Leonard Fournette Says “A Cool Head Wins A Hot Game,” Talks About His Two Drops
January 25th, 2021
Leonard Fournette, affectionately known as “Playoff Lenny,” has carried the mail in the Tampa Bay backfield all through the playoffs.
Through three playoff games, Fournette has grinded out 48 carries for 211 yards, with 14 catches and three touchdowns overall.
It hasn’t always been smooth, though, Fournette had a couple of drops on short throws yesterday in Green Bay, and he talked about them on SiriusXM NFL Radio today.
The setting sun was the main issue, Fournette said, “I couldn’t see the ball at all. I’m not going to lie to you. … I was frustrated because I know it’s a big game and those little things like that can haunt us in the end.”
Fournette added that coaches encouraged him and he was pushing himself to “shake it off” and tap his maturity to not let the drops rattle him.
“A cool head wins a hot game,” Fournette said. He was referring to Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, but the one-liner might as well been for himself.
Regarding the offense as a whole, Fournette talked about the Bucs desiring to have a precision approach yesterday in order to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field and get the defense rest.
Man, Joe doesn’t know where the Bucs would be without Playoff Lenny.
Consider this, the Bucs are 7-0 this season when Fournette gets 10 or more carries, and in those games he has 30 receptions and seven touchdowns.
Joe is sure the powers in charge at One Buc Palace are well aware of those numbers.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Gonna need RoJo or Vaughn too… RoJo was back to dancing yesterday rather than hitting the hole. Run blocking and run play calling absolutely MUST be at it’s best come Super Bowl Sunday!
It had taken a whole day for me to adjust from the adrenaline of yesterday and the realization that the Buccaneers were going to the Super Bowl. Last time we had a several year build up and high expectations, this has been surreal!
January 25th, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Love what he’s done and can’t argue against going with the hot hand. Having said that does anyone else feel like it’s too predictable when Rojo came in? Like you see him there on first down and know we are running up the gut? Reminds me of years ago with Cadillac and knowing we weren’t going to throw the ball to him (until he improved that part of his game)
January 25th, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Hope we can find room for him under the cap but so many other priorities — David, Godwin, Gronk, JPP, Shaq, Suh………..some of these will self select out even with a Super Bowl win. I was surprised to read that his 314 total yards from scrimmage leads all offensive players in the playoffs.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Coming to the Bucs was a great career decision that LF will cash in on. Fournette has proven he can be a key contributor to a championship team.
Whatever team he’s on next year, I wish him the best. (Unless it’s a different team in the NFC South and then you’re dead to me.)
January 25th, 2021 at 4:43 pm
Swampbuc … FYI, JPP is signed through the end of next season.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:44 pm
You can sense other players don’t like him (maybe the Duval thing) and try to bait him. He had gotten better about brushing it off instead of barking back. We will need him if we can expect to keep #15 off the field.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:48 pm
The T.D. run was spectacular.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:50 pm
great work Lenny…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 25th, 2021 at 4:52 pm
mg – true. One of the best runs of the year.
January 25th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
Hit T.D. run was the loudest I have yelled during a football game since 2002.
Lost my voice.
10/10 would do it again
January 25th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
Playoff lenny
Yah. Someone will give him 6-7 mil a year to be on their team.
We will get comp pick for him.
Maybe bucs draft etienne although they need to draft defensive tackle and edge rusher in rounds 1 and 2
January 25th, 2021 at 4:55 pm
*His
January 25th, 2021 at 4:58 pm
Playoff Lenny.
Stone Cold Bowles.
Super Freak White.
Miller Time.
We don’t only have a great football team, we have the start of our own professional wrestling league.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Play the hot hand.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Playoff Lenny is playing a lot better than Rojo in the playoffs. I thought we should of seen more of Lenny and less Rojo. Plus Lenny can pass protect better and catch better.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
Wonder if Rojo will heal by kickoff?
That long run last week that was called back looked as though he could have aggravated something. And then came out early yesterday- limping.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:25 pm
Fournette, JPP and Barrett have all been playing lights out, is it no coincidence that they are looking to prove to potential free agent seekers, that they are worth the investment.
As a fan is it too much to ask that during the regular season games, the same effort is there. I was worried about Barrett but yesterday was the best game of the season for him. JPP is a warrior but hadn’t been as effective getting sacks towards the end of the season.
Both of our edge rushers need to get ready for one of the most mobile quarterbacks in 2 weeks.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:42 pm
The two drops only hurt Brady’s completion percentage, I think between them both it might have been for 1-yard total. He should catch them if he’s going to be your pass catching back, but thankfully they were pretty unimportant drops.
