“These Guys Are Maulers”
December 13th, 2020
Misused says former a former Pro Bowl fullback.
A lot of people think Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians is misusing the fabulous talent Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has assembled.
Sure, a lot of folks point to Ronald Jones. Others point to Mike Evans or maybe even foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski. Still others may think furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown is missed.
However, a former NFL fullback and a Big Ten champion quarterback thinks the Bucs’ offensive line is missed.
Michael Robinson of NFL Network, a former fullback with the Seahawks and quarterback at Penn State, looks at the Bucs’ roster and he sees a team built to pound the ball like teams up in the AFC North are built.
Robinson said that is why the Bucs offense looks so disjointed: They are built like the old Joe Gibbs teams with the Redskins but they try to play like they are Don Coryell’s old Chargers.
“Just because you have all of these weapons on the outside don’t necessarily mean you gotta throw it to them down the field every single play. And when you look at this offensive line it looks like they are built more to run the football with Ronald Jones.
“So when you hear Bruce Arians say, ‘Yeah, the offense starts with Ronald Jones.’ Yet halfway through the second quarter Ronald Jones may only have two or three carries and you tried to push the ball downfield and your offense looks like crap. …
Your offensive line is set to be big maulers. These guys are maulers upfront. And I think if they take that running identity, I think they will find more success in the passing game.”
Truer words were never spoken.
Now Joe isn’t saying the Bucs should pound the ball 40 times a game. No, no, no. But unless you are behind by three scores in the second half, is it wrong to have a goal where RoJo gets 25 touches?
December 13th, 2020 at 10:46 am
As much as I want them to run the ball more, that is just not what BA wants to do. He has never been shy about his offense.
December 13th, 2020 at 10:58 am
Turn them loose!
If you can’t run the ball don’t even talk post season!
Everyone knows that guy Brady can throw the ball!
December 13th, 2020 at 11:00 am
Today we start a 4 game winning streak…or we are out of the playoffs.
Tom better ride this team hard!
December 13th, 2020 at 11:08 am
Fournett has shown he can bust heads and let’s let the Vandy kid show his stuff!
AB will put on a show today and give the rest of the DC’s something to think about
December 13th, 2020 at 11:18 am
Durable Donovan…….. mauler.
Ha ha ha
December 13th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Today will be a PUT UP OR SHUT UP game.
December 13th, 2020 at 11:38 am
I totally agree.
The OL is built to pound the rock.
That should be the first order of bidniz every game. Then strike with play-action or play-action trickeration.
The secret is the D not allowing cheap, early scores. I’m not so sure they can do that based on history.
Fact is if the O kept pounding the rock down to scores early, casual fans would be demanding going down the field.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:03 pm
@Danny C … “As much as I want them to run the ball more, that is just not what BA wants to do. He has never been shy about his offense.”
You’re exactly right Danny, Arians offense has always been focused on ‘Bombs Away’. And to quote Dr Phil … “And how’s that working out for you?”
Fact is that BA as head coach has been to the playoffs 3 times & lost 2 of those games. That being 2014 & 2015; in those 3 games his offense scored a total of 57 points … an average of 19 PPG against playoff-quality teams. Interestingly, in those 2 losses his offense turned the ball over TEN times. Yup, pretty hard for any defense to hang in there when their offense gives the ball away that much.
But BA held tough in those 3 playoff games, running the ball an average of only 17 times per game. So you’re right Danny, “that’s just not what BA wants to do”. Apparently it really is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:11 pm
This is where Arian’s hardheadedness comes in. It is absolutely stupid to ignore what works because you have a reputation of letting it fly all the time. He lost me this year because of it. Go Bucs!!
December 13th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
I agree with those who want to run the ball more. I like our OL…but I must not be watching the same games.
Considering his lack of mobility Tom Brady has not been sacked a lot…in the top ten for least sacked. It’s clearly not Brady’s elusiveness. It must speak volumes about an OL in the top ten of least sacks surrendered with a 43 year old QB who was immobile and slow in his prime.
OTOH…I do not see gaping holes for the running game. I’m not a math whiz but if a team runs the ball ten times and gain 100 yards…but 90 of it comes on one play that is not successful running even though it’s a ten yard average,
How much of ROJO’s average is predicated on him breaking tackles and making long runs when he gets in space. How many 2 yard runs and 3rd and more than five does our running game leave us?
I’m sure the focus for the OL from the beginning was protecting the “franchise”…the GOAT. They may be maulers in a run game but I’m just not seeing it yet.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:46 pm
YEP! Leftwich and Arians are clowns.
December 13th, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Maulers that can’t run block.
December 13th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Outside of maybe Wirfs and Jenkins, I don’t see a consistent mauler on our offensive line. Jones getting 2-3 yards a pop against a middling Viking’s defense is all the recent proof I need. Try again Mr. Robinson. 😜
December 15th, 2020 at 8:57 am
Auclair at fullback. Look what Hamm did for Dalvin Cook.