More Bagging On Blount
February 14th, 2013
It’s amazing how the three wildly overworked game-film geeks at ProFootballFocus.com manage to keep tabs on the character of NFL players. These guys must have 5-Hour Energy IVs — or they occasionally pull things out of thin air.
One of the three film junkies and stat geeks at PFF, Khaled Elsayed, ranked free agent running backs and claimed LeGarrette Blount (a restricted free agent) has “major character questions to overcome.”
8. LeGarrette Blount
2012 Grade: -3.2 2012 Snaps: 93
Summary: What to make of Blount. In his rookie season he was a revelation. Finishing the year top of the charts with an Elusive Rating of 89.2 after breaking 50 tackles and averaging 3.7 yards per carry … after contact.
Since then it’s all gone wrong. His struggles in the passing game mean the Bucs have been loathe to trust him, to the point that he was given only 41 carries on his 93 snaps in 2012. Still, the big back may benefit from a change of scenery which may doubly act as a kick of the backside. He’s got some major character question marks to overcome, and he’s entering a now or never stage of his career. He need only run like he did as a rookie and all of a sudden he’s one of the best in the league at turning nothing into something.
Hmmm, so after getting more fit before the 2012 season, earning a role within the New Schiano Order, and no off-field trouble (or fumbles) in 2012, Blount is accused of “major character question marks” that need to be “overcome?”
Joe finds this to be BS. Blount’s a valuable backup on a team with a superstar running back and a head coach that prefers a singular workhorse/bell cow back.
The rest of the character talk about Blount and his alleged passing-game issues are nothing more than silliness.
Joe expects the Bucs to make the small investment it will take to tender Blount as a restricted free agent, which would guarantee his 2013 return. You don’t just toss away a talented back capable of carrying the load, especially when you’re expecting your offensive line to be the NFL’s best.
February 14th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Hehee. The Blount man crush continues for Joe. . .
February 14th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
Never understand why people hate Blount so much. Because he punched a guy in 2009 that called him the N word?
February 14th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
It’s not just those guys, that show no love for anything Buccaneer, it appears to be an epidemic from all of the media outlets. Tampa Bay has become the new whipping boy for all major league sports. Heck, just last year we were voted the most depressing place to live by some magazine from N.Y. Even after a record breaking year by Freeman, he was still ranked by most media outlets toward the bottom of their QB rankings. Tampa has gained that bad boy perception about us that has gone nationally viral. Especially when it comes to blackouts, the media loves to play up that fact nationally, but when there are other teams also blacked-out, you don’t hear about them. Last year, it seemed so many media sources repeatedly took pleasure in trying demonize or villainize Coach Schiano all season long. In football terms, that’s called “piling on”. Is it me? or am I too damn sensitive?
February 14th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@Kennedy
Never heard anything about the n word bro. I’m going to need to see a link for that.
February 14th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Joe I heard Alex Marvez, on late hits say that in the Raheem Morris era Blount couldn’t show up to practice on time, to the extent that the bucs, sent a car service to pick him up, to make sure he got there on time, and he’d still sometimes be late. I don’t have the time to try to track down the story, or research it’s validity, but as you’ve said Marvez seems to have one Buc Palace wire tapped.
February 14th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@Joe.D – The Times wrote about that, but if true, that’s very old news. Too od to say Blount has “major character flaws to overcome.” No reason to think Blount didn’t mature before and through last season.
February 14th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
I saw 3 times where Blount almost got FREEMAN KILLED……if #5 was less than 250 pounds, he might be dead!!!!!!!
February 14th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
If you read what he wrote, the writer of the article did not accuse Blount of character “flaws”. He pointed out that Blount has character “question marks”…even I, as a big Blount fan, cannot question that statement. Blount has been in the news in a negative light several times; the punching incident, the (supposed) lack of effort going into 2012, and the punching issue in practice with the Titans (seems like there was something else too, but I *might* be getting that confused with Talib; the issue with the lady who accused an entourage of berating her?). Thing is, those most definitely ARE question marks; they are not, however, flaws, and the writer was not saying they were.
The ultimate problem is a “where there is smoke, there is fire” perception with Blount. That perception is all that the writer was trying to relay.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
I suppose if you’re trying to assimilate a character profile on a guy, and you see a guy that guy suspended for punching a dude in college, then gets in a fight in TEN training camp, cut by TEN, then picked up by the bucs, and can’t show up to practice on time. Then, can’t learn the pass blocking scheme…i guess that equates to “Serious Character Issues”
I love Blount, I think it’s a disgrace the under use of him this year, and I understand the flip side of all of these stories above, but I understand also where the stories come from.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@Wienaman – There is no point trying to reason with Joe.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@Have A Nice Day – Your steady attacks on Joe are over. You are now banned. Joe has no interest in babysitting your comments to determine what misrepresentations of Joe are coming next.
@Wienaman – The author’s quote is “major character question marks to overcome.” Joe was very clear on this. Why should anyone believe, after a year under the New Schiano Order, that Blount still has major character question marks to overcome? (Joe is always pleased to debate logically and passionately.)
