Leonard Fournette Will Start Against Saints; Ronald Jones Is A “Game-Time” Decision
January 15th, 2021
The decision has been made.
The Bucs will go with the hot hand and the healthiest hand at running back in the biggest Buccaneers game of the past 18 years.
Leonard Fournette will start, per Bucco Bruce Arians this afternoon, and Ronald Jones is improving his quad injury but will be a “game-time decision.”
This is why the Bucs signed Fournette, perhaps the wisest move of the offseason. Joe expects Fournette will have a heavy pass-blocking role as the Bucs look to max-protect for Tom Brady. And the screen-pass game to Fournette likely will be in focus as it was against Washington.
And damn, how sweet would it be to see Fournette get the rock late in the game to close out the Saints on their home turf.
Fournette, who was called to duty at the last moment before the Bucs played Washington to replace RoJo, had 93 yards on 19 carries and caught four passes for 39 yards.
When asked what inspired Arians to have this level of confidence in Fournette to start Sunday night, Arians smiled wide and said, “Did you watch last week?”
January 15th, 2021 at 12:36 pm
Jones is good but Fournette is a better overall running back.
January 15th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Here’s hoping Fournette, an LSU guy, feels at home in New Orleans and punishes the Saints!
Also looking forward to getting a healthy RoJo back as soon as possible. I certainly hope his feeling didn’t get hurt watching AB get his bonus when RoJo was ~25 yards away from a 1,000 yard season.
January 15th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Toldjaso!
Fournette should start….he’s a threat on the screen, where Rojo is a liability. Doesn’t mean Rojo might not get “clean up” time if we get up by a couple scores. Rojo is the better runner, Fournette is the better all around back when considering screens.
January 15th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
So, the Lions are interviewing Todd Bowles on Friday…
January 15th, 2021 at 12:51 pm
Tell me more about the AB bonus. I don’t see us slighting Rojo his 1000 yards as much as I blame Covid and the finger.
January 15th, 2021 at 12:51 pm
Fournette can rack up a huge FA contract if he performs well again……and, being from LSU gives him extra motivation…..
January 15th, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Love rojo but we gotta have a back in there with catching ability.
January 15th, 2021 at 12:57 pm
good choice….be ready mr vaughn….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 15th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
This is bad news for me personally. One of my fantasy leagues has a regular season and a playoff season. In the playoff season you get to pick a team amongst the 14 teams that started the playoffs. I have Ronald Jones as one of my running backs. This will be two weeks in a row that I get a big fat zero for my RB one position
January 15th, 2021 at 1:01 pm
Eeeeessshhhh
Rojo is way better runner
Fournette has some hands but for people saying he is better then rojo is crazy
He ran hard last game. That was first game i noticed. Other games he avoids contact and he is pretty big dude.
All good though.
Part of brady game is getting ball out quick. Especially with saints having great line. So makes sense that brady wants option 4 dump off to running back in backfield. Rojo has stone hands
Then bring rojo in and pound saints defense some more. Rojo is way better runner and physical runner.
January 15th, 2021 at 1:02 pm
Why would you announce it? Let the Saints game plan for both.
January 15th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Hasn’t been much speculation about shady at all , if Rojo is a game time no go is shady or Vaughn 1st in to give fournette a breather .wondering how many backs did they carry against wash. I know shady was inactive for a sickness before that game , will vaughn’s fumble keep him on the bench?
January 15th, 2021 at 1:16 pm
Rojo will be ready to roll !
January 15th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
don’t sweat Shady. Rojo is healthy…….just riding the pine as LF is the better choice starting the game.
January 15th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
Fournette’s spin moves were awesome against WTF. They made me nervous, though, as it’s easier to fumble due to an unexpected hit from a blind side. Hold on to the rock!!
January 15th, 2021 at 1:55 pm
Yep. Go with the hot hand.
January 15th, 2021 at 2:11 pm
Not really sure why Shady has been taking up a roster spot.
January 15th, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Nothing but a shift.
First four or five runs from Fournette, then ROJO will come in to spell him and get the majority of the touches.
Result?
Fournette gets 30 yards off of 7-8 carries.
ROJO gets 20+ carries and breaks the 100 yard mark
January 15th, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Just a guess
January 15th, 2021 at 2:29 pm
gp- Either way, that’s not a bad one-two punch back there!
I think all the backs will get carries unless one of them goes off.
Don’t overthink it Byron. If it ain’t broke…
January 15th, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Robert Says:
January 15th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Toldjaso!
Fournette should start….he’s a threat on the screen, where Rojo is a liability. Doesn’t mean Rojo might not get “clean up” time if we get up by a couple scores. Rojo is the better runner, Fournette is the better all around back when considering screens.
—-
Nope. Rojo is clearly a better runner and we have to establish and run the ball. Rojo and Play action is infinitely more important than Fournette and his limited ability in the passing game.
January 15th, 2021 at 3:07 pm
@Brandon…pay attention man…the reason they have turned the corner the last few games is they have gone AWAY from up the gut for 2 yards on 1st downs early in the game. Fournette hits the corner better as well.
January 15th, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Fournette has been a disappointment other than last week and one very early game. However, playing the Saints is just what that cat needs. I like him starting this week and thing he is gonna have a big game!
January 15th, 2021 at 5:56 pm
He will be wearing his LSU gear again leaking out the shoulder pad – you know he wants to light it up back in NOLA – having RoJO as a change of pace would be huge
January 15th, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Any and all game time for Fournette is building towards his next contract.
We will get his “A” game regardless of his playing time.
January 15th, 2021 at 9:19 pm
Great blog Joe
January 15th, 2021 at 9:30 pm
C. U
JOE
C. K
January 15th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Bucs going with White Jersey White pant on Sunday as Aints going with funeral attire of black on black… fitting for their burial 👊🏻🔥🍺 Go Bucs👍🏻
January 15th, 2021 at 10:22 pm
This is good. He’s more trustworthy than Jones who is a fumbler. And he can catch the ball. Bucs will need this on Sunday.
January 15th, 2021 at 10:54 pm
OMG… Watching recast of TB vs KC… Buccaneers are sooo much better now🤣
Bad News for Brees☄⚡🔥
January 16th, 2021 at 11:34 am
Whatever!! Last week aside from a few moves he made he had holes my grandma could have ran through!! Rojo would have had a 150 yard game because he would have FINISHED more runs!! …. This is the bucs over coaching again and it will cost them