If Brady is sticking around, and I certainly assume that is the case, then the Bucs really need to get him a pure pass catching back. Just think if you had a Warrick Dunn type of RB playing with Brady… or even a Charles Sims.
Fournette I assume will cost too much to bring back, but I wouldn’t be against it. Getting benched for that Vikings game, then stepping up and not whinning or pouting about it, he earned a ton of credit in my book for handling things that well. Then in the playoffs he’s done well. Still, I hope Rojo is back at full strength, while Fournette has done well, Rojo has looked special lately when healthy.
January 25th, 2021 at 5:45 pm
Ed, trust me when I tell you that JPP and Barrett are buying Vea a steak dinner or whatever he wants after yesterday. Anyone who had a close eye when watching all that pressure on Rodgers saw that Vita pushed the the line of scrimmage back into pocket leaving nowhere for Rodgers to go! Hello JPP and Barrett racking up 5 sacks because of it. This is the perfect example of a players stat line not telling the entire story of his performance (Vea).. He was freaking great for us!
January 25th, 2021 at 5:58 pm
Chris K….I’m pretty sure we all saw what Vea did..the pocket collapsed a lot more than I thought it would.
Both lines are playing great ball.
Run Lenny run.
Go Bucs!!!
January 25th, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Wouldn’t shock me if JPP retires when the Bucs win the SB. Suh and Gronk? Licht knows he has to bring back Ungodly CG14 and (my hero) LVD.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:00 pm
James White from Patriots contract expires this year, one of the best RB receivers in the league, Bucs could get him for short money. If Bucs constantly going to run on 1st down get a fullback for Rojo. He’s young Brady will work on pass catching during off season. What AB in SB playing for contract he is going to light it up.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Honestly ROJO was getting nothing on his carries
Playoff Lenny was essential to the offense
January 25th, 2021 at 6:13 pm
I hope they run the ball more than 30 times and him and Rojo both get 15 carries.
Playoff Lenny has been good at pass protection and out of the backfield, although he drops as many as the next guy, but Rojo is a much better and more explosive runner.
PLEASE Give RoJo some more carries!
January 25th, 2021 at 6:18 pm
Joe,
So what Lockwood do the Buccaneers get when the SB takes place?
January 25th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
Looker room*
January 25th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Yes, Vita pushed the the line of scrimmage back into pocket leaving nowhere for Rodgers to go.
You could see it on the replays.
On one sack, Rodgers turned to get away from the push up the middle, and Barrett got him!
January 25th, 2021 at 6:36 pm
I agree that we telegraph the run when Rojo is in……Lenny is better at both pass protection and catching…
I don’t think there is any way we keep him……we need to sign Godwin, LVD, Shaq, Suh….Gronk……just not enough money….even with the tricks Licht seems to come up with….not next year….
We will pay to keep our offense together…..and will draft DE/DT high in the draft.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Yes Lenny has been great during the playoffs glad he’s with us. Yesterday our run game wasn’t great but it also seemed to me that BL went back to his run to the left on 1st down a lot.
TB12 had a bit of Winston in him during the 2nd half but I just couldn’t understand the deep shots at the time. We were going for the knock out blow but it seemed that when we couldn’t connect BL just kept calling for a deep shot instead of settling things down with some short slants or something different. Then finally came the pass to Gronk and Brady settled down again. We can’t make those mistakes against the Chiefs. This has to be our best all around game to win or we’ll just be the 1st team in NFL history to lose the Superbowl in their home stadium. 2 weeks to come up with the best game plan possible.
LETS GO BUCS!
January 25th, 2021 at 6:50 pm
LF has been fighting off demons this season and has come out of it a stronger man!!! Good for you Lenny!!! Keep those chains moving!!!
GO BUCS!!!!! FINALLY GETTING SOME RESPECT!! GO BUCS!!!
January 25th, 2021 at 6:50 pm
We can’t win this game with one or the other we need both backs to get hot for the SB.
We really need ROJO to break one like he did against the Panthers. But yes, Playoff Lenny is the hot hand so he gets the start.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:54 pm
TampaBayBucfan
I agree, I think Lenny is moving on after this year if he gets an offer.
I think the Bucs are content with RoJo and Vaughn as the main two guys moving forward.
With a full training camp with Brady I am confident one or both will become better blockers.
As far as catching the ball out of the backfield, that should improve as well and it isn’t like Lenny hasn’t been dropping passes left and right.
January 25th, 2021 at 6:59 pm
JPP and Shaq both sacked Mahomes last game when VV did not play.
Watch all the replays of the GB game, VV or Suh are double teamed and everyone else is one on one getting pressure.
