The Three-headed Monster
May 18th, 2012
Joe has made no secret what he thinks of LeGarrette Blount, the Bucs’ No. 1 back until dethroned. It just staggers Joe how not only this guy was misused (five carries in the season opener against Detroit — FIVE!) but how offensive assistants did their best to throw the guy under the bus in a desperate attempt to save their own hides.
Well, now the Bucs have a coaching staff that loves to pound the rock. And the Bucs added first round pick Doug Martin and scatback Michael Smith.
But with three guys who can run and, of course, egos involved, can Blount and Muscle Hamster coexist? That’s the subject Paul Derrick of NationalFootballPost.com tackled this morning.
Blount has spoken publicly on how he has pushed himself this summer to be a better back and be capable of carrying a heavier load, but will that be enough? With Martin, Tampa Bay gets a running back with 4.5 speed who has drawn comparisons to Ravens running back Ray Rice.
Martin had nearly 1,900 all purpose yards during his senior year at Boise State and really fills all of the holes that Blount presents.
Blount is definitely a sock you in the mouth north/south style runner, but he can’t carry the entire offensive load for Tampa Bay in 2012. The Bucs spent a first round pick on Martin for a reason, and it’s something they won’t let go to waste.
Joe never understood what all the fuss was when Blount said, in so many words, he is the No. 1 back until otherwise proven. What’s he supposed to say? “I am horrible just like Greg Olson said when he planted all of these terrible things about me and I shouldn’t even be on the roster.”
Please!
Competition brings out the best in players. Look at what happened the last time Blount had competition: He blew up because he had to fight for playing time with Cadillac Williams on the roster.
Now Joe loves Muscle Hamster and hope he runs for 1,500 yards but let’s be honest here. Muscle Hamster has not carried the ball once in the heat of anger on the NFL level. Nor has Smith.
If all three of these guys are productive, Joe sees good things happening for the Bucs.
May 18th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
> who has drawn comparisons to Ravens running back Ray Rice.
So sick of that crap. And I drew comparisons to Babe Ruth when I was in t ball. What does that even mean?
Let the kid play a down or two first.
But it is May, when every 7th rounder might make a real impact this season and every first rounder is a future hall of famer, ready to come in on day 1 and play at a pro bowl level.
May 18th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Joe
Off topic but any news on saints appeal or if drew Brees I any closer to a contract. The longer it takes and more frustrated he gets the better for the bucs. What a disaster that team has become.
May 18th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Perhaps we can become the 7th team in NFL history to have two 1,000 yard rusher in a season!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_teams_with_multiple_1000_yard_rushers
May 18th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Please not the monster thing again.
May 18th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Earnest Byner did it! Perhaps he can make it happen here again!
May 18th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
“Blount is definitely a sock you in the mouth…….”
I’m not sure this was meant to be, but it is funny!
May 18th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Have a nice day
Oddly, only one team won the SuperBowl with (2) 1,000yd rushers. I hope, if Byner helps us do this incredible feat in the near future, we can be another one to win it!
May 18th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
1900 yards at Boise State is yesterday’s news.
The hamster wheel is a lot harder to turn in the NFL.
May 18th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@aj couldn’t of put it any better myself. Fans are so quick to through what they have a way for the supposedly “new better thing” Not saying blount is a complete back or not. But I do know he can put up 1000 yards in the league in one season. I know he can break a $$$hit ton of nfl tackles too. And he can run over or through an Nfl line. True I don’t know if he can block every down or not but I do know that he has shown he can do it. Doug martin not to say he can’t be a stud in the League because I hope he is. But thats all it’s hype. Blount had one of the best qb’s in the league in gb coming off the field shaking his head like damn this kid is a beast. Wouldn’t be so quick to crown doug martin. I remember there was a rb in indy I think his name was joseph addai. N the colts supposedly drafted this stud to take over for him named donald brown. Donald is still mediocre and joe addai was the focal point of the offense.
May 18th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@OAR That would be awesome. I’m with you but I would just like to see some competitive exciting football from the Bucs again. 2010 seems so far gone.
May 18th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Have a nice day
I’d buy that for a dollar!
