The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers: 4 ingredients to a winning recipe next year

By Rob Leeds

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 27: Carlton Davis #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer punches the ground as Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by teammate Taylor Lewan #77 on scoring a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 27: Carlton Davis #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer punches the ground as Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by teammate Taylor Lewan #77 on scoring a touchdown during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a kick during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a kick during a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

4. Give Ronald Jones more carries

After seven games the Buccaneers are still refusing to make Ronald Jones the starter. Of the entire disappointing season for the Bucs this may be the biggest slap in the face. Jones has been stellar when given touches both on the ground and through the air. Jones is electric with the ball in his hands and is able to break off big plays at will. After a rough rookie season Rojo has finally started playing like the player he was expected to be.

The fact that Barber is still listed as a starter is mind-numbing. Barber is averaging nearly a full yard less per carry than Jones and has very little in his arsenal that Jones does not. It appears that the Bucs are continuing to give Barber reps out of loyalty, but this is comparable to driving a beaten up, old car because it was the first car you ever drove while you have a sports car just sitting in your garage.

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Jones clearly has the talent to be a 1,000-yard rusher and could also put up big numbers through the air. If the Bucs want to succeed in 2020 they will have to allow him to bring another dimension to the offense by allowing him a much greater number of touches in each game and promoting him to starter. The Bucs cannot give out playing time based on loyalty any longer if the expectation is to win with the team that is largely in place.

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