Not Just The Running Backs?
December 25th, 2019
Further spreads blame
Joe is a biting critic of the Bucs’ running game. Has been for years.
The reason? Joe wants production from running backs. Is that too much to ask? Joe doesn’t think that’s an unreasonable request.
Currently, Peyton Barber is having the worst season of his meh NFL career, averaging 3.1 yards a carry, which is just miserable.
How bad is the Bucs’ rushing attack? Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, is the team’s best runner and 60 percent of Bucs fans have hollered themselves hoarse they want to kneecap him before his carcass is shoved in a U-Haul and dragged away to Chucky’s new desert home.
Yeah, Joe’s been waiting all season for Ronald Jones to break a long one, and he did. But he waited until the 15th game!
This week, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians was asked about the running game, or lack thereof, and he seemed to suggest not only is the team not that down on the backs, but that other elements of the team are screwing up to handcuff the backs.
“You’d just like to have that four-or-more average up – some of it’s the runner, some of it’s the line, some of it’s the tight ends, some of it’s even the receivers, but it takes the collective,” Arians said. “We have run it well enough that the play-action passing game is ok, so it hasn’t hurt us there, and running out the clock we’ve been ok. But, I would still like to see better runs.”
The receivers and tight ends’ reference caught Joe’s ears. First, notice that Hyman Roth Ishmael Hyman was cut after one game yesterday? Bucs All-22 hound Steven Cheah just happened to show Hyman badly whiff on a couple of blocks Saturday that came on plays Houston blew up that dearly cost the Bucs.
Why is it Joe senses there is going to be a bunch of new tight ends next season? Joe has already written how a national publication is already fanning the flames O.J. Howard may be traded.
And of course, Cam Brate’s contract makes him a target.
Given that Howard is way overrated as a blocker, and Brate never was much of a blocker, could Arians be looking in the offseason at cheap guys like former Bucs tight end Luke Stocker, for example, who was an excellent blocker?
Remember, the last time the Bucs had a 1,000-rusher, the Bucs had two tight ends who could block, Brandon Myers and Stocker.
December 25th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
If we don’t want to/don’t know how to use Howard and Brate, then ship them off already while we can still get something.
December 25th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Licht took O.J. for been a weapon on the passing game or more so been the
“ best player”. Instead of building other areas of the defense with that pick. I remember asking for tj watt.
I’m ok with Oj but the guy might need more time. I mean he needs work blocking. Catching. And he needs to be use.
December 25th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
We are using Brate just fine, OJ is doing Luke Stocker’s job and his biggest plays are because he snuck out into routes after luring the defense to sleep by not being targeted. Honestly the Bucs are probably better off keeping Brate because the QB and coaches trust him. With the WRs they have they don’t need Brate to be a Gronk or a Kelce, just the guy he’s been most of the year aside from that awful 4th down drop
December 25th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Joe you were in absolute hysterics when Arians said the backs were most improved and blamed them all year and all offseason. but yeah Darrell Henderson would have saved this football team. where are the Henderson articles?
December 25th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
It’s difficult to believe Peyton Barber is most improved when they guy is having his worst year of his lousy career.
Ronald Jones, sure he improved. From pure trash as a rookie to below average in his second year is actually an improvement.
December 25th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
“Ronald Jones, sure he improved. From pure trash as a rookie to below average in his second year is actually an improvement.”
Lol, my eyes were watering from laughter after reading that. Geez and I thought that I was harsh, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.
December 25th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
When your entire RB stable (Barber, RoJo, Dare & Logan) has a TOTAL of 1,101 rushing yards after 15 games then it’s probably safe to say that you’ve got problems. Especially when it took 322 rushing attempts to get that yardage (3.4 YPC average for the lot of them).
Probably not unrealistic to say however that OLine run-blocking bears some of the blame for such paltry rushing production. Same with play-calling IMO … the old ‘keep doing the same thing until you get it right’ doesn’t appear to be yielding the hoped-for results. Whodathunkit?
