Give LeGarrette Blount The Damned Ball!
December 23rd, 2010
Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski of WDAE-AM 620 and the host of the critically acclaimed “Blitz” heard sometimes on Saturdays has had it.
He’s had it with the Bucs babying LeGarrette Blount. He’s had it with the Bucs making excuses for not giving him the ball. He’s had it with the Bucs benching Blount in critical times of a close game.
In short, Justin believes Blount should be used as a weapon, not an experiment. And used early and often in a game, so Justin wrote on his blog found on the WDAE-AM 620 website.
Raheem said that ball security was the reason Blount was on the bench. Hey coach, the only reason your team was in position to win was because of Blount. Also, it’s not as if Blount is a fumbling machine. According to NFL.com, yahoo.com, and profootball-reference.com, Blount has fumbled just twice on 164 attempts. This isn’t a matter of Blount’s ball security, this was a matter of a coach losing his balls! Also, how about coaching up your 250 lb. back to run in short yardage. Who knows, maybe with a little coaching, your 250 lb. back could also be your goal line back. Stop over-thinking things with Blount and have faith in the guy!
Wow! Told ya’ Justin has had it with protecting Blount.
Pawlowski does have a very valid point: The Bucs likely would not be sniffing the playoffs without Blount. When he became a regular part of the offense (Arizona game), the offense blew up because defenses now had to worry about the run.
Blount also made Cadillac a better back as well.
At risk of speaking for Pawlowski, Joe believes entering the 16th week of the season, a rookie is no longer a rookie.
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:11 am
BUT Blount may miss picking up a blitzing back…..
BUT Blount may fumble away the ball again….
BUT Blount didn’t make a 1st down against Atlanta that cost us the game….
BUT……BUT……BUT
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:13 am
The TRUTH is probably got nothing to do with any of the above.
The truth is that LeGarrett probably has a a clause in his contract giving him a bonus once he reaches a certain number of yards….or maybe Blount gets a big bonus for Rookie of the Year?
It’s more likely the Glazers holding Raheem back….it’s got to be because I can’t believe that coach Morris is really so dumb as to now realize what he has in LeGarrett!
Or maybe…..
December 23rd, 2010 at 8:33 am
I don’t listen to the Duemig much these days but I could have sworn a few days ago he was being critical of Blount but I don’t remember why. Can anyone fill me in on what Duemig’s issue is with the guy?
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:16 am
@D-Rome, Duemig sounds critical when he is praising people sometimes, LOL
Mr Lucky, one has to wonder if Raheem was looking out for Cadillac’s financial incentives ?
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
Peterbilt Blount can rough up the roads and Caddy can smooth them over!
Go Bucs!
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:33 am
Joe, can you find out if there are any escalators in Blount’s contract?
Just curious.
Personally, I believe Raheem was over-thinking himself.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:33 am
D-Rome….Deumig was saying how he never liked Blount, doesn’t have a good attitude, yada yada yada….all because he didn’t pick up a few 3rd and shorts a few weeks back. I believe it was the Atlanta game at home(a little bit of an O-Line push sure would help). So because of that issue, Deumig decided he didn’t like Blount as a running back and never has, and basically never will. I understand he has to speak in absolutes sometimes, radio is a business and attracting listeners is the goal, but he really goes overboard and seemingly personal way too often.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:42 am
The Big Dog had said numerous times he is not a Blount fan. He stands alone. That is as ridiculous as Olsen not using him more. I hear Dominick and Brooks both praising Blount on Steves show but of course he says nothing about his criticism then. IMO the dog has such a love affair with Alstott that he is blinded by the unbelievable talent that Blount has. I’m guessing he’s worried about Blount passing all of Alstotts records and everyone forgetting about The A train ( he got stopped on many 1 yard runs as well). No one will ever forget Mike but it’s time to embrace the new Bucs and get excited about an offense that will see many productive days. And it starts with Freeman and Blount.
December 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
Mr. Lucky,
Enough with the Glazer conspiracy theories. That is so last offseaon.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:23 am
I bet you there were some incentives in Blount’s contract that are making the coaches pull him back. He was at almost 800 yards prior to the Detroit game. He can get 1000 yards no problem. I bet you they held him back to keep him from getting paid his bonus check for going over 1000 yards. If you remember last year, Dominik had an interview where he said that is what he does. Bucs held out Garcia in 2008 in the last few games to keep him from getting his incentive bonus. Follow the money Joe.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:23 am
Joe, a few weeks ago you were asking the Bucs to “open up the offense”, which to most people mean to throw more passes. Now you’re asking for 3 yards and a cloud of dust. I’d like Blount to get the ball more, but I wonder if you could clarify your position for me.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:44 am
Earl:
Part of opening up the offense is to give Blount the ball. When defenses have to add guys in the box to defend Blount, the evidence of how that opens up the Bucs passing game is overwelming. Not saying the Bucs should give Blount the ball 40 times a game but Blount should not be sitting on the sidelines in a crucial series.
December 23rd, 2010 at 10:59 am
Keeping Blount out for incentives? Really?
I wonder how much money the team makes if they make the playoffs. Think maybe it’s more than any incentive for Blount, or even the whole team? I love silly conspiracy theories.
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:00 am
The idea that Blount was not given the ball to gain 9 yds. in a crucial game when contract escalators are in the thousands is the definition of stupidity!
It’s amazing that some of you actually believe that BS!
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
I agree!
Of course our stupidass offensive coordinator Greg Olsen can’t get that through his thick skull.
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 am
Thank you TrueBlue, I wonder about people sometimes.
December 23rd, 2010 at 11:04 am
Blount has the ability and proven that he can take it to the house once he gets to the second level. Teams change their entire defense to stop Blount.
How on earth the does the coaching staff not see that? If anything use him for play action passes. But to not have him in there is about dumbest, most stubborn move ever. These coaches are learning on the job and yet they are stubborn. How can a stubborn moron learn on the job?
He can’t. MAJOR FAIL.
December 23rd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
@Tras & Brad:
Yeah, that’s right. That’s exactly what I heard. I guess I was a bit shocked. I understand that Duemig always speaks in absolutes (and he’s never wrong) but I thought his take on Blount is waaaaaaaay over the top. Unfortunately the radio and print media influences the opinion of too many people.
Amen Brad. Honestly, the offense does start with Freeman and Blount. I would much rather have Blount running the ball than Williams or Graham. I think you may be right about Duemig and Alstott. Alstott’s accomplishments are irrelevant to the Buccaneers future.
December 23rd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
well if keeping Blount out of the game isn’t a ‘conspiracy theory’ then I guess it just means the coaches are too stupid to stick with something that works…..
I prefer the conspiracy thing…then again I really enjoyed that Mel Gibson movie as well!
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Derf,
Jerry Fletcher says:
To be normal, to drink Coca-Cola and eat Kentucky Fried Chicken is to be in a conspiracy against yourself.