Leonard Fournette Discusses His Transformation Into A Multiuse Weapon
August 16th, 2022
Hard work paid off.
We all know Playoff Lenny is one of the better running backs in the NFL. But since he came to the Bucs, he has further established himself as both a runner and a weapon in the passing game.
Playoff Lenny could always catch. He demonstrated that one season in Jacksonville. But with the Bucs, Playoff Lenny is equally likely to burn defenses catching a pass from Tom Brady as he is trucking linebackers.
Last week when the Dolphins were in town, so too were the co-hosts of “Movin’ the Chains,” Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Kirwan watched Playoff Lenny one practice hauling in a lot of targets and it opened his eyes.
Pat Kirwan: The impressive thing from my perspective is route-running. Sudden out of the routes and catching the ball on the run and going. Tell me about that. Whenever I see that from you, and I know you caught a lot of balls in Jacksonville, but something about you and Tom when you got going together, I thought the routes were better and the receiving looked easy for you. And he loves throwing to you.
Playoff Lenny: It comes from a trust thing. If he doesn’t trust you, he’s not going to throw you the ball. When I got here after practice, the thing we did every day is run routes. I think that got his trust.
Playoff Lenny and Brady also had sweat equity involved. No matter how hot it was or how tired he was, Playoff Lenny always stayed after practice and worked with Brady on sharpening pass routes.
After each practice in 2020, Playoff Lenny would run routes with Brady, even in the rain, day after day.
“That’s how you gain his trust,” Playoff Lenny said. “As far as route-running, that is something I practiced this summer. I came from a running school. We didn’t pass the ball much.”
Playoff Lenny said teammate Giovani Bernard is a big influence.
“I watched Gio’s tape,” Playoff Lenny said. “He makes guys miss. He’s twitchy. He’s fast. That’s what I want to be as a big guy. So that’s why I try to work on it.”
There is no question Playoff Lenny’s best career choice was signing with the Bucs. From learning from Brady to having his mind set right by former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians to learning from a fellow teammate like Bernard, Playoff Lenny has become his best self with the Bucs.
And the Bucs became winners with his help.
August 16th, 2022 at 6:11 am
Brady is the king of check down passes, Lenny looked a little sketchy in 2020 but 2021 as sure handed as they get.
August 16th, 2022 at 6:34 am
Lenny’s head is on straight.
August 16th, 2022 at 6:53 am
Hit first. Then twitch. That’s the big player’s way. The Bucs had herky jerky Michael Pittman and Charles Sims. Those guys left yards on the field trying to shake and bake instead of running into people first and making them miss.
August 16th, 2022 at 7:21 am
Rachaad White is twitchy, elusive, and fast, and a natural receiver.
August 16th, 2022 at 7:38 am
I was very impressed with White in the Miami game…….he’ll only get better…..
And, yes…Lenny can catch…not only the easy passes but some tough ones also.
August 16th, 2022 at 7:41 am
Hey joe – I haven’t heard anything and not even any talk about whether Alvin kamara will be suspended. What is going on with that? That piece of crap beat a person up. This obviously affects us for the second game but do you have any insight? Thank you
August 16th, 2022 at 7:42 am
I don’t think I’m gonna put any Buc receivers on my fantasy team this year (had Evans last year) there’s just too many of them. Lenny had 69 catches tho, might pick him
August 16th, 2022 at 7:47 am
[Nothing misleading in the least. Why make stuff up? — Joe]
Lenny had 76 receptions with Jacksonville in 2019 prior to playing in Tampa.
In 2020 Lenny had 36 receptions followed by 69 receptions in 2021 in his last two seasons as a Buc. He wasn’t even a starter for much of 2020.
Brady has checked down to running backs his entire career.
August 16th, 2022 at 7:48 am
Lenny and White are gonna make a helluva a duo this year. Super psyched just thinking about all the highlight reel plays they’ll both have.
August 16th, 2022 at 7:50 am
Spot on Ken. When you are Lenny’s size you just hit someone. It worked well for Alstott.
August 16th, 2022 at 8:03 am
Against the Dolphins, Vaugh had 10 carries for 19 yards. That’s only 1.9 yards average per carry. That’s bad.
August 16th, 2022 at 8:49 am
I thought the headline said Multiversal for a bit. Kinda wish it did now that would be pretty badass for Fournette. LOL
August 16th, 2022 at 8:57 am
Left Lane Lenny
August 16th, 2022 at 9:49 am
Wouldn’t minds seeing a few split back formations with Lenny and White both coming out of the backfield this season.
August 16th, 2022 at 9:51 am
Lenny’s head is on straight.
I think part of that is maturity and also learning that you aren’t always the “go to” guy on the team, even at running back. I expect a big year. Good luck Lombardi Lenny.
August 16th, 2022 at 9:57 am
I commend Fournette on his hard work. He isn’t a natural pass-catcher, and by going the extra mile he became smoother at hauling in the ball and generating YAC. He showed the raw skills as a Jag, he is more refined now.
I still remember the homers who claimed that Rojo was better at catching the ball, and was better at pass protection.
August 16th, 2022 at 9:59 am
69 catches, 34 first downs. Guy had like 1300 yards from scrimmage
August 16th, 2022 at 10:23 am
Lenny, in addition to the obvious talent, also has that big-game gene. How many times did Lenny disappear in big games for us? None? Instead, he plays bigger and better in big games. Love that in a RB, or any player.
August 16th, 2022 at 10:34 am
Why was people impressed with white he gifted a interception?
August 16th, 2022 at 10:39 am
Licht picking up Lenny from the scrap heap was a great move among his many great moves lately. No one, not even that cheating hobbit from boston is in Licht’s zip code during the last four years.
Lenny has shown a great deal of fortitude in helping himself become a damn good player and I’m happy to have him on our team.
August 16th, 2022 at 10:42 am
That 15 yard TD run to tie the Rams at the end… Not too shabby
August 16th, 2022 at 10:52 am
Lenny is great. TB loves him. End of story.
August 16th, 2022 at 11:25 am
Chris l Says:
August 16th, 2022 at 7:41 am
Hey joe – I haven’t heard anything and not even any talk about whether Alvin kamara will be suspended. What is going on with that? That piece of crap beat a person up. This obviously affects us for the second game but do you have any insight? Thank you
Hey Chris is just read an article stating that Kamara is likely to start the season since his hearing for the Las Vegas beat down on sept. 29th. Which most likely means the NFL WONT DO ANYTHING UNTIL AFTER THAT IS RESOLVED. which sucks for us but it could be worse. We could be going against DESHAUN “Bill Cosby” Watson. Lmao
August 16th, 2022 at 11:26 am
I am very happy the Bucs have Lenny as the starter and a promising rookie, but they could use some stronger depth at the position.
Dolphins have a good group of receivers, but I wonder if they would be down for a WR for RB trade. Dolphins have ridiculous depth at running back and the Bucs have ridiculous depth at WR.
August 16th, 2022 at 11:30 am
Love the Lenny and White combo this year.
Looks like a newer version of a Bucs Thunder and Lightning.
But we need to come up with a nickname for them.
August 16th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
You’d be surprised how fast you can run, when a 300 pound athlete is chasing you, with harmful intentions.
August 16th, 2022 at 1:05 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me to see him lose lots of time to the rookie and by this time next season, his job.
August 16th, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Just remember that Lenny may not even be here if it wasn’t for Bruce Arian’s thoughtful talk with him. He took it to heart and grew tremendously after that.