February 14th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
I can’t believe he was in on 93 snaps!
I think Blount can be huge for us but I don’t see how in the world he would have any desire to play here. I don’t think its a question of whether or not we want to resign him.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
@ joe that was funny lol
February 14th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
How amusing people blast the media yet take them at their word.
I wonder why our O line LOVED blocking for him and I wonder why Schiano still has him on the team if he was as described above. Perhaps having a quality back in reserve for such a low investment seemed wise. I’d assume he’s been practicing hard to correct deficiencies in his game since he has the time, motivation and coaching. Regardless I trust that this coaching regime will strive to upgrade at every position on a constant basis.. Love it to be honest.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
why on earth does anyone want to take carries away from Doug Martin to give to Blount? Doug is twice the player Blount is, half Martin’s good runs would have been two yards and a cloud of dust if Blount was carrying the rock.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
kh:
Save the tread on those valuable tires, man.
February 14th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Blount will show up in Philly, this year or next playing for Chip Kelly
February 14th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
When Blount punched that Boise player in the face, that was an assault. Then he punched a teammate in Tennessee. All that happened before he became a Buccaneer, but he’ll never hide from that moment in Bronco Stadium. He will have to live with the stigma of having some serious character issues. Under Schiano, LeGarrette has been somewhat of a model citizen, because as we all know, Schiano won’t put up with the BS. But also in LeGarrette’s defense, he has apparently calmed down. If the Bucs put a low tender on Blount, I see several teams making him an offer. With Blount you can get a lot of bang for under 1 million.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
@ Weinaman
The other instance you are forgetting is the hog wash that drunk dude made up about Blount running him down and having his boys kick his rearend for side swiping his car. Blount was exonerated.
With that said I don’t find Blount’s character “flaws” bad. He is a fiery, passionate guy. He has talent there is no doubt, but I don’t feel he fits with the Bucs. From what I saw he just never seemed to get his wheels going in 2012. Much like Caddy, Blount gains momentum and gets better as the game progresses. Coming in back up duty did not work for him. The Bucs need and agressive power back that hits the hole hard as a backup to Martin. One that can make consistent plays out of the backfield and can hold his own in pass blocking. If Eddie Lacy miraculously made it to the 3rd RD, pull the trigger Dom.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
Not using Blount last year was just ONE of this team’s poor decisions that I question!
I’m still scratching my head as to the timing of the unloading of Talib!
February 14th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
@dcbucsfan
When Schiano released the Soldier, P. Parker, and T. Jackson, he sent a message to the rest of the team that this culture of behavior will not be tolerated. When Talib was suspended this time for another poor decision, after promising the coach he was recommitted, he broke that bond of trust. Schiano had no choice but to trade or cut Talib or he would appear to be weak and playing favorites. I think the Coach knew all along what the impact of losing Talib would create. Just not to the extent that it did. It wasn’t the Coach who let down the team, it was Talib, and Wright. Who I also suspect will get his walking papers soon too. Also I think Blount’s early fumbles during practice and preseason did him in. Same goes for M. Smith who fumbled the rock to many times during camp and preseason. Schiano does not like fumbles and missed assignments.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Send this fumblin, non blocking weak RB to Philly and Chip Kelly. We’ll take a bag of footballsin return. If CK doesnt want him, we’ll have our answer.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Eddie lacy will never make it past the steelers twice. So lacy in the third is a dream.
February 14th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@Joe
Saving the tread on those tires is right. Lonnie Pryor in the 4th round please.
February 14th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@Joe – what good does it do to save tread on the tires if it leads to 3-and-outs and losing ball games. I want the ball in Martins hands 10 times out of 10 over Blount. Anyone who wants to give Blount touches over Martin is just crazy to me.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
hk:
No one wants Blount to have more carries over Martin, come on. But if you want Martin to survive more than three or four years, you can’t give him the ball 25-30 times a game.
Well, you could. But don’t expect him to be around in four years. Look how Chucky fried Cadillac.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:35 pm
By your argument Joe, why should anyone believe Ray Lewis has any character question marks to overcome since the double murder that happened was 13 years ago? No one really knows what happened that night, possibly not even Ray (I believe in innocent until proven guilty). That still did not keep the media from raking him over the coals all throughout Super Bowl week.
I will repeat it again–Blount does have serious character “question marks”. What the guy means when he says “question marks” is in reference to the various news stories that have been put out. Character “flaws” imply judgment on the part of the writer; character “question marks” imply judgment on the part of some people (the writer does not specify who) based on news stories that have been published.
As one final nail in the coffin–why does a team go out and draft a RB in the first round if they feel like they have their bellcow RB for the next 5-7 years on their roster? They don’t, and that in itself is another character “question mark”, as the writer refers to them.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
@Joe
Happy Valentines Day, call Rachel, you need it.
February 14th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
@Wienaman –
1) Joe finds it quite a leap to compare a murder arrest to Blount’s bosses allegedly hiring a taxi to take him to work so he’s not late.
2) The debate here is about character, not the Bucs drafting Doug Martin after Blount and the whole offense had a shaky season.
