What A RB Can Do For You
September 22nd, 2020
Fired up for good running, too.
Now before Joe gets rolling, let’s make is perfectly clear that Joe doesn’t think for an instant the Bucs offensive line was not putting out for Ronald Jones.
Speaking in a Zoom conference call today, Bucs left guard Ali Marpet seemed to hint that a combination of Leonard Fournette’s bruising style, loaded resume and brash confidence combined for the front line of the Bucs to tick their game up a notch to give Fournette that crack in the defense he asked for and exploited.
Fournette told the offensive line that all he needs is an inch (think Gale Sayers, only a much narrower hole). And Fournette delivered with a 46-yard, victory-sealing touchdown run Sunday.
“I loved it,” Marpet said. “[It was] a little bit of a burst of energy. I’m going to try to give him more than an inch, but if that’s all he needs – it got me excited [and] I think it got the rest of the offensive line excited and fired up. The best part about it is he backed it up. He brought it.”
And Fournette brought it to the house! That’s what Joe had been waiting for since the Bucs threw away LeGarrette Blount. That’s what this team has been sorely missing.
Joe has written it before and will type it again: Fournette makes this Bucs offense complete.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:34 pm
🔥
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:42 pm
He’s only stating the obvious. Fournette is the guy. Rojo is the backup for multiple reasons. I hope Arians is not to stubborn to admit it.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:45 pm
“If you watch the game closely like Kobe Faker
You can see that RoJo slows down and trys to cut at ths LOS (barber did the same thing)
Rojo trys to make a cut (jump cut) everytime he hits the LOS and confronts the first intial tackler
YOU DONT NEED TO DO IT EVERY DAMN TIME
Fournette does not slow down and HITS the LOS with full aggression and always leaning with bodyweight and physicality
The quicker we start Fournette and SCHEME Fournette run/rec skillset the quicker we gain consistency with Brady
The quicker we force defenses to stack the line to defend Fournette, the better our play action and deep vertical routes will become:
Kobe Faker
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:52 pm
fournette earned the starting job imo….
rojo lost it….my guess is they’ll give rojo 1 more shot but he’ll have a short leash…
either way we need a heavy dose of fournette in the 4th quarter…
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Kobe you never made better sense to me and great explanation.
When I seen Leonard cut through the line for the TD to ice the game I couldn’t help but think Ronald would not of gotten there.
September 22nd, 2020 at 12:57 pm
RoJo needs a foot to get through and his shakes at the line are awful. He’s bad at getting the edge.Fournette is #1 or soon to be even if Bucs are saying hes not.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I like the combo we have at the moment. Feed them both 10-15 runs each.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:05 pm
The 46 yard run also takes away how good Fornette was on our 3rd TD. Recieving on 3rd down Brady got stuck and was looking at a coverage sack…….Fournett breaks off towards the seam and gives Brady a huge window for the easy throw for 1st down. Great recognition by Tom to see it. Touchdown Tampa Bay!
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Fournette also set up our FG too. The man carried us.
He’s my bellcow if I’m calling the shots.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Using the tight ends properly would make the offense complete
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Real recognizes real…..its that simple. The game gets a lot easier for everyone when talent converts to production. Fournette has proven production….Rojo is still living off the fumes of his perceived talent. If you simply watch them, Fournette is much more methodical in his attempts, he recognizes what his opportunities are and commits to his run. Rojo doesn’t seem to recognize what is in front him, he runs hard but doesn’t ever seem to get anywhere.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:14 pm
JimmyJack… that Kobe statement was exactly what I was thinking lol!
LF28 is the man!!! I’ve been crying for a big back since we traded away LeGarrette Blount. These guys are going to just get better and better!!!
look out!!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:16 pm
407
Why would he be too stubborn to admit it? Whoever gives them the best chance to win will be in there, period. Once he learns the whole playbook he’ll be in there most of the time. Bruce didnt pick RoJo he was already here. He’s not that grade school type coach anyway. Make plays and you play.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:18 pm
I love Fournette like everyone else and can’t believe that he’s here. I wonder how much there is to keeping him fresh for the 4th Qtr. In Jacksonville, he seemed to handle being the bell cow back. On the other hand, seeing Fournette do what he does will make Rojo better and more aggressive.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Completely agree Joe.
RoJo is fine as your second team RB, but Fournette is one of the better running backs in the NFL.
Since he has only had 11 practices it probably does make sense to split their carries for another game or two, but eventually the snaps per game needs to be more like this:
Fournette 70%
Jones 28&
McCoy 2%(assuming he has no more drops)
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:34 pm
watch the replay of Fournette’s TD. Mike Evans plays handsy with DB just long enough to spring Fournette. Go Bucs!
