Hand-Placement Problems For RoJo
August 23rd, 2020
Ronald Jones dropped passes today at practice, catchable balls, too many of them.
An Xs and Os explanation was forthcoming from his running backs coach during a Zoom chat after the morning session.
“His thing always has been, you know, I kind of identified when I got here is his hand placement,” Todd McNair said of RoJo’s passing game struggles.
“If you look [a] ball [thrown] to him today, he whipped around and sometimes, you know, backs you think you got time because you’re last in the progression. You get around and the ball’s hot on you and he had both palms up. You can’t catch the ball with both palms up. So it always starts and ends with him with hand placement, and also the readiness of expecting; you gotta run your route with the thought that you’re the first read and the ball’s coming when you look up.”
It’s one practice, but opening day is in 21 short days and the Bucs are yearning for RoJo to be a more complete back. It may never happen this season, which is probably ok since the Bucs invested in LeSean McCoy and Dare Ogunbowale can catch.
“We’ll meet after practice to get him back locked in,” McNair said of RoJo.
It’s not a concern, McNair said, other than those balls must be caught. McNair added that RoJo is a prideful guy and he expect him to “get your mind back locked in and focused” by tomorrow’s practice.
August 23rd, 2020 at 3:22 pm
It’s quiet concerning that a running back like Rojo is still being taught the fundamentals of catching a football. That should been done in peewee.
August 23rd, 2020 at 3:31 pm
This isn’t surprising really. RoJo has never shown much ability as a pass catcher. And he cant pass protect very good either.
Unless RoJo can give us some game changing plays running the ball I dont see how we will use him more then sparingly.
RoJo will be the first guy I’m looking at in New Orleans.
August 23rd, 2020 at 3:35 pm
f you look at his numbers from last year, he had a better catch % and ypc than Dare on dang near identical targets. Yes it could be better, but from watching last year, there is no reason why dare should take carries away from Rojo. He is a backup rb and special teas guy, Rojo is your starter and LeSean is the 3rd down change of pace guy. Vaughn is insurance in case Rojo doesnt work out and Campbell is the replacement for LeSean.
August 23rd, 2020 at 3:38 pm
I really think our average rushing numbers were due to the fact that teams tried to stop the run so we had to pass. Yes, they knew jameis would probably throw for 300+ and a couple of td’s. They also knew he would take risks and give them a chance at 2-3 picks. Worth the tradeoff for most D.C.’s. With Brady, I would assume teams will be softer on the run in order to try and stop the pass.
August 23rd, 2020 at 4:13 pm
It was absurd for Koetter not to play Rojo more later in his rookie year…..I guess Koetter was hanging onto the possibility of keeping his job…
If we can get good production out of Rojo & OJ…..our offence will be more than scary….
August 23rd, 2020 at 4:32 pm
I live hearing al of this rojo canot catch nonsense when they guy caught EVERYTHING thrown his way.
YOU DONT KNOW UNTIL HE FAILS IN A GAME!!!! GIVE THE GUY A CHANCE!!!
August 23rd, 2020 at 4:33 pm
One of my favorite articles on Joe Buc’s fan.
I appreciate your reporting and added insight from the coach.
Thank you.
August 23rd, 2020 at 5:13 pm
RoJo had best start catching the ball or he will get cut. The team can not tolerate missed 3rd down conversions because of a player who is not focused.
August 23rd, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Right next to this story on the “Hot Stories” list is Devin White wanting five interceptions. A few videos show him practicing constantly catching balls from coaches, teammates, and the Jugs machine. Is Rojo making the same effort?
August 23rd, 2020 at 5:19 pm
If a linebacker can do it, so can Rojo.
August 23rd, 2020 at 5:37 pm
i really don’t see much out of jones, sorry but i expect shady, ogunbawale, ke shawn vaughn, to take his job, prove me wrong rojo i hope so
August 23rd, 2020 at 6:08 pm
It’s a bad argument to look yac and catch% numbers to say RoJo is a good pass catcher. He’s never been asked to do much more then screens and dump offs……..Here just catch the ball in wide open space then run. If that’s all you can do your not much of a passing weapon.
I just looked at some James White highlights. He did a lot more as a pass catcher then screens and dump offs. You cant look at James White and be confident Rojo can do any of that.
James White is a good illustration because Tom Brady might be asking the same thing from his RB……Go across the middle, work the perimeter, deep sidelines and posts……its notvreally comparable to catching lollypop screens and soft dumpoffs……you actually gotta make good plays catching a pass zipped in or thrown to your back shoulder or pick one off the turf, ect……it takes skill. Cant say that RoJo can do it. We never asked him to. Hopefully he gets it in camp……Otherwise he might be kinda useless for Tom.
August 23rd, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Two knocks on RoJo have been: 1. Can’t catch, 2. Can’t block. If he doesn’t solve them this year he will lose his job.
August 23rd, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Shady is there to fill the james white role. Not trying to compare rojo to white with the numbers. Showing that he is on the same level as dare and a heck of a lot more explosive when he gets the ball than dare. Also, james white is one of the best pass catching backs in all of football, probably jusg behind mcaffrey. If we are going to compare him to white then he will definately fail. Lets give the guy a true workload over a season and if he doesnt pan out, find a replacemwnt next year. He was just so elite in college, and he did well enough last year to warrant rb1 status for a year imo.
August 23rd, 2020 at 7:55 pm
I am not an NFL running back nor receiver. I like others on this site that played at different levels squirm when they hear about poor hand position upon receiving a ball. So much of it is innate. You can throw a ball to a five year old that has no clue but positions his hands correctly while others do not. I truly want RoJo to get it but if it is not natural and if forced usually they go back to their default which doesn’t stand the test of time. He has ascended to this level because he can run.
August 23rd, 2020 at 9:17 pm
You see this is the problem to me the only thing I really care about can he run the ball between the tackles and out side the tackles that should be the main focus . This is why we haven’t had a good running game in years .
August 23rd, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Many running backs have made a living catching swing passes from Tom Brady. That’s why Shadys here.
August 23rd, 2020 at 11:11 pm
The form is obviously the issue but, I’ve been catching footballs with my palms up since I could run; punt returners too; low passes etc. There are plenty of times were a pass catcher catches a ball with his palms up.
August 24th, 2020 at 9:05 am
It shouldn’t matter your position. If you get an opportunity, you take it. They showed some of the drops on the network. Bottom line, he shouldn’t be dropping balls in practice, and from Brady no less!
The saying goes,”practice like you play.” Conversely, they were saying that Godwin was beasting.
Which player do you put your money on will get thrown to?
Kid better clean it up or he’s going to slide down the depth chart.