Ronald Jones Or Leonard Fournette?
January 31st, 2021
Ronald Jones
Lost in the thrilling throttling of the Packers that sent our beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Super Bowl was Ronald Jones carrying the ball 10 times for 16 yards.
It was a version of RoJo that Joe hadn’t seen in years, and it was very surprising after several angry and productive runs against a mighty Saints defense the previous week.
Conversely, running back Leonard Fournette was a beast in Green Bay and extended the streak that only Joe seems to talk about.
The Bucs are 7-0 this season when Fournette gets more than 10 carries. He has seven touchdowns in those games and a whopping 30 receptions.
Was RoJo’s healing quad acting up in Green Bay? Was it nerves? Joe has a hard time believing it was bad luck.
So that brings Joe to next Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Which running back will Bucco Bruce Arians turn to with a goal of getting a critical fast start against the Chiefs?
Joe suspects it will be Fournette, only because he has the hot hand, though Arians has been unpredictable with his lineup decisions all season.
Arians has made moves to motivate Fournette (see benching) and has put in two years of extra effort to keep RoJo’s confidence high, but feelings cannot matter in a Super Bowl. It’s the end of the line; the best player for every snap must be on the field.
Of course, both guys likely will get carries, but the opening decision will be telling. Joe’s also curious to see whether LeSean “Shady” McCoy is active in the Super Bowl, or whether it’s rookie RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn instead
At the 32:10 mark of the Ira Kaufman Podcast below, Ira and Joe start talking more about Fournette and his prospects of returning next season.
January 31st, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Fournette can catch and rojo cannot.
Fournette starts and rojo comes off bench and you make decisions from there
Whoever is hotter
On third and longer Fournette should be back.
January 31st, 2021 at 12:52 pm
better be fournette, bring rojo in as a switch hitter change of pace, and throw vaughn into the mix as well
January 31st, 2021 at 12:54 pm
our O-line need to be maulers and we need to as deckerhoff says run it up the gut, pound pound pound them into submission keeping that high octane chiefs offense on the sideline, setting up the play action pass with scooter miller and the boys
January 31st, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Not rojos fault when they telegraph and it’s a wall. Every time he’s there on first down its a run up the middle. Similar to whenever Cadillac would be in. Have to be willing to throw it to him occasionally or run play action. With Lenny we did those things, but was very clear in GB game exactly what we were doj g every time Rojo came in on 1st down
January 31st, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Both
January 31st, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Honestly I can see why fournette had problems with the jags. He’s pouting when he doesn’t get his way he’s immature.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:02 pm
I think the way to beat them is 10-15 carries for each back. I would also set up a screen for rojo to keep the d honest for the pass when he is in. Biggest issue is that running is too obvious when rojo is in. Fournette is onlu moderately better in the passing game than jones. He has had plenty of drops lately and he missed a blitz on one of the int’s last week. He has been running a lot harder lately tho.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:06 pm
Not sure if rojo has been injured . Advantge using fournette it could be run or pass more unpredictable. That being said id rather see a healthy rojo run. Nice to have both
January 31st, 2021 at 1:10 pm
Coburn
If Rojo could catch a swing pass it would help.. just sayin. Some of the predictability is on him.
Rojo with a head of steam in open field would be beautiful.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:20 pm
Don’t fix what isn’t broken…..
January 31st, 2021 at 1:25 pm
I agree with 2 things above from the other folks commenting here….. 1 Fournette is better at catching then Rojo, even though Rojo hasn’t had very many chances lately. Fournette is the hot hand and Rojo can be that change of pace. One last thing…. Fournette has been doing a pretty good blocking as well.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Rojo got most his carries when we were trying too burn the clock and they had 8 in the box…literally nowhere to go
January 31st, 2021 at 1:40 pm
RoJo is the better player. If he is healthy Id rather see him toting the rock.
As good as Fournette has been he left lots of plays on the field during this playoff run. Plays that a healthy RoJo makes…..Of course Fournette made up for all of that with his amazing TD run against Green Bay.
