Frustrating Decision-Making To End Game
January 3rd, 2021
So with a 44-27 lead, the Bucs didn’t just fail to hand off to Ronald Jones so he could get a shot at 1,000 yards rushing, coaches freakin’ asked RoJo to block while they threw short twice to Antonio Brown.
What the hell was that?
First, Brown senselessly could have gotten hurt, and that would have been a disaster after Mike Evans’ knee injury that might end his season..
Second, RoJo, while wearing a cast for a busted finger, was put in unfamiliar territory, blocking out of the backfield as the ball went to Brown on wide runs. And if RoJo was healthy enough to risk injury doing that, then he should have gotten the football as he was only 22 yards from a 1,000-yard season.
Maybe there are fans smarter than Joe out there who can explain this apparent thoughtless nonsense.
Joe’s just pissed that RoJo didn’t get a shot at that 1,000-yard mark. Joe remembers the Bucs making it happen late in the fourth quarter for LeGarrette Blount in the season finale back in 2010 — with a Bucs win in hand.
Joe will be over it in a few hours. But it just felt all wrong on so many levels.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:38 pm
AB-Diva alert
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Lol Brady calls the plays not Arians of course Tom gets his boy involved
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Yeah, that made zero sense.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Brady was 1 or 2 passes from a record for him. Those were passes to AB. ‘Mon Joe?
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:40 pm
What was the bonus for RoJo if he surpassed 1,000 yards for the season?
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Who cares about individual stats? In a few years, RoJo will just be another obscure ex-Buc but I’ll still be a long-suffering fan. All I care about is the W.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:40 pm
It’s a shame. He could have picked up the yards. But, it’s over now.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Joe, you are not alone with this decision by BA, he didn’t even start ROjO. This could come back to bite them in their arse when ROjO becomes a free agent. Come to find out AB needed 45 catches for a $250k bonus and TB12 also was due a bonus by being a top 5 QB in yardage in the league. ROjO was the sacrificial lamb.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:42 pm
If rojo has 1000 yards it would mean he’s a good rb… so it makes sense he didn’t get 1000 this year.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Pretty clear that was so AB could get to 45 catches on the year and cash in on the 250k incentive….
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:43 pm
If you look Brady was pissed/ puzzled after the first pass, like WTF was that about
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:44 pm
Jones would have needed more field to get it.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:45 pm
Yup, should have sat them both.
5 wins, Joe. No more Den of Depression. How about going into post season by giving Tom Brady the respectful moniker he earned?
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
AB needed 45 on the year catches to get $250,000 bonus. He got it, but not sure if he needed the last 2.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Anyone catch what TB was telling to the sideline after the inc before the last Godwin TD? “Stupid f*cling play!” If he is calling all of his own plays idk why he would be yelling that to the sideline.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Terrible game management. What the hell is with the empty backfields? Run the clock out!!
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Not saying it was the correct decision, but I think if Brown scored another TD he would’ve received a bonus per his contract. That was my thoughts, not sure if that is accurate though. Even if that was the case, with Evans uncertainty that was terrible
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:49 pm
Y’all sounding like a bunch of b******! We are in the playoffs and our first game will be against a team with a losing record! Quit complaining!
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:50 pm
The last shovel pass to Antonio brown got him a $250,000 catch escalator
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:52 pm
It was for AB’s 45 catch bonus so he wouldn’t throw a tantrum. So dumb, if he got hurt it would have been a disaster.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Looks like he came in with 34 receptions, so I guess he did need those last 2.
I could be wrong. Research is Joe’s job. Lol.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:53 pm
Could the Bucs have wanted Jones not to get his 1,000 yards? Will it mean less money than he could have had for next year. Dunno.
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Jesus Christ Joe!!
We made playoffs since a long time, we had the best season since at least a decade and you are complainning for Rojo 1000 yards!!!!
Seems to me complainning became a method in some places!
Just enjoy men!!!
January 3rd, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Besides, AB has legal bills Rojo doesn’t. Lol.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Who cares about 1000 yards .. it’s playoff time!
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:02 pm
Maybe they could have also decide to try running the ball before the 4th quarter.
The offense doesn’t have much flow because Leftwich doesn’t have a good feel for the game. I think Jones had maybe 3 or 4 carries going into the 4th.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:03 pm
Cheer up this ain’t Madden video games
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Must be some sort of incentive for AB – it’s a good idea to try to get him whatever he needs to keep him happy going into the playoffs, potentially without Evans. At the same time, if he’s that close, Licht should call down to the sidelines and let Arians know they’re going to pay regardless of if he gets whatever incentive, that way no one gets hurt.
Regardless nothing happened so don’t worry about it grandma.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:07 pm
Meh no biggie, I’m just glad Evans got his record.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:10 pm
I think he wanted Brady to get 40 tds.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:13 pm
Maybe they were trying to get RoJo some pass blocking practice…
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:19 pm
Isn’t it funny how npup and the fake realist never show their face since about week 4. Realist pops up Occasionally and gets owned as soon as he does. At least clean house has manned up and got on board.
