Buccaneers: 3 veterans that need a strong showing in training camp
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers need their RB1 back
The Buccaneer run game looked great with Ronald Jones lined up in the backfield for most of 2020. If it weren’t for the playoffs, Jones would be the clear candidate to lead the backs in Tampa in 2021, but Playoff Lenny has some different plans.
Leonard Fournette was excellent during the playoffs and was a huge reason behind the team’s success, but even at his best, he was still posting Ronald Jones regular-season numbers.
It may be easy to forget based on his lessened use during the playoffs, but Jones averaged a whopping 5.1 yards per carry in the regular season, far above Fournette’s 3.8.
Jones has the size, speed, and ability to be an excellent runner in the NFL, but this coaching staff has never given him a lot of slack on the field. One fumble or dropped pass tends to have Jones on the bench for the rest of the game quickly, and in some cases, this actually hurts the overall production for the game.
Jones needs to be the starter week one, and frankly, deserves it, but he has to remind everyone why he was the primary starter last season. This means coming into camp, CATCHING well, and showing the same running abilities that he showcased during his best NFL season last year.