Le’Veon Bell — Act II
March 9th, 2022
Le’Veon Bell
If it’s true that Leonard “Playoff Lenny” Fournette said goodbye to Bucs fans last night (see the home page), and it’s true that general manager Jason Licht issued a farewell address for Ronald Jones, then the Bucs have major running backs questions to answer.
However, the Bucs may not think they have a lot of running backs questions. Trust Joe, the Bucs brass loves and respects Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who is about to enter his third season.
Joe likes Vaughn, as well, aside from some slips with his hands that appeared to be confidence related, Vaughn has done whatever the Bucs have asked of him, including last season in the playoffs. He couldn’t figure out special teams, but Joe’s not concerned about that.
So the Bucs might just end up going to battle this season with Vaughn, a rookie or young free agent running back, and re-signing veterans Giovani Bernard and Le’Veon Bell.
Joe likes the wild card that is Bell, and there is a strong chance Bell re-signs. Bucco Bruce Arians, in his final show last season on the Buccaneers Radio Network, had a lot of good things to say about the former All-World running back. What struck Joe was Arians’ tone of voice. It didn’t sound like throwaway praise.
And the reality is that Bell flashed reliability and smoothness in the passing game — catching and blocking. And there’s at least a remote chance that he could recapture his past glory at 30 years old.
If the market doesn’t want Bell’s services quickly, Joe definitely could see the Bucs bringing back Bell in late March or early-April on a minimum contract with incentives.
March 9th, 2022 at 9:59 am
Bell was cut hours before Rams game after he flashed during his reps. He was also publicly a AB guy.
March 9th, 2022 at 10:05 am
Bernard yes…Bell bye bye
March 9th, 2022 at 10:29 am
Bell is shot and has zero juice. If bell and Bernard will do the same thing don’t need both
March 9th, 2022 at 10:36 am
Arians is incompetent
March 9th, 2022 at 10:41 am
The Bucco Bruce Thrift Shop and Flea Market is open.
March 9th, 2022 at 10:45 am
Vaughn is our week #1 starter, and he’s got game. He just needs more touches. Lev Bell has dead legs and is useless. Hard pass on paying him the league minimum, stick a fork in that dude.
March 9th, 2022 at 10:47 am
Jones need to go, and Fournette need to stay?
March 9th, 2022 at 11:01 am
Trade down out of the first, grab RB Brian Robinson Jr….ive been saying this…had a feeling we were going to lose some guys.
March 9th, 2022 at 11:05 am
Stupid to let Rojo go. He’ll run like he’ll somewhere else…watch
March 9th, 2022 at 11:17 am
Bell was playing well before they cut him. Not sure why they decided NOT to use him.
March 9th, 2022 at 11:37 am
Cleanhouse Says:
“Arians is incompetent”
He wins the SB one season and the next guides the team to a 12-5 record amid a myriad of injuries…
Yep that sounds like incompetence.
Bring back Lovie Smith!
March 9th, 2022 at 11:38 am
Rojo wont thrive somewhere else. If you exclude that long run he had last season, he averages only 2.5 yards a carry and our OL is not that shabby. We have seen what he can do and it’s not much.
March 9th, 2022 at 11:40 am
New England Patriots Fan…I wish we had more Bears and Chargers fans on here to tell us what they think about MY team.
March 9th, 2022 at 11:46 am
We should grab Dameon Pierce if he falls to the 3rd round. I’m a Gator homer, but I firmly believe that dude is going to be a multiple-time pro bowler.
Crazy motor, NFL build and strength, runs hard, blocks his ass off.
March 9th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Bell was done with the Jets and looked slower with the Bucs. Too many miles on that truck. Gio maybe…Brady required a receiving RB in his scheme, I do love that style but who knows what direction we take going forward.
March 9th, 2022 at 12:23 pm
The problem with Bell is he’s never shown the drive to keep himself in tip top shape…..and that’s when he was much younger. He’s 30 now and while his habits may have improved, he’s not likely to reinvent his ways and he’s no longer motivated by the lure of a big pay day. You need guys back there that are trying to get their next big contract OR who have a proven track record of elite professionalism/production. I think the other fella is actually the more reliable RB fo the two elders.
