Leonard Fournette Update
September 2nd, 2020
He’s free (to sign)!
So Leonard Fournette has been a free agent since Tuesday afternoon.
The stud running back and former first-round pick of the Jags, which cut him Monday, cleared waivers. So Fournette, who accounted for over 1,600 yards from scrimmage last season and ranked fifth in the NFL for receptions by running backs (72) can sign wherever he wants.
Many NFL types believe the Bucs are one of a handful of teams that could land Fournette.
The timeline doesn’t exactly fit though the timing is just about perfect. The Bucs are sort of crunched against the cap and Fournette, who Bucco Bruce Arians didn’t exactly deny interest in, might be a tight squeeze. He may be able to be had for $3 million for a one-year deal considering he was cut because the Jags didn’t want to pay his $4 million roster bonus.
Then, while Joe was taping the next edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” it hit Joe like a two-by-four in the face.
NFL Network reported over the weekend that the Bucs are trying to extend Lavonte David’s contract. David, the stud Bucs linebacker, is in the final year of his current contract.
Could the Bucs have heard the footsteps from Jacksonville, that the Jags were about to turn loose Fournette?
And are the Bucs reworking David’s contract, in part, to clear cap space so they can sign someone like Fournette, or perhaps someone who is unexpectedly cut this weekend as teams shave their rosters down to 53?
The timing of the David news is more than interesting to Joe.
If the Bucs are serious about making a run for a Super Bowl — and nothing screams “win-now” more than signing a 43-year old starting quarterback with a coach who turns 68 in a month — than the Bucs should give serious consideration to bringing in Fournette.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:04 am
Get the deal done.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:06 am
There really is no point in signing Fournette.. Rojo can get the job done just as good.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:12 am
He will be a Saint.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:26 am
We will run the wishbone with Fournette.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:37 am
Rojo is a trash rb. Literally anyone would be an upgrade
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:38 am
He’ll run for 150 yds and 3 tds week one as a Saint if Licht doesn’t sign him.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:40 am
CPN- wrong sorry RoJo ain’t no Fournette that’s a ridiculous statement.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:40 am
They might be maneuvering cap space to make room for any number of players, including Fournette. I’m nervous about the current RB crew on the Bucs.
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:52 am
get it done sooner the better
September 2nd, 2020 at 1:21 am
It “hit you” Joe? That’s funny. More likely, it hit you when I posted my prediction last night about LD’s extension that you didn’t post. Are you taking credit for other people’s ideas? There’s a word for that… I guess it will be our little secret. No idea what you’re talking about, but it was discussed in the Ira Kaufman Podcast, which was recorded yesterday evening. –Joe
September 2nd, 2020 at 1:35 am
2019 comparison:
Fournette – 4.3 yards/carry, 6.9 yards/reception
Ro Jo II – 4.2 yards/carry, 10 yards/reception
Just sayin. A talented back for sure but not the same guy that trucked over entire defenses back at LSU
September 2nd, 2020 at 1:42 am
The Saints could end up with Jameis Winston and Leonard Fournette. That could be scary in the future
September 2nd, 2020 at 1:49 am
Rojo is trash trasht trash
September 2nd, 2020 at 1:50 am
Fournette with no 8 man box will be a problem in tampa.
September 2nd, 2020 at 2:33 am
Rojo is Trash Lol. You must have bumped your head son.
Rojo is actually a more explosive running back than Leonard Fournette.
All I’m saying is adding Leonard Fournette to the mix – will give the BUCS a formidable 1-2 punch. Plus quality depth.
September 2nd, 2020 at 2:40 am
I remember Ahmad Bradshaw (Explosiveness) & Brandon Jacobs(Power) gave teams fits in the 2nd half of games. I envision Ronald Jones & Leonard Fournette doing something similar; if not better.
September 2nd, 2020 at 2:57 am
it’s up to tom brady…he runs the show 🙂
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:06 am
If Brady feels he is a good fit he will be a buc later on today!!
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:06 am
fournette spotted in aisle 11 at publix on dale mabry…with jameis…
carrying a dooky bag of crab legs, a huge box of chicken tenders and a case of brews…
will he be a saint or a buc is the question
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:08 am
yes byrd…
they will go to brady and say “yo tommy you want this guy”?
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:11 am
Make it happen Licht! All or nothing dude.
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:19 am
The Saints have their own mess with the salary cap. Alvin Kamara is reporting to camp tomorrow. The Saints are not going after Fournette. If anyone, the Seahawks might go get him. We should pounce if we want him and if it’s not a ridiculous amount of money.
But, it really depends on the progress of Dare and Rojo. If they have both improved in this offense, then you can run with the trio and hope you get production from them. I really do think RoJo has improved his hands. This OL and Brady’s ability to change protection and defenses with their hands full with our receiving weapons should make running the ball much more improved.
September 2nd, 2020 at 3:24 am
By the way, I think the Fournette bonus is almost double what Kamara’s salary is for 2020. So, if they are balking at paying Kamara, why would they pay Fournette more? The Saints will get Kamara’s deal done.
