Todd Bowles Wants More Gronk-like Work For Julio Jones
November 3rd, 2022
Lost in the sadness and disbelief of the Bucs’ Thursday loss to the Ravens was the physical red zone touchdown in garbage time by Julio Jones.
Yes, Julio scored a touchdown and finished a game healthy: two firsts for him in a Tampa Bay uniform.
During training camp, head coach Todd Bowles talked about hoping Julio would replace some production from departed Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio remembered that comment and told Bowles on the air this week that he’s been looking for Gronk-like plays from Julio — and that touchdown was one of them.
Bowles agreed and said the Bucs are still expecting Julio to fill a chunk of the Gronk role in the passing game. Of course, Bowles said that hadn’t materialized because Julio has been hurt.
“Hopefully we can keep him out there and get him even healthier and he can fill that [Gronk] role even more so,” Bowles said.
The TD video is below. Joe liked how Julio lowered his head without hesitation and embraced the contact.
Sunday against the Rams could be the first game in which the Bucs have Julio, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin close to 100 percent healthy. If that doesn’t translate into at least 24 points against a meh Rams defense, then something is seriously wrong.
Julio Jones with a touchdown that’s IMPORTANT to many as the OVER 47 hits 🔥 #GamblingTwitter #SportsBetting #TNF
— BestOdds.com (@BestOddsBets) October 28, 2022
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:22 pm
I was thinking the Bowles Bucs were just a Calamity. The more he talks I am leaning to Fiasco. I hope it does not progress in the next few weeks to a total disaster. I hope he has a rabbit to pull out of the helmet and wins the next couple games to get back in the game…Tally Ho.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:24 pm
I don’t expect anything from Julio Jones…Bowles is foolish to expect anything from someone who is obviously cooked, IMHO.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Julio has never been a good RZ threat. That was one of the biggest knocks his entire career. You would think a HOF receiver like Julio would score more TDs. What Julio could help in is catching those patented Gronk seam passes. We’re really missing that aspect in this offense. Brady throws one of the best seam balls ever. Brate is more of a RZ threat than Julio.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Ira asked a great question in Brady’s presser today: (paraphrasing since I don’t have a fancy recorder like Steve, Lee, or Ira)
Ira: “Tom, you realize in this game you have a chance to achieve 100,000 passing yards. PAUSE. ONE-HUNDRED THOUSAND yards.”
Tom: “Well, I can’t do s!it in this league without all the players I’ve played with. I think it’s a credit to all the guys I’ve played with.”
Classy answer.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:26 pm
Seriously? The guy of late is a walking eggshell with little impact and he wants him like Gronk who comes back from punctured lungs?? Gronk is tough as nails and his body gets abused with the blocking/over the middle routes. Julio??? Ummmm what is Bowles smoking oh wow. Yeah he wishes he was like Gronk. Maybe 10 years ago.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:29 pm
The Saints were expecting great things from Michael Thomas, too. We see how that turned out. I wish for the best, but I highly doubt Julio Jones lasts the season.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Not so sure that Julio finished the Ravens healthy…as he’s listed on this weeks injury report (knee) & has not practiced.
As of WED practice news…
Gage was a DNP for his hamstring.
Evans was Limited by his ankle.
Julio Jones DNP due to his knee.
Brate still Limited due to his neck.
& Godwin is no where near 100% but gutting it out.
Not sure I share the same level of optimism as you, Joe.
24pts seems like a stretch at this point.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:35 pm
boy I sure am glad Gage decided to get paid and not try.
He doesn’t look like what he was at all in Atlanta.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:40 pm
More important than Julio on offense, how are some of our walking wounded on defense coming along?
o Winfield? Saw that he was DNP on yesterday’s injury report
o Davis? He was Full Participation on yesterday’s injury report
o SMB? He was Full Participation on yesterday’s injury report
o Hicks? He was Full Participation on yesterday’s injury report
But that was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone. Any updates today? Getting the 4 of them back on defense would be HUGE
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Let;s just hope they do not use Julio on any more end arounds ?
Not so sure Julio can replace Gronk, he simply is not big enough.
We have tight ends, let’s scheme and use them.
November 3rd, 2022 at 4:51 pm
So, by this logic, we will see Whoolio running seams and crossers right into NFL MLB’s? Flawed philosophy, by far.
I’ve seen Evans run a few “Gronk-type” routes over the middle, and sure enough, Evans got smashed. Surprised ME got up from a few of those types of routes and hits.
Start grooming our fiery red-head, Ko Kieft, to approximate SOME of what Gronk used to could do. Otton is good too, but more of a finesse-type TE, as I see it.
The pieces are here in this O. They haven’t been used properly to date.
Will that change?
