RoJo’s Improvement
October 15th, 2020
Giving credit for run game.
The Bucs seem to now have a run game. So why is that?
Aside from Leonard Fournette’s beautiful touchdown run to seal a win over Carolina, it’s not because of him. He’s had limited carries — when he’s been healthy.
Shady McCoy has done very little in the run game. And he too is banged up.
No, it’s been the guy who until a couple of weeks ago had done next to nothing as a running back. And that’s Ronald Jones.
Not only has RoJo, drafted in the second round in 2019, had his best season as a pro after some 30 games, he’s also become a helluva runner up the gut.
Also, the maligned (by fans) offensive line of the Bucs seems to have improved a lot in run blocking. One stats outfit believes the Bucs have the best blocking on runs between the guards in the NFL.
So who can we credit for this newfound run game? Is it the better blocking from Alex Cappa, Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet? Or has RoJo finally figured out how to be a professional runner?
Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich thinks the credit should be spread around.
“I think it is the physicality that we are playing with upfront,” Leftwich said. “Our guys are playing extremely physical. They are getting a hat on a hat. They are getting to their guy. They are doing a really good job of getting to the second level of defenses.
“I think RoJo is doing a better job of understanding where the ball needs to go and where we need to insert the ball. Sometimes, that takes time.
“I think we have been doing a good job of that the past couple of weeks and getting ‘Ro’ in position. Our guys up front [have been] getting physical getting a hat on a hat and giving us open lanes so [RoJo] has been able to run the ball.”
This is why Joe is hoping the Bucs stay on the ground — so long as it brings results on Sunday. RoJo was having the game of his life last week in Chicago and the Bucs pulled the ball from RoJo’s hands. That may have done the Bucs in.
And while statistically, the Packers have the No. 4 rush defense, the Cheeseheads are allowing an average of over 100 yards on the ground a game.
Joe normally is a passing guy unless the passing isn’t working and the run game is. You know, ride the hot hand.
The Bucs are very banged up at receiver. Perhaps this is the perfect time to rely on RoJo and the big uglies upfront?
October 15th, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Doesn’t matter how good of a run game we have. Our coaches are not wired that way. Rojo could get 10 yards a carry and they will still run empty back sets with rookie 5th round receivers 8 out of 10 plays.
October 15th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Rojo and the bigs got to keep it going tonight. Sorry, not sorry this is A MUST win game. I don’t care that is GB. We must protect this house!
20-17 Bucs
Go Bucs
October 15th, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Can’t figure BL sometimes. When the run works he ditches it and when it doesn’t he stays with it.
October 15th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
RoJo was getting yards until the end of 4th quarter drive where Brady was sacked in Bears’ red zone. Bucs took a 17-16 lead on that drive.
Then the Bucs D played great- almost a pick6, sacked Foles causing a fumble, and then the Bears got bailed out by refs on BS roughing call on Barrett.
So instead of getting ball back near midfield, Bucs next possession is inside their 20- 1st play RoJo loses 2 yards- Bucs had to pass.
Bears took lead on next possession and there wasn’t much time left for Bucs to run the ball.
My point is, Ref call on Barrett was turning point in 4th quarter, NOT Bucs abandoning the run.
October 15th, 2020 at 3:22 pm
19-17 lead^
October 15th, 2020 at 3:53 pm
The next time you ask yourself how we got rid of Jameis, replaced him with Brady, and the offense regressed dramatically…it’s because that man is a second year OC for the first time in his life.
Every single DC has faxed/emaild over the other 31 DC’s on BL’s favorite 1st, 2nd and 3rd down formations 1st through the 4th quarters. 2nd year and this dude is toast. I watch good offenses and it is so much more than just execution…its creativity and confusing the defense. Something Weaklink cannot do.
Russel Wilson, Mahomes, Rodgers…they would all lose games under this staff. It’s a joke. The players all know it and you can see it in their body language and eyes….they know its hopeless and are hoping something gives.
October 15th, 2020 at 5:23 pm
the offense has improved not regressed…..lol…
that statement proves your clueless…..
GO BUCS!!!!
October 15th, 2020 at 5:41 pm
The offensive hasn’t regressed however I’ll say if there was more creativity to our offensive attack we’d be putting up ridiculous points. I’m just hoping that once we have everyone back healthy we’ll see just how good this offense really can be. 🤞🏿
October 15th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
I’ll give Leftwich to mid-season but right now i think he’s a bit avg. The biggest difference is simply having a QB that doesn’t give away possessions and field position like candy. The team is equally as inconsistent as before….as well as predictable. This team is running the ball well……we should be running it constantly to set up play action and control the clock, keep our defense fresh, wear out the other teams defense, etc….He just doesn’t call a game all that methodically.
October 15th, 2020 at 6:32 pm
He’s been playing like this since the end of last year, literally all you have to do is go back and watch the tape, this isn’t new.
October 15th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Everyone needs to bring their A-game and if we cut those penalties out I think we can get a win. It’ll be close. Let’s go Bucs
October 15th, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Fast starting offense, great in the Red Zone, regressed? These 2 statements are usually never associated with the Bucs in 44 years I have watched this team. Not honest to say they have regressed. Are they still a work in progress yes and very much so. And OMG they have new found a running game, another new development. lol GO BUCS!!!!
October 16th, 2020 at 5:14 am
I see a really desperate offense that has to go for it on 4th and 1 at their own 20 to keep games close. Luckily Terrible Tom got it, but, it reeks of a crap offense that is desperate and having to make extremely risky calls early on to remain competitive and lose. One can only think, did Brady or Arians know what down it was when they went for it on 4th and 1 on the Bucs 20? It would make sense that the Bucs and staff lost track of the downs more than once. Really looking forward to the game and seeing if the backup comes in and outshines Brutal Terrible Tom Brady,!
October 16th, 2020 at 5:18 am
@August Jameis put the Bucs in the redzone and was a kicker away from making a deep push into the playoffs. But yeah. Blame Jameis instead of being honest with yourself and blaming Idiot Licht for bringing in Terrible Tom and Gronk. I hope the Bucs win, I’ll be making a nice sized wager on Tampa this week. So no doubt will I be pulling for the Bucs to beat off the Packers.
October 16th, 2020 at 5:32 am
It’s pretty safe to say that Ronald was way over drafted and was another Licht pipe dream. Sucker Licht can make a good selection unless it’s picking Jameis #1 over all.
October 16th, 2020 at 6:49 am
Jameisalmighty go be a saints fan you troll..