CBS: Go Get Jay Ajayi
July 25th, 2019
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When Joe looks at what the Bucs have at running back, same as it was as last season, Joe just shakes his head.
And it seems just about every person who covers the NFL cannot understand how the Bucs have willfully ignored one of the worst rushing… attacks (?) in the league.
But there is someone out there looking for work who can help, so claims Jared Dubin of CBS Sports. With the news yesterday that free agent running back Jay Ajayi is healthy to return to football, Dubin thinks it is a total no-brainer the Bucs should sign him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is the most obvious potential fit. The Bucs are currently looking at a Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones II timeshare in the backfield, and we saw how that worked out for them last year. Coach Bruce Arians did not originally bring in either of those players, so he presumably does not have a major attachment to them.
Now that is a very interesting point Dubin made. Bucco Bruce Arians has no connection to both Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. Then again, why did he, or the organization, willfully ignore this position in the offseason? The team may as well have bought billboards along Dale Mabry Highway displaying “Blame Dirk Koetter.” Hey, they may be right. We will find out soon.
If the rushing attack is still morbid this fall, who are the Bucs going to blame then? Koetter is gone.
July 25th, 2019 at 12:07 am
If he is good at throwing passes also the Bucs could skate by this season constantly running the wildcat…
July 25th, 2019 at 12:08 am
Because they believe they can coach, and BA doesn’t believe in overpaying for RB’s.
Plus, doesn’t this.guy have serious availability issues?
Joe, you are by far the worst judge of talent/roster moves ever.
But I love.you like a brother.
In BA I Trust!
July 25th, 2019 at 12:22 am
Well we know why they ignored it. You guess have mentioned it more than once. They got here, reviewed the tape, and then said this team is desperate for better players in the secondary. RB was the sacrifice. Plus it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Ronald Jones is still seen as a talented potential play maker. They should Definitley be looking at ajayi though.
July 25th, 2019 at 12:24 am
This guy is ALWAYS hurt and the last two teams he had have bailed on him so we would want him why?
July 25th, 2019 at 1:22 am
Depends on his asking price. Coming off that ACL tear this may be a recovery year for him.
July 25th, 2019 at 1:31 am
Joe, I’ll say it again: solid running backs and productive ground games are the products of SYSTEMS, BLOCKING SCHEMES and CREATIVE PLAYCALLING. Jay Ajayi included. There is no exception to the rule except one – the generational talent; almost all of which are usually on teams that do not contend for championships. So, tell me, which of the above three was Dirk Koetter in possession of? Notice, I said ‘solid’ and ‘productive’. Not ‘superstar’ and ‘transcendent’. Playoff contenders with a chance at the title require the former; not the latter. You seem to be having trouble understanding the difference between the two.
Did you not see Phillip Lindsay rip off 1,000 yards and 9 TDs with a 5.4 ypc after going undrafted? He just must be some bada$$ anomaly set to dominate the league right? Nah… I would imagine that running behind their top 10-ish O-line had a lot to do with it.
Just relax, man. There is a good reason BA has never verbalized the running backs as a problem spot after watching enough film to drown yourself in (in fact, it was the opposite), and only addressed the position with a veteran-minimum signing that is most likely not going to make the final roster and end up camp meat (Andre Ellington).
July 25th, 2019 at 1:41 am
Dirk Koetter had one of the best running attacks his first year with the Bucs. Since then, our talent at running back and guard/right tackle has gotten worse.
Ajayi has an injury bug, which should make him cheaper. Get him.
July 25th, 2019 at 1:46 am
I would hate to see the Bucs rope themselves into a monetary agreement for Ajayi only to come in and we find out during TC he’s no better than what we already have for more money and more stitches, and stainless steel screws, on a obligatory promise he’s guaranteed a spot on the 53. Pass ..let’s see what we have
July 25th, 2019 at 1:47 am
Case in point:
The Denver Broncos offensive line ranked 1st in the NFL in YPC allowed before first contact at 2.13. (The Bucs ranked 30th with 1.00…)
Phillip Lindsay ranked as the 3rd WORST RB in the entire NFL in yards AFTER contact at 2.3.
This means he was the 3rd WORST RB in all of football to create opportunities for himself.
Despite this he ranked #2 in total YPC and became the first ever undrafted rookie running back to make the probowl… GEE, I WONDER WHY. Do you see what I am saying here???
