Seems Ronald Jones Is In Bruce Arians’ Doghouse
September 26th, 2021
Playoff Lenny will be your Bucs starting running back today. But that’s not the story.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had a report this morning announcing that Playoff Lenny will take the field first when the Bucs’ offense first takes the field. The real story has nothing to do with Playoff Lenny.
It seems, per Rapoport, RoJo has been benched. Rapoport cited RoJo’s bonehead plays last week that have Bucs coaches frustrated if not just peeved.
Notice Rapoport said RoJo has had a “frustrating couple of weeks.” So it wasn’t just the mortal sin of walking out of bounds before gaining a first down that did him in; this has been building up for a while.
We all know RoJo’s whiff of a block damn near got Tom Brady maimed last week.
Remember how Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said he benched RoJo in the season-opener against Dallas because he got so depressed after a fumble. That didn’t fully pass muster for Joe at the time. Could there be an underlying issue or issues here that Arians can no longer ignore?
Rapoport also began his report saying “for this week.” The message is clear to Joe: RoJo, shape up and get your head in the game and you will start again.
You can see Rapoport’s report in the NFL Network below.
From @NFLGameDay: The #Bucs are expected to start RB Leonard Fournette today — a change — while the #Packers will try to protect Aaron Rodgers vs. the #49ers with a third-string left tackle. pic.twitter.com/cV2TmCgkDS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 26, 2021
September 26th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
I would love to see a lead and then see what Fournette can do with 20-25 carries. Pound them in the 3rd and 4th quarter to see if he can take over.
September 26th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Not much of a surprise…..a surprise would be a healthy scratch and suiting up Vaughn instead of Rojo…..now that would be news.
September 26th, 2021 at 2:42 pm
Fournette has been playing very well (with the exception of that INT ofc), and I think that Brady trusts him, which is the most important aspect.
September 26th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
And last week is was Fournette… they are rotating starts. Pretty sure Rojo will start on week 4…. it’s called a pattern.
September 26th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
ItS cAlLeD a PaTtErN…..Sure, if you mean RoJo’s drops, missed blocks, and mental errors. Usage will ultimately tell the true story, not basic math on who gets the start.
September 26th, 2021 at 2:58 pm
I understand having patience with a high but second round pick, but Rojo is a far cry from being a special back and his act is old. Is Vaughn that bad that our coaches won’t even give him 10-15 touches in a game to see what he has?
September 26th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
Pretty sure Rojo is about done here. He put up with Jameis as long as he was going to. Looks like Ariens has run out of patients Rojo too.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:01 pm
I think Rojo’s days are numbered
September 26th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
@Buczilla I remember some very nice runs from Vaughn, but he was very prone to fumble. If he could workout this aspect, he would be a great runner.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Like Fournette last season…he’s gotta hang in there and hope for another opportunity. Doesn’t bode especially well in a contract year.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:10 pm
Maybe we’ll get to see more Giovani Bernard for once.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:29 pm
RoJo is far from done. Ha ha ha ha its Week 3. I think we are watching Arians coaching this young man.
I say Arians gets through to this kid and we see an improved version in a few weeks. The physiological part of the game is something Bruce talks about a lot and Im sure its a big factor why hes making this move.
Yall can hate RoJo now I bet youll love him later.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:36 pm
Feel good about Fournette being our main back today. He was an unsung hero for me last week picking up the blitz. His blocks were key on many big plays for us……..Im not taking that for granted on a day were our protection was out of position much more then we are used to.
As a runner it looks like hes leaving plays on the field but I can trade that off if hes giving Brady room to work…….Plus we are got no better runners anyways.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Send Rojo and OJ to someone that has a decent CB at the trade deadline. Maybe even throw in and #1 pick if the CB is good enough. Need a CB as good as CDIII or better. Plus, the CB room doesn’t have veteran presence like every other position group. Have Brady go blow up some phones and get it worked out.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:46 pm
Mickens is inactive today? Hummm… I get that you want Darden in there, maybe to take some of those AB screens, but deactivating Mickens? I hope that doesn’t cost us.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:48 pm
Just saw preview of Bucs Rams on Fox…BRADY IS FIRED UP
September 26th, 2021 at 3:49 pm
I was HOPING that ROJO would start today. He played at USC, and has tons of friends who are at the game, hoping to see him play.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Ronnie isn’t on the inactive list, so I’d assume that means he’ll play some snaps. We will see.
September 26th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Hopefully Rojo can get his head right just like Lenny did last year.
September 26th, 2021 at 4:07 pm
Rod Munch……Mickens not playing today is old news. I think he has a minor injury.
September 26th, 2021 at 4:10 pm
The end of the Ravens-Lions game…Holy.e.
September 26th, 2021 at 4:10 pm
JimmyJack – I missed it, thanks for the info. That makes sense.
September 26th, 2021 at 4:29 pm
You’d think another possible Super Bowl run would be enough motivation for players. There are so many players who have played an entire career and never got a ring.
September 26th, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Get a real nfl running back,niether impress me
September 26th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Almost 1000 yards last year. Nah lets put in lenny that had 20 yards in the regular season
September 26th, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Where is Lenny ???
September 26th, 2021 at 6:57 pm
The will coach em up!