ComPewter Analysis: Gap widening between Ronald Jones, Peyton Barber

Now five weeks into the season, the chasm between Buccaneers running backs Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber continues to grow wider.

Week after week, we have to watch second year running back Ronald Jones trot onto the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and out-produce last year’s leading rusher in Peyton Barber. Yet week after week we also have to watch the Bucs trot Barber back out as the starter; head coach Bruce Arians has continued to say he will ride the “hot hand,” yet there have been no hints on how he defines such a term.

Clearly Jones is the hot hand in Tampa, yet we still have to watch Barber struggle on the first few opening drives before Jones comes in for the Bucs and looks far more elusive with a much higher burst. How much longer does Arians have to kid himself with his commitment to Barber before letting Jones run wild?

As the Bucs travel across the pond to London, hopefully it will give Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich plenty of time to ponder how they plan to use the running backs as they take on the Carolina Panthers this week. Just how good has Jones been this season for the pewter and red? It may both surprise and anger you at how he is currently being used.

Here is a deep look at the success of Jones after one of the worst rookie seasons in NFL history. Needless to say, Jones has taken the leap that the Buccaneers needed from him in his second season in the league.