Will Leonard Fournette Get A Pitch Count?
May 17th, 2022
The fantasy football world got a May buzz last week when Todd Bowles declared Leonard Fournette his No. 1 running back.
Yes, that outcome was rather obvious, but the fantasy world doesn’t take anything for granted. And one doesn’t have to be a fantasy football player to know Fournette has never played a full NFL season, and he was injury-prone in college.
So that has Joe wondering today whether the Bucs will jack up Fournette’s workload in this all-in season, or will they keep him on a bit of a pitch count to preserve him for the postseason?
Ronald Jones found 101 carries last season, as Fournette got 180 handoffs and caught 69 balls in 14 regular-season games. Could that be Playoff Lenny’s max? Say, 14 or 15 carries a game and five or six targets in the passing game?
Joe is on the fence. The Bucs hammering Playoff Lenny (with his new $7-million-per-season contract) and worrying about January and February — and future years — at their November bye week. But Joe could just as easily see the Bucs staying committed to keeping Playoff Lenny fresh and trying to cap his touches.
Regardless, the Bucs need to replace RoJo, and that might be the most fun competition of spring and summer at One Buc Palace. Ke’Shawn Vaughn has a very hungry rookie behind him. And the Bucs don’t love either of those guys enough to ice out Tom Brady-approved Giovani Bernard if he gets hot.
Miss it yesterday? Enjoy it today. It’s another can’t-miss Ira Kaufman Podcast!
Ira Argues A 3-1 Start Versus A 2-2 Prediction, Talks Reality Check On Tom Brady’s Future, A Mike Evans Question, Luke Goedeke Fit & Much More
May 17th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
I think it all depends on how our O-line gels and plays. As projected now on paper, this line should be a good run-blocking team. As a polar opposite to expecting to win, one shouldn’t expect to get hurt, but reality says it happens. I think all 4 RB’s need to be ready to roll, assuming White is truly an NFL-caliber back. Time will tell.
May 17th, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Hey! I got the coveted 1st post. Do I win a prize? ROFL.
May 17th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Medicated D-Rok
May 17th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Drock…sorry you were late…close but no cigar..🤣🤣🤣🤣
May 17th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
I think about 60 carries would be good for Lenny…..
Actually, whatever his pitch count is, Vaughn & White are likely capable of filling Rojo’s role……
May 17th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Licht using the 90th pick on a back, gives you the answer. Of course they’re worried about LFs workload and injury history. They were lucky he even played again last year after the hamstring.
May 17th, 2022 at 1:23 pm
The hot hand gets the carries with RB’s Joe.
Vaughn and White will carry some of the load. I’d love to see Lenny with White lined up as H back. Add Gronk and Ko to overload one side.
That will make a DC’s day miserable when TB12 has the ball.
The possibilities are endless.
May 17th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Nothing wrong with splitting reps. Besides injury, I think it messes with defenses
May 17th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
PITCH COUNT? You mean SNAP count?
May 17th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Biff I’m interested to see if they’ll go split back shotgun more often. That particular formation can give massive headaches to defenses. A hybrid TE/fullback might be the key to those sets
May 17th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
I don’t think there will be a pitch count so to speak, but he’ll come off the field to give snaps to Rachaad White, who is quicker, faster, more elusive, and catches the ball better… It might take a little while, but White is going to be seeing significant time this season.
May 17th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
All depends on how well the rookie can learn to pass block. If he can pass block, you can give Fournette some plays off on 3rd down. If not, then Fournette should be playing nearly all the time while the rookie gets up to speed.
May 17th, 2022 at 3:33 pm
Even whole games off. Run him tons in first four then two games off.
May 17th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Good teams don’t give Pro Bowl caliber players days off.
It is their job, and what they are PAID to do.
What game could we give him off anyway?
Any Given Sunday
May 17th, 2022 at 4:12 pm
GOB Says:
Biff I’m interested to see if they’ll go split back shotgun more often. That particular formation can give massive headaches to defenses. A hybrid TE/fullback might be the key to those sets
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It’s always fun designing plays in your head.
I’m thinking White and Tommy should synch up quickly and then we have another dimension. Put some stress on a defense early.
Yes, Ko the pile driver, running lead. Great Alstott’s ghost! We need to see this real soon!
May 17th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
I think it will be about the same as last year. Maybe a little less depending on how White is with pass pro. Lenny is the de facto rb1 on the Bucs right now and he’s Brady’s guy. I don’t see anything other than injury changing that.
May 17th, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Bernard has been washed for years. Him making the squad would be a minor surprise.