Ronald Jones’ Heart is Not A Problem But His Head Might Be
September 20th, 2021
Head games.
Today in his day-after presser, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians was getting a lot of questions about Ronald Jones’ heart and head.
The reason for the interest was two plays yesterday where it seemed as if RoJo didn’t care if he was on the field or not.
RoJo caught a first-down pass near the left sideline and it seemed like he was headed for a first down. At the last second, RoJo decided he didn’t want to make contact with an Atlanta defender and simply walked out of bounds a yard shy of a first down.
Given how the game was still close at the time, that move just seemed inexcusable to Joe.
Later, on a 2nd-and-20 situation, RoJo fully ole’ed on a blitz pickup and nearly got Tom Brady killed.
In the past, as recently as the season-opener, Arians has openly discussed how the Bucs had to work on building up RoJo’s confidence.
Today, Arians seemed to be running out of patience with always having to be RoJo’s psychiatrist.
“It speaks for itself,” Arians said about the two glaring mental mistakes RoJo had yesterday. “I thought he ran hard and protected the ball, but again, you cannot have those mental errors.
“This is his third year, man. It shouldn’t be a problem and at times it is.”
When Arians was pressed for an assessment of RoJo’s mental state and confidence, he seemed to walk back his previous remarks and said RoJo’s head is OK.
Joe knows for a fact that when Arians came on board, one of his goals was to get RoJo’s mind right. Apparently, RoJo lost any and all confidence in himself after his rookie season.
Joe has to wonder if RoJo’s confidence and concentration are so fragile, after the coaching staff has worked with him now going on Year No. 3, if RoJo will ever get past his previous issues that Arians and his staff inherited?
September 20th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
Give Vaughn a chance… RoJo has to sit for a while but he’ll be back
September 20th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Mike Evans still does stupid stuff in year 8. So why coddle Mike?
September 20th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Replacing rojo with James White was an off-season no brainer. He would’ve made the offense virtually impossible to stop. He doesn’t fumble, go look it up. His efforts against Atlanta in the superbowl were legendary. He’s getting paid peanuts. Instead of improving the team your gm has effectively created a paper team. The one from last year. This isn’t last year.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Lol blame Koetter.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Ben green you’re so stupid… as usual.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:41 pm
Shaq is fat and happy. That’s a giant difference. The boy named Sue plays hard when he feels like it. Jpp is another year older. To expect the same as last year from most of these guys is unreasonable.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:43 pm
We’re going to need RoJo AND Lenny this year. It’s a long season. Need to coach him up or sit him down.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:45 pm
@Ben green
Again, it was White’s decision.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:46 pm
RoJo playing in front of USC fans Sunday. Expect a big game.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Start Fournette, have Bernard be his backup & 3rd down back (a role he played very well with the Bengals) & sit Rojo for a while, send him to a shrink & get his hear right for the stretch run & playoffs.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:49 pm
That was hurtful and uncalled for, I’m offended and want to cancel Bucs1987. Instead of attacking my argument, you revert to 3rd grade name calling. Calling Ben stupid is in no way furthering the discussion. I call for the immediate canceling of this dangerous and destructive troll.
That’s close enough right
September 20th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
You definitely have to be a smart player to play offense in the NFL
September 20th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Also, what is the deal with Fournette and RoJo lining up at WR- are we going back to that crap again?
September 20th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
He was never targeted and you know it. Overpay, you did for everything else
September 20th, 2021 at 1:52 pm
How’s the ghost of gio treating you
September 20th, 2021 at 1:54 pm
MedicatedPete, what “stupid things” has Evans done?
Don’t be so ungrateful. Love your future Hall of Famer. Or you can go cheer for the Saints or Packers.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:56 pm
You won’t have to worry about it must longer if he keeps this up, meaning rojo. Brady will shut him out like bob Gibson
September 20th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Watching the Ravens against the KC Briefs made me yarn for some better rbs. Their boys are fast. It is painful watching ROJO and Fournette run now.
