“People Didn’t Think Mike Alstott Could Block …”
April 6th, 2012
Joe’s made the point many times that LeGarrette Blount has had limited time to develop and spent last season in the hands of a misguided offensive coordinator. Yet Blount still has a 1,000-yard season under his belt and has flashed brilliance throughout his two-year career, plus the guy caught 15 balls at 10-yards a clip last season with scarce chances.
In Joe’s mind, the Bucs clearly couldn’t figure out how to use Blount to maximize his extraordinary potential, so Joe must assume Blount literally can be a dominant running back with better coaching and discipline — something that appears to be in place at One Buc Palace.
Former Bucs defensive end Steve White (1996-2001) seems to be of a similar mindset, so he outlined on WDAE-AM 620 earlier this week.
“I just think the major thing is ball security,” White said of Blount. “Last year, if he doesn’t put the ball on the ground, we’re probably in quite a few more games and our fortunes may have changed in a few of them. Now would it have stopped the regime change? That’s hard to say.
“He was so phenomenal at times. The only thing that held him back was those fumbles.. … Then a lot of times when he’s fumbling the ball it’s at the end of a fantastic run. So if he can just keep the ball in his hands, I think that will go a long way. We really don’t know what he is as a third-down guy because he’s not really been given the opportunity to do it in a game. Coming from a system like Oregon, I would pretty much assume he can catch the ball. He probably can pass block; he’s a big enough guy to be able to do it.
“I remember there was a time when people didn’t think Mike Alstott could block as a fullback, and then he got a new running backs coach and became a pretty good blocker. So that’s something that can definitely can be taught. I think just the one thing comes down to it, just like we saw with Tiki Barber, who showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t stop putting the ball on the turf. Once he did get over that hurdle he became a Pro Bowl running back. So I think the same kind of holds true for LeGarrette; he’s a got a ton of ability, he just has to be more on the details and quit turning the ball over.”
That said, White went on to say he would draft Trent Richardson with the fifth overall pick, if the Bucs don’t do anything else with the roster between now and the draft. White said the Bucs are so thin at the position right now they’re almost forced to pick Richardson if he’s available.
There’s no denying the Bucs will draft a running back, but Joe would far prefer the Bucs use their second round pick on a running back, scoop up the best remaining RB bodies, including a third-down specialist, in free agency and roll the dice with Blount has their true No. 1 back.
April 6th, 2012 at 11:18 am
it is the fumbles but he also has a tendency to want to freelance and dance at the line of scrimmage instead of hitting the hole…Remember the Atlanta game 4th down ball on the 1 and Davin Joseph created a hole and Blount bounced out and was tackled by the safety.Blount is talented but not all world yet..We still need 2 backs !
April 6th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Off topic here, but it’s opening day guys. Let’s go Rays. Pre-season power rankings @ yahoo.com have the Rays at #1. Heading to the trop guys. Hopefully to watch James Shields dominate the Yank-me’s.
April 6th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Saying we are forced to draft TR3 at #5 is nonsense!!!!!!!!!!
We have Blount who wasn’t even drafted, and there is about 6 or 7 really good RBs in this draft. Only 1 great one but several good ones. We have to get either Claiborne, Kalil, or trade down. Point Blank Period!!!!!!!!!
LaMichael James, Lamar Miller, Isaiah Pead, Ronnie Hillman. There is 4 RBs that would help us out tremendously!!! I think Doug Martin will be gone in the 1st is why he wasn’t on the list.
April 6th, 2012 at 11:28 am
TRich, welcome to Tampa!
April 6th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Even though I don’t want TR3 doesn’t mean I don’t think he will help us out a ton. But you don’t run 2 power backs. You have a power and speed back. Blount doesn’t fit the speed category and neither does TR3 in the pros. Need that 2nd round speed back!!