Thanks Joes and Ira – keep it coming!
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Like RoJo but the Bucs can’t wait for him. He doesn’t hit the hole with the power that Fournette does and he’s got a great burst too. RoJo may start this week but it won’t take long for BL to put Fournette in.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Ali hit the nail right on the head when he said of Fournette … “The best part about it is he backed it up. He brought it.”
Bucs’ OLine isn’t what I’d consider to be an overpowering OLine, although every once in awhile they’ll lower their heads and bring it. Rarely do they open gigantic holes that you could drive a Mack truck through. That’s why IMO we really need a guy like Fournette to step up & consistently get that 4-5 yds on each rushing play. Bruisers like him command respect from the opposing DLine & LBs. Gotta love what he brings to the table.
Other JBFers have talked about empty backfield options, but what I’d love to see is some periodic 2-back sets with Fournette & RoJo, or maybe even Fournette & McCoy. I don’t know that it’d be equivalent to the ‘Thunder & Lightning’ backfield of Alstott & Dunn, but I have to believe that Brady could make something happen with 2 quality RBs on the field at the same time.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:49 pm
When teams get film on how the Bucs use Fournette, they will make adjustments.
Then we’ll see all the OLine and Leftwich critics go nuts.
September 22nd, 2020 at 1:53 pm
Alan
What does it say when the best player on this expensive Oline, is the rookie?
This line has miles to go….
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:02 pm
LF28 is a rental. RoJo is the Future.
That’s the only reason I want RoJo to stay in the #1 back role.
His first year got wasted by a dumb coach.
His second year got wasted by a dumb coach playing him as a #2 and penalties.
His third year cant not be wasted playing back up.
Oh and he is 23 years old now. Let the kid play and let LF28 be his mentor and backup. Just like he was brought in to be.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Talent + Leadership + Attitude + Belief + Momentum
You can see all the ingredients. It’s starting to come together.
Sunday in Denver is for 1ST in the NFC South.
FIRE THE CANNONS!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:13 pm
We got soooooo lucky LF became available
I was kinda shocked we were going into a win now season with the stable we had
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:25 pm
On Fournette’s long td run, Marpet, Jensen and Cappa executed.
On ROJO’s td run, Wirfs, Gronk and Howard executed.
Both RB’s are good. Fournette has more power.
Consistent run blocking or better scheming is what is needed to have a consistent run game.
32 yards rushing in 1st half is weak.
67 of Fournette’s yards were on 2 – 2nd half runs.
Hopefully, Bucs will find their consistency groove in the running game.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Who cares you’re wrong- Fournette is a generational talent and Rojo might have a decent future, he flashes some good things. He should not be a rental but rather a priority signing.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:32 pm
I like rojo a lot, as im also a USC fan. With that said fournette needs to sstart and rojo needs to spell him. So far not too impressed with mccoy , id rather rojo or fournette get those touches.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:57 pm
That line about “backing it up” with regard to the fire… I think thats where Jameis failed. You talk and bring it…you’re good. You talk and dump in your pants…its just talk.
September 22nd, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Playaction is back
September 22nd, 2020 at 3:01 pm
I rewatched the game last night, and I’ll stick by what I said on Sunday – Fournette can be good if you run him north/south (I define as between the tackles), but when he moves east/west, he gets sluggish and indecisive. Rojo had the fumble, which was clearly on him, but outside of that he did what he should do and didn’t miss any holes and had a nice run on the TD. If Rojo was in at the end, he would have got that TD as well. The other longer run by Fournette, same thing, he had a hole that Rojo did not have all day – and had Rojo been in the game at that time, he would have had the same run.
In fact when you watch the game again, if you don’t pay attention to the numbers on the jersey they basically look like the same kind of running back.
In any case just go with whoever has the hot hand. I don’t care who it is.
Also McCoy had that big drop, but if you can forget that, he had a really nice game – at least in the first half.
September 22nd, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Clean House,
Which would you rather have. Chris Godwin or LF28? Cuz you aint getting them both long term. Not with ME on the team.
LF28 or LVD and White?
LF28 or Sack Barret
LF28 is chasing money and a SB. If he get the SB this year well………..
Groom RoJo by bringing in to potential HOF running…. Oh WAIT….. Dope!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Rojo’s sole purpose is to wear down the defense so Fournette can have fresh legs and tear up the defense in the second half.
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Bogusness!!! You’re paid millions of dollars to block for whoever is back there. Even during Doug Martins two best seasons he was constantly sidestepping guys who were already in the backfield when he got the ball. I’ve never seen us put together a line that were straight up road graders, so much has always been on the shoulders of the rbs. RoJo isn’t as talented as Fortnite but he’s never had very good blocking upfront either.