September 20th, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Sorry, but Rojo is getting to the point where he’s not worth the headache. A power runner that won’t lower his head to get the first down but will step out of bounds?!?! That play had me madder then anything else Sunday. No way he’s signed back, way to big of a head case. Let Vaughn give er a go
September 20th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
@Ben green
All it would take to determine White’s availability is one phone call from Tom Brady. If he was in play the front office would have gone in that direction. James White obviously wanted to finish his career in New England.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Is RoJo pulling a Josh Freeman? Is he out at the South Tampa bars?
September 20th, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Mediacated Pete: might wanna check your medication before talking about evans. If your trying to compare evans and RoJo let me help you see things more clearly. Mike evans Is a future hall of famer, he’s done more for this team than anyone else, he’s not selfish, he restructures his contract to help the team. Just cause the stats are blowing up with mike does not mean he’s not doing one hell of a job. Next time you see one of our running backs make a break past the second level you should look for who is out their making those blocks for those plays to happen. Yesterday RoJo made some inexcusable mental mistakes: first he glaringly missed a block for a TB sack, and he runs for 9 yards but ducks outside before he could be touched. A running back shouldn’t be afraid to get hit or fight for the extra yards. Now if the game ended there we would be demanding RoJo to walk the plank but luckily it did not.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:17 pm
Tojo is toast. Time to get K Vaughn ramped up.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Too late now to take a RB or DB with the 2nd round pick, but next year I’d like to see the Bucs take two of each in the draft. Or more.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:26 pm
Medicated Pete Says:
September 20th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Mike Evans still does stupid stuff in year 8. So why coddle Mike?
Stupid stuff like gutting it out through aches and pains and not shying away from contact if it means a first down?
September 20th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Rojo is toast “now”
if Lenny went down, I bet he would be a different player again.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:33 pm
I think we qre seeing great coaching at work. Bruce called Rojo out last week and put the spotlight on him. He added pressure and RoJo crumbled.
RoJos weakness just got exposed. Now hes forced to deal with it and Im guessing Bruce helps him learn from it and grow as a player. For all you fantasy nerds I would take a stab and try to trade for this guy. I bet you he has dynamite games down the stretch for us when we need it most.
Everybody hates Ronald now, you will all love him later. I will lead the Ronald hype train from here on out. Please and Thank You.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
@ArmyBucFan
U made a couple good points. Here’s the deal: the only reason Bucs put up w/ Mike Evans mental errors & drops is b/c of his size. Defenses have to double team him b/c of his size no matter how many mental errors, drops, lack of separation & inability to take it to the house. He’s here b/c he’s big, that’s it
September 20th, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Try Vaughn. Bench RoJo. He’s not getting any better.
September 20th, 2021 at 2:51 pm
We all seen it allowing that blitz to run right by him n sack Brady what if Brady got hurt then we’d have Gabbert OMG NO! Time to do something about rojo Lenny didn’t miss his blocks or prance out of bounds. Pay me that kind of $ n you all can pound me Joe you’d be first in line. ROTFLMFAO
September 20th, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Evans is the text book diva receiver. If you had the opportunity to trade him for a good corner, or a good receiving back, you do it. He’s not that important and he knows it. They can score 30+ without him. That hurts a diva because they think that they make everything work. If Evans disappeared, it would make absolutely no difference. For Christ sake, AB is technically the 3rd or 4th option Brady has won titles with a hell of a lot less
September 20th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Ben green: You’ve topped yourself for the most ridiculous post ever. Your zero credibility has gone below zero. Hahahaha
September 20th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Calling for K. Vaugn ha ha ha ha you guys are too cute.
Ben Green I will give you a shred of credit. You and a few others called for Mike Evans to be traded last week. The rest of them burried that opinion after yesterday. I can respect your conviction…….But Mike Evans will make you look the fool all year long. Enjoy.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
There are people on here who say Evans is Shiite and a diva? You fargin morons obviously don’t listen to anyone who knows football or watch any games.