April 6th, 2012 at 11:59 am
We absolutely need 2 starting-caliber RBs… We are a running football team… us going with 1 starter would be like the Falcons going with just 2 WRs starting… or GB… we need element of surprise as well as just “handing the ball off”
April 6th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Actually FunkyxMunkey… we do need speed but we need a starter who can carry the load… we aren’t like “the avg 2012” NFL team in regards to running… Schiano said it himself… he wants Bell Cows and OLD TIME Rushing… so what the other 31 teams are doing? flush it down the toilet… he isn’t using them as a model….
April 6th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Would you all trade Blount and our 3rd Round pick for Darren McFadden??? I would in a heartbeat. I know thats random, but there was reports Oakland wanted to trade him a couple months ago and he could be that homerun threat we have to get!! If healthy he is a top 5 RB hands down!!! Just a thought.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
He is already our homerun threat. How about we keep him and use our 2nd or 3rd for a back that will likely be as good as McFadden, instead of trading for someone else’s leftovers.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Leftovers???? WHAT….he is a beast. I still like Blount but it sounds to me that Schiano does not. And what RB in the 2nd or 3rd can even hold DMCs jockstrap???? NONE!!!!! And when has Blount ever ran for a long TD??? He gets caught from behind everytime!!! He gets 30-40 yards downfield and its over!!
April 6th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
I don’t think trusting Blount as our #1 back is rolling the dice. You outlined why earlier in your post, he’s a 1,000yrd rusher who flashes excellence in nearly every game.
Not adding depth -behind- Blount is rolling the dice. Utilizing Blount more is a sound strategy
April 6th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Hey, I’ll take 30 or 40 yards downfield. Not every run has to be a TD. My problem with Blount is not his speed, it’s his not ‘attacking’ the hole and dancing too much at the line of scrimmage. That may work if you are Forte but not if you are Blount. Blount is a physical back,not a finesse back and he needs to ‘make’ holes if there aren’t any. He should always get positive yardage if he’s running aggressively toward the line of scrimmage. Yes, he does break off the long run but that is what boosts his YPC. He has too many carries for minimal yardage and that doesn’t keep the chains moving. Still, he has tons of upside potential and with good coaching he will be a punishing back for us. However, we don’t need Trent Richardson to come in and replace him as the lead back. We just need a compliment RB like Doug Martin. Someone who can also take over the workload should Blount go down.
April 6th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Is his fumbling not in part of haveing to cary 8 people down the field ? and The Dfence knowing that we are gong to run the ball , its not like had any one guseing what the next play was going to be !
April 6th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
As much as I love Claiborne, Richardson is an elite player and having him and Blount back there (even at the same time in some packages) would be a nice sight.
April 6th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I like Claiborne but here is an example why having TR and Blount would make a tremendous different over Claiborne.
Bucs v. Packers
This goes for the Saints…Patriots…and any other team with multiple great WR.
Bucs Offense (with Blount and Richardson in same package) v. Packers Defense = Bucs Offense would be difficult to stop!!!! Potential to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field!! Tire the Defense!!! Score Touchdowns.
Bucs Defense (Claiborne at CB) v. Packers Offense
Claiborne man to man on Greg Jennings. Aaron Rodgers TD pass to Finley…. Aaron Rodgers TD pass to Nelson…. etc.
I think overall TR makes a bigger difference on the team as there is more potential for Offensive TDs and although defense is nice. If you can’t score points, you don’t win the game.
April 6th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
EDIT: difference
April 6th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Steve White’s on the money as usual. Blount’s a beast, Richardson or not. No reason they can’t split carries. Load up on talent and demand the coaches figure it out.
April 6th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I’m starting to fall in love with Doug Martin at the top of the second round.
April 6th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Doug Martin isn’t interested.
TR is the dude of dudes.
April 6th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
Claiborne at 5. I don’t think Martin will be there when we pick in the 2nd.