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:47 pm
Who cares who starts. We got two good backs, be happy. Fournette looked like a beast on that TD run, but so did Jones on his. I want to see more of the both of them, and less of McCoy.
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:51 pm
Hodad for the WIN!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 4:58 pm
I was super excited to see Fournette take it to the house! Between him and Rojo, the Bucs are going to make teams respect the run for a change.
September 22nd, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Fournette’s 25 and clearly a level above Rojo, if not two. Money shouldn’t be the consideration here; Godwin vs Fournette, etc…
See, you can’t mortgage the future on “potential”. That’s where this organization has failed again and again. If Rojo were elite, it wouldn’t have taken til year 3 to find out. He’s not. He’s OK, but he’s not an elite back.
The Bucs have lots of decisions to make. Some will be made for them. You don’t play today for next year.
Feed the hot hand and worry about salaries in the offseason.
Let there be no question though, Fournette is the better back.
On a side note, raise your hand if you love the OL getting mixed up in these dirty skirmishes like the late hit on Shady! Marpet showing some aggression! I LOVE it!
September 22nd, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Anonymous
“Playaction is back”
Exactly. Just what Brady and the Bucs oline need. If Fournette has a great year, you’re playing yourself this third year doesn’t get resigned to this ghost town of RBs at RayJay.
September 22nd, 2020 at 6:24 pm
um what?
September 22nd, 2020 at 6:56 pm
SOEbuc – Actually I think Brady should be working out of the shotgun as much as possible since it gives him more time to scan the field and helps with his mobility issues. With Winston it was always stupid to NOT have him doing more playaction, because Winston’s stats showed he was at his best when he was rolling out of the pocket and moving around. Also playaction really opens up the run game if you hurt the defense with play action passes.
September 22nd, 2020 at 7:58 pm
We’ve been deprived of a good running back for so long that I think that we kinda forgot what one even looked like in a Buc uniform. Fournette is the real deal while Rojo looks like a career backup.
September 22nd, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Fournette is the guy, because our Line BELIEVES in him, and WANTS to block for him. Oakland RAN all over the Saints yesterday, and we can do the same too with Fournette.
September 22nd, 2020 at 8:51 pm
It was a thing of beauty and what a moral boost for the Offensive Line.💥💥💥
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:00 pm
As much as I “want” Rojo to be the guy (he’s a lot cheaper), Fournette just looks better. Even without the 48 yard score, he looked more decisive and more punishing.
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:21 pm
“Alot of low football IQ
Start and make Fournette the bellcow back
Rojo is the backup breather back coming in when Fournette is winded
You need Brady to get in rhythm and start the game completing high percentage passes
Fournette is top 3 receiving back in the NFL. Call some 1st down screens to Fournette to get Brady clicking early
Bucs offensive line likes blocking for Fournette vs Rojo?
LOL
Dope smith sucks blocking for RJ and he sucks blocking for Fournette. Dope does not discriminate
BLOCKING FOR FOURNETTE IS EASIER
Our sucky oline doesnt have to hold their blocks. The holes for RJ and Fournette is the exact same. Difference is Fournette will make his own holes. He will explode into and past the LOS as fast as possible and than make a juke at the 2nd level.
Fournette eats arm tackles. While RJ will go down trying to shake the arm tackles, Fournette will initiate the contact and break the arm tackles
This is how it goes. You run Fournette and punish the defense for 3 quarters the defense and arm tackling is broken by the 4th quarter ala Earl Cambell
But the Buc sheep want Fournette to enter in the 4th quarter to run into a fresh defensive front that didnt need to use any energy for the 1st 3 quarters???”
Kobe Faker
September 22nd, 2020 at 9:54 pm
Kobe, you aren’t supposed to make sense…
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:15 pm
Kobe is on that good kush and alchol.
Or…. He is just trolling the fringe fans.
You decide but beware he is a Faker
September 22nd, 2020 at 10:16 pm
DOPE!!!
September 22nd, 2020 at 11:40 pm
maybe we can trade donovan smith for a pic and get a new tackle next year draft also–pleased with Tristan Wirfs pic.
September 23rd, 2020 at 12:20 am
PFF had 2 Buccaneers in the 90 club for week 2. That’s players who grade out at a 90 or above. Only maybe 20 or 30 in the leauge this week…. and they were Ali Marpet, and Lavonte David just fyi.
September 23rd, 2020 at 12:33 am
I’m a fan,.. we were fortunate to land him!