RoJo Love
December 18th, 2020
QB offers shout out.
Now Joe is on record — and stands by his convictions — saying Tom Brady has press conferences down pat.
Brady, schooled in the Belicheat “say nothing” philosophy, comes across as smooth and engaged. But when you listen, Brady talks a lot but rarely says anything.
And most of the time his words come across as, well, empty. Hollow. Little substance.
When he speaks about Florida living or his new boat, then he comes across as quite genuine, almost unencumbered and relieved because it is not a football subject. Brady is very guarded as to what he says about football matters.
So yesterday, Joe was intrigued when out of the blue, Brady came out in his mandatory weekly presser and spread much love for Ronald Jones.
RoJo had surgery on his pinkie this week, which he broke in the win over the Vikings. His status was up in the air for Sunday’s game at Atlanta when it was learned RoJo landed on the COVID/reserve list.
RoJo is his having his best year in the NFL by far, with 900 yards rushing, fourth-best in the league entering Week 15. And Brady seemed honestly worried about the Bucs’ top back.
“I think first of all, we’re all thinking about ‘Ro,’” Brady said. “Obviously, a tough week for him when you have an injury and then you have something that comes up with COVID.
“He’s been so reliable, dependable [and] consistent for us. Even in the offseason, his commitment to making improvements to his game and I think everyone has a great deal of respect for ‘Ro’ and what he’s brought to the team.
“For a young player, he’s shown a lot of maturity – he’s very selfless. I love when he’s in the backfield with us and I have a lot of confidence in him.”
This is a class move by Brady. Way to give a shout out to a teammate who may be down in the dumps for his current, unexpected situation.
The Bucs’ coaching staff has made a concerted effort to boost RoJo’s morale and confidence since Bucco Bruce Arians came on board. In fact, Arians noted earlier in the year when RoJo made a bad play, he fretted about it so much that it was dragging down his entire game.
A week later, Arians said he went straight to RoJo after a run to nowhere to make sure RoJo knew Arians was 100 percent in his corner and to keep busting tail.
Joe’s pretty sure Brady knows about this, as well. Hell, it’s not a secret. So Joe would not be surprised if Brady gave RoJo public props to try to keep up RoJo’s demeanor.
While Brady’s comments may have had an ulterior motive, they were pretty stand-up of Brady.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:09 am
Joe out of all your articles … this is one I stand by … well put together and I love it
December 18th, 2020 at 8:16 am
Imhere44:
Thank you!
December 18th, 2020 at 8:21 am
In case no one has heard the News, Mick Jagger has bought a Home in Lakewood Ranch.
RoJo is his having his best year in the NFL by far, and it was cool to hear Brady give him a shout out.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:49 am
Agree that it’s a great piece.
I think TB12 is a master communicator. I do take a slight issue with one implication…perhaps unintentional.
Bill Belichek is not a pimple on Brady’s behind when it comes to communication skills. BB is simply an old curmudgeon like me who beotches and doesn’t say anything more than he has to because he’s a jerk. Brady has already forgotten more about communicating than BB will ever know. If it’s another protege exceed mentor story perhaps…but it’s not even close.
Brady says EXACTLY what he plans on saying. He is in CONTROL…both on and off the field. His skill set surpasses simple football which is why his off field ventures have blown up. Hard to know for real but by all appearances Brady has the PERFECT life…family…job…future prospects.
I think Joe is correct when he points out Brady didn’t do this by accident.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:56 am
Maybe Brady just genuinely cares about the guy and genuinely likes warm weather, boats and sunshine, and genuinely dislikes these terrible reporters and their absurd miserable narratives that they try to create and promote. Sports talking heads and writers are just about as fickle and absurd as the political commentators these days.
December 18th, 2020 at 8:56 am
Mick Jagger in LWR?
We’re they out of houses in Sun City Center?
December 18th, 2020 at 10:10 am
Football is about trust- among coaches, players, staff and between coaches and players , And it’s about working harder than your opponents and I would say talent, though important, is less so than mentioned previously.
Brady’s public comments are usually about work and trust – that’s what football is really about
December 18th, 2020 at 10:52 am
So two Jones are officially out for Sunday?
December 18th, 2020 at 11:03 am
cobra – that’s correct.
December 18th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Amen, Joe, stpetebucsfan!
Brady says nothing with a lot of words when he wants to. He says a whole lot with a few words when he wants to.
He really is a class act.
Go Bucs! Playoffs Now!
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P.S. I was another guy who was pretty much ignoring TB and the Patriots in recent years.
December 18th, 2020 at 4:35 pm
Good stuff, Rojos a keeper, and Brady just continues to impress me.