Shifting The Scales
August 1st, 2019
Another RB makeover
BY ZACHARY SEIFTER
Manbeast JoeBucsFan intern
As most know by now, Bucs running back Ronald Jones added serious weight ahead of this year’s training camp, and through five practices, bulking up over 220 pounds appears to have paid off.
But the funny thing is that he isn’t alone.
Peyton Barber, now apparently in a training camp battle with Jones, has put on some weight too. But for Barber, this is a yearly affair.
“My weight kind of fluctuates during the season,” Barber explained. “You know, it starts off with me working around 235, 230, and then gradually towards the season, by time the season ends I’ll be about 222, 221, two-twenty something.”
Now Barber is coming into the season at 229 as opposed to 235. He noted starting this year at a lighter weight is by design.
With RoJo putting on the extra weight and now running with power, it would appear as though Barber is keeping off the weight for a competitive advantage. Although he is Arians’ “pound people” back, maybe he felt the need to keep a few pounds off to give him more speed. Barber did say becoming more explosive is one of his goals this season — even though Arians keeps saying Barber won’t be the guy busting very long runs.
As noted, Jones has looked like a totally different player through five practices. Barber hasn’t looked nearly as good.
So, to win this running back competition, Barber might need extra speed and shiftiness to set himself apart.
August 1st, 2019 at 5:54 pm
Honestly Joe(s), do y’all even work anymore? I kinda feel like you’re taking advantage of poor Zach here!
August 1st, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Barber is the proven back. As of right now, Jones has not done anything when it counts. I hope for his career he starts off strong in 2019 or he is going to join Snoop Dog McPlaybook on the “BustMobile” out of town. I hear Melvin Gordon really wants out of the Chargers. Cut JPP and go get him.
August 1st, 2019 at 5:59 pm
If RoJo can do what he did at USC we are going to have a lot of fun this year.
August 1st, 2019 at 6:02 pm
I’m much more concerned with how our Line comes together.
And if the defense can keep us in the game, it’d probably help too.
August 1st, 2019 at 6:14 pm
It appears the transition is in process…ROJO will be the lead back soon enough, Barber is short yardage and ice time back
Bruce Anderson/Ellington as the third down back
We have our rotation in place it appears
Don’t count out Dare as a bottom of roster add on for insurance
The names don’t inspire a whole lot of confidence, but in BA I trust
August 1st, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Truth be told…..Barber had to scrap for most of his yards…..very few holes…..Perhaps Jameis should hand it off…..Barber or Jones could delay and Jameis could be an extra blocker for them…..our Oline needs help!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 7:02 pm
“LOL…Please
RJ is a bust
if he ever gets 50 yards in 1 game, Kobe Faker will retire here as celebrity poster and never post again”
Kobe Faker
August 1st, 2019 at 7:07 pm
Somebody please bookmark this page and everybody please pray Jones can top 50 yards in a game. This sounds like a great deal for the fans.
August 1st, 2019 at 7:17 pm
With competent blocking and playcalling Barber is easily a 1000+ yard rusher with a 4+ per carry average. Hell if he would have been given 3 more carries a game last year he would have reached the 1000 yard mark.
Ronald Jones shining in training camp right now is nothing but a plus for this team.
The success of this teams rushing attack will be contingent about the Olines run blocking. They dont have to get 5 pancake blocks every play like some try to suggest is the expectation. But they need to open up running lanes consistently and not let defenders in the backfield nearly as often as they did last year and the one before.
August 1st, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Brandon,
Don’t believe the Faker. He has already reneged on a similar Claim. Back in 2016 against the Chiefs he promised to never post on this sight again if the Bucs won that game. Well they did and he is still here. Not a man of his word as we have all witnessed.
August 1st, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Kobe—-going to miss you bro—–RJ will get more than 50 yards in a game –see ya Kobe–baa baa!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Kobe’s made these promises before….
August 1st, 2019 at 8:20 pm
Now Kobe if we can just get Realist to take that same pledge !
August 1st, 2019 at 8:30 pm
Thanks Zach for that interesting piece on Barber. I wouldn’t mind more information on the O-lineman. That would be sort of rare because Joe has said in the past that he really doesn’t find the offensive line interesting or sexy to write about. If this team takes a step backward or just doesn’t improve on last year, the offensive line will be the biggest reason why.
It would be nice to get a coach’s perspective on the physical aspect of being an NFL O-linemen. What are the signs of regression? At what level of play do you make the decision to replace a weak player. Is there a pecking order or do they actually give the starting job to the best player? Why have they not played Alex Cappa at RT? Have they even tried Michael Liedtke at RG?
What’s going on with Dietrich-Smith? There’s so much there to write about. It could be the one position that keeps us from dominating. Our Achilles Heel.
August 1st, 2019 at 8:44 pm
Kobe never learns. And when, not if but when, Ronald Jones exceeds the 50 yard mark in a game this year, he will not keep his word and disappear.
He’s made this same pledge before and didnt keep his word. Back in 2016 when he said that we were absolutely not going to beat the Cheifs and if we did he would banish himself forever…
We beat the Chiefs, and here he is still posting.
August 1st, 2019 at 9:11 pm
Barbosa
what actually has barber proven… lol… low standard bucfan never ceases to amaze me with low standards and for their love of bad players.
August 1st, 2019 at 9:45 pm
Thanks @ AwShbucs for the recollection as kobe has sung this song before and not followed through! Bullspit!!!
August 1st, 2019 at 10:06 pm
Kobe going for the reverse jinx
August 1st, 2019 at 10:21 pm
@Don_ryjo(e) – this is one post from Zach out of the last 15 at least.. what are you talking about?
August 1st, 2019 at 10:26 pm
“Who needs the archives seach box when you have Kobe Haters abound”
Kobe man without a country Faker
August 1st, 2019 at 10:53 pm
Kobe has already promised never to post again but here we are
August 1st, 2019 at 11:06 pm
Barber had a bum ankle most of the season last year. You could see it he would start the game strong and then midway through the second quarter the Novocain would wear off and He would have to go out, and come back in the third quarter. Always ran hard. Kid is tough as nails.
August 2nd, 2019 at 7:03 am
If Rojo really is improved, as we all hope, would it be terrible to have both of them on the field at the same time? Barber seems like he’d be willing and capable of throwing a mean lead block.