Ke’Shawn Vaughn Played Because RoJo Was “Gassed”

December 20th, 2021

Odd talking point from coach.

Look, Joe is not here to crucify Ronald Jones. Joe wants him to do well. When he does well, the Bucs do well.

But some of the stuff Joe sees and hears about RoJo, it makes Joe’s head shake and point at RoJo and say, “And that’s why he doesn’t play that much.”

Take his nasty habit of running out of bounds and giving up plays rather than fighting for key yardage in a tight game. That is just gutless. There’s no excuse for that.

Now why didn’t RoJo play more when Playoff Lenny blew out his hamstring? At first, Joe thought it was because RoJo simply cannot catch. So him in the game is a big tip-off to the defense what may happen.

But then Joe read this from Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians last night on why Ke’Shawn Vaughn was in the game and not RoJo.

“It was just a matter of him being gassed really quick and having Ke’Shawn [Vaughn] in for a couple of pass plays,” Arians said.

OK, Joe gets the pass plays. RoJo cannot catch. Vaughn is supposed to be able to catch. Makes all the sense in the world. Got it.

But wait a minute. RoJo, playing part-time, was “gassed?” Really? We’re in December, people. RoJo has been practicing since July, no? And he has no stamina?

What is he doing when the rest of the team is practicing and busting their tails and hitting the weight room?

Maybe Joe is way off, but saying a part-time player is “gassed” that quickly in December (it’s not like it’s September and broiling hot) does not sit well with Joe.

70 Responses to “Ke’Shawn Vaughn Played Because RoJo Was “Gassed””

  1. Medicated Pete Says:

    Lol, what a bum & Keyshia Vaughn was another wasted draft pick lol.

  2. adambomb418 Says:

    That’s an odd way of saying he sucks in his opinion.

  3. adam from ny Says:

    omg rojo was gassed…

    so i guess he doesn’t practice much during the week – or at least not go hard – because he knows he dgaf and won’t be here next season…

    what a shame, because sneak vaughn still looks like a hot mess between the white lines…

    where was gio bernard when needed….geez

  4. Roy T. Buford Says:

    I am glad it is well known that RoJo runs out of bounds in giving up on plays. it is maddening. I actually saw Brady say something to him right before they punted that was likely all about getting that three yards.

    Odd is last time this happened a few games ago I would have thought RoJo would be very clear not to do that again. Perhaps he is not the brightest bulb on the tree.

  5. LVMYBUCS Says:

    oooooooooooooo ok thats why. How in the hell is he gassed he hasn’t even played much this season. What happen to the one two punch this season looks like just a one punch with Fornette leading the way. I like Fornette but RoJo is quicker to the outside I would hate to see him leave.

  6. Medicated Pete Says:

    Bucs have 11 new starters in a few months & 25 new players. It’s back to HELL AGAIN

  7. SKBucsFan Says:

    Passive aggressive coaching anyone? Only a QB, and most OL plays every snap.
    Am still waiting for Ariens to say they weren’t prepared and it’s the coaches fault. Then for analysts on TV to say that Ledtwich will be a great choice for Jacksonville. I feel bad for Trevor Lawrence et al.

  8. SaintsFan59 Says:

    Brees gets the last laugh. 9-ZERO.

  9. LVMYBUCS Says:

    Wow “he was gassed”. Did he run a 100 yards and I missed it or is he just out of gas because this coaching staff doesn’t play him enough. Your gassed after only a few plays? Damn.

  10. Posey99 Says:

    box of rocks, too busy stunting for the gram

  11. Bird Says:

    ^^^

    Ndog the coward

  12. Destinjohnny Says:

    Why draft a back that can’t block or catch thst high?
    I get it if he is insane runner but…

  13. Bucamania Says:

    Well I’m tired of seeing him run out of bounds. Dude has zero heart.

  14. Listnfrmafar Says:

    I say MORE walk throughs ! Conditioning, Conditioning, Conditioning! That also how muscles are pulled or strained. MORE DAYS.OFF!!!