I hate retyping this every two days but I keep reading these posts about Blount not hitting holes. There were limited holes with Faine, not enough carries for Blount b/c of playing behind, and all of our new weapons will help Blount this year, including a proven NFL RB as his new coach. Blount will be significantly better this year. Add in a flash RB to the mix…I need to change my shorts. 🙂
April 6th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
To all of you guys who are in love with Trent Richardson I’ve got 2 words for you:
Mark Ingram.
Using a #5 pick for Richardson is a total WASTE. Get a good long term LB or OLinman, unless of course you’re in love with the LSU ‘Wonderlick’ phenom!
Geez
April 6th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Mr Lucky ,
On a moron would think “Mark Ingram” and “Trent Richardson” are one in the same. Even Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin know what’s up. C’mon man!
April 6th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
On= Only*
April 6th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
So White thinks all that about Blount then turns around and says we need to blow a top 5 pick on a RB? He’s lost touch with today’s NFL.
Lucky’s right. Richardson is marginally better than Ingram, Ingram went #28 overall and disappointed on a Saints team that ran the ball very well when he WASN’T in the lineup. Why waste valuable resources on a RB when there are more valuable players at premium positions that the Bucs have not only no depth at, but no decent starters either.
April 6th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
The comparison between Ingram and TR3 coming out of college isn’t that different. Both dominated in the SEC and college in general. Ingram sucks in the pros. The only thing TR3 has over him is a lil more speed. But the value of a RB does not equal the 5th pick in the draft. This is a passing league. You need great DBs, WRs, and OL. RB does help open the pass but if you spread it out with talented WRs, which we have, the RB doesn’t matter anymore. The Pack and Pats throw 50 times a game because they score so fast. The run has very little to do with their success. I would much rather have Blount and L. James, Isiah Pead, or Ronnie Hillman. We need a compliment to Blount. Not a replacement. Thats what TR3 would be!!!
Anyone who would waste the 5th pick in the draft on Offense when our holes are on D makes no sense. We do need another back but we can do that in the 2nd or 3rd. The only Offensive player I would take at #5 would be Kalil. I love Blackmon but VJax cancelled that out. We have to get a true CB. Claiborne is the best by far to come out in years. His tape shows everything you need to know. The dude shuts down his WR. Forcing QBs to focus on 1 side of the field. Huge help to the other DBs and LBs.
April 6th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Doug Martin will not be there in the 2nd round. Period…quit talking about it. He is the clear #2 RB in the draft now. Cincy wants one, Cleveland needs one, and all the top teams who draft in the 20s and 30s could always use another play maker to help them out.
We have to fix our D though. I was really upset when we didn’t get Curtis Lofton. He would’ve made an instant impact as our Mike. If we could trade down to below 8-10 I would grab Kuelchy. If not we have to go either Mo or Kalil. Whichever one Minnesota doesn’t get! I really hope they don’t mess this up and draft TR3. That would kill our draft from the get go!!!
April 6th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Off topic…but I think we should sign EJ Henderson to play LB for us. He is 32 I know, but he has played all 16 games the last 2 seasons and has a combined tackle total of 214 in that span. 105 in 2010 and 109 in 2011. He would make a great addition to our team as well as be a great mentor to our young LBs and our Rookie that we draft!!!
April 6th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
LOL ,that’s funny…… marginally better than ingram that statement come from someone,who has never watched UA football or has no clue what a good rb is. Richardson was the best college rb the last two years in the best college conference.Richardson was by far the best rb on that team. Now,all this is a moot point ,since the brownies will draft richardson with the 4th pick, odd worthy of the 4th but not the 5th,huh? the brownies are in desperate need of many positions like the bucs and especially qb ,but instead of reaching for need. They’re simply drafting the best player on the board,it’s just so happen to be an immediate impact player. What in the world are they thinking? lol
April 6th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Brandon,
Richardson is way better than Ingram.
Corner is deeper in this draft then RB.
