RoJo The Fullback?
February 5th, 2021
RoJo is strong inside the tackles.
Joe remembers earlier in the year the way Ronald Jones was able to get tough-running yards up the middle, Joe almost thought RoJo was turning into a fullback.
Naturally, the know-it-alls on Twitter killed Joe for such a comment.
Now NextGen stats has pumped out info on RoJo, and whaddyaknow? It seems RoJo is one of the best inside runners in the game.
RoJo has an average of 6.5 yards per carry when running between the tackles. That’s excellent. No wonder Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich calls (?) so many run plays up the gut.
Joe has a hunch if RoJo bounces back from his Green Bay showing and has a good night Sunday, the Bucs are very much in the game in Super Bowl LV.
Bucs running back Ronald Jones has been among the most efficient rushers in the NFL this season on runs between the tackles.@rojo gained +239 rushing yards over expected on inside runs during the regular season, 2nd-most in the NFL (behind Derrick Henry, +296).#SBLV | #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/PoAxFpxEQD
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 4, 2021
February 5th, 2021 at 6:04 am
Yeah that number is skewered by his 98 yard run against the stinkin Panthers
February 5th, 2021 at 6:04 am
“Joe has a hunch if RoJo has a good night Sunday night, the Bucs are in the game in Super Bowl LV.”
Huh? I’d think they are in the game for a thousand reasons in addition to that. RoJo is a RB. Good runs up the middle wouldn’t make him a FB per se. Crazy talk!
February 5th, 2021 at 6:56 am
Running up the middle effectively doesn’t make you a Fullback. Traditionally, the FB position serves as a lead blocker and in some systems would leak out to the flats or in the middle for the occasional ahort pass or check down. Rojo does neither and really hasn’t been asked to. In the old wishbone, sure, he may be considered an FB in some sets but even then, the FB primarily blocked for the Tailback and Halfback. Rojo is not a FB, period!
February 5th, 2021 at 6:59 am
He’s good north and south…just give TB a pass audible if they stack the box
February 5th, 2021 at 7:07 am
After watching last years NE vs KC game (Pat’s got so screwed by refs.) What KC did was blitz up the middle almost all game. Pats oline was beat up so Brady got leveled. Spags was DC, so I anticipate this is the plan for SB. So off tackle runs and screens will open up the Evan’s, Miller long ball.
February 5th, 2021 at 7:23 am
Amen ncbucsfan. Just like Alstott was never a fb (until Gruden showed up)
February 5th, 2021 at 7:27 am
This armchair coach say’s (without benefit of film)
Mix it up, Keep it balanced, don’t be predictable, yada yada yada.
For better advice I need film and a salary!
February 5th, 2021 at 7:30 am
When he hits the hole! Like a FB he is at his best !
February 5th, 2021 at 8:22 am
The Packers had a plan to stop RoJo because they knew he is more of a breakaway threat than Fournette. Fortunately, Fournette had a good game and his TD run was magnificent.
February 5th, 2021 at 8:29 am
DavidBigBucFan99
No it isn’t. Every back has big runs they have busted, including Derrick Henry with several.
Ronald Jones has been better this year because he is going between the tackles and picking his spots before he bounces it outside. The last two years he had no vision in the middle, he tried to bounce everything immediately
February 5th, 2021 at 8:55 am
Actually David if you take the 98 yards from his total yards from between the tackles, that’s more than a third of his yardage which will affect his yard per carry because it was from one run not 41 runs he would need at 2.57 yards per expected average to make up for that yardage
February 5th, 2021 at 9:39 am
DavidBig, if the # is totally skewered because of one run then how do you explain 3rd in amount of first downs? Did they all come on a single run? Of course the ave is higher, so is Henry’s, Cook’s, and anyone else’s. That how averages work. It was 16 games (14) that’s long enough for the averages to mean something.
February 5th, 2021 at 9:54 am
“If you take away blah blah blah.” Is a stupid conversation. He did it therefore you can’t “take it away.” We’re in the freaking Super Bowl, try to enjoy it.
February 5th, 2021 at 10:08 am
DavidBigBucsfans – With your logic Derrick Henry would need to subtract his 94 yard run… which would be 32% of his total and would also effect his yards per carry. Nit picking at its finest.
February 5th, 2021 at 11:50 am
The point DavidBigBucFan99 makes is valid. It’s why in some analysis the median rather than the mean explains things better.
So, what is the median yardage for RoJo up the middle?
February 5th, 2021 at 12:48 pm
Runs up the gut are fine. Just stop doing it every single 1st down. Too predictable.
February 5th, 2021 at 3:25 pm
A fullback is a blocking back… RoJo is not that.
A RB who is good at inside running is a good RB.
February 5th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Now break down those stats by 1st and 2nd down – because most of Leftwich’s runs on 1st down put the team, constantly, in 2nd and 9. Nothing wrong with running on 1st down, or up the gut, just don’t do it on damn near every series if the game is close.