  15. gofortheface30 Says:

    Pete, would have to agree with you there. I am astounded, amazed, f’ing flabbergasted how many supports Ke’Shawn Vaughn has in the comment section here. He is an absolute bum. He does nothing good. Cant catch, cant pass protect, is slow, isnt particularly powerful – and giving it to him on that 4th and one: just…..why. Jaelon Darden is another guy that pisses me off, and like Vaughn, it doesnt take much. Just a few plays out of them to come to the conclusion that they dont belong in an NFL game other than special teams. And even then, Darden will find a way to trip over his feet, or fall 80% of the time. And for all you Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller lovers – THEY DONT GET OPEN. IT is expected that if Evans and Godwin gets hurt that they should step up, they cannot be counted on as starters, which is why Joe is starting to advocate drafting a real man that can hold it down when the A-players are out

  16. Kgh4life Says:

    There’s a bunch guys on this team that are not mentally tough. Looking at you Darden. The guy looks for excuses to literary trip over himself. Vaughn at this point just can’t play and sorry to go after Rojo, but his mental issues are well documented.

  17. Show Me the TDs Says:

    Rojo and Darden are only here for the cash. Both are gutless wonders.

  18. Joe in Michigan Says:

    This just adds to the list of why Rojo is a habitual screwup. He’s not alone, either. OJ Howard, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and “Stumbles” Darden are also habitual screwups.

  19. Bucfan81 Says:

    Gassed I mean really. These guys are in December and they are not in shape. Something is seriously wrong with the trainers and conditioning people on staff and that would explain so many damn leg injuries this season and passed seasons with this team.

  20. LVMYBUCS Says:

    @ Joe in Michigan Says: OOOOOOOOOO thats funny as hell “Stumbles” Darden

  21. ChiBuc Says:

    I don’t believe a word out of BA’s mouth. Sure Rojo has no heart, probably because BA and his little high school mean girls mind fnck games…but gassed, doubt it

  22. Matt Bucs fan Says:

    Come on Joe… you believe that? I think that is just another excuse for the terrible offensive execution last night. 4th and short, he goes long to Gronk on a play you just hope a PI is called… then on 4th and short again, we punted the ball with about 10 min left knowing full well our punter was having a terrible night. I don’t buy that ROJO was gassed one bit.

  23. Steven007 Says:

    I’m not sure what game you were watching but it was Vaughn who dropped a very easy screenpass delivered with a deft touch from TB. Later on rojo actually caught the same kind of screen, so not sure what you’re referring to. I think BA is BSing with the rojo being gassed narrative. Not sure why, but I sure didn’t see it.

  24. Hodad Says:

    Joe, what is he doing when the rest of the team is busting their tails practicing. That could be the problem with the whole team, how hard are they really practicing, and busting their tails? Arain’s himself said they only do walk throughs this time of the year. He said his main focus is getting his team to Sunday, not practicing. That’s how the Bucs looked. Like a team that just showed up for the game, and hadn’t practiced worth a spit all week.

  25. gotbbucs Says:

    Show me a quote where Arians blames anything on coaches and I’ll take him seriously. It’s always the players fault with this guy when they lose, and it’s always incredible coaching when they win.

  26. Cobraboy Says:

    Wasn’t Jones “ill” last game, or the game before?

    Maybe there’s something else going on.

  27. ChiBuc Says:

    Well, according to BA’s objective to prepare his team for Sunday rather than practice/conditioning, he has failed miserably on both counts for this game as indicated by the big fat ZERO and multitude of hamstring injuries.

  28. Ed Says:

    Jones doesn’t have football smarts. That’s what it comes down to. He doesn’t understand the importance of situational football. If he stays healthy he can be a backup back but in pressure games he makes too many mistakes that are evidence his head is somewhere else during a play.

    Bucs need a power back. Fournette turns it up when he gets past initial blockers but isn’t a back that his initial burst.

    If Rojonhad Leonard’s football sense he’d be valuable

  29. CChead Says:

    Im sure it has more to do with Brady getting pissed off with Rojo than him being gassed. What Brady wants, Brady gets. Vaughn blows out loud. Every game he comes into he drops a least 1 pass and goes down on first contact.

  30. alton d green Says:

    Thanks. saved me from saying it. ROJO is one of the most boring players i’ve ever seen in 6 decades. I think it was about 3rd. and 2 and Rojo just casually steps out of bounds. This is a contact sport. wish we had someone to replace him

  31. teacherman777 Says:

    Darden looks like a high schooler.

    Why did we draft a second Scotty Miller?

    Rojo has also lost the arms and bulk he had last season. He looks noteceably skinnier in his arms. He is pouting.

    Trask was a dumb pick. We need a backup to Suh or JPP right now.

    Also, another Samoan NT would have been a hreat pick.

    We got “cute” in the draft and drafted backup we didnt like Darden (backup to Scotty), Vaughn (4th string), Trask (4th string).