How much you want to be npup and realists show up if the bucs loose in playoff. Sure hope that doesn’t happen but will be the only tome they get balls to show up. Face it fake fans this has been a fun season and Tampa’s offense is off the charts right now. D has some holes but the offense has finallly clicked and can compete with any team in NFL.
Pup I know you still come on each week and possibly post under something else but this season has shown the right decision was made to make a change at qb and Winston is still a 3rd stronger cause of his immaturity and terrible decision making. Amazing arm but it takes much more to be successful at qb.
Grew up a bucs fan my whole life. Couldn’t root for them when they had Winston at qb cause of personal beliefs and won’t get into that cause accusations are just that but I believe what I believe. Couldn’t be happier to be a bucs fan again winning or not but winning makes it so much better. Go Bucs
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:28 pm
4600 yards and 40 td throwing, take Bucs to playoffs 1st year playing, should’ve made the pro bowl, ball spreading, heart beat of the Bucs, the Real America’s QB, THE Greatest Of All Time , MR. TOMPA BAY HIMSELF TOM BRADY. That’s how you lead his name off.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:29 pm
CT Bucs Fan – Brady already had 40 TDs at the end of the game. Also throwing the ball a couple of inches to AB isn’t going to really help get a TD. Obviously it had to be some sort of touches bonuses for AB.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:35 pm
what a bunch of frickn crybabies!!!!!!!!!! Some people on here will bitch and whine about something no matter what. BA was probably in shock watching Ryan use the pass defense like a punching bag. Folks if Bowles doesn’t fix that we are in trouble. Although Matty Ice is as good as any QB in the playoffs. well except the GOAT. Every person on these sight better thank God that we have TOMPA because they couldn’t stop a 9th grade QB. speaking of bitching hahaha If we go against another QB like Ryan, the offense had better be on
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:39 pm
Evans all time, hall of fame record is one thing…a 1000 yard rushing season is another. Joe’s wanted a John McKay like effort with James Wilder trying to get a record of his own…coming up short. 🙂
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Joe may put records over points, but that stuff really means squat.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:45 pm
Jonathan Limpchimpi – There’s a really good write-up on Wilder’s record, which he did get for most touches in a season. Google, ‘James Wilder’s unbreakable(?) record’ and give it a read, he had an incredible year – and his touches record still stands.
January 3rd, 2021 at 5:52 pm
AB contract:
45 catches and playoffs = $250,000 bonus
His 11 catches today put him at 45
SB win and 35% playing time = $750,000 bonus
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:02 pm
Alanbucsfan – ah, that makes sense. Good for the team getting him that extra money to keep him happy.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:07 pm
Now…..all of the sudden there is concern about Rojo getting 1000 yards…..what happened to last year when just 15 carries per game would have gotten him 1008…..
I’m OK with it…..I think we accomplished exactly what we wanted after Mike got his 1000…..our offense clicked on all cylinders. Ready for Wash or NYG….don’t care which one…..
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:19 pm
Brady’s and a Brown’s roster incentives were more important, apparently…
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Rod Munch…thanks for the head’s up…Wilder is an all time Buc great. I meant in 1985 when McKay let the Jets score in hopes of giving Wilder a chance at Eric Dickersons single season total yards from scrimmage record. McKay was fined by the league for “damaging the integrity of the league.” Wilder got 3 additional
carries for 0 yards…coming up 11 yards shy.
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:53 pm
Tampabaybucfan Every body wanted Rojo to get a 1,000 yards . That would have been good as well the first time since 2015 .
January 3rd, 2021 at 6:53 pm
Rojo is still on his rookie deal, with the way things are slotted I’d be surprised if he had any notable bonus for 1000 yards. He might, I’m not saying he doesn’t, but if he does I’m going to guess it’s a pretty small number, like $50k or less. Just a guess.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:09 pm
If they were worried about it they would’ve given him LFs carries. He didn’t even start.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Here’s why this decision was made. AB is a diva WR with a lot of incentive clauses. Better to keep him happy and say we tried to force the ball to you. RoJo isn’t going to complain about the lost opportunity to crack 1,000 yards.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:23 pm
I don’t get it. They should have ran Rojo the last couple of series. They even got the ball back on downs. There is no way they did not know he only need a 22 yards. I think that was a total BS move.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Alanbucsfan posted why the Bucs did this, AB had a big bonus for getting 45 touches and they need to keep him happy. I don’t care if AB is a diva or not, keep him happy, he might be a the #1 WR next week if Evans is out. Rojo is a young guy, he’s only 23 still, and he’ll get at least 1200 yards next year – and if he does, he’ll have a number of 1000 yards seasons after that. Remember that Derrick Henry didn’t have 1000 yards until he was 24, that’s how old Rojo will be next year.
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:35 pm
AlanBucsFan nailed it. Also kept Rojo under 1000 come contract time…
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:39 pm
Gotta keep the goat and the diva happy!! All is well.. sorry Rojo… start the playoffs against a losing team so we will win!!
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:50 pm
And better yet Joe, why was AB and Rojo even on the field at that point? Turn around and give it to vaughn (who looked pretty good last week) three times and call it a day
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Because our coaches are so smart!! Tompa knows better than to let a diva ruin the playoffs, especially with Evans iffy.. Tompa needs to be the gm and head coach when he retires. Go Bucs!
