likely go the same route of Breshad Perriman and go after the money. Rojo has plenty of time to prove his worth, Fournette won’t be taking any snaps from rojo for 3-4 weeks, training camp is over and he does not know the offense or how his quarterback thinks. We’re not getting rid of a second round pick because a guy is here on a one year deal. Dare and Vaughn are the only possible guys who could be cut or sent to the practice squad
September 3rd, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Ogumbowale was not worth a dam walk da plank and don’t let it hit ya on da way out
September 3rd, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Geez, people were actually complaining that we signed Fournette?!? Shear insanity! I just want us to win man and the best players to help us do that, are the ones I want on the team.