Byron Leftwich Lauds Ronald Jones
September 17th, 2020
Beloved
The Buccaneers love their No. 1 running back.
They’ve even shortened his nickname. RoJo, aka Ronald Jones, has now become “Ro” if you listen to Bucco Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
Arians lauded his guy multiple times earlier this week and today was Leftwich’s turn during his session with Joe and assembled media online.
“Ro ran the ball hard, extremely hard,” Leftwich said. “I think he’s special. I think he’s a unique guy that can really run the football. He’s a solid guy. He runs with power. It was good to see some of things he [did] in the game [Sunday.]”
RoJo was nothing special on Sunday, but it was against the Saints’ strong defense and the Tampa Bay blocking wasn’t exactly physically imposing.
Upcoming on Sunday, however, should be a very different story. The Panthers have a young defense and one that’s not as talented as the Saints’. They allowed 4.3 yards per rush to the Raiders in Week 1, including three rushing touchdowns and 93 yards to stud RB Josh Jacobs.
RoJo is no Jacobs, but he needs to produce Sunday to keep Leonard Fournette and/or LeSean McCoy from taking a big bite out of his snaps.
Joe is yearning to see the Bucs close out a game on the ground against a worn down opponent on the home turf. It’s not too much to ask.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Rojo is sorry and runs sloppy as hell. I have zero hope for the guy
September 17th, 2020 at 3:14 pm
I honestly didnt expect us to win this game, so I wasnt really mad, just disappointed. But what did get me riled up was Vea and Suh jumping off sides, Donovan Smith not being able to block the backup backup defensive end, blocked field goals and the kick return blunder.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Rojo…….BA likes him, BL likes him, Ira likes him, Brady likes him, TBBF likes him…..Joe doesn’t….
Give him the ball…..block for him, at least once in a while…..
September 17th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
it isnt too much to ask but can we first win and then start focusing on closing out teams.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Just saying the word Hoe….with a J, gets me moderated.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:21 pm
I don’t understand the love for him and running him into a wall over an over again…leaving us with 3rd and long. I would love to see a rocket back field with Shaddy and Fornette running wheel routes and play action.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:26 pm
>running wheel routes and play action
See that’s the issue. We don’t seem to want to do those things around here for whatever reason.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Ro is going to have a break out season and shut all of this hate up.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:28 pm
Very much a player in the mold of Leftwich: slow, uninspiring, and can’t put the game on his shoulders. Why are we trying so hard to make RJ a thing? Very bizarre.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Everything time I watch him, if there doesn’t seem to be a hole, instead of keeping his legs moving like a real running back, it seems as though he dives trying to pick up an extra yard. This means the play is over and often he is diving at about the line of scrimmage.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Everytime RoJo gets some open space to run, he displays some gifted athleticism with his jukes while still running downhill at high velocity. The run near the redzone that brought the ball close to the goal line was one of the very few instances he got some decent blocking. I don’t know if it is our scheme or o-line sucking, but RoJo is not the problem. It is unfair to expect him deliver highlight reel runs when defenders are constantly in the backfield not even giving him a chance to gain momentum.
September 17th, 2020 at 3:56 pm
He aight you cAnt be praising anybody with his stat line. Last time I checked running hard is irrelevant if you aren’t going anywhere. They won’t say it’s the running back and won’t blame the offensive line so to me it’s so odd that BA keeps calling out the tight ends blocking while ignoring the fact that they have to run outside because they get no push up the middle.
Just admit your identity is throwing the ball and do that and use the run game to keep teams off balance, your run game is useless for anything else Leftwich. I doubt he is calling himself about how much his play calling sucks in terms of when he chooses to run the ball and apparently we have no analytics department that looks at those type of trends
September 17th, 2020 at 4:00 pm
AM I BLIND?
September 17th, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Online improves.. RoJo improves.. it’s that simple. The kid runs hard and mostly fast.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:17 pm
I’m starting to think the Bucs O line just doesnt have the mentality to run the ball. You have to be committed to it and if Fournette keeps getting his one yard average or something south of 3 yards its clear its not the backs its the O line. Why someone at One Buc is not acting like they need to get their butt in gear is beyond me. Few QB’s are successful without a run game and poor Jameis had to live with not having one his whole time here. Jones was not spectacular but I think the fact that Fournette had no success as well is a testament to an O line with zero desire to run the ball. Man just run behind Wirfs he is known for run blocking and Im tired about hearing we cant run the damn ball.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:23 pm
See, it seems like our scheme is like it was when we were kids… everybody go long. REDICULOUS!!!
All these RB, TE and slot receivers need to be utilized.