March 9th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Marlin Mack
March 9th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
I like Rojo….if we can get him cheap…let’s keep him….but I think Licht & BA have already moved on from him.
March 9th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
Rather sign Cordarelle Patterson
March 9th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Got a hunch that the Bucs will be running a LOT more this season than last season. Under Bruce Arians, using his ‘throw early, throw often’ philosophy, we’ve averaged …
o 2019: 37.7% run-pass ratio (409 rush; 630 pass; 47 sacks)
o 2020: 36.3% run-pass ratio (369 rush; 626 pass; 22 sacks)
o 2021: 33.8% run-pass ratio (385 rush; 731 pass; 23 sacks)
But during those 3 years BA had 2 QBs who could definitely chuck the ball downfield. Got a hunch that IF either Trask or Gabbert start this year, that BA will lean on the run more than he has in the past. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him use an approach very similar to what Belicheck used with Mac Jones this past season: 46.5% run-pass ratio. Probably not THAT high, but more towards the 42%-45% run-pass ratio.
IF that’s the case, the Bucs’ OLine will be called upon to do a LOT more run-blocking. And our RBs will take on a greater importance. Lenny could carry a load like that (he did in Jacksonville), but I still can’t see Vaughn doing it. Or Gio, assuming that we re-sign him. Got a hunch also that BA will sign a quality FA running back AND draft an RB someplace in Rnds 4-5.
March 9th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
If you’re not going to get a real QB back there, and you’re tanking with Trask, then of course just keep Vaughn and lets see what he can do.
Without a real QB option the team isn’t going anywhere, so there’s no reason to keep guys around. Let them walk, get the comp picks next season, and use this season to clean up the cap.
But for the love of God don’t screw up the cap, resign a bunch of guys, then think you’re winning with Trask or Gabbert or Bridgewater. Even if Bridgewater could get you to 8-9 in a very weak NFC South and get a playoff game, you’re losing in the first round — and it’s much more likely the team goes 5-12 and you’ll be able to buy club seats again for under $120 by midseason.
March 9th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Buc1987- I have also been watching since 87, so have earned the right to my opinion. Credit is certainly due for winning the first one, however, I believe coaching and roster utilization were clearly the reason we didn’t win a second, even more so than injury- he wasn’t keeping guys fresh and using all that we had- now the team will dismantle itself
Seems like Tom Brady and others agree with me
March 9th, 2022 at 3:17 pm
BRIAN ROBINSON. We pick late and that’s where he should be drafted. Good size and speed.
March 9th, 2022 at 4:21 pm
No way, please no more head cases like AB or Bell. AB ghosted the Bucs, it wasn’t the only factor that led to their demise against the Rams, but it left TB too short on weapons. Like him or not, the AB and TB connection was real between the lines. With Godwin out, Bucs’ Nation was counting on AB to be there, and as the chanted on GOTs, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME on him, and to any team stupid enough to sign him again.
Please Bucs, no more head cases like JW, AB or Bell. I’m fine with them running out Trask to see what he’s got after sitting behind the GOAT for a year, however if management is not ALL-IN on him, then jump on that QB carousel that’s spinning right now and go get either Carr or Garroppolo. But that’s a big NO-WAY on Watson too, he’s just another head case who will end up hanging out at Tampa’s renowned night district and get in a whole lot more trouble then he would be worth!
March 9th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
@Bigz, yep….and we could trade down and grab him in the 2nd.
We’re in rebuild mode as much as most dont want to admit it. But we;ve got some great pieces already. Trade down for another pick unless someone we really need falls there, which could happen, like that TE McBride.
March 9th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
If Fornette is gone stick with Vaughn he’s good. Everyone else can go!
March 9th, 2022 at 10:18 pm
Nice1987;;wow you own the team and your humble enough to talk to your fans,,your a great owner
March 10th, 2022 at 3:35 am
Should never let go of Bell 🙄