September 2nd, 2020 at 6:14 am
LUV- That Giants backfield was formidable. I loved Jacobs, heck big backs in general, as everyone here probably knows!
A Fournette signing would be a strong commitment to a run-game and an upgrade at the position for sure.
WHY was he cut? At 25 and a productive back, there has to be a reason.
September 2nd, 2020 at 6:27 am
Fournette is good at catching.
September 2nd, 2020 at 6:47 am
Don’t need him
September 2nd, 2020 at 7:07 am
Lamb what are you talking about? Fournette is a FA. He has no contract or a bonus at this point. Plus kamara does not want the contract he currently has, he wants about 14 mil per. Fournette is getting nowhere near that but you better believe he would play for 2mil for one year for the saints which is kamara’s current cap hit. Fournette is a definitely in play for the saints.
September 2nd, 2020 at 7:40 am
Fournette is an injury prone malcontent, pass. We have a good young stable of backs, with McCoy, a vet in the group. Our running game will be fine with what we have. Tom, and Wirfs will make it better, we don’t need Fournette.
September 2nd, 2020 at 7:53 am
2019 comparison:
Fournette – 4.3 yards/carry, 6.9 yards/reception
Ro Jo II – 4.2 yards/carry, 10 yards/reception
Just sayin. A talented back for sure but not the same guy that trucked over entire defenses back at LSU
THAT WAS A COMMENT FROM ABOVE>
BUT RO JO ONLY HAD 172 CARRYS!!
4NET HAD 265 CARRYS
BIG DIFFERENCE
September 2nd, 2020 at 8:58 am
Why not keep shady Rojo and Fournette ? He would be like our mike alstott to our warrick Dunn but this time we actually have an offense with the goat as QB. Having Fournette in the back with Rojo and shady would keep defensive coordinators up all night because then single outlet that Brady can’t turn to, to score; rB stable, wr’s, TE’s he has never been surrounded by my so much talent in his 20 years except maybe the time Brady had moss and we saw how that turned out.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:04 am
What about Gronk’s one year $10 million dollar deal he currently has. Why can’t the Bucs give him a two year deal and cut that $10m down to a more cap friendly figure. $10 million for a TE we plan to use sparingly seems a bit high IMO.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:07 am
A few things.
1) @ICEMAN99 – exactly, so if you give Rojo a bigger workload he would be better than Fournette.
2) Why do people on this site want to recreate a RB dynamic from 20 years ago? Everytime a RB gets brought up they want to recreate Alstott and Dunn. Stop.
3) If negotiating with Lavonte clears cap space for anything it should be used for Godwin’s extension. Not another RB.
4) I doubt the Bucs will carry 5 RBs this year. So they would have to cut either Shady or Vaughn. Dare will make the team because he plays ST.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:19 am
I think if you wait and sign players after week 1 – you don’t need to guarantee the entire salary for the year.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:31 am
That’s true. But do you roll the dice and hope Fournette is still looking for work in the middle of September?
One of the main reasons the Bucs haven’t been to the playoffs in 12 years is this franchise considers “hope” a virtue, not a liability.
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:35 am
Bucsfanman
It’s a fire sale bredren.
Everything must go!!
Earlier Example:
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:37 am
“Hope” is not a strategy
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:38 am
Shouldn’t be. Sure has been the past decade over at One Buc though. 🙁
September 2nd, 2020 at 9:56 am
Turnover Since Jacksonville Lost
• Conference Championship 20-24 vs. New England Patriots
Notable Players either released or traded
QB Blake Bortles
RB Leonard Fournette
RB T.J. Yeldon
WR Allen Hurns
LDE Yannick Ngakoue
LDE Dante Fowler
RDT Malik Jackson
RDT Marcell Dareus
RDE Calais Campbell
LDE Dante Fowler
LCB Jalen Ramsey
RCB A.J. Bouye
S Tashaun Gipson
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:00 am
Damn LUV that list is pretty wild.
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:18 am
unbelievable
Yup- That’s a ton of high draft capital most of which they drafted.
They shot their shot. No harm in that. Things just didn’t workout.
Now they’re trying to pull off a quick reset.
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:20 am
rojo,shady,fournette sure sounds nice!!!!…i have confidence in that back field…
GO BUCS!!!!
September 2nd, 2020 at 10:55 am
Joeypop – well said!
Isnt Joe the one that said having a defense stop the run first is dumb because it’s a passing league. Yet, he also clamors for every RB free agent?
Conflicted much?
In BA I Trust!
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:35 am
@LUVMYBUCS:
Jax also had Allen Robinson in 2017, but he only played one game before injured.
tickrdr
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:45 am
It hit me too Joe, but like a hard working young lady at Mons venus when I ran out of dollar bills.
September 2nd, 2020 at 11:55 am
LUV- “Reset” is an understatement!
September 2nd, 2020 at 12:46 pm
tickrdr – True. Glad to see your alive and well sir.
Bucsfanman – The Great Reset Indeed bredren