Get a clue or STFU.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:17 pm
This mental stuff doesn’t end well, even when someone has talent.
See Josh Freeman
September 20th, 2021 at 3:31 pm
Ben Green, go back to trolling the Patriots fan site.
September 20th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
I’m sure it’s hard for Rojo when you have to be perfect every play . You can’t play well when you know 1 mistake will get you bench for the whole game. I would ask to be traded .
September 20th, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Dewey. Walkdaplank.
Yep. I’m definitely getting Josh Freeman vibes from Rojo. Not good.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Oneilbuc: it wasn’t just one mistake. Be went out of bounds to avoid contact for a critical first down, but most importantly he let a defender fly right past him without blocking for a beeline to Brady. That is what is unacceptable. Brady gets hurt and this season is done for.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
second and one is much much much easier to convert than first and 10
September 20th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
I’ve been a big supporter and hoped he would break out this year. At times, he’s shown quickness, power, and elusiveness. He’s just not consistent. I’m afraid it’s time to pull the plug and name Fournette the full-time starter. Let Rojo spell Fournette, but give Fournette the bulk of carries. I think that would benefit both players.
September 20th, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Oneilbuc: Ronald Jones would look like Ronald McDonald if he requested a trade. 🤡
September 20th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
if rojo remains like this just don’t resign him…
it’s his last year of his contact if i’m correct…
he should be balling hard in a contract season, let’s see how it goes…
#ItsOnlyTwoWeeksIntoTheSeason #NoSkeezing 🙂
September 20th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Start Lenny and let him carry the load. Vaughn can spell him for a series or two, along with a few snaps from Geo. Sometimes the only
way to get through is tough love. If RoJo can’t handle that or is too hurt from not being ‘the man’ down the stretch run last year, he’ll seal his own fate.
September 20th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Armybuc . You right about that I forgot about that play !!
September 20th, 2021 at 5:26 pm
All of the above…this is why it is hard to win two super bowls in a row.
September 20th, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Not to dump on Ronnie, but on draft night, when we got him, I pointed out how insanely weird it was that he seemed to be surrounded by Scientologists or something. It was literally a bunch of people, all dressed in matching white suits, all standing around him – it was really odd looking.
Now I realize those were Scientologists, they were the people that work at the nuthouse, they also wear all white.
September 20th, 2021 at 5:34 pm
If you don’t remember the video of all the people dressed in white surrounding Rojo, take a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MfIYJY6HAQ
September 20th, 2021 at 5:36 pm
My bet is Brady is not even thinking bout this. He is planning on how to win the game Sunday with the assets he has in hand. My bet…he wins the game. He can make it up as he goes along.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
TRADE! There is no reason another team wouldn’t gladly have him in his contract year. 99.9% the Bucs will not resign him. I don’t understand?
September 20th, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Rojo need to remember he is Toms last shield. He need to get his mind right
September 20th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
If you have a problem with Ben arguments, please stick to the points. Calling me names doesn’t refute the validity of my argument. It makes you look foolish. Ben can say two things with certainly. One, Evans will not be a bucs next year. Why wouldn’t you use the asset to improve the team? You are all telling Ben that you wouldn’t trade Evans for Gilmore? I personally think it’s a gross overpayment, but just say Bill would do it. ACDC would be stupid to turn down a deal like that.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:41 pm
He’s unnecessary for what they do. When he’s not limping, he’s a nice luxury.
September 20th, 2021 at 6:55 pm
San Francisco is desperate for RB.. they got any corners to trade?
September 20th, 2021 at 7:43 pm
People on here just spitting stupidity to try to get a rise out of others. It’s the only excuse I can give you Medicated Pete. You have to be trolling. Nobody that purports to follow the Bucs could be that ignorant.
September 20th, 2021 at 8:22 pm
I don’t know what Medicated Pete said, but I’ll assume it’s stupid. This is the same nimrod who hates Gene Deckerhoff and yet thinks Chris Meyers does a good job. Anyone who believes that is obviously insane.