It’s also a shame that there weren’t any better RBs available when we started this year.
December 25th, 2019 at 1:15 pm
There is still one constant at one buc and that is jason licht when will he be sent packing?
December 25th, 2019 at 1:25 pm
It’s hard to have a decent run average when you never break a run longer than 10 yards.
December 25th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
As long as Arians is here, he ain’t going anywhere.
Suddenly with coaching, his young corners don’t look so bad.
December 25th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
Sign Jay Ajayi and give him a try . He’s 26 and if rojo “improved” why not jay
December 25th, 2019 at 2:05 pm
“Merry Christmas ya filthy Animals!!!!!!”
December 25th, 2019 at 2:06 pm
We simply aren’t good enough on the Oline……Marpet looks great because the others are so bad…..we create no holes for our RBs…….none…..without improving the Oline it is practically a waste to invest in RBs…..
December 25th, 2019 at 2:11 pm
Lets Bi&ch about the running game but pay an average QB 30 plus million a year.
Again I ask, would you rather have Melvin Gordon, Brian Bulaga and Jalen hurts or Winston?
You want to improve the run game, then add a running back and a dual threat QB and this offense will be even more productive
December 25th, 2019 at 3:02 pm
We definitely need to upgrade this offensive line. I wouldn’t be against bringing back RT Dotson as a backup but we need a new starter at RT. Our Center is ok but overpaid. The left side is pretty solid. We should be drafting at least one lineman out of the first three rounds this year.
December 25th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
“but yeah Darrell Henderson would have saved this football team. where are the Henderson articles?”
Yeah, where are the Henderson articles?
Darrell was red-shirted in LA. He chomping at the bit for some action.
DH is the red headed stepchild of football. Relegated to 3rd string at Memphis and 3rd string in LA.
Somebody give him a break and let him out of the doghouse!!
December 25th, 2019 at 3:52 pm
why are you so obsessed with this? @ghost
You know we got a safety project and so far the best corner of the draft instead of a third string running back that can’t beat out some whomst’ve and arthritic Todd Gurley for carries.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
If this offense can’t use two decent pass-catching tight ends, then trade them and get what the team needs.
What’s the biug deal?
Although I do think it’s a mistake to move away from Howard. Just find a way to use him with mismatches.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:24 pm
oJ has all the tools but nobody seems to want to give him 5 years to develop. Why so quick to let young guys go? Somebody can “fix” them. This fan base not giving every player we’ve had on the roster five years to prove themselves in the epic level of GD hypocrisy.
And say one more of our players are overpaid- just make sure you give that big boy QB he same harsh criticism.
Or “WILL HE GET PAID$$$$$$$$$$ and it’ll be fun to watch all of you haters cry!!!!!!! You tell me future John Maddens.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Our backs get the bare minimum of yards out of any given play. No more, no less. They really don’t make anybody miss or run anybody over. No Barry Sanders or Mike Alstott in our backfield. Definitely need a playmaker back there next season.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
The Ghost got the same treatment as Tebow then.
While these other fools get blind love from fans obsessed with their favorite college man crush. I heard dancing with the stars was a popularity contest too. Maybe one of you FSU guys can fill me in.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:50 pm
Joe said Barber is having his lousiest year ever. I wonder which Joe that is.
Good to see we are ready to recognize players lousiest years. How about a thread where we all rank the lousiest players on our team this year and do a final result.
What day you Joe? We can even do the worst five this year.
December 25th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
I think you have to type TMAXCON in the comment section or you’d never get an answer from Joe.
December 25th, 2019 at 5:46 pm
Love the big pass plays, but yes we are not going to win any title without a decent running game.
December 25th, 2019 at 5:51 pm
You guys know going out and getting a play making running back rarely ever makes a football team better. There is one maybe two exceptions of a running back single handedly willing a team to relevance. Barry Sanders and AP. aside from the two of them look at how often running backs actually made a team a lot better alstott was an exception also but the defense was why that team was as good as it was. anyway keep talking about getting a stud play making running back to magically make the team better. usually those do not work out.
