Ronald Jones Will Start Sunday
September 14th, 2021
Confidence.
Whatever was gnawing at Ronald Jones seems to have passed.
After RoJo had a costly fumble in the Bucs’ season-opener against the Cowboys, he went into the witness protection program.
Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said RoJo was mentally out of it due to his fumble and Arians said he needed someone fully focused on the close game.
Well, RoJo is apparently out of his funk. In his post-practice presser this afternoon, Arians said RoJo will start Sunday against the Dixie Chicks.
“He’s ready to go,” Arians said.
RoJo made that clear with a curious Twitter post on Saturday, “I’m always ready when my number is called … just call me”
Apparently, Arians did just that. Or maybe he just texted RoJo?
September 14th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
Because it’s like a preseason game vs Falcons
September 14th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
good call. Lenny seemed like 3 yards and a cloud of dust. unless he can turn the corner or catch the screen they have to start rojo
September 14th, 2021 at 12:42 pm
^ that, and Lenny botched an easy pass in the flat that he tipped for an interception
September 14th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
That was another lesson for Rojo from the RB whisperer. Arians and crew really like the way he runs. He just need to catch and protect the ball.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Lenny also saved Brady and the Bucs’ arses late in the game bailing out Brady on a Jameis-like pass that easily could have been a pick-six.
September 14th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Db’s are our weakest position group but Rb’s are right behind them .
September 14th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
Ronald Jones is easily the best running back on the team.
Stop the hoe games and feed the kid the ball.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:16 pm
I mean the falcons game shouldn’t be close.
They got absolutely stomped by a rebuilding eagles team. I know it’s any given sunday but this should be a win.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:18 pm
Rojo hits the LoS with authority and determination. He looks like a thoroughbred once those legs are pumping and he starts getting to the second level.
The fumbles are unfortunate, but can be rectified with technique (see Tiki Barber).
I would love to see him featured more in the screen game.
Lenny is a skilled vet and plays like a skilled vet should. RELIABLY!!
Glad we behave both, but my starter nod would also go to Rojo of the two.
Go Bucs!
September 14th, 2021 at 1:20 pm
One of these guys, Lenny, or Rojo needs to grab the starting job, and not look back. Both are on one year deals, and not much separates their ability. If neither can become a star RB, maybe it’s time we draft one.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:21 pm
That’s right. Stop with the bullsh!t!. Feed RoJo again and again. That’s the only way he’ll get better; not by sitting in the bench and giving him the ball twice a game. It’s as much your fault, Arians as it’s his.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:27 pm
Be real. The benching sent a “don’t fumble “ message. But once you play that card, you can’t go back. Lenny stayed in NOT because his play was excusable but because Arians had backed himself into a corner.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
Rojo had a 98 yard TD after fumbling against the Panthers last year.
It was a stupid decision to bench him. Almost as stupid as using Gio so sparsely.
Rojo is by far the best runner and Gio is by far the best receiving back/pass protector. Lenny should be getting the least amount of snaps. Not the most.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:41 pm
Lenny’s butter-fingers drop for an INT was far worse that Rojo having the ball expertly chopped out of his hands.
September 14th, 2021 at 1:47 pm
Trade showcase.
September 14th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Things will start to take shape after this next week. Rojo will get his and hopefully Gio will get more opportunities as well.
September 14th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Rojo needs to start. Gio play 3rd down back role. Lenny should be the backup for both.
September 14th, 2021 at 2:49 pm
Rojo … no thanks.
Move on.
I’d rather see Gio backup 4Net.
September 14th, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Great! I thought he was running well before the fumble anyway. We need that running game to take the pressure off.
September 14th, 2021 at 3:21 pm
Smart coaching by Arians. He called RoJo out and now he is giving him the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing.
September 14th, 2021 at 3:36 pm
Sly. I don’t know what game you have been watching Rojo is the better runningback period!! I think it should be Rojo and Geo and they can trade Lenny !!!
September 14th, 2021 at 4:03 pm
People calling for trades ha ha ha ha. So shortsighted. We gonna need somebody toting the rock in December and hopefully all the way into Feburary. Unless you want one little injury forcing Vaughn into the game you see we are better off keeping both and keeping them involved.