3) Again, for Joe the key word is “overcome.” Joe can’t figure out what character questions Blount must “overcome” after the 2012 season. Please enlighten Joe on that.
February 14th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
@joe – Blount is not good in spot duty – he needs multiple carries to break a decent run – otherwise its 2 yards and a cloud of dust, which is exactly what you don’t need. If we want someone to spell Martin we need someone like Pierce on the Ravens, who offers something different, and doesn’t just bowl right into the LOS if a huge hole isn’t there.
February 14th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Not related but first time reading the comments section in a long while. Within 5 minutes another long time commentor being banned, damn shame. Pretty much gave up on this site when intellectual debate (Thomas, capt Tim, Eric and another guy who was awefully yet oddly proud to call himself a lawyer who’s name escapes me was traded for wasteful argument, typical of the painted faced helmet wearing crowd expected to encounter after a 10+ win season.
February 14th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
Thumb hit send accidentally…. -expected to encounter after a 10+ win season at dale mabry…
February 14th, 2013 at 10:24 pm
@Jesse – Capt. Tim and Eric were never banned, and Thomas was welcomed back. In fact, Capt. Tim had a comment just last night.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:58 pm
Blount’s character in 2012 was great.
If anyone watched the Superbowl, they would have seen how the Ravens gave Ray Rice short spells when needed to keep him fresh. The NSO should be keeping notes on how to keep D-Mart healthy and fresh. Martin is no good to the team if he is gassed or worse yet, hurt. Certainly keep Martin as the featured back, but even God rested on the 7th day.
February 14th, 2013 at 11:10 pm
Simply put Blount needs more than a few carries to get going and that’s not a luxury the Bucs can afford. Martin only needs to be spelled on a couple snaps not entire drives.
Also Blount is weak in the areas we could use him in, the short down and distance.
We need another compliment to Dougie.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:26 am
The training camp punch is a non issue. Anyone on here that has been through a camp has seen punches daily. The LB’s job is to not tackle the RB but try to snatch his helmet off his head. It can make for a rather pissed off running back if you know what I mean. Watch the Titan video of the engagement and you will see Blounts helmet off. Last year he was a model citizen.
Trade him somewhere he will get a opportunity, preferably out of our division.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:31 am
Letting go of Blount would make no sense. We got a 1,000 yard season out of him when he cost mostly nothing. Like Joe has said several times before, he’s a cheap luxury. Any running back we sign to replace him as the #2 is going to cost much more. For once, can we keep a good player on this roster for more than 2-3 years? He’ll be another Thomas Jones if we let him go and be a pro bowler for another team.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:34 am
1976:
Right. Look,
Night Train LaneAqib Talib tried to rearrange Donald Penn’s face with a helmet and there are still Bucs fans who want to tackle Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik for trading away the garbage.February 15th, 2013 at 2:35 am
Letting go of Blount would make no sense. We got a 1,000 yard season out of him when he cost mostly nothing. Like Joe has said several times before, he’s a cheap luxury. Any running back we sign to replace him as the #2 is going to cost much more. For once, can we keep a good player on this roster for more than 2-3 years? He’ll be another Thomas Jones if we let him go and be a pro bowler for another team
February 15th, 2013 at 4:30 am
Joe, time to stop defending Blount. It is clear he is not part of their vision moving forward, your opinion doesn’t change that. You could be right or wrong, but he isn’t going to prove it in Tampa. Fair or unfair, he obstensibly lost his future with the Oakland fumble. He wasn’t ever really used following that. What we don’t see is practice or behind the scene things, the type of things that could be the reason behind his limited use in 2012. Or they just don’t want him around. Either way, he wont be in Tampa long.
February 15th, 2013 at 4:36 am
I think KH has the right of it. Blount isn’t the type of complimentary back the Bucs need to spell Martin. Martin is a between the tackles runner, mostly, who gains a lot of tough yards. Spelling him with a similar style but lesser talent only hurts the dynamic of the offense, and Blount is clearly far less talented a back and if you’re going to be a big back, you can’t have one of your biggest weaknesses be short-line conversions (which Blount was downright terrible at and I said so before 2012).
February 15th, 2013 at 4:42 am
Blount simply doesn’t have great vision. Sure, that can be taught, but.he repeatedly runs through holes with his head down hoping to run over someone and then make a play. Martin had so much success because he faught for tough yards and hit the right hole. Sometimes hitting the right holes doesn’t give you the big play, but just a few extra yards. Sometimes a few yards is the difference between winning and losing (a la New Orleans at home where Blount and poor play-calling lost us the game on the goal-to-go situation).
February 15th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Character issues, personality disorders, model citizens…..Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman. Then be Batman!
February 15th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
^^^^^ Just read that on a tweet yesterday lol
February 15th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Batman…Now that brings back memories. Richard “Batman” Wood! One hell of a player. Talk about ripping the helmet off RB’s? Love this man!
February 16th, 2013 at 4:07 am
R.I.P Have a Rice Day!
Ya post attacker!
Joe kudos! Its like 8 more to go!