Schiano Praises Blount’s Will
October 2nd, 2012One would think the 2012 version of LeGarrette Blount would be loved by the New Schiano Order.
Blount is physical. He’s worked hard in practice. Joe doesn’t even recall Blount fumbling in practice or anywhere this year. And ball security is everything to Greg Schiano.
Blount seems like one of Schiano’s “Buccaneer Men”, though he’s seemingly been in a doghouse, only released for an occasional romp around the yard.
But perhaps things changed Sunday.
With 9:41 left in the fourth quarter, the Bucs turned to Blount on 2nd-and-goal from the 2 yard line to pound the ball in for a score. And Blount absorbed hits and delivered a punishing touchdown run. (Here’s the video)
This was not lost on Schiano, who spoke on his WDAE-AM 620 radio show Monday about Blount’s effort with what sounded like a twinkle in his eye.
“A good job by the line, but I think that was a man who was not going to be denied,” Schiano said of Blount.
If nothing else, Joe suspects Blount is now the Bucs’ short-yardage running back.
But Joe hopes Schiano’s comment leads to more carries. Blount remains a proven weapon that is not being maximized. That’s unacceptable.
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:32 am
Blount should be the starter, Martin does not have the Pro experience at this point…for now
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:44 am
Yes not playing Blount more than 10-15 snaps to me is completely http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07So_lJQyqw
(check link for 3 sec clip and last word to my reply)courtesy of Adventure Time!!
October 2nd, 2012 at 9:00 am
Going three and out won’t get anyone any carries & that’s been the problem all year. We’re really missing both Joseph & Clayborne already.
On another note: is anyone else upset over the calls especially against Mark Barron. Seems like RG3 is the new Golden Child who can’t be touched or even looked at the wrong way. These were big turning points in this game!
October 2nd, 2012 at 9:15 am
Your absolutely right Joe it’s unacceptable and without consistency in our rushing attack we’re not able to better utilize our weapons at WR it’s frustrating to say the least. Like Jorge Diaz said let LGB drop the hammer and Martin dodge the bullets 😉 Go Bucs!
October 2nd, 2012 at 9:37 am
Disgusted by the flag on Barron’s hit. You are taught, even as a youngster, to drive thru the ball carrier. That was TEXTBOOK, and it ignited the crowd, only to be taken away by the new SFL(SoftyFootballLeague). The NFL is going the way of the Dodo Bird. With the shootout scores of 63-57 becoming the norm, the NFL more resembles the Arena League than REAL football. It’s a damn shame, the old-school fans built this thing and its now being turned into a circus, reality-show esque disgrace. It’s painful to watch such a great game being turned into this CRAP!!!
October 2nd, 2012 at 9:59 am
Not giving the ball to Blount 20-25 times a game is ridiculous, Martin should be. The change of pace back!
October 2nd, 2012 at 10:27 am
LGB could take his job back, all be it if Schiano can get him some more carries.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:25 am
Schiano needs to understand one thing, Blount will get you the yardage when speed back wont due, he is one of those guys that will take what he needs on the field.
If Schiano don’t use him the Bucs sooner or later will lose him to a team that will make him an offer the Bucs can/will not match.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:37 am
Life is tough for a red headed step child in the NFL. A single punch at Oregon cost this great RB his future and $ millions.
It doesn’t matter if he has 2 thousand yards rushing and he is with out a doubt the most exciting RB in Buc history, he still “unproven.” Schiano and Sullivan haven’t figured out how to use those new-fangled video machines.
I noticed Peanut 1.0 got tossed aside a few times on blocking assignments and dropped two passes. Martin’s got hands of stones but since he’s a #1 pick, he’s the golden child.
That no name, 6th round Redskin RB from FIU schooled the Bucs in more way than one.
October 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am
I think 2010 was successful because you had Blount starting and Caddy the third down back. Caddy was Free’s safety blanket. Always making the right decision who to block and he also caught a ton of passes. Martin needs to step up and into the ole Caddy role.
Interesting comment Al Michaels said during the Eagles/Giants game. He said Eagles use a 9 man d-line rotation. This is why they can bring the pressure the whole game. NSO has over half the starting D playing every single snap. They were obviously gassed at the end of the games. They need to have faith and play the subs more.
October 2nd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Martin was not drafted No.1 to be a change of pace back to anyone. Not saying anyone is wrong but the this New Order that will never happen. IMHO.
October 2nd, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Hopefully Blount is out of the dog house and Schiano can clearly see he’s a better ground and pound than Martin at this time…send a message to Martin and let Blount start agasint KC so he can see what it takes…..
Run LeGarrette Run………..
October 2nd, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Time to let LGB loose and let him run.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:25 am
Personally, I never thought Blount was in the dog house. But whether he was or not has been pure speculation anyway…and in the end it doesn’t matter.
Let’s try approaching this from a different direction…Schiano knew we had a 5th week bye. He also knew we faced our toughest games (aside from Atlanta) before the bye. Is it at all possible he used this time according to a plan?
By starting Martin it gave Blount time to fully heal up and ease into things.
By starting Martin, it gave Doug experience against top-notch competion…and allowed Schiano to test his durability.
Maybe I’m reading too much into things? Schiano is an extreme micro-manager (rules for rules) and has reasons for everything he does.
Let’s face it…WE all knew coming in that the first 4 games would be tough. Really…is anyone surprised at the results? I was hoping for 2-2 at best, but knew that would be lucky. So, does anyone really think Schiano was blind to this possibilty as well?
So maybe…maybe…he figured that if odds were against us he could try to change them…but also use the time to evaluate Martin. I don’t know…maybe I’m grasping at straws.
Along with everyone else, I’m still trying to figure out what kind of coach Schiano is. Obviously discipline is big…but there are other things to see as well.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:29 am
And…btw…I have wanted Blount to start all along, even when everyone else said I was wrong. I wish I had been wrong, because that would have meant Martin was excelling. I do like what I see from him…I just think he needs time to develop.
But heaven help Blount if he fumbles even once.