ComPewter Analysis: Gap widening between Ronald Jones, Peyton Barber
By Cory Kinnan
Final Thoughts
In no way is Barber the hot hand in Tampa, and it continues to be baffling to see Arians and his staff attempt to force feed the fourth year back over the far more efficient Jones. Not only does Jones have better numbers in the box score, but also in the analytical arena of review.
It is apparent every time that Jones steps onto the field as well that he just has the juice that Barber does not. In the open field, Jones has the ability to hit opposing defenders with a juke or spin, moves in his arsenal that Barber does not have. This is not to say that Barber does not have a role in Tampa, although he will probably walk at the expiration of his contract at the end of the season, but there is little evidence to support the stubborn commitment to him as the lead back.
The Bucs invested a second round pick in Jones in the 2019 draft, and they must begin to utilize him like the highly valued running back they made him. Should his touches increase over the last 11 games on the season, 1,000 yards rushing is in clear site for Jones.
4 Offensive line targets for Buccaneers not named Trent Williams. dark. Next
It is time to take the training wheels off of the elusive back and let Jones run wild. Barber has his purpose in short yardage and goal line situations, but overall, the backfield in Tampa should belong to Jones. Is Sunday’s game against the Panthers finally the day the Bucs treat Ronald Jones as the feature back, or will we see more stubborn commitment to Peyton Barber?