    Cappa is still too slow. We still need a beastly RG/C backup.

  32. Swampbuc Says:

    When you rely on walking around practices, no wonder. The O-line was gassed too. They all need to have their arses whipped this week.

  33. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Steven007 Says:
    December 20th, 2021 at 9:56 am
    I’m not sure what game you were watching but it was Vaughn who dropped a very easy screenpass delivered with a deft touch from TB. Later on rojo actually caught the same kind of screen, so not sure what you’re referring to. I think BA is BSing with the rojo being gassed narrative. Not sure why, but I sure didn’t see it.
    ^^^^^^^^^^
    I only watched the game once, live, but I thought that Rojo tapped his helmet to go out of the game on the 3rd and 1 that Vaughn was stuffed for no gain. You’re right, Vaughn is terrible, but there’s something missing with Rojo.

  34. Bob in valrico Says:

    Maybe ROJO got some lasting effects from Covid. Hard to believe a RB that gets most of his carries up the middle would dance out of bounds like that. OR maybe he just wants out of Tampa.

  35. Bucsfanman Says:

    It’s easy to sit here and second guess these picks now. I can guarantee that nobody thought Jones would be a timid runner after his fourth season and certainly not after last season where he almost eclipsed 1,000 yds.

    Vaughn was what, a 3rd round pick? 3rd round picks shouldn’t be expected to be anything other than depth. Darden too.

    We need to just accept the fact that we got our a$$ kicked and stop pointing fingers. Win as a TEAM and lose as a TEAM. Hindsight doesn’t do anybody any good. We’re still atop the NFC and still have the GOAT at QB. I like our chances.

    Go Bucs!

  36. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    To me Ke’Shawn Vaughn don’t look like an NFL Running Back.

  37. Eckwood Says:

    If he was gassed , that’s on the coaches not having the roster ready !!!

  38. Architek Says:

    This is some weak (%#}{!!!

    Division game in week 15 and you’re GASSED????????

  39. gofortheface30 Says:

    “shouldnt expect anything out of 3rd round picks.” You make me laugh with that laughable comment. This league is built on starters in those mid-rounds, ESPECIALLY running backs. How many all-pro running backs do you see coming out of those mid rounds. Are you crazy, stop making excuses – Vaughn was a huge swing and a miss.

  40. NPRSageBoy Says:

    RoJo needs to go. Backups are supposed to be ready to play in just such a situation. Whatever happened to next man up?

  41. Bobby M. Says:

    BA has been around the league long enough to know what Rojo is doing by ducking out of bounds, avoiding contact, etc. Rojo is looking to free agency and BA is sending the message out that not only is he a head case, that can’t catch…he’s also lazy.

  42. Bosch Says:

    Rojo is done after this season. Not just done with the Bucs. His career is done. Heartless!

  43. Alanbucsfan Says:

    More Arians BS
    The 4th and 1 where Vaughn got stuffed – Collinsworth correctly pointed out would’ve been an easy 1st down on a QB sneak.
    The play calling and offensive game plan was abysmal.
    Maybe Leftwich is gassed.
    They were having success running power sweeps, then stopped for no reason.
    Darden is a speedy bust- I’d rather see Howard at WR, as disappointing as he is.
    If you can’t pass it at all but are having some success running it, then run the damn ball!

  44. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Did Rojo have Covid at one point?

    If so, it’s possible he has breathing issues as a result. I know I do.

  45. TearfulRojo Says:

    If you go back to the drive he last was on, I made an incorrect read again and didn’t pick up a blitz so Brady got sacked again. I have a feeling it also had to do with that. Sorry guys.

  46. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Maybe the pen and mic club could ask a few hard hitting questions, instead of lobbing sugary sweet softballs at BA and the like.

    Division game, National TV, for the South crown and to keep pace for 1 seed and you $hit the bed to a team more injury depleted than ours? Puhlease.

    While I’m glad our D played better… look what they were playing against, it wasn’t exactly the greatest show on turf.

    If BA is the HC this is completely and directly on him. Time to stop sipping cocktails on a golf cart and DO HIS JOB.

  47. Will Says:

    BA looking for some where else to lay the blame for last night. Yes we loss starters but to get shut out is terrible. Stop throwing long on 3rd and short. Get the 1st down.
    Rojo had 8 carries for 63yds and caught both his targets. I don’t buy that he was gassed. Was I upset he went out of bounds YES. However if he doesn’t get a huge work load this week something is wrong.
    The entire game plan was BAD we came out throwing 10 straight times to stay the game and then when Brady started getting sacked and happy feet we continued to throw, when our starting WRs went out we kept throwing the ball. That’s when you pound the rock a bit and get things calmed down. Offense wasn’t ready to play and BL did nothing to calm Brady down.

