Don’t Blame Leonard Fournette
November 4th, 2022
Lombardi Lenny
So where does the blame lie for the Bucs’ league-worst running game?
A Hall of Fame general manager is pointing fingers.
Bill Polian was on SiriusXM NFL Radio today and he was adamant that the Bucs’ failures are not on Leonard “Lombardi Lenny” Fournette. “They cannot move anybody on the offensive line,” said Polian, adding that Fournette is a fall-forward guy and doesn’t appear to have lost his power game.
Joe would counter that Fournette hasn’t been the same since his injury against the Cowboys on opening day, which had him saying he was “playing on damn near one leg” in Week 2. Lombardi Lenny has had terrible stats since big success in Week 1.
Joe also would ask Polian if fans should believe that Tristan Wirfs and Shaq Mason “cannot move anybody?” Really?
However, Joe would say Polian’s takes have some merit, and Joe actually hopes Polian is accurate. Why? Because Fournette is on the Bucs’ books for 2023. He’ll be back.
Joe also points a finger at playcaller Byron Leftwich. He’s never been strong at scheming the run game. Nobody’s going to confuse Leftwich with Mike McDaniel or Kyle Shanahan or Arthur Smith.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
Should’ve kept rojo and drafted white Lenny has no vision.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Give sneak some touches seriously!!!
November 4th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Its funny how all the bad play comes back to wothless Leftwitch.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
I wish Lenny would run half as hard as that rookie ran for Texas last night.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
HOW many times has he been dragged down in the backfield before he’s even gotten going? They predicted what we were gonna do
November 4th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Man this is a Jason licht issue
Plain and simple
We have marginal talent on inside on both lines
November 4th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
A clueless Offensive Coordinator combined with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL…
I actually feel sorry for Lenny at this point.
Hey Byron I have an idea – run the ball straight up the gut every time – especially on first and ten…
What a lame brain.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
At any rate I hope Leverett stays in there, he way more effective
November 4th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
People are hollering about the offensive line again.
I don’t get it. There is MUCH worse lines then ours that run all over other teams.
This is a coaching problem Leftwich should have been sent packing last week at the latest but he is still here.
We should have shipped Devin White off before the deadline.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
“Scheming” may indeed be the main issue. Opponents allmost always seem to know what’s coming in the run department.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
Some of the running woes is on Lenny because he doesnt have the best vision if the hole isn’t obvious he wont see it.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
It’s all on the O line. I fear for Lenny e every play.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
If my wife, who doesn’t know spit about football, can predict the run based on our formation there is a problem. One of many
November 4th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Oh come on, people, BL is a great schemer! Last game I saw Lenny get a nice run. Then I thought, “Holy crap – did BL just call a trap?”
So I rewound it and discovered, nope, it was another 21-dive, except to the 2-hole this time, and Lenny wisely cut it back.
SIGH.
(Sorry if I got my nomenclature wrong – in some systems, the tailback is the “1” back and in others, it might be called the “2” back.)
November 4th, 2022 at 12:52 pm
I call it “The Chinese Fire Drill Offense”
November 4th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
LOL, Oddball. A few weeks ago I commented that I asked my wife to diagnosis what went wrong on a 3-yard loss. She immediately said, “Well, that guy (Lenny) had no chance to get to the blue line – the bad guys were all over him and he had no chance. The blockers didn’t block for him.”
So I hear you about wives even being able to diagnose what’s ailing the Bucs. Wives, or people who don’t know much about football – pick whatever term you want.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:03 pm
Then she asked me why the blue line and yellow line show up on TV but not on the field. So I mansplained it to her real quick, and opened a bottle of wine.
Then we laughed, and laughed, and chuckled, and snorted…you see, sometimes, out of tragedy can come a bonding experience. Good times. The game? Not so good. Towards the end, we were dismayed, shivering, crying, shouting…
November 4th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
@ tampabucsbro
Like I said – “A clueless Offensive Coordinator combined with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL…”
Do you think it helped we lost Marpet, Jenson and Cappa?
Is it a coincidence we can’t get any push on run plays and there is a breakdown along the offensive line just about every play? Especially at the LG/C position?
Goedeke is ranked #71 out of 73 OGs graded.
BL should absolutely not be an NFL OC right now – but the players need to eat their share of the poo-poo pie…
November 4th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Gonna have to do it without Gage and Brate again this week.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Injury Report:
Winfield – OUT
Brate – OUT
Gage – OUT
To be honest Winfiled is the only name here that really bothers me…
I guess DT Akiem Hicks and WR Julio Jones are playing. Then they will both be on IR for another 6-8 games.