The long bombs need to be surprises not 2 out of every 4 plays. REDICULOUS!!!!!
Defenses use LB to help stop the run of course and they defend the pass . . . all the time.
Was Jameis really a VICTIM of a scheme? OMG . . . Still doesn’t save him with me though only because he lost games deliberately and he assaulted an innocent woman.
Eh, it’s a Bucs life! GO BUCS!!!
September 17th, 2020 at 4:24 pm
RoJo is great, as long as he has an open hole to run through.
Fournette had the same problem. The Bucs have a tell when they run and they don’t scheme for any additional blocking, no pulls or treys.
September 17th, 2020 at 4:33 pm
could shorten it some more and change it to a capital L because i am not feeling it
September 17th, 2020 at 4:34 pm
It’s a passing league, but for me there’s nothing more fun than a running game that runs for 5+ yards every time at will. Here’s hoping.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Just stop with the propaganda. If he ran so hard, why didn’t he get the ball more?
September 17th, 2020 at 5:11 pm
Jacobs rushed for 27 more yards than rojo this joe is so dramatic. I would say his name but then my comments won’t go through 🙄
September 17th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
The more these coaches rave about Rojo the less confidence I have in them. So is the running game problem the run game coordinators problem, O line coach, or do they all just need glasses. More Fournette please!
September 17th, 2020 at 5:17 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
“Just saying the word Hoe….with a J, gets me moderated.”
.
.
Try it that way: Jhoe. Like Rhonde and Rhealist.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Panthers allowed 4.3 ypc but not to Jacobs
Jacobs ran for 93 yards on 25 carries……3.72 ypc
Rojo ran for 66 yards on 17 carries…….3.88 ypc
So Rojo had a better ypc vs a tougher defense…..
Give him the ball!!!
September 17th, 2020 at 5:47 pm
Im starting to think or run scheme is antiquated and telegraphed. We need to run out of spread formations more. Opposing teams no when we are running, no misdirection or creativity. The Saints playcalling and scheme made our offense look so JV by comparison.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:48 pm
He didn’t have any special runs, but I do agree that he ran hard. I would attribute the former to a weak run blocking o-line.
I also agree that he may have scored on the screen pass he Gronk-style caught at his feet. Three big boys in front and lots of green, but caught from behind due to the booty pass.
I said it earlier this week, biggest issues for me were the weak execution of offensive strategy and the mental mistakes on defense, as well as specials teams.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Rojo is no Jacobs and that in itself is a problem. He *should* be on that tier but he is not. He wasn’t drafted in the 2nd round to be a below average back.
September 17th, 2020 at 5:55 pm
leftwich loves rojo so much, he sends him up the gut every first down!
September 17th, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Tampabaybucfan see what I’m saying!!!
September 17th, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Rojo isn’t a power-run scheme RB like Jacobs. He’s a classic zone one-cut runner. And we drafted Marpet and Wirfs because of their athletic traits, yet we won’t commit to a zone-run scheme where they’d both be used best. And Jensen was a helluva run-blocker in Baltimore. Rojo is probably more talented than Jacobs. Get Rojo on the edges more and he will flourish!
September 17th, 2020 at 7:12 pm
The problem ain’t the runningback…. anybody who thinks it’s the running back ain’t watching the games. I think you can put any runningback in that backfield and you’ll get similar results.
September 17th, 2020 at 7:30 pm
For Pete’s sake…
When has Rojo ever had a hole made for him where he was able to get to the 2nd level? Dude is running into a brick wall of defenders on almost every carry.
Anyone that’s watched him play quite a bit can tell them that Rojo will be dangerous once he starts getting to that 2nd level more. In open space his speed and power makes him tough to solo tackle.
Give him a chance after some better blocking, which should happen with more TE use.
September 17th, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Those of you who don’t watch film and say he didn’t have big runs look at the blocking. There just are not big holes like Zeke and other O lines open for their backs. When he had a hole he exploded thru and almost scored. We need more dogs on the line, not wussies like Donovan Smith.
September 17th, 2020 at 8:40 pm
See that’s the issue. We don’t seem to want to do those things around here for whatever reason.
Because leftwich sucks
September 17th, 2020 at 9:00 pm
The Saints have a good defense. If Rojo and the offensive line lay another egg against the Panthers, then I’ll start to worry.
September 17th, 2020 at 9:01 pm
A big improvement that I loved from Sunday was our ability to pick up 3rd and 1. Dont underestimate how important that yard is…….And Joe is right. If Ronald cant break a play Leonard will get a shot
September 17th, 2020 at 9:05 pm
Ivan Ronald missed a crease on Sunday. He also missed a sidestep and a shimmy. You’ll see the difference once we put in Fournettte and he starts rippin.