  48. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Newsflash..

    BL just holds a clipboard.

  49. T REX Says:

    Need a RB badly

  50. firethecannons Says:

    So many needs come next draft and FA–need to practically start fresh in many positions–need running back now also, have to dump vaughn useless! 1) corner 2) rb 3) tight end 4)punter 5)decent guard 6)pick up some wr’s on the cheap so many more

  51. Bob in valrico Says:

    Bonzai,
    Last year he was on the covid list around the time Lenny took over. Long haul symptoms include breathing issues and even brain fog which you probably already know. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

  52. Bob in valrico Says:

    Bonzai not that you are experiencing that,but I am having a hard time rationalizing ROJO’s move to the sideline. For whatever reason his head doesn’t seem to be in the game.

  53. FrankPillow Says:

    27 is Charmin-soft. Not equipped for the rigors of professional football.

  54. IE Buc Says:

    I will never forget how we passed over Zack Moss to draft Vaughn.

    As far as Rojo, say what will about his running on the sidelines and going out, but I have always been impressed with his running up the middle. He just picks up yards when you get him going north. His conditioning though, is disappointing.

  55. Bucsfanman Says:

    gofortheface- Relax dude. I wasn’t implying that Vaughn is any good. Just pointing out that MOST 3rd rounders are typically depth signings.

    You can point to ANY team ANY draft class and point to multiple failures. It’s a guessing game in any round.

    Furthermore, if Gio were healthy, he would’ve been getting the touches NOT Vaughn.

  56. rrsrq Says:

    The guy breaks off a 40 yard run, many RBs take a quick break, that comment was BA’s way of saying if ROjO is successful I have no excuse for him not seein the field more frequently in the games we didn’t run well

  57. Ash Says:

    Kinda feels like rojo feels like the team has moved on from him and the feeling is mutual looks like he can’t wait until the end of the season so he can sign with another team

  58. Cobraboy Says:

    @Bonzai, I had covid last year. It took 10 days to recover, then *zero* lasting issues. But I have no c-morbidities, and doubt Jones does.

    That said, one adverse effect of the jab is lasting fatigue, especially under physical stress, due to lung inefficiency. We’ve seen that in Euro kickball players.

  59. unbelievable Says:

    Well let’s see, they don’t practice hard during the week… and he gets about 2 touches a game… can’t imagine why he wasn’t in game shape.

  60. unbelievable Says:

    @cobraboy

    my 30 year healthy sister got covid last year (before vaxxes) and was dealing with lasting issues for about 6 months. No comorbities either, is in great shape, etc.

    It’s almost like anecdotal experiences are just that… anecdotal. But glad to hear you did not having lasting effects.

  61. ClodHopper Says:

    And I was blaming Leftwich for not running him more.

  62. HeyItsAdam Says:

    Vaughn runs scared. You can tell.

    He is Running Back Cancer.

  63. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Ash

    Not a lot of teams look to sign a player who quits on his team during a playoff push. Not good ones anyway.

  64. VabucSINCE’97 Says:

    ROJO is done let that bum go

  65. VabucSINCE’97 Says:

    And Vaughn should be let go today

  66. Sorryjackchuckiesback Says:

    Better start checking these guys hearts on them treadmill…. Myocarditis has all the effects you are seeing from “wuzzy” to “gassed” easily!! …. We the “conspiracy theorists” are going to be right on this and us pure bloods will be the only healthy ones left!!! Laugh now, we’ll see who has the last laugh!! Trying to force an experimental shot on people that killed ALL THE ANIMAL TRIALS and trying to ruin peoples lives if they don’t take it … Yeah, that’s all normal y’all!!

  67. JayWill Says:

    Fans are stupid, you question a guys heart who was gassed. He had carried the ball 4 times in the previous two games. Rojo isn’t a robot. Most fans get winded, getting up from the dinner table.

  68. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Jay will

    Fans aren’t pro athletes who lift weights and train for a living, $$$. Weak take.

  69. intrepid82 Says:

    @SaintsFan59

    Brees gets the last laugh? How many touchdowns did the a’ints score on Sunday night?

  70. fern Says:

    Will see how much he has Sunday