December 25th, 2019 at 5:53 pm
Joe, thanks for posting the Cheah links.
I think ROJO is fine at RB – problem is what Arians’ said- overall lack of coordinated blocking.
December 25th, 2019 at 5:56 pm
^^^^^^^^^
If any of you take notice. we don’t have the greatest blocking. when our line makes hole usually Jones and Barber can take off sufficiently. it’s just the run blocking schemes seem to not come through. I cannot blame the running backs entirely when our blocking schemes rarely come through.
Too many people in here including one of or both the Joes seem to think that our running backs should be Alstott and just truck through half a defense. The days of fullbacks are long gone that would truck over a defense. we need better designed plays.
December 25th, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Also I am waiting for someone to come in here and say DALVIN COOK. Yes guys Dalvin Cook whose knees are essentially dust right now would have saved this team. You guys now the Vikings O got better this offseason that allowed him to have that type of season. but any way the FSU homers are such ignorant shills they are going to ignore this.
Meanwhile there are 3 all pro players between OJ and Cook that these shills are ignoring that would have helped this team out MUCH MORE then a running back whose knees would be dust.
Then again this is just FSU homers trying to cling on to the glory days of their now dismal program.
December 25th, 2019 at 7:37 pm
I am starting to think that the huge cadre of coaches is getting in each other’s way.
The Bucs do not set up anything for run plays except to tell Jameis to hand it off on first down. I have noticed that RoJo is starting to get a little patience. Now is the time to pull a guard to knock a hole in the line.
Maybe even a two back set with Barber as a fullback. The Bucs need to show some variety in their run game. It is so blatantly bland at the moment that no defense even pays it any mined. A proven runner wouldn’t be able to go anywhere either.
December 25th, 2019 at 9:33 pm
Thought for sure Rojo would come alive this year. We need a runner most definitely.
December 25th, 2019 at 9:54 pm
Newsflash! Levonte David just voted to nfl all decade lb team!
December 26th, 2019 at 8:15 am
Jones has potential to develop next year in offseason. He beefed up and got stronger from year 1 to year 2. If he can have the same offseason strength and conditioning and put on another 10 pounds of muscle in his lower body he will be able to break more tackles and improve. Is he a guy that can pound it? Not really but he will be a good #2 back in year 3. The issue is having a #1 back, someone that is more physical with good speed.
Barber is much too slow and Jones doesn’t quite have enough strength yet.
That number one back can come via free agency or #3 or #4 draft. Need O-linemen and QB prospect then RB. Cannot allow Winston’s agent to dictate terms. Good teams’ quarterbacks like Brees and Brady and Rogers have restructured contracts to help team. Mike Evans has done so for the Bucs. If Winston won’t, then transition him and get the 2 #1 picks. If he’ll extend his current contract with upfront money and a cap-friendly salary with 3rd year option, then OK, try one more year but the moment he blows these early season games, especially at home, have the young guy ready.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:16 am
NFL OBJECTIVE = WIN GAMES
JAYMISS WINSNOT = ARIEL ATTACK+INTERCEPTIONS+LOTS OF STUPID LOOKS = LOTS OF LOSSES
WHAT THE HELL LETS GIVE HIM 5 MORE YEARS AND ALL THE GLAZERS MONEY THERE DUMB AS A BAG OF ROCKS……..
December 26th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
The left side of our line has done a decent job of protecting JW’s backside. People like to hate on Donovan but that alone will keep his job safe…as long as he keeps JW safe. So we accept his poor run blocking.
Here’s the fix…Jensen is mean…Cappa can also be nasty…with the #1 pick in the draft select the meanest nastiest best run blocking RT in the draft. Other than depth issues our OL problems would be fixed with a truly stud RT to complete the line.
December 26th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
Oh and btw figure out our TE situation. Get a beast to block there as well and our running game improves immediately with the proper TE and new RT.