September 20th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Also, people, I can’t believe you’re not praising my brilliant line about Rojo’s draft day selection video I posted above, where he’s surrounded by people all in white suits and saying that must be the staff at his nuthouse.
I mean that is some top shelf comedy, because it’s clearly true.
September 20th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Do not understand why Bernard gets no reps? No swing passes? And his rep is a good blocker. Brady loved a pass catching back with the Pats.
September 20th, 2021 at 8:49 pm
So I can tell you this. On the sidelines after the missed block, Todd McNair was trying to calmly talk to Rojo about that series of downs. Rojo is shaking his head “no” the whole time. My buddy and I are looking at this scene and going Rojo just does not get it. He is talking back to the coach after two bad plays of his last few.
I got to imagine that yesterday McNair was frustrated and after McNair talked with BA, Rojo will be in the dog house awhile.
September 20th, 2021 at 9:36 pm
Isn’t this Rojos 4th year? Not 3rd?
September 20th, 2021 at 10:47 pm
All I know is everyone on this thread remembers that Evans TD where he broke 3 tacklers spinning and lunging for the TD. RoJo is frustrated it seems but I would be too after a fumble bench me vs. redeem myself rest of game to make up for mistake, samw with running out of bounds 9yds vs contact for 1st down. Start Lenny watch Rojo get his head and heart right! Maybe he is still bitter AB got his bonus and Rojo didn’t get chance for 1,000 yard season.
September 21st, 2021 at 4:41 am
I really thought this dude had turned the corner to be at least above average, but there is no way in hell that he is worth a second contract.
September 21st, 2021 at 4:47 am
If rojo can’t get his head in the game enough at this point to be able to pick a blitz up to avoid a sack or maybe even missing a block that would allow our QB 1 to be injured then I vote to move onto Vaughn/ Lenny and see what defensive back coverage guy we could pickup for him.
September 21st, 2021 at 6:27 am
Man look Rojo ain’t perfect but Lenny ain’t doing nothing . BA just don’t like Rojo and yes he is messing over Rojo. Rojo could have gotten a 1,000 yards rushing but BA took it from him . Just trade him if you don’t want him that’s all you have to do. Lenny fumble and got Brady pass picked off but still stayed in the game and was a starter.
September 21st, 2021 at 7:03 am
He is who he is…..in Rojo’s mind he’s an elite back that deserves 25+ carries a game. The idea of bringing in competition or rotating carries is of little interest to him. As I stated before…..I believe he sees the writing on the wall, he’s in a contract year getting a dozen or so plays a game and of those he consistently is putting up very poor film. No big pay day coming for him at the current pace of things. Now….Fournette could go down, get Covid, etc and suddenly Rojo rises to the occasion and looks like a stud. Its a long season but this is his 4th year and he’s still acting like a child. Nobody has time or desire to deal with that, especially a team aspiring for a SB.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:22 am
This guy doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NFL.
Can you imagine a real RB avoiding contact? I sat way to many times in the Old Sombrero watching the late great Walter Payton maul defenders along the sideline.
RoJo’s is always in BA’s doghouse because that is where dogs belong.
September 21st, 2021 at 8:50 am
He’s such a good runner, but by year 3 he should be able to run some better patterns and pick up blitzes, especially when you have someone like Brady telling you exactly where the blitz is coming from.
I figured Lenny was gone and Rojo would be staying but it does not appear that way for the future.
All that said, the season is young
September 21st, 2021 at 10:25 am
He’s averaging 4.5 yards per carry. I wouldn’t exactly call that “garbage film”. And frankly he’s better at catching than Lenny is.
Those 2 plays were inexcusable. Regarding the 1st down, it seems to me he clearly lost track of the marker. He was motioning a first down with his hands as soon as he stepped out, and then looked confused. But, he’s a freakin running back! He needs to run that guy over regardless, not step out.