July 25th, 2019 at 1:52 am
@westernbuc
Nice try. We all know Lovie Smith held Dirk accountable to maintaining a steady running game because he had a rookie quarterback and couldn’t stop a nosebleed on defense, allowing over 70% completions to opposing quarterbacks. When Dirk was given the reigns the rushing attack suffered greatly, and the same Doug Martin that looked washed with 2.9 ypc went to a rebuilding Raiders squad and immediately posted 4.2 under Jon Gruden.
It’s pretty insane how context is completely ignored in 99% of all discussions on this site.
July 25th, 2019 at 2:03 am
I say no way. Barber, Jones and Anderson will pave the way. I don’t want too many options…. I want us to physically beat other teams. Just like Arian’s Cardinals did to the Bucs in 16 and 17.
Strategy – Approx. 60 balls during a game 10 Evans, 8 Godwin, 8 OJ, 8 (Perriman/Brate) 6 (Watson/Johnson/Miller) that leave around 20 for RB’s
If we were going to make any RB moves before the beginning of the season I would hope it is Duke Johnson as a third down option to Jones II. I would run Barber & Anderson on first and second downs and then on third downs RJones and DJ.
Too many question marks surround Ajai and Gordon too high $ for our need.
July 25th, 2019 at 3:44 am
Should have grabbed Sproles. Jay is too oft injured. Great player and teammate though.
July 25th, 2019 at 4:37 am
He’s been medically cleared to play so I’m all for it. Although I still think we could improve our running game much more by acquiring a road grader at RG
July 25th, 2019 at 4:39 am
I concur Kingbuc.
July 25th, 2019 at 4:55 am
Injury history is a concern but he is far better than anything we have and I’d take him in a heartbeat if he doesn’t break the bank.
July 25th, 2019 at 5:28 am
@AwShbucs … “Although I still think we could improve our running game much more by acquiring a road grader at RG”. Ding ding ding, we have a winner.
I get the feeling Joe that you’re the type who fills up on potato skins BEFORE the steak & lobster ever makes it to the table. PATIENCE. BA obviously wants to see FIRST what he has in this current stable of RBs. AND what he has in this OLine. He’s doing a great job of freeing up money so he can be a player LATER ON as some quality veteran OLinemen & RBs become available. IF NEED BE (and it probably will be needed) FIX the OLine FIRST. Then see what our RB needs are. PATIENCE.
July 25th, 2019 at 5:31 am
PriMech54 … Good stuff. Duke Johnson would be a nice addition IMO.
July 25th, 2019 at 5:45 am
It’s tempting, but at what cost? At least for now, JPP is still on the roster, not that I ever thought cutting him for cap space was a good idea anyway.
Ellington is one way they DID address RB…not very well I’d agree. But he’s Arian’s guy. I’d rather not kick Ellington and RoJo in the crotch right now and instead, see how this new coaching staff motivates and gets every ounce from them they can.
It’s probably only a couple of mil they have to spend anyway, and should save that for an OL guy they will need in a pinch when some players become available in about a month. I think will be money better spend…on a guy that can protect Jameis and help the run game.
July 25th, 2019 at 5:47 am
@DR….”I get the feeling Joe that you’re the type who fills up on potato skins BEFORE the steak & lobster ever makes it to the table.”
Good one. I know guys like that..go to restaurants and fill up on chips and salsa and then take their entree home. However, with the Bucs, they just eat all of it there…and have NOTHING for later.
July 25th, 2019 at 5:52 am
If both our RBs have a year like last year then scrap them but give them a chance under this new staff joe. We might have the same players as last year so one would think the outcome won’t be any different but with new coaching an hopefully a better scheme these guys will be average or above average
July 25th, 2019 at 5:58 am
@Primec
I agree with D.R. that was interesting thought provoking stuff. And just when I thought yeah…you post some research to back it up. THX
“the generational talent; almost all of which are usually on teams that do not contend for championships.”
And agree that “almost” all of them are on bad teams. Occasionally a guy like Marshall Faulk…a multi talented back finally gets on a good team and explodes. And of course as Buc fans in the NFC Central we got to see one of the biggest wastes of generational talent ever…Barry Sanders. The Bears wasted not only one of the goat RB’s Gale Sayers…add in the GOAT LB on the other side of the ball. They made up for it by getting the trophy for Walter Payton…a generational back with far more talent than his QB.