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:12 pm
No one cares what Todd Bowels (movement) wants — this team isn’t paying any attention to him…….he’s trashed what was a winning culture, he was a loser in New York and will be a loser here — 6-11 on the horizon.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Agree, HCGrover. Bowles thought process is becoming incomprehensible.
You want an absent injured Julio to be Gronk. Things that he has never done, and is not equipped to do in the first place.
Perhaps he and OneBucs should have wanted more Gronk-like production from a more Gronk-like replacement, who should have been found in the spring, in free agency or trade or in the draft. Otton has a long way to go, and unlikely to be Gronk even when developed. Legit TEs (not Gronk but productive) that were available were passed over, except for….a completely washed leaden Kyle Rudolph, who should have been vetted, worked out, and not signed.
Where is Gronk-like anything coming from? (Crickets) Kieft can block, shows a few flashes, but is a long way.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Bowles was asked about defending Kupp. He says it’s really hard, he’s a great player and they move him all over the field.
Earth to Todd, you have Godwin, Evan’s and Jones. Tell your boy Leftwich to do the same. This guy is an idiot.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:25 pm
steele: Agreed on Rudolph, he has even less left than Julio. My question is, why is he STILL on the roster?
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:26 pm
steele,
The philosophy I see coming (still) from this coaching staff: Gronk was great. Do Gronk stuff and we will win.
Flawed philosophy. Flawed thinking. Thinking from the past, not the present.
How about forget about what Gronk done did, and start doing good what guys you have ON your team can do good, this day?
Adapt ,improvise, overcome. Aint seen none of that yet this year.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Hate to be pessimistic, but I wonder how Julio will fare if he plays on artificial turf.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:45 pm
I’m sorry to say it but Julio Jones is done.
He needs to retire.
I respect the man for what he has accomplished in the NFL but his playing days are over.
Jason Licht severely overpaid for this lemon…
We barely got out of the used car lot before the tires fell off.
BOOOOOO!!!!!!!
We will still own Julio Jones @ $3.5M next year for not playing…
He should be investigated for theft.
November 3rd, 2022 at 5:48 pm
the bucs are trash. @Joes just shut down the site or sell it. we all know that the lost decade is about to make a comeback. THERE IS NO HOPE
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:05 pm
This just in:
JR Sweezey Money has contacted the Bucs about a possible return.
Sweezey asked if they still had his floppy-hat size and wanted to know the best night spots in Tampa.
Licht said he is strongly considering it
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:05 pm
This just in:
JR Sweezey Money has contacted the Bucs about a possible return.
Sweezey asked if they still had his floppy-hat size and wanted to know the best night spots in Tampa.
Licht said he is strongly considering it
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:17 pm
My $$$ says Jones gets hurt this game.
November 3rd, 2022 at 6:36 pm
I think what is pissing posters off here is the lack of effort on defense.
These chumps act like the money is owed to them. Therefore;
Break out the lawn chairs. They are much cheeper, and an opponent May trip over one….
Let’s get back to buc ball!
November 3rd, 2022 at 7:58 pm
so julio is now going to be a bull in a china shop…?
shouldn’t it be the other way around…
just leave him in the schoolyard
November 3rd, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Please, somebody talk to Julio about his hairdo. Explain to him he doesn’t heed this circus.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:04 pm
wowwy kazowwee Todd, did you figure that out all on your own?
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:11 pm
What the Heck are we paying Kyle Rudolph for?
Did anyone ask Todd that question?
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:24 pm
Another j Says:
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:11 pm
What the Heck are we paying Kyle Rudolph for?
Did anyone ask Todd that question?
^^^^^^^^
The same reason that Bowles thinks Julio can play Gronk’s role, he hasn’t a clue.
November 3rd, 2022 at 9:46 pm
And the fans want more BA work from Bowles…neither gonna happen though!
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Why Todd why?!
November 3rd, 2022 at 10:36 pm
reasons number 17265903400297341 to fire Todd’s ass
November 4th, 2022 at 12:47 am
bowels is out to lunch
make it stop
November 4th, 2022 at 1:06 am
jones in no way can replace Gronk’s production in the passing game ,, Jones is done . It was just One of Licht ‘s dumb moves this yr
November 4th, 2022 at 9:50 am
why did we lose to the rams in the playoffs? todd bowles blown defensive call to blitz and leave kupp 1 on 1… how is he our head coach? nobody chose bowles… ba just gave him the job… very very good chance the bucs lose sunday
November 4th, 2022 at 3:47 pm
The whole team needs to be more like gronk
November 4th, 2022 at 9:30 pm
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
November 5th, 2022 at 1:32 am
Todd should want more Bruce Arians out of Bymron Leftwurst.
November 6th, 2022 at 3:33 am
How in the world did Bowles ever arrive at ….Jones can replace Gronk?!?!
*&^%$