Competition Declared For Ronald Jones And Leonard Fournette
March 31st, 2021
Gotta earn it
As Joe has shared several times, the Bucs were a perfect 8-0 last season when Leonard Fournette got 10 carries or more.
It was no coincidence, and in those games Fournette had a whopping eight touchdowns to complement 34 catches.
Playoff Lenny was a catalyst the Bucs rode to glory. But Tampa Bay was also 11-2 when Ronald Jones got 10 or more carries, and he punched in seven touchdowns during those 13 games. So what if his hands are shaky.
During a news conference yesterday, Bucco Bruce Arians was adamant that he has no top-dog starter for 2021. Running back roles strictly will be defined through practice and game performance, Arians declared. And he also was clear that Ke’Shawn Vaughn, the back the Bucs drafted in Round 3 last year, is on track for greatness.
“I really like Ke’Shawn Vaughn,” Arians said. “I really think with an offseason he’s going to have a really breakout year also.”
Joe loves, loves, loves this scenario in the Bucs backfield.
RoJo is hungry as hell in a contract year after Tom Brady and Bucs coaches jilted him on a shot to get 1,000 yards last year in favor of getting Antonio Brown a cash incentive. And Fournette is on a one-year deal, still young enough at 26 years old to break the bank next year if he can keep playing like “Playoff Lenny.” Plus Vaughn flashed a bit last season and doesn’t lack confidence.
March 31st, 2021 at 12:20 am
Still want to see us get Etienne
March 31st, 2021 at 12:27 am
ROJO is only 23 & Lenny is 26. Both of these guys can get even better
March 31st, 2021 at 12:34 am
Yet you people want a RB in the first when we’re this deep and almost last in run/pass. I like they’ve been talking to UCLA RB/WR Demetric Felton. Got hands and is very versatile. Possibly a great addition to our return game.
March 31st, 2021 at 12:36 am
We aren’t taking a RB in the 1st round! Pass rusher makes the most sense.
March 31st, 2021 at 1:33 am
Play the long game. Drafting and developing eventual replacements for Suh, JPP, Gholston, and Jensen keeps the Bucs competitive longer.
March 31st, 2021 at 1:45 am
Jason’s good in the mid to late rounds. Stack up on a bunch of picks and build through the draft. These scouts and coaches could pull out at least two future impact players with a bunch of picks.
March 31st, 2021 at 3:27 am
Maybe Gainwell in 2nd round.
March 31st, 2021 at 3:39 am
We still don’t have a reliable all-purpose RB who can catch and pass block and run. Hope they draft one.
March 31st, 2021 at 5:47 am
Love the idea of a competition between Fournette and Rojo with a shiny new contract to the winner. When the Bucs re-signed Fournette, the thought of drafting a RB in the 1st round went out the window. RB in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft is more likely. No OT in the 1st either with the D Smith extension.
That leaves Edge or DT as the most likely pick at #32. Also should consider G/C on day 2 of rhe draft. By the 2022 season JPP (33), Suh (35) and Jensen (31) will all be over 30 and are on the last year of their contracts this year.
March 31st, 2021 at 6:26 am
I still do not by the Fournette hype he got hot true enough but even Ray Charles can see he was our best back and I do not see that changing!
March 31st, 2021 at 7:15 am
Both are free agents next year, you have to draft a guy and Etienne would be a great guy to have.
March 31st, 2021 at 7:17 am
Really like Kenny Gainwell out of Memphis. Reads his blocks well, and within a step or two he’s at full speed. Plus he can catch. Most mocks have him going in 2nd, 3rd rounds. That said, we need to focus on DL/OL in the early rounds
March 31st, 2021 at 7:26 am
I think we can find a good RB in the 2-4th rounds…..preferably a RB/KR/PR……one of those small speedy RBs who can catch.
Rounds 1 & 2 need to go for Edge & DT…….
March 31st, 2021 at 7:29 am
The tough first round question is can you get an elite Edge or DT and if not, do you pass on an elite three down back.
Leonard and RoJo might get Tom killed as they comically try to locate the blitz.
March 31st, 2021 at 7:30 am
I suspect either Jones or Fournette will be extended into ’22. If so, and with Vaughn getting praise from Arians, a RB picked high doesn’t make much sense.
March 31st, 2021 at 8:08 am
@Cobraboy
Exactly. After this coming season, one (Jones or Fournette) will stay, and one will go. Vaughn might turn it on this season too. Don’t forget, he got all his yards playing for Vanderbilt, against SEC defenses. So running behind our line, I think he’ll be fine once he gets more touches. But I agree, RB in the early rounds shouldn’t be valued as highly as depth along the lines, or even a QB if the right one falls to us.
March 31st, 2021 at 8:41 am
I like our stable too. Bucs needs to think value if they consider adding more RBs via FA or the draft.
March 31st, 2021 at 9:24 am
trenches 1st round…
rakeem boyd from arky…watch him…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 31st, 2021 at 10:33 am
Surprisingly tell some of these people aren’t sports M.D. or GM. Sometimes a guy gets major injury and can bounce back easily when cleared. Vea has had two major injuries since coming into the NFL and still one of the best DT in the league.
Gronk is legend at TE with similar large hybrid abilities like OJ. OJ had 11 rec, 146 yards, and two TD in four games in 2020. In the words of the great BA, “your ass ain’t going no where.”
March 31st, 2021 at 10:38 am
Lmao *^^DELETE^^ Different OJ article.
March 31st, 2021 at 11:04 am
Vaughn needs to be the 3rd down pass catching RB. BA loves to instill confidence in the young guys. Hopefully Vaughn can grow and excel like Rojo.
March 31st, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Two of my favorite plays of the season were by Jones. That nice catch and run for a TD against the Chiefs was awesome. Also the 98 yard TD run against the Kitties was legendary.I like Jones alot he seems to me to get better and better every season. I would roll with Jones #1 Leonard #2 and either Key or a rb we end up drafting in the first rd.
March 31st, 2021 at 11:55 pm
We need to draft a right guard..