April 6th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
I’m sorry, but it is absolutely stupid to compare Ingram and Richardson, and it shows you have obviously never seen them play. You can watch their damn YouTube highlights and see they are completely different players. That’s like comparing Emmitt Smith to Marshall Faulk. Please everyone stop showing your ignorance, I beg of you!!! Before you type another Captain Tim-like uneducated post about Richardson’s speed, go do some research. First of all, at his pro day he had the 2nd fastest 40 time of any RB. More importantly, watch how he blows by people in the actual games (you know, with pads on). If that’s not good enough for you, go look at his individual game stats. He breaks off a huge run virtually every single game. go look it up. I know you want Claiborne more, and he may very well be the better pick, but don’t lie to prove your point. All it does is make you look less educated, thus making your point invalid.
April 6th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
When blount shows he’s not the best back on the 2012 team, then what? When blount shows he’s just a yungry,lol, version of bjacobs,who do you blame? Oh,he’ll have his moments a jump here,a skip there, but when he put the ball on the ground,will all the joe’s still be in the amen corner? Blount doesn’t have the heart to be a dominate running back. He’s always looking for a chance to avoid contact. Anybody remember blount running over a corner to get in the end zone? What about a first down? Or any situation where a 250 lb rb vs a 180 lbs. corner and blount won that matchup. Teams are aware of the “JUMP” ,now so that’s not going to be effective anymore. It’s put your head down and force your way thru.,impose your will,step on their face and that’s not blounts game. He will be a good back up though,but only a good back up. Maybe the bucs can stumble up on amad bradshaw and blount should feel much better about himself.
April 6th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Stevek Says:
April 6th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Mr Lucky ,
On a moron would think “Mark Ingram” and “Trent Richardson” are one in the same. Even Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin know what’s up. C’mon man!
===========================================
I wish there was a like button. Stevek, that is downright hilarious.
April 6th, 2012 at 10:19 pm
@Mister V – so just because the Cleveland Browns think that Richardson is worth a #4 pick we sould take notice????? Repeat after me: THE BROWNS SUCK WORSE THAN THE BUCS – as an ORGANIZATION!
To all you guys talking about Richardson being so much better than Ingram you are so dense that you’re missing the point. Ingram was supposed to have a great impact for the Saints right? WRONG!
Richardson will be the same way – he isn’t an Adrian Peterson. As for Cincy wanting a RB why not give Cedric Benson a shot on the Bucs?????
You all get so caught up in these rookies in the draft that you’re really forgetting the BIG PICTURE. There are so many kids that draft well and are NFL BUSTS – (Insert Arrelous Benn here or maybe Gerald McCoy?)
I’d MUCH rather get PROVEN NFL players thru FA than unproven and untested college kids.
Oh BTW how many of you ‘experts’ passed on Adrian Foster as well? What round was he choosen in.
A. 1st
B. 4th
C. 7th
D. undrafted
E. All of the above (the Wonderlic choice of Clairborne)
🙂
April 6th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Besides Cedric Benson there’s also Hightower and Ryan Grant to consider – that assuming that the Bucs want Blount at the #1 back – something I would be very much in favor of.
April 6th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Mister V – I can make the exact same statements you brought up but insert Josh Freeman instead of Blount.
Personally I’m more confident that Blount can return to his 2010 form than Freeman can.
April 6th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
raphael Says:
April 6th, 2012 at 11:18 am
it is the fumbles but he also has a tendency to want to freelance and dance at the line of scrimmage instead of hitting the hole…Remember the Atlanta game 4th down ball on the 1 and Davin Joseph created a hole and Blount bounced out and was tackled by the safety.Blount is talented but not all world yet..We still need 2 backs !
– – – – – – –
Give me a freaking break…I am so tired of hearing this bullspit.
Nothing personal, but Blount is starting his third year in the league and has not even had an off season programs in which to be developed. He had a pass first coordinator who claimed he couldn’t trust Blount not to fumble, yet gave the ball to Parker who fumbled 3 more times than Blount.