Niether RB will be a bellcow. We have 2 backs who will each be a big part of the offense. Bruce knows what hes doing and when we needed fresh legs for our playoff run last year Playoff Lenny ran wild all over everybody. Get this backfield firing on all cylinders for a playoff run,, thats way more important then what happens in Week2
September 14th, 2021 at 4:04 pm
I do not understand the mind games that Arians is playing. He gets all the slack in the world since he just won a SB, but I don’t get calling Ronnie a nutjob one minute, saying he crumbles under pressure and can’t handle the moment – then say, yeah buddy, you’re our starter.
I just don’t get how that helps. Seems a lot more sensible to just say, you’re bench for the fumble. I don’t agree with it, not when the defensive player just made a good play, but I get it. But saying he’s a mental lightweight, a complete basketcase, then saying, yeah, he’s our starter… I don’t get it.
September 14th, 2021 at 4:15 pm
Gio hasn’t shown me anything yet. Yes Fournette had a nice grab but in general, he has no wow factor at all. Rojo hits the hole like he has somewhere to go and I always feel like he could bust one. It’s amazing how much better this kid has become from where he was his first 2 years.
September 14th, 2021 at 4:28 pm
It’s way to early to pass judgement on Gio. Not only has Gio not played much, it isn’t Brady who inserts him into the game.
September 14th, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Yawn he’ll bench him during some point in the game and then make another excuse
September 14th, 2021 at 5:06 pm
Why buy a new toy like Gio and never use him? I think most of us prefer ROJO’S running over 4net. But let’s see what Gio can do. We pretty much know that Rojo and 4net are inconsistent pass catchers. We also know that 4net needs 3 or 4 yards to get his legs moving. Let’s see what Gio can do both as a runner and pass catcher. Next game start Rojo and ride him if he pounds the rock. If he does not produce thru the first quarter then let’s see what Gio can do both running and pass catching. A weak opponent is a chance to evaluate. 4net is a solid but plodding number 2 in my opinion. Rojo hits the line much faster and has a better chance of breaking a long run. Let’s give Gio at least a quarter both running and receiving once we have a 2 TD lead. Brady should carve the Birds like a Thanksgiving turkey by halftime. Put Gio in on offense and the new pass rushing rookie in by the 4th quarter. Get real time evaluation of both. It’s a long season and smart to evaluate the backups especially with a mediocre opponent.
September 14th, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Glad to see this. I really believe that Ariens was just giving him a kick in the Ass. We need some open lines and he will do fine.
September 14th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
Don’t see how “get his mind right” has to mean “mentally out of it”.
Arians could’ve meant being focused on protecting the football.
Any player whose turnover led to an opponent’s td would feel bad- doesn’t mean
he’s out of it, just not focusing on his job enough.
September 14th, 2021 at 5:21 pm
Go Rojo Go!
September 14th, 2021 at 5:23 pm
Ariens just giving him a kick in the ass
September 14th, 2021 at 5:31 pm
Go Rojo Go!
September 14th, 2021 at 5:50 pm
Wild Bill – Buy a new toy? He signed the veterans minimum to be the 3rd down back. People are acting like Arians is Gruden, claiming he’s in cap hell, then signing an old washed up 32-year old Charlie Garner to a $5m deal, back when $5m was still a lot of money.
September 14th, 2021 at 6:12 pm
Rod..didn’t Charlie play one play? Or was that Rich Gannon?
September 14th, 2021 at 6:35 pm
He’ll start but Lenny will get most of the carries. Someone needs to inform these guys about how to use the run game.
They gave RoJo 10 carries the week after his Panthers game in a 27-24 Rams W. He can chew up big yardage and Lenny does a lot of dancing. When we put the Super Bowl and “Playoff Lenny” behind us I said he’s gotta prove to me he’s not gonna be “Payton Barber Lenny” like the regular season 2020.
September 14th, 2021 at 6:43 pm
I might be understanding Joes point about Gio reading these comments. The guy has a small role here and did a real good job Thursday night. Had a nice easy play to get our winning drive started and had a big clutch catch for a first down……..Chris, AB and Gronk were running wide open all night, why in the world do you people wanna se more checkdowns?
If we get into a game with a heavy passrush then dumps to Gio might be a good option otherwise keep destroying the defense with big plays to your weapons
September 14th, 2021 at 6:47 pm
Does it really matter?