What a waste of salary cap dollars. To make the sting worse – we will still owe both dead cap money next season.
I hope GM Jason Licht has learned a lesson. Over 30 and often injured free agents are not good investments.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
I’ve said this before–the Redskins were perfectly predictable in their glory days with Riggins and the Hogs, but you can get away with that all-pro Riggins, all-pro Russ Grimm, and all-pro Joe Jacoby.If those guys got hurt, they would have had to think up more complicated stuff. OUR people don’t seem to have had that epiphany
November 4th, 2022 at 1:29 pm
White needs more opportunities. He’s been better than Fournette this year, especially in pass blocking.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
I personally am not thrilled with how a.few are playing on defense. Devin is guilty! BUT, I think I know exactly why however and even though he learned the hard way that it EASY to get yourself embarrassed, AND his frustration with the GUILTY AS SIN “OFFENSE”, he still has to do his part. He’s speaking his truth, that cost him. He’s showing (like others on defense) his frustration on the field of play by giving up on a couple of plays (the ULTIMATE sin) BECAUSE of HOW OUT LOUD the ENTIRE offense has been. And yes that Includes Brady.
Look, Devin is young and he’s FRUSTRATED AS ALL GET OUT and he doesn’t know how to hide it yet. Actually, I like the honesty. He just needs to be WAY SLICKER about how he gets his messages out. I believe in my gut that he’ll have STELLER game against the sheep. So, he gets one more chance from me.
Look again, Brady IS A FREAKING HUMAN. We seem to ALL of us forget that. The man didn’t want the divorce. AND LIKE HE SAID and I quote, “I gave up my family for this?” Be meant those words. And it WASN’T FAIR that his Ex put him in this position. Half would say it wasn’t fair that he chose football before his family. I say it WASN’T FAIR that she did this to him! Somewhere in time he listened to some WISEMAN or WOMEN and they whispered words to him that couldn’t be true, they told him to run with it as long AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE because if you don’t YOU WILL REGRET IT FOR TBE REST OF YOUR LIFE. That my friends is TRUTH! Because ANYBODY over the age of 40 will attest to the FACT that you can’t do it like you once did though you can do it “ONCE” like you used to. But guess what folks, WE ALL KNOW THAT ONCE IT’S GONE IT’S GONE FOR GOOD! And if anybody would like to claim otherwise, SCREW YOU! YOU’RE A BOLD FACE LIER! So for as long as you can do it, DON’T LEAVE THIS LIFE WITH THAT REGRET! Anybody young enough that hears me know, DON’T LEAVE LIFE ON THE TABLE! USE EVERY OUNCE OF IT WHILE YOU STILL HAVE IT! If your “love one” says leave your passion OR ELSE, THEY DO NOT LOVE YOU! If that person “LOVES YOU” as in TRUE LOVE then they have yoback through THICK AND THIN!
And let’s be frank, it’s not like we’re talking about a bum who doesn’t provide for their family! Right or Wrong? TRUE LOVE HAS YOUR BACK ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S YOUR PASSION! As long as you are there for your family to. I hope nobody tries to claim he didn’t spend any time with his family. If you attempt that then again, YOU ARE A LIER. In EVERY picture you can find of the man outside of football, HIS FAMILY WKTH HIM EVERY WHERE HE GOES!
Both of these men are human. Brady is going through HEART BREAK. It’s a human thing NO MATTER who likes it or not and he got his arse kicked right in the middle of his heart. OKAY!
Devin is young. He is also human. He’s FRUSTRATED! He feels think they have NO HELP AND NO HOPE! And without the offense doing SOMETHING then he’s got a right to feel that way. Play that way? HELL NO! HE’S BEING PAID MILLIONS OF DOLLARS!
GO BUCS!
November 4th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Don’t blame d. White as well !
November 4th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Beej,
Oh the glory days of the Redskins and their very impressive line. Even though I was never a Skins fan, I always admired that line and Riggins.
Him and Alstott. Where is an Alstott when we need him, meaning this year?
Nothing “wrong” with Lenny, but he’s no Riggins, Alstott, or even D Henry currently.
The problem is, our OC seems to believe we have that kind of line, and those kinds of runners.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Ive been saying Lenny is running extremely physically. I dont know why they keep running up the left side. They arent getting any push. Lenny is getting hit at the line of scrimmage.
November 4th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
just not our year hard to be a lasting contender in the NFL
November 4th, 2022 at 2:05 pm
I havent blamed lenny one bit this year. Hes a great back and a good receiving back. He has two lineman who are terrible and one who isnt good enough for practice squad. Why do people keep mentioning the loss of cappa? Honestly isnt shaq an upgrade over him? From what i hear, the line isnt doing too much better in cinci this year as last. Honestly when jensen comes back, the line is an 80% good line. Godecke is just a terrible weak link.