And you cited one instance of a hole he didn’t take…aside from him not being coached right, those holes were so few and far between that he couldn’t even trust the offensive line to open them…so he HAD to do his own thing MOST OF THE TIME.
Our draft should go:
1) CB
2) LB
3) LB
5) S
6) OT
7) RB
In that order. Heck…there are going to be plenty of UNDRAFTED RBs we can choose from as well. After all, Blount was undrafted.
April 6th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
@stevek
“Corner is deeper in this draft then RB.”
Not even close.
They need to come out of this draft with no less than two starters in our back seven, and one of those starters will need to be a #1 Corner. Those players are not going to be found beyond the first three rounds in this draft, it’s just not a deep enough draft at those positions. Now I fully expect Dominik to be working his ass off to trade down and if he does manage to do that Dre Kirkpatrick will most likely be the target unless Claiborne somehow is magically still on the board after the trade down. He might be if we don’t move further down than 8. Cleveland will be trying hard to trade down too, but if they can’t, Richardson might be their pick.
Honestly, I would probably take Blackmon over Richardson if I had to choose between the two.
April 6th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
^^^What Pete said.^^^
April 6th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Mr. Lucky ,you’re right I forgot, they are only picking 4th while we’re picking 5th( in a tie breaker),yeah that’ll show ’em whose best!!!
April 7th, 2012 at 12:13 am
http://twitpic.com/96jeny
Bye Bye Trent Train ? Trent Richardson tweeted this not long ago.
April 7th, 2012 at 12:44 am
Well if Trent goes to Cleveland he can look forward to staph infection.
April 7th, 2012 at 1:33 am
I like alstott as much as anyone else but any real fan knows he wasnt a true fb but that role did get him on the field at least. as far as drafting take claiborne if hes there if not its up for debate but get a rb later in the draft
April 7th, 2012 at 7:14 am
Peter wrote it better than I did – the Bucs priorities are/should be:
1. CB
2. LB
3. LB
4. S
5. RB
6. OT Sorry Pete but I would reverse 5 & 6. I feel fairly confident that the management has helped the offense as best they could and it’s time to step it up on defense.
In the NFL RB’s are a dime a dozen and they’re like eggs, a short shelf life and gentle – just look at the Bucs own Ernest Graham as exhibit A. Blount needs some help in the backfield, of that there is no questioning however I am of the opinion that the team should offer a contract to Cedric Benson or Ryan Grant before considering drafting Richardson at #5.
April 7th, 2012 at 7:15 am
As far as those of you criticizing Blount for dancing at the line of scrimage don’t you remember that Allstot did that as well?
Finally, or P.S. Allstot couldn’t block either!
April 7th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@stevek
Are you serious???? Deeper class of CB than RB???? That makes no sense. Have you even looked at the players coming out this year. The RB class is the most loaded in the whole draft!!! If we already have a power back that means we need a speed back. TR3 will not be as fast in the pros as he was in college. That is proven. There isn’t too many LBs and DL players that can run 4.5s in college. NFL is full of them. Just look at Reggie Bush. He had all those long runs in college and came to the pros and sucked. Just like Ingram although he isn’t a speed back.
Some people on here make “homer simpson and peter griffin” seem like nobel prize winning theoretical physicist!!!!
April 7th, 2012 at 11:42 am
@MrLucky
Thank you. All these “fans” hating on Blount seem to forget…all Alstott did was dance and shake a jig instead of drilling people. And I’m amazed that people are this down on Blount. All he did was carry the load 2 years ago. Then the worst season we have had overall in 20 years. We have a “Real” coaching staff now and I’m sorry 3 fumbles all year isn’t that bad. Look at Adrian Peterson…that all that dude does is fumble. I do wish Blount would hit people harder. But our OLine was a straight joke last season, as well as our whole team for that matter!!!!!! Get a RB in the 2nd or 3rd and go D all the other picks!!!
And Alstott never blocked, he was a RB in a FB body. Does anyone remember his blocking???? It was comical!!!