May 18th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Blount was, in effect, given the number 1 spot because there is nobody else that was even remotely close to challenging him. That says more about the lack of talent behind him than talent within him.
I like Blount, I’m a fan, but anointing him the next great thing is premature. He’s proven nothing.
May 18th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
“He’s proven nothing”
I’d say he’s proven more than the other two have. Of course he needs to improve, who doesn’t ? Even Barber has stated that he comes back each year as if it’s his first, trying to find any way he can to hone his talents. A true pro will always have that attitude, or he won’t last long. I’d say the kid’s showing that he gets it. I figure he’ll do well, even if the Bucs dump him, which I would be surprised to see. I just don’t see Schiano as the ‘play the 1st round pick, no matter what’ type. If the new kid wants the carries, he’s gonna have to earn them, just like Blount.
May 18th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Blount has proven a lot of things, he can break tackles, long runs, fumble, and then there is a lot of grey area can he be coached to block and catch? I think so because no one expects it from him yet!
Who knows about Martin yet…. I think he will be awesome! I don’t care what beckles says some guys need competition to push them so if that is what Blount needs so be it! GO BUCS
May 18th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
IMHO
May 18th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
“I am horrible just like Greg Olson said when he planted all of these terrible things about me and I shouldn’t even be on the roster.”
haha! good stuff!
May 18th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
In the end these two will work as a team and should form a pretty good duo. Would love for both of them to have 1000 yards with some michael smith sprinkled in throughout and madu, but as long as we win games who cares. We are a run first team so as long as guys stay healthy and hold onto the football people will get their opportunities. This is a slow part of the NFL so lots of writers tend to spew out garbage to get guys like us to have a fit about, we will all forget about this stuff when the season starts. The only thing I truly care about right now is not losing any more starters to significant injury from now till the season starts.
May 18th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
IDK about all this talk about questioning L. Blount. I love our Bucs and seriously If your a Bucs fan and remember watching our boy run through some of the best defenses in the league. I mean, I remember the pucker factor I had when watching Blount pound the ball through the Green Bay line, I havent been so excited in a long time, hell I think I may have forgot to breath during his tremendous runs. Blount is the man and I just purchased my season tickets and he is ONE of the reasons why. So, I can’t wait to see our boys pount the rock this year. GO BUCS!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Joe,
Are playbooks on IPads this year? Schiano seems more like a 3-ring notebook kinda guy!
May 18th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Can we get a better nickname than muscle hamster, I know that was from college, but that sucks!
May 18th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I agree, muscle hamster is a terrible nickname.
May 18th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
Joe, your Blount “slurping” is getting so old… I understand that you have a man-crush on the guy, but the fact that you can’t see his obvious shortcomings when they hand him the ball is appalling as one of your long-time readers. I used to enjoy your opinions, but the more you present them in the form of whiny, Blount defense makes me wonder just how qualified you are to give them. There is a large difference between a solid, trustworthy running back, and a guy who’s good for a sportscenter highlight once a week. But go ahead, you have the forum to speak on it. Luckily you arent the one bitching the most, that prize goes to Blount himself. Go Bucs.
May 19th, 2012 at 1:22 am
Blount needs to improve his blocking and play full/halfback
May 19th, 2012 at 1:30 am
Btw…Blount does not have a fumbling problem. He HAD a slight fumbling ISSUE but has corrected it this off season.
The myth of him not being a pass catch has been disproved as well. Get with the times, people.
May 19th, 2012 at 2:21 am
Macabee:
Are playbooks on IPads this year? Schiano seems more like a 3-ring notebook kinda guy!
Joe is guessing yes. iPads are multimedia where you can put cut-ups on them. Can’t put cut-ups in a three-ring binder.
May 19th, 2012 at 8:58 am
At a minimum we know that the run game isn’t going to go to crap if somebody goes down with injury…. that’s more then we could say previously
May 19th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
If this gets Blount to hold onto the ball and become a better WR and blocker… excellent. If not, it is still a great 1-2 punch. Can’t wait to see what Smith has to offer. Madu seemed fast but didn’t appear to recognize holes or have great instincts on cuts.
May 21st, 2012 at 7:53 am
2 out of three 1000 yard rushers would be Great!