November 4th, 2022 at 2:12 pm
O-line is mediocre, but the predictable playcalling is the real culprit.
Every opposing defense knows exactly what we are doing. Don’t believe me? Listen and watch for youself:
Baltimore defense talking about the lack of creativity on Tampa Bay’s Offense, “It’s the same plays out of different formations, it’s the same plays! Nothing we haven’t seen before”
Ravens Defense later in that game, “let’s make it manageable for us, stop the run on first down”
[Sorry, no links in comments. Google doesn’t like that. But Joe does plan on writing about this for Saturday. — Joe]
November 4th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
^ No worries Joe, I just wanted people to see how bad it is!
November 4th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
The O line is getting OWNED in the trenches! There is a reason the QB sneak has disaapeared which was Brady’s bread and butter! Most of the blame is directly on their shoulders and the rest on Leftwich’s inability to scheme/play call as Joe mentioned.
November 4th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
There’s nothing wrong with Lenny or White, the issue is a stupid playcaller who doesn’t have a feel for the game.
Here’s the deal… you know your offensive line can’t open holes when the other team is expecting you to run. So, here’s the solution, write it down Leftwich, you dummy… DON’T run the ball in running situations. Tah dah, problem fixed. You can still run the ball, just do it on 2nd down, not 1st down. Last week, that’s what Arians game planned you to do for the opening two drives, and shock of shocks, it worked. Then, once that game planning ended and Leftwich was in full charge, it was back to the ultra predictable run up the middle on 1st down for no gain, as the other team has 3 defenders sitting in the hole, waiting for the run, where you have 2 blockers.
November 4th, 2022 at 4:00 pm
If Fournette gets to the line of scrimmage, he’s a powerful back and punishes tacklers. If there is no seam, he freezes up and tries to get shifty. He has no momentum. He’s an easy tackle.
Rod Munch is spot on. The running on conventional running downs is not fooling anyone.
November 4th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
Just read what I wrote. What a mess. I guess that’s what happens when you’re trying to write while on the move at work.. Rod, in the end that’s basically what I’m saying concerning White. The offense has been so bad that White is pretty much losing his mind and heart. And because he’s young he’s acting out on the field. We’d all be just as frustrated if we were in the defenses position. They’ve had no help from the offense the entire season. So… they’re getting fed up and frustrated and have lost their hearts. If the offense did their part at all I’d imagine they would play far differently in the second half.
As far as all the commentary on the different aspects of losing, I agree with damn near all of them. In fact it’s hard to find any perspectives that are wrong.
And Brady, of course he’s having a bad season. He’s been throwing pretty lousy.. Great stats but throwing a lot junk as well.. He’ll straighten out. The worst part is over. I just hope it’s NOW..
Sorry about the sloppy writing earlier.
GO BUCS
November 4th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
@Marine buc
Okay we still don’t have a bad line. I don’t know why you are saying that is the issue. Shaq Mason is better then Cappa go look at cincy he isn’t what he was playing between a pro bowler and an all pro. Jensen going down and Marpet retiring were huge blows.
Bob Hainsey has done a good job at center not as good as Jensen but who else in the league is better? not many players. Yeah left guard sucks. The left guard sucking doesn’t make up for how incredibly bad and inept the offense has been.
It starts at the top and BA was more then a red pen.
November 4th, 2022 at 4:58 pm
@ Tampabucsbro
I’m not saying it’s the only issue…
How many times do I need to repeat this?
“A clueless Offensive Coordinator combined with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL…”
LOL!!!
It’s more than just one issue…
But seriously – if Marpet didn’t retire, Jenson didn’t blow out his knee and Cappa didn’t leave we wouldn’t have a better running game than we currently do?
I find that hard to believe.
November 4th, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Tristan Wirfs and Shaq Mason
—
Two guys they don’t run behind it would seem.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
That offensive line does not have Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, or Gronk doing any blocking during run plays. It makes a huge difference.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:51 pm
We absolutely blame Leonard Fournette, who is an average back—not a power back, not fast, etc. etc.— even in ideal circumstances. Has always lacked explosiveness and power, has always minced and tip toed. If he gets 3 yds, a better back would have gained 5 or 10 or taken it to the house.
Right now, the problem is all of the above. Bad OL, mediocre backs with not a feature back in the bunch.
November 5th, 2022 at 10:53 am
test
November 5th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
How quickly we forget “playoff Lenny”. The Bucs problem is not their running backs. Lenny and White are both capable. Leftditch and blockers are the problem.