The situation you’ve identified is set to play out in NYC for the Giants. You have the best young back in the game…Saquon…I was so hoping we’d be able to get him…your post makes me feel better…we’d waste him anyway.
But the Giants are a team I’m going to follow a little more closely. They just got their “franchise” QB to pair with their generational “franchise” RB. Now they build the OL and D and they could be on to something. Should be fun to watch.
I’ll be watching the Chargers to see the other end of the spectrum….if old man Rivers can finally get to the big one.
And because of my summer home for two months in the land of the Pack…I’m always seeing Green Bay up there so sorta follow them.
Mostly though I’m pumped about the Bucs this year. I normally love “Air Coryell” “Greatest show on turf” football…BA is my best shot…But I also love teams that have a beast at middle linebacker. Devin White gives us that chance. Kwon was good not great. He was too small and too slow to truly be a beast. He made up for it with heart…but he’s not nearly the physical specimen of White.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:27 am
Let Arians do his damn job and just chill!!!!!!
July 25th, 2019 at 6:30 am
I agree 100% pass on this guy did c.j anderson get signed? Either way I want Rojo to get first stab at the starting job.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:37 am
Defense rules
Perfect comparison. Well said.
I think Barber will be just fine. He runs hard. Just needs a little time before a defender is on his butt. He is not going to run away from people but he will put his head down and try to run thru them.
Hopefully , someone can step up as compliment to his power. Need that scatback with speed who can catch out of backfield.
July 25th, 2019 at 6:57 am
Don’t need another injury prone player who will take up cap space we have little of , rather see them trade for DUKE
July 25th, 2019 at 7:00 am
I suspect Primech is spot on about the poor blocking being much of the Bucs’ running game.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:22 am
The Bucs actually addressed every position this off-season when they went out and got a new coaching staff and new offense.
No longer do we have to watch a run up the middle on EVERY first down.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:22 am
All for bringing someone in but not just anyone for the heck of it and thus high id always injured, rather wait on the Duke
July 25th, 2019 at 7:28 am
Nope I’ll pass. Always hurt.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:28 am
Six years in the league, no complete seasons and only two we above 9 games played. Sounds like a good investment to me! (NOT!)
July 25th, 2019 at 7:30 am
I view Barber as sort of a Blount type of guy myself. Good enough to get some things done, but not good enough to be the feature back. However, there is no one currently available worth replacing him with.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:31 am
BA doesn’t have a connection to Barber or Jones but he does have a connection to Ellington, who is the likely RB to be cut if Ajayi is brought in.
July 25th, 2019 at 7:53 am
It’s Licht, so obvious weaknesses are never addressed
July 25th, 2019 at 8:03 am
licht weight cannot fix the weakness when “HE” is the weakness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And why is that no one is talking about the Bucs having the second highest paid O-line in the league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a disaster!!!!!!!!!1 FULL reset is in order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 25th, 2019 at 8:05 am
He’s still available for a reason. No thanks.
July 25th, 2019 at 8:23 am
May be in the minority here but Im waaaay more concerned about fixing the OL. I think Barber is a decent back and we don’t know about RoJo yet. But not doing anything much to fix the OL is practically criminal. I have to imagine our GM didn’t draft a RB because he spent a 2rd pick on one last year – it wouldn’t look good on his resume. Just think if we had hit on all of those 2nd round picks we have virtually wasted over the last 5 yrs
July 25th, 2019 at 8:30 am
Nope, fix the O-line first. We don’t need a broken down RB, we need a RG and RT.
July 25th, 2019 at 8:43 am
Sign the guy, if he doesn’t show enough during camp and preseason, then cut him. Easy enough.
July 25th, 2019 at 8:51 am
Buc4evr Says:
July 25th, 2019 at 8:30 am
Nope, fix the O-line first. We don’t need a broken down RB, we need a RG and RT.
BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 25th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Seriously? Again you complain about the players the Bucs has or have on the roster. You say “Fans” want the Bucs to sign players just because the recognize the name. Yet you keep throwing out names of players with very little track record. Just because you know the name… of it’s for League Vet Minimum Salary non guarenteed that’s fine..
July 25th, 2019 at 10:46 am
So after 6 Jason Licht drafts our running backs are….
Drum roll please
Peyton barber
Ronald jones