September 14th, 2021 at 6:49 pm
BTW I bet James White is looking pretty to y’all. He and Brady would’ve had fun Thursday.
September 14th, 2021 at 7:35 pm
James White wasn’t available. It might have been a money issue as his contract was higher than what was left under the cap. It might have been a loyalty to New England or Belichick issue. I’m sure Brady tried to recruit him but it wasn’t enough.
September 14th, 2021 at 7:40 pm
If he gets it done Sunday great. If he fumbles again, bench him. We don’t need the turnovers.
September 14th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
Wonder what the odds are he makes it to a 1000 yds rushing?
September 14th, 2021 at 8:41 pm
Fournette flourishes when he is the workhorse. He proved that in the playoffs. There’s going to come a time this season – mark my words – where he’s going to get the boatload of the carries and this board is going to be littered with “Why didn’t we do that sooner??”
September 14th, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Rojo had ZERO fumbles on 192 rushing attempts last year (had 2 as a pass catcher tho, which further cements not using him that way)
Anyhow, I think we can grant him this one
September 14th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
I was upset they took him out of the game… tough love early on… ironically Lenny, same thing pretty much… Rojo will bounce back 💪
September 14th, 2021 at 10:41 pm
BerrickDrooks: 100% agree.
September 15th, 2021 at 2:07 am
can’t someone just be the backup to the backup to the backup?
oh wait, that’s sneak
September 15th, 2021 at 6:37 am
Joe Says:
September 14th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
that, and Lenny botched an easy pass in the flat that he tipped for an interception
Lenny also saved Brady and the Bucs’ arses late in the game bailing out Brady on a Jameis-like pass that easily could have been a pick-six.
That was a massive play by Fournette.
How many more chances will ROJO be given. Most players like him would have been cut by now.
It has been 4 years now for ROJO, and still he is a big mystery why someone that is obviously talented, things just go wrong with him.
ROJO still is not reliable and trustworthy with the ball.
Fournette had a boneheaded a big part in an interception, but he has been more reliable, not putting the ball on the ground with fumbles. The fact that Fournette is more reliable is why he was featured in the playoffs and not ROJO.
GO BUCS!!!!!!
September 15th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Hey August. Are you forgetting that Rojo would have had 1000 yard season last year but Brady finished the game throwing to AB so he would get his bonus. Rojo getting so close to the 1000yd level on a pass game dominate team is a revealing statistic. Rojo is the Bucs best running back. Period! Would he be even better if he was an excellent pass catcher. Absolutely. Arians had a brain fart when he benched his best ball carrier.
September 15th, 2021 at 10:00 am
Last year Rojo gained 978 yards with only 2 fumbles.
September 15th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
“The fact that Fournette is more reliable is why he was featured in the playoffs and not ROJO”.
Hey Wild Bill talk to Brady and BA.
Brady runs the huddle, if you cannot be trusted then you will not be in there.
ROJO was healthy for the playoffs, but they featured Fournette in the playoffs.
So that tells you who they trusted.
Everyone keeps talking about ability, but that goes out the window if they do not trust you.
I do not care who plays, just be dependable and make plays.
GO BUCS!!!!!!
September 15th, 2021 at 1:01 pm
August 1976 Buc Says:
“ROJO was healthy for the playoffs, but they featured Fournette in the playoffs.
So that tells you who they trusted.”
Pretty sure Rojo was injured at the end of the year – and then he he was out with coronavirus. Missed the first 2 playoff games I believe….
September 15th, 2021 at 2:25 pm
TRUST is earned it is not just about ability TRUST.
GO BUCS!!!!!!
September 15th, 2021 at 2:36 pm
I just checked, ROJO’s Status for last years Wash Playoff game
Injury report…Full participation
Trust, Brady runs the Huddle, and in the playoffs, it was not time to mess around.
I do not care about the name on the back of the jersey anymore.
I have been watching this team August 1976, and it has been a long time since the name on the back of the jersey mattered to me.
After years of seeing losing, I stopped caring about certain players, and just wanted to see the Bucs win games.
What matters is if the player is dependable, by playing well game in and game out.
For whatever reasons things go wrong with ROJO.
Again who cares about the name of the player, just want to see the Bucs win.
GO BUCS!!!!
September 16th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Rojo has had ONE rushing fumble in two years. What manner of stuff is constantly going wrong with him?