And if they leave someone else into block, it just makes it that much easier to double team Kelce and Hill with safety is over the top of both of them.
I really don’t want to be overconfident but the defense and the schemes have been phenomenal. I see see them containing Mahomes.
By contain I mean… Keeping them at 27 points or less.
That’s the reality of facing these offenses in today’s NFL.
That would be enough. The Bucs have not scored less than 30 so far in the playoffs and I don’t think it will start now.
They are about to face the worst defense they have faced in the playoffs.
January 25th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
Rod munch I thought vea was a 2 down run stuffer. Yea seems like you don’t know football.
January 25th, 2021 at 7:23 pm
I dunno Jones might be having even more success than Lenny if givin the opportunity.
January 25th, 2021 at 7:33 pm
Jones is hurt or he would see more action. On the TD at the end of the half Playoff Lenny slid across in front of TB-12 to pick up the blitz. A thing of beauty when everyone does what is expected.
January 25th, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Re – watching the game
That run by leonard was absolutely filthy
——
And shaq almost had a 4th sack. Vea when singled wash pushing his guy off the field. When doubled he still pushed line back into Rodgers. Glad he will gave 2 weeks to get cardio/ strength / health back. I mean how could you say he is nothing special. Oh wait someone did^^^^
😂
January 25th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
ROjO had a great catch and run on the chiefs last game, he can do it again, should be healthy for the super bowl
January 25th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
SlyPirate — thanks for the correction about JPP. I am happy and relieved. He is more important than Shaq, imo, not to say Shaq isn’t important. And Shaq is younger. But about to become the highest edge rusher in the game unless he’s ok with the Bucs franchise tagging him again.
January 25th, 2021 at 9:17 pm
I couldn’t see the ball at all….say what?
January 25th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
1987, you’re right. I forget that the trolls who didn’t notice those things are long gone and that the majority of everyone still typing on this site are real football and Buccaneer fans. That’s my bad! 😂
January 25th, 2021 at 9:48 pm
JCP:
Joe’s guessing you mean locker room? The Bucs would be using the Bucs locker room.
In the Super Bowls and the week leading up to the Super Bowl, if the game is played in an NFC city the NFC champ is the “home team” and uses the NFC hosts’ team facilities. The AFC champ would use a different facility.
Naturally if the Super Bowl is held in an AFC town, the reverse is true.
So the Bucs being the NFC team, they get to use the NFC facility in an NFC town: their own.
(Chiefs will use USF’s complex.)
Think about if the Bucs would have lost. They would have been cleaning out their place just as the Packers would have been moving in.
January 25th, 2021 at 9:48 pm
This was a rare game that Rojo didn’t have more success when they both got equal carries… In every other game Rojo got equal snaps he had much better runs and a better per carry average… Fornette did something in this game tho that Rojo still has to learn.. he broke it to the outside when the gaps closed!!!! … He was patient and allowed the blocks to set up when that was needed! … He was the pro that Rojo has yet to become even tho he’s a better pure runner …. This is the most carries Rojo ever got in his short career this season… Fornette has been the work horse for a long time so you expect it out of him more… Where’s it been all year??…. Just glad to see it during this run!! … I think Rojo will have a better outing on the super bowl!!
January 25th, 2021 at 9:52 pm
It’s a must win SB. It will be hard to sign godwin, David. ,suh , fournette , gronk, brown etc etc
Secondary has gain exp and knowledge. Up to the dline this game. If we can contain mahomes and chiefs to acouple. fG.
January 26th, 2021 at 12:00 am
Adrnagy
Suh, Gronk, LVD… they should be easy to sign. Godwin will be looking for a big raise and he deserves it. But they should sign him.
Brown and Fournett were here because they were given an opportunity with a good team with Brady … and to put some good tape out there, show some good behavior and go get a big contract.
I don’t think there was any chance the Buccaneers were going to even try to re-sign them.
Besides, at receiver they have Johnson and Miller behind ME13 and Godwin , they are set.
Rojo has shown he’s the man when it comes to running the ball and I’m sure with a full off-season with Brady the blocking will turn to a strength. And the rookie Vaughn will step up and be the number two guy
January 26th, 2021 at 9:05 am
Let’s not blow things out of proportion, Joe. Lenny hasnt been great. Barely good. That 20 yard TD run featured the first, second, third, and fourth broken tackles for him all postseason. He is far worse as a runner than Rojo and only a slight upgrade as a receiver. No way they throw down any part of their $30m under the cap to bring him back.
January 26th, 2021 at 11:05 am
Would love to see LF back in a Bucs uni. Still not convinced ROJO can be the man. Vaughn is nothing more than backup.