We are in good hands either way. I just like our chanses better with RoJo.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:42 pm
RoJo. And Bird what the hell are you talking about? Fournette can’t catch.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:49 pm
I like both interchanging. Whatbi don’t want to see is 1st down run up the gut plays all the time. Switch it up, throw a pass, maybe run outside. How about a reverse or reach into the bag of trick plays. Predictability is a killer.
January 31st, 2021 at 1:53 pm
Both
January 31st, 2021 at 2:10 pm
You have to start playoff Lenny. It seemed last week like Rojo wasn’t as engaged and more pissed off than focused. You obviously play both but you have to go with the hot hand and the more motivated player. Maybe Rojo playing in Tampa may light his fire.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Both…and I would lean toward pounding the rock, force KC to stuff the run.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:14 pm
What you are missing is Fournette was stopped at the line on
that td run and the guy there fell to the ground and luckily was able to make it to the outside. The OL was not opening any big holes and Jones was constantly sent up the middle where they weren’t blocking well. We do very little edge rushing which I don’t understand.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Fournette seems to have the hot hand. Would go with him. Probably for next year too. Maybe have to trade RoJo. Tough decision though.
January 31st, 2021 at 2:26 pm
I know Rojo has been banged up, first the finger, then Covid, now a quad but go back and watch the highlights from week 12 against KC. He ran all over KC! If he’s health and that might be a BIG IF now I think he deserves a shot. He was the starter, not Fournette all season and lost an opportunity to hit 1k yards this year. So Jones starts, Fournette backs him up on 3rd down catching screens out of backfield like he has done so well in playoffs. Maybe use him at GL stands to lessen impact on Jones but ultimately Id like to see more of an even split. I think Rojo is chomping at the bit! And considering a 3rd back, Vaughn’s inexperience and fumble scares me for the superbowl. So I think Shady will get some snaps if anything to orove the Chiefs shouldn’t have made him inactive last year. It would be nice to see him break a few ankles on the way to score! Go BUCS!
January 31st, 2021 at 2:27 pm
What I saw last game was that RoJo was dancing behind the line and not hitting the hole, I’d start with Lenny and finish with RoJo
January 31st, 2021 at 3:02 pm
And Playoff Lenny is a better pass blocker. We must protect this house.
January 31st, 2021 at 3:13 pm
I’ve been asking this question all year:
Why hasn’t Fat Albert Leftwich come up with a handful of plays where BOTH LF and RJ2 are on the field AT THE SAME TIME????? Why can’t we make the D GUESS who’s getting the ball???? Between those two, Miller and Brown, we couldn’t work up some Wildcat plays?
January 31st, 2021 at 3:21 pm
Several hear mention it and I agree. The offense is most predictable
when RoJo is in the backfield.that being said… If the running game gets going and we get them on their heels I wouldn’t hesitate to put Jones in. The defense knows he can break one and the play action would also become more affective. The end around to Godwin was so great. I like it when they hand off to Brown too. The running scheme should be a mixed bag. Keep them guessing, keep that clock running and the cheetah in the cage.
January 31st, 2021 at 3:46 pm
I’m jumping on the I-formation on goal to go with Vita Vea at fullback in front of Fournette bandwagon. I don’t see how you stop that. I really don’t.
January 31st, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Got to go with the hot hand Leonard please. Nothing against ROJO , play as needed.
January 31st, 2021 at 4:02 pm
I hope the answer to a future trivia question of “What player was inactive for two different Super Bowl winning teams in consecutive years?” Answer: LeSean McCoy
I see both backs making some big plays.
January 31st, 2021 at 4:21 pm
Neither one had patience vs Green Bay.
Both looked to hit a hole that wasn’t there.
Fournette got lucky on his TD run after running into the back of his own guy.
Rojo did the same thing several times.
Both are better when they utilize a jump cut rather than full steam ahead ala Michael Pittman.
That dude ran into the back of his own team more times than he didnt.
January 31st, 2021 at 4:32 pm
But you know what? Pittman had the game of his life in the Super Bowl.
History repeating itself maybe? 🙂
January 31st, 2021 at 4:42 pm
Which ever one can come out swinging first. I’ve seen RoJo come out hot early and then whisked away to the bench far too many times.
