“You Gotta Vote For Ro, For The Pro Bowl”
July 9th, 2021
Donovan Smith
After 13 games last season, Ronald Jones had 900 yards rushing and was averaging exactly five yards per carry.
He ranked top-7 in rushing in the NFL (total yards) and hadn’t fumbled a handoff all year with three games to play.
Simply put, RoJo was a Pro Bowler, and it’s why Donovan Smith was seen barking on the latest episode of In The Current. “You gotta vote for Ro, for the Pro Bowl,” Smith demanded has he walked off the field in that critical December game against the Vikings.
That was the day Leonard Fournette was benched and RoJo rumbled for 80 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
At that moment, RoJo was on top of the Bucs’ running back mountain, but then it was realized he broke his pinkie in against Minnesota and then hours later the COVID struck him. He returned on fire in Week 17, but rather than make sure RoJo reached 1,000 yards rushing for the season (he finished with 978), the Bucs forced the ball to Antonio Brown late so he could have extra bonus money to pay legal bills and settlements.
Yes, RoJo should have been a Pro Bowl running back last year but bad luck dragged him down. And then the legend of Playoff Lenny put him in the shadows.
Still, it was intriguing to hear Donovan Smith’s cries on that mid-December day. Joe suspects not one Bucs player or employee would have disagreed with Smith in the moment. RoJo was a deserving Pro Bowler.
July 9th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
I think after the upcoming season, everyone will know about Rojo!
July 9th, 2021 at 2:52 pm
Agreed
Not getting the ball to Rojo for 22 more yards was a tragedy.
It’s why I am rooting for him to win the starting job.
Either way I am a Bucs fan and want them to win.
I actually think if both stay healthy, he and Playoff Lenny will work great together.
Rojo is a better pure runner and neither catch as well as Gio, so let them compliment each other like Chubb and Hunt.
I really think we will be top 10 this year rushing.
Unless of course Brady throws for 6,000 yards.
July 9th, 2021 at 2:55 pm
One more thing. I know the Joes were harsh on Rojo after his rookie year, and rightfully so, but in their defense, it really is tough to know whether Rojo got that much better, or the blocking finally showed up.
Im actually hoping both, because it could be a perfect storm a brewing.
2,000 yards rushing maybe for the 1st time in how long?
July 9th, 2021 at 2:55 pm
3 RB represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Y’all think Rojo can leapfrog 2 of these guys?
-Dalvin Cook
-Alvin Kamara
-Christian McCaffrey
-Ezekiel Elliott
These guys are WAY better. They have nationwide fans. They have endorsements.
Never. Gonna. Happen.
July 9th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
I agree, and feel that ROJO is the best running back we have.
July 9th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
It looked to me like Zeke has dropped way off, (obviously that doesn’t apply to the other three)
July 9th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
I remember Michael Pittman running into the back of an offenses lineman’s butt once and falling down.
Thats the epitome of no vision.
I noticed Rojo doing that quite often his rookie year.
Straight ahead to where the hole should be.
Lenny often stutter steps before hitting a hole which is similar to a jump cut.
Rojo has definitely gotten better, but nowhere near the TD run Lenny had where he basically got held up and bounced it outside in the playoffs finishing it off with an incredible spin move.
Im hoping Rojo looks to score more this year instead of running people over after 15 yards.
July 9th, 2021 at 3:06 pm
He had a decent season but is far from a pro bowler if only 3 get picked
July 9th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Sometimes he can be really good running the ball, but the guy is incapable of catching the ball….Sometimes seems he has to left hands!!!
July 9th, 2021 at 3:16 pm
Who cares about a 1,000 yards now. It is a meaningless number in 16 (now 17 game) seasons.
I appreciate the fact Brady helped a teammate reach a financial goal, rather than a nice round number that maybe meant something 40 years ago.
July 9th, 2021 at 3:26 pm
The backfield will be interesting this year. Rojo deserves 15+ carries a game. Lenny & Bernard should get 6-8 touches each. Probably a little more for Lenny.
Vaughn’s only shot is injury unfortunately.
July 9th, 2021 at 3:29 pm
Rridler
You are right. The 1000 yard mark was barely relevant with 16 games. Now what does that mean? If you are the workhorse getting 20 carries a game, 1300 yds should be the new 1000.
Fewer and fewer teams have a workhorse running back though. Because of that, if you’re over 1000 you still stand out
July 9th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Why do people keep saying ROJO can’t catch??? Are the just making statements based upon what others say, because it’s obvious they didn’t watch the games. He had one of the best 37 yard td receptions by a Bucs rb I’ve seen in years against the Chiefs and in other games so people should stop saying he can’t catch. Lenny seemed to drop as many passes as he did. Though I liked him last year more than Lenny he’s still no Slo Bowler, plus being stopped by KC not once but twice at the 1 yard line was embarrassing. I think 1200 yards and 10 scores should be the benchmark for 17 games.
July 9th, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Nobody can accuse me of not supporting Rojo before 2020…..if you recall, while he was being described as average….I pointed out that at 4.2 yards per carry…he would have had 1008 yards with just 15 yards per game….
I know it was boring at the time…..but so true. Rojo simply didn’t get enough carries…and that still continues.
July 9th, 2021 at 4:20 pm
Is this a joke? The Bucs ran the ball 30 percent of the time in 2020. And split time if not have lesser carries than Lenny who looked like Peyton Barber in the regular season. He had 12 carries, 78 yards, and a TD. He is Pro Bowl material but…
#VoteNoForByronHC
July 9th, 2021 at 4:23 pm
* “He had 12 carries, 78 yards, and a TD.”
In our last regular season and the Bucs seriously burned him on 1,000 yards.
July 9th, 2021 at 4:32 pm
agree…1k yards aint really nothing these days…1500 yards is the bench mark now imo…
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 9th, 2021 at 5:15 pm
Can somebody explain to me what it hurts that RoJo didnt get 1000 yards? Dis he have a bonus or something? If not what exactly changes by getting 1k?
July 9th, 2021 at 5:27 pm
SlyPirate is right. And I consider myself as big a Buc homer as any but its total nonsense to say RoJo has earned a ProBowl spot just yet.
Joe shame on you to write he should of been a ProBowler when he had less rushing yards……And are we just not factoring in recieving yards? You always say production is what matters so what gives?
July 9th, 2021 at 6:57 pm
Bill buc off ur talking about the guy who had a 98 yard td not being able to break big ones?? Lol. What??
July 9th, 2021 at 7:04 pm
Personally, I think RoJo and Lenny had great years!
And I hope they both make the ProBowl!
Buc players have been cheated for to long(David).
Time for our great players to get some recognition.
July 9th, 2021 at 9:31 pm
Come on guys….. consider the source.
Meaningless endorsement from a career under achiever.
July 9th, 2021 at 11:36 pm
Franchise best average per attempt, ROJO at 5.1. He dropped 7 passes. Lenny dropped 8. Longest run in franchise history, and in the league last season, ROJO at 98 yards. He has at least earned some respect from people who claim to be fans of the team.
July 10th, 2021 at 12:16 am
Rojo is good albeit a bit sporadic.
July 10th, 2021 at 1:27 am
Rojo played well last year for sure and he hit a spell of bad luck too, but penciling him in for a pro bowl is pushing it. First and foremost, our players will always have to play above and beyond lesser players in bigger markets just to get recognition. It’s not fair, but neither is life and the “good ole boy” clique in the northeast will likely always be there. Secondly, he is a liability in the passing game and unless your name is Derrick Henry, backs are expected to be at least average at catching passes. I hope Rojo learns how to catch and makes all pro this year, but I’ve seen zero signs that he is capable of it.