Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronald Jones looking to earn his keep
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2018 NFL Draft, it was considered a foregone conclusion the team would be drafting a running back in the first three rounds.
The only point of speculation was about which running back the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would take, not if.
In the end, the team passed on Derrius Guice twice and selected USC’s Ronald Jones in the second-round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Known as ‘Rojo’, the 5’11” running back weighs in at over 200 lbs. but runs like the wind when he finds space.
The son of a Soldier, Jones knows the values of hard work and uses the memories of his late father as inspiration for driving forward.
Perhaps this is the reason, despite joining a team with an undrafted free-agent projected as their starter, he’s not coming in thinking the starting job is his to lose.
He wasn’t asked directly about the starting job, but when he was asked about his need to build momentum as a runner, Jones said,
"“I split carries, back in my early days in high school and even at USC my first two years. I can score on five, eight touches so it just depends on how the coach wants to use me. But I also, if they keep giving it to me, I’m going to score again. That’s just kind of how that goes.”"
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Confidence is an important part of finding success in the NFL, so it’s nice to see Jones is coming in to do what the team needs of him.
During his first conference call with Bucs media he was also asked about his running power. To which he said,
"“I’m really tough, gritty. [I had] 25, 30+ carry games back at USC. Obviously it’s a different level but once I can get my stripes and earn my reps, I’ll be able to carry the load for the team if they need me to.”"
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Again, the underlying theme in Jones’ answers is earning his way onto the field.
It’s been said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were targeting guys with high character who genuinely loved the game of football.
Getting good teammates is just as important as getting talented athletes. It looks like the Bucs found both with this pick.
What do you think the Bucs’ offense will look like with Ronald Jones on it? Has Tampa Bay finally found its franchise running back?
Head down to the comments or move over to social media to join the conversation!