January 31st, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Rojo can’t catch that well. Please do not run a wildcat and take the ball out of Brady’s hands especially in the SB. NO WAY!
January 31st, 2021 at 4:49 pm
It’sa true Rojo doesn’t have best hands, but they’ve been getting better. Was it against the Chiefs where he caught it and streaked down the sideline hurdling a defneder in the process?
Either way you have to keep the defense honest when he’s in and do it occasionally
January 31st, 2021 at 5:11 pm
“Past” games are not “this” game.
Completely different set of parameters, completely different D line for our O line to move around.
If I had the film that they should b studying I could give an answer as to who, how, and why.
Unfortunately, I don’t even have a DVR so… I will defer to the coaches.
January 31st, 2021 at 5:12 pm
HeyItsAdam…your team’s in the Super Bowl…
Does all that really matter?
January 31st, 2021 at 5:15 pm
Aceofaerospace Says:
January 31st, 2021 at 3:46 pm
I’m jumping on the I-formation on goal to go with Vita Vea at fullback in front of Fournette bandwagon. I don’t see how you stop that. I really don’t.
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Actually, I’d prefer Rojo in that situation. Much more punishing runner IMO
January 31st, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Got a hunch that Fournette will start & they’ll keep him in there if he’s being productive (you don’t fold a hot hand). But if he stumbles, BA wouldn’t hesitate I’m sure to try RoJo & see if he can jump-start the running game. They’ll both get to play no doubt, but the one with the hottest hand will end up with the most carries.
The 2 teams with the least yards rushing against the Chiefs this year were the Bucs and the Saints. Both teams have a strong run game but gave it up prematurely against the Chiefs’ defense in favor of the pass after falling behind early. Bucs only ran it 13 times for 75 yds (5.8 YPC) while the Saints only ran it 17 times for 60 yds (3.5 YPC). Seems like the key is: DON’T FALL BEHIND EARLY.
January 31st, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Everyone says neither back can catch, but they’ve been able to catch some good balls this year.
Does no one remember ROJO’s catch and TD the last time they played KC???? That was a hell of a play by ROJO to keep his balance and score!!! Oh and he caught the ball, so there’s that! LF is the hot hand but we saw what having them both roll can do to the opposing team when they played NO. Get em both involved and keep it unpredictable. Get a screen to each and use each for play action.
Tampa is gonna show a lot people how wrong they have been about this team!! Bucs win by 10+ and put up 40+!!!!
January 31st, 2021 at 6:40 pm
As for the I formation with VV…if you’re gonna do that give the damn ball to VV and let him pound it in!!!! Who’s gonna stop him???
January 31st, 2021 at 6:52 pm
Why would you run wildcat plays when we have Tom Brady!
January 31st, 2021 at 6:53 pm
Playoff Lenny
Ro jo off the bench
6th man style
January 31st, 2021 at 7:53 pm
Lol you play your best player and who has been the best? Rojo period!!
January 31st, 2021 at 8:08 pm
Rojo is clearly a better runner and threat with the ball in his hands than Fournette and it isn’t even close. Folks saying Rojo can’t catch and Fournette can must have missed the 10 passed that Fournette has dropped this season. He missed the block on the blitzing DB against Green Bay that led to the INT. Fournette is average. Rojo is a true threat.
January 31st, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Would love to see Rojo dominate. I appreciate what Lenny has done lately, but his running style is too tentative for me. Rojo runs with power, if he can find the crease.
Should bring back the pro set a little. Andy Reid doesn’t hold the patent on creativity.
February 1st, 2021 at 12:04 am
They have to mix both of them in. Rojo is such a better runner- more explosive, finishes the runs better. Fournette catches a little better but he runs routes and blocks better.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:29 am
everyone is saying Rojo do this Lenny do that. put Ole scooter in there, he’s the fastest man on the team
February 1st, 2021 at 12:51 pm
how can anyone say fournette has been better lol to funny give RoJo the rock play fournette off the bench if Rojo is healthy he deserve the ball