“I Think That’s An Insurance Policy For Leonard Fournette”
April 21st, 2021
Are Bucs lacking confidence?
The mystique of Playoff Lenny/Lombardi Lenny Fournette makes it easy to forget that he was benched after the Bucs’ December bye week, deactivated for a critical game against the then-struggling Bucs versus a Vikings team that had won five of its last six games.
Bucs fans saw a different Fournette after that, but former Bucs quarterback Shaun King is not sold on Fournette’s desire/ability to stay focused.
And for that reason, King believes, the Bucs went out and signed running back Giovani Bernard in free agency earlier this month.
“I think that’s an insurance policy for Leonard Fournette,” King told WDAE radio. “Because I think there are some question marks within the organization, and I definitely have some question marks as to what Leonard Fournette are we going to get. Are we going to get the guy we saw during the season who really was below average? Or are we going to get the guy that played [the playoffs] that looked like the Leonard Fournette out of LSU. So I think Giovani gives you some insurance. You know, RoJo has dealt with some injuries. So if RoJo’s not completely heathy, you do have a guy that has proven that he can be a front-line running back and be adequate.”
King went on to say Bernard is ideal for Tom Brady’s comfort, option routes and swing routes, as well as having confidence when he doesn’t feel comfortable pushing downfield on third down. Bernard fits the mold of what Brady has sought — and molded — in that role.
Interesting take by King on the “insurance policy.” Why re-sign Fournette if you have concerns? But that is what the great teams often do, gamble successfully on talented guys with inconsistent attitudes.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:16 am
The reason is Fournette had stone hands in the regular season and many times in the playoffs as well. So yeah it’s a great signing and something we desperately needed.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:35 am
Every added player is an insurance policy against injury or other problems….suspension, attitude, performance. So, I don’t look at it as specific to Fournette.
What I do look at is that he is replacing Shady and Gio is quite an upgrade there.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:39 am
The numbers 14.6% and 342 is why Gio was signed. That’s the percentage of dropped passes by TB running backs last year and the number of receptions he has had since 2013. The league average was 6%. Helps that he is high character and a fierce pass blocker too.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:48 am
I think we are going to see 4 really good RBs for our team. Confidence comes with repetition and comfort of expectations. Jones was touted as lead back and given the majority of touches both Fournette and Vaughn were new to the system and also Brady as he has expectations and a set way he looks at the running backs, them being able to go through the year together and become familiar with our system and also Brady who also was adjusting to our system. Those three will be on track when the year starts and will take advantage of their opportunity when it comes and Bernard is coming into a system now where it is more settle and will be easier for someone new to it to pick it up as the rest will help on his transition and since he will be catching mostly his skill set will be defined with Brady. This will be a year where hopefully we will be able to run out games by running the ball which should make everyone a lot more relaxed.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:55 am
I see where King is coming from. He was playing Peyton Barber Lenny all regular season with many recaps of disappointment in my brain. I’m very much looking forward to watching his game this year.
April 21st, 2021 at 10:57 am
Najee Harris is better then any RB on our roster. Three of our backs will be FA next year. A 17 game season is extra wear, and tear on the position. If the best RB in the draft is there at 32 I would be happy to have him.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:04 am
Shaun King needs to step away from the cheeseburgers and get on a treadmill. And seriously, he needs to pipe down about “below average play” from a guy who was the Bucs best producer offensively in the playoffs. What’s really funny is, he and Brady are about the same age.
April 21st, 2021 at 11:10 am
I can see where he is coming from with this, fournette was saying in an interview about the struggle of staying motivated when you are not the guy when you listen to gio he is all about contributing to the team no matter what role it is and rb at 32 just seems silly to me even with the one year contracts five rbs on the roster? Just don’t see it hope for a cb or an edge to drop to us at 32 if not trade down for more picks or for future picks would be pretty sweet
April 21st, 2021 at 11:13 am
Fournette isn’t great catching passes which is why we signed a pass catching back. Hopefully over his career, Fournette will learn to do that better.
April 21st, 2021 at 12:06 pm
king makes good points…
GO BUCS!!!!
April 21st, 2021 at 12:13 pm
Headcase … his problem not ours.
That is the reason he was cut
Those reasons listed above are why he only has a one year deal.
Hope he can get his Sierra together
April 21st, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Fournette was terrible during the regular season. Definitely different player in the playoffs. Would not mind if Bucs take any of the top 3 rb’s with their first pick.
April 21st, 2021 at 1:29 pm
If we draft a RB and don’t want to carry 5, what happens?
* Trade Rojo
* Cut Fournette
* Cut or trade Vaughn
Unless Vaughn goes backwards, I think they have plans for him. Rojo I still think is the #1 back… So I think Fournette would be toast unless they could get trade value for Rojo.
There are some interesting backs outside of round 1… Michael Carter — he’s the joystick player Arians has referred to desiring.
Given that all of our RBs except Vaughn are on 1 yr deals, I’d favor drafting a RB.
April 21st, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Bernard has only $85Ok guaranteed where Fournette has $3,250,000…..I suspect they would cut Bernard if they had to cut a RB…..but I think they might go with 5……but only if one or two could play ST.
April 21st, 2021 at 4:46 pm
I think the signing of “Gio” will only motivate ROJO and Lenny to work hard on their pass catching abilities . Motivation is the “Key to Success” !
April 21st, 2021 at 5:02 pm
Pro set, fake to SB Lenny, dump screen to Gio, TD Tampa Bay!
April 21st, 2021 at 10:29 pm
Why waste the first round pick on a running back when you already have 4 pretty solid backs. A speed back in Rojo. A power runner with good speed in Lenny. The new guy who runs good and has great hands. And the new kid last year who never got a any preseason work but coaches think has good potential. Pretty decent group I’d say. Not likely to get a game breaker at # 32. Time to bulk up the defense. OLB, DE, DT. Best player available at 32 and on. Grab a backup QB with long term potential if one is available. Find a offensive line player in later rounds. Same for kick returner or burner in later rounds.