Blount Was “Out There Calling The Protections”
November 1st, 2011
Today Josh Freeman referred to the “monkey on LeGarrette’s back.”
The QB was talking about LeGarrette Blount’s reputation of not being a capable third-down back. Speaking at his news conference today, Freeman said any thought of that is ancient history.
“He can do it. We’re out there doing a walk-through [today] throwing it around. When we got into the pass and the blitzes, I mean, [Blount’s] out there calling the protections, knowing where he’s going,” Freeman said. “It’s huge. Huge strides that guy’s made.”
Joe’s confident Blount can get it done, as well. Given the alternative, Joe suspects he’ll get ample opportunity to prove himself Sunday.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Only seven games too late!
He should’ve been doing this ALL YEAR LONG. It shouldn’t have taken Earnest Graham’s injury for him to get some reps in pass protection.
November 1st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I think the most important thing for Buc fans to remember is that this whole team is young (except of course “old man Barber”), and a lot of them have only scratched the surface when it comes to developing the skills that they will be able to use in the future. That is what makes following this team so exciting right now is that they keep developing every week. Another thing to remember is that during the lockout it was said that the young teams were going to get off to a slower start and keep getting better as the season goes on and they get more game time under their belts. I personally can’t wait for the rest of the season to unfold. GO BUCS!
November 1st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@KD
I would agree with you, but without an offseason, he’s right on schedule.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Id rather go slow and steady then put to much on his plate and get Josh killed.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
He HAS gotten reps on 3rd down tho. They have been few and far between, but he has been succeeding with a few catches this year.
And bc of that and his hard work, he’s earned it. He’s fortunate bc graham was still the better 3rd down option, and Olsen was too stubborn to otherwise give him more reps and take away Graham’s. But now he deserves the opportunity, and I hope and think he will do well.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:43 pm
It’s about time! He’s way better at recieving than Graham. His blocking should hopefully be fine. What’s everyone say his best attribute is? OPEN FIELD! Like Farva on Super Troopers OPEN FIELD DUDE! He’s going to be great.
November 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I agree. Blount was a huge liability blocking on third downs last year, but has worked his tail off and completely turned that around this year. I’d rather Blount back there on third downs than Lumpkin every single time.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Go B-train!!
He has improved alot from last year.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Joe, what alternative? I thought Blount was our only legitimate NFL running back.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I’m sure he is making strides. But is the coaching staff smart enough to know that? If anything, he’s gotta be more capable than Lumpkin. I don’t even want to see #28 on Sunday.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
I agree Blount is a better option than Lumpkin but I don’t necessarily agree that he’s a better receiver than Graham. He has yet to prove that. I just think it makes the play action a lot more believable when Blount is in there on third down. The defense has to respect the real possibility of a run on short yardage 3rd down situations.
November 1st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
If someone’s gonna be back there learning, it might as well be Blount.
Even if Lumpkin is ahead of him right now in pass pro and other 3rd down requirements (I don’t think he is, but just for the sake of argument), the upside to turning Legarrette into an every-down back is much greater than the upside to turning Lumpkin into an acceptable third-down back.
Our offense becomes much, much more difficult for the defense to read if we’re a legitimate threat to pass with Blount in the game. On the other hand, if Lumpkin develops the 3rd-down skills then we retain the same predictability problem we had with Graham.
The only time I’d like to see Lumpkin is if we need to rest Blount.
November 1st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Joke, I have to agree with everything you just stated.
November 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Its about time. Hopefully it’ll work with the Saints and their “exotic” blitz packages. I don’t understand why some refer to them as exotic.
November 1st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Best thing I’ve heard this week.
November 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
This is great but Josh has been saying this all year. Too bad Olson doesn’t get the message. Wait for sunday and 3rd down and Lumpy will be wiffing on mlb’s that come charging up the middle and Freeman will start throwing off his back foot again to avoid the rush.
November 1st, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Keys to the game: Keep Brees and Lumpkin off the field.
November 1st, 2011 at 9:41 pm
It’s sad to say but this kind of needed to happen to see if Blount can be an every down work horse. If he can be a feature back like that it will help alot with our offense. It will keep the Defenses honest, no more just taking him out and know it’s a pass, or putting him in and KNOW it’s a run. If he can keep up on protections and catching out of the back field it will tremendously increase the production of this Offense. HELLO (working) PLAY ACTION!
November 1st, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Lumpkin brings shame to the number Warrick Dunn Made GREAT!
November 1st, 2011 at 10:09 pm
941:
No, Derrick Ward brought shame to the number Warrick Dunn Made GREAT!
November 1st, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Oahu:
LOL!
November 1st, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Now that we’re on the subject of the corruption of numbers…which jersey number is next to be retired before having it’s sacredness soiled?
November 2nd, 2011 at 12:22 am
Bucbeliever:
When he goes into the Hall of Fame, easy.
55.