September 17th, 2020 at 9:06 pm
I don’t know much about it but it was interesting that Becht said the formations are giving run plays away to the defense. I’m convinced RoJo is the best back on the team. I’m interested in seeing the play calling altered and the o line playing better.
Last season it took leftwich 10 games to figure out how to call a game. I hope he catches on faster this year.
September 17th, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Ronald also missed the one blocking assignment I noticed(sorta). Aikman had a very good commentary on it.
McCoy missed his one block I saw too.
September 17th, 2020 at 9:58 pm
Still doesn’t know the playbook.
September 17th, 2020 at 10:02 pm
I agree that we need to get ROJO out to the edges more.
In College, he got most of his yards on outside runs. That is what he is best suited for.
Fournette is much better, up the gut, between the tackles.
September 17th, 2020 at 10:21 pm
It’s hard to run when the offensive line is in the backfield when you get the ball.
September 17th, 2020 at 11:19 pm
I don’t want to hear this guy is good until he runs for 100 yds.
It’s a comical joke from an alternate reality of sucking and I’m sick and tired of being spoon fed this crap.
Raise your standards or get the heck out of my franchise.
Sick of the nonsense
September 17th, 2020 at 11:24 pm
BOLTS!!!!!
September 17th, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Clean House. You gotta filter out the coach speak man. Or be driven into madness.
Actions speak louder then words. If Jones cant do damage on the ground that’s exactually why we picked up Fournette. If Jones cant hack it he will be replaced. That’s what really matters, not sound bytes.
September 17th, 2020 at 11:31 pm
How bout them Bolts⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
September 18th, 2020 at 12:20 am
Jimmy Jack- I’m tired of coach speak, If I was a coach i wouldn’t say a damn thing.
I’m sick of hearing these moron’s riddles- who do they think they’re fooling? Win some damn games and stop sucking and shut your dumb mouths.
The press needs to turn up the heat on these clowns and start calling them out.
Turn the microscope on them.
September 18th, 2020 at 12:37 am
Youngbucs Says:
“Tampabaybucfan see what I’m saying!!!”
.
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If running backs are a dime a dozen (and I agree with Arians–they are), then once you have eight different running backs all have similar results, it’s time to blame someone else.
As woeful as the running seemed on Sunday, 3.9 ypc is a good bit better than 2.2 ypc, and we had a guy average 2.2 ypc 2 or 3 offensive linemen ago.
If our GM wasn’t always relying on trash heap yard sale OL prospects, our run game would be better. It has improved, but not like it could have if we had one or two more premium picks instead of Benenoch and Cappa. But of course this goes back to what many of us have said countless times, Lichtweight built this team backwards.
September 18th, 2020 at 3:11 am
Leonard Fournette has ATROPHIED!
He looked slow and soft and weak.
His muscles have disappeared!
It will take 8 weeks to get him back into shape.
Fournette is not even close to his old self.
Too much lean and partying I suspect.
He needs 8 weeks of sprinting and weightlifting before hes ready to rumble.
September 18th, 2020 at 6:57 am
A back has to be gifted with a vision for holes to be great. Don’t think rojo has that. Fournette will be lead back soon.
September 18th, 2020 at 8:10 am
That 30-yd run up the middle where Rojo almost scored was a beastmode run and one of the best runs in the NFL on Sunday… Rojo took what was there, he’ll get in a better groove coming up here shortly…
September 18th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
The consistent comments down on RoJo’s ability to rack up some yards are getting old.. I think RoJo and his blockers will kick into a higher gear and produce what every Bucs fan is waiting for, big runs and TDs. I hear you laughing.
September 18th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
“Ro ran the ball hard, extremely hard,” Leftwich said.
‼️”In the end, you’re not measured by how much you undertake, but by what you finally accomplish.” Donald J Trump ‼️
September 18th, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Joe is a “grass is always greener on the other side” type of person that only sheep fall for!! Rojo is a VERY good running back!! You put him behind Dallas o-line and he’s better than that idiot they have there!! If they can get some blocking he will be a top 8 back in this league!! Joe is terrible at judging talent and always wants the splashy player!! Idk maybe it’s just because he makes a living from telling stories…. Rojo is the guy he’s fast, dodgy and reads the blocks well!! When they’re actually there!! And he ran 100 times better than either one of those “flashy” guys last week… And don’t give me the playbook crap!! Blocking assignments,..maybe…. but here’s the ball stupid run that way.. No!! You don’t need a playbook to know run this or that Gap!! It’s the easiest position to learn in football!!!… Rojo is better than any back we have in that team and that’s why NFL level professional coaches all agree!!!