January 3rd, 2021 at 7:56 pm
Joe, I’m sure you understand that they were trying to get AB the touches he needed to get the $250,000 bonus he could get if he reached the mark…and he did. It was a money decision.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Rojo could have gotten those yards easily today. Joe knows that, I know that, Rojo knows that, every one watching knows that!
Rojo knows he can run over NY or Washington!! Run Rojo Run!!!
I think Rojo would rather have 100yds maybe 125yds next weekend!!!!!!
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:05 pm
So glad that AB got his money.. especially after Rojo finally looked like an nfl running back this season.. would’ve been a different season without Rojo.. AB won us this meaningless game since ME got hurt.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:19 pm
AB got the catches he needed and the yards needed for the incentive
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:20 pm
Also add in Brady needed the yardage for his incentive
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:24 pm
No one knows Rojo covid reason maybe he was negligent and punished for it or just as simple as Bucs are paying AB 1 million and he deserves the bonus. Whatever the reason why take a perfect day and ruin it over stupid stats. Rojo has plenty of time in his career to run for 1000 yds. Move on to NFC East opponent.
January 3rd, 2021 at 8:26 pm
OK, all you saying how they did that to make sure AB was taken care of, screw that. He is an insurance policy. Evans and Godwin and the rookie are the future receiving corps. AB is simply on adaution to get a big payment from another team, the Bucs cannot afford him going forward.
ROJO Is the present and future running back.
They only need to give him the ball 2 to 3 more times to get 22 yards. They should’ve done it. They f@cked up.
January 3rd, 2021 at 9:14 pm
How about Jones stay clear of people with Covid. He could have gotten it easily against the lions. We are in the playoffs, we’re hot. Let’s ride this mother till the wheels fall off! Go Bucs!
January 3rd, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Yes, Ronald Jones missed games for covid-19. AB missed 8 games for player conduct re: sexual assault accusations. Guess TB would rather reward the guy who was suspended for 8 games and was out most of last season and exhibited bizarre behavior with the Steelers and Raiders, rather than reward the guy who couldn’t steer clear of covid. With that lead and “situational football” they should have run out the clock. AB may or may not be with the team next year depending on what he is accused of in the off season based on his past behavior but by all means lets reward him.
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:08 pm
Why didn’t they just start RoJo? Blame the coaching staff maybe if he would’ve started the game he would’ve gotten the extra 22 yds he needed. 🕵
January 3rd, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Seems AB had a $¼ Million dollar inventive in his contact for catches an those were technically shovel passes.
January 4th, 2021 at 4:35 am
Be happy we haven’t made the playoffs since 2007 I don’t care who got what being in the playoffs is huge for are Bucs team seriously I don’t care about stats I care about wins…
January 4th, 2021 at 6:31 am
WE WON.
January 4th, 2021 at 9:59 am
I respect your opinion, but disagree. Team football should not be about furthering individual records. Those records should just happen as games and seasons unfold. Arians could have let Brady stay in the game and play in the second half to set more records a couple of weeks ago, but he didn’t.
January 4th, 2021 at 10:18 am
My god JOE! Were number 5 seed and have a easier first game coming up for first playoff in how many years?? Since 07?? Yeah we are playing great and this is a team game not individualized statistics!!! When you make the sb and win that is all the stat you need!!!! Nobody remembers losers!!!! GO BUCS!@! On to washington!!!! Then the SB! D needs to tighten up but were clicking and i pray ME is okay ! Thats what the colum should be about praying for ME!!! Especially since this is his first postseason !!!!! SB here we come!!!
January 4th, 2021 at 11:42 am
New Englander here. Been rooting for Tom Brady and the Bucs since game 1 this year over my pats. So cool to see those of you appreceating Tb12 and whats hes done 4 u guys, rooting 4 u guys all the way. Lets gooo!
January 4th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
The reason RJ didn’t get the rock is there was a $250,000 bonus to AB if he got 40 receptions in 2021. Talk about a shoddy way to get to 40. I’m sure the bucs will add more fine print in the future incentive agreements to prevent this.
January 4th, 2021 at 2:21 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. It is more confounding when you see the effort that was put in to getting Evan’s record and rightful so. After the jet sweep and two consecutive screen passes, I had two thoughts. First, was Brown close to meeting some of his incentives in his contract. Second, is this such a good idea not knowing Mike’s status for next week. Whichever the case it didn’t strike me as a very intelligent idea. I would have imagined Rojo also had an incentive in his contract as well.
January 4th, 2021 at 2:49 pm
idc jones and fournette both helped me win 1500.00 in fantasy football money…high five
January 4th, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Woe
January 4th, 2021 at 10:17 pm
Its all about selfish brady
January 5th, 2021 at 12:40 am
Brady has to get bonus for ab because rent was due and Jeter wasn’t having it this month lol
January 5th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Why complaining its a team effort and we are finally back in the play offs, I guess it’s never enough for some.
January 5th, 2021 at 4:40 pm
What would matter most to you helping someone get paid or helping someone get stats