Keep Pounding With LeGarrette Blount
November 3rd, 2011
A Bucs fan happened to call “Movin’ the Chains” Tuesday to discuss the Bucs-Saints game with co-hosts Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
In short, both Kirwan and Ryan suggested the Bucs run LeGarrette Blount early, often and constantly.
Tim Ryan: I’ll tell you how to judge how the game is going. Chart the game. The more the Bucs are in passing situations, third-and-long, the worse it will be for them. That gives [Saints defensive coordinator] Gregg Williams a chance to dial up his blitzes.
Pat Kirwan: The Saints are not strong on their rush defense. I’d run the big guy, LeGarrette Blount 20-25 times. Give him the ball. What are they averaging, giving up 5.5 yards a carry? Run the big guy. If Blount gets the ball 25 times, he should have 150 yards.
Ryan: I’d even run on passing situations. Run right at their blitzes, gash them.
Kirwan: Yes, once you get to the second level with Blount, it will be all over.
Joe believes this is absolute sound advice. Run at the Saints til the wheels fall off. There’s a reason Steven Jackson, nearing the end of his great career, went crazy on the Saints defense last week: Because the Saints can’t stop the run.
The way Josh Freeman is struggling of late, it’s a no-brainer to keep the ball on the ground.
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:19 am
TOTALLY agree with the pound Blount thinking. It WORKS! In so many ways it WORKS!
Kid gets better as the game goes on, rests the D, gives Josh time in play action, time for receivers to get deep, discourages opponents…..it WORKS!
We run the ball and if it doesn’t work early, we KEEP running the ball until it does.
Blount is key and I believe he’s up to the job. Can’t wait until Sunday!
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:20 am
DING DING DING!!!!! We gave a winner, folks. This should be the offensive gameplan regardless of how behind we are in points. We aren’t going to throw for the win.
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:33 am
Breakout the 1970’s USC playbook, Student body left, student body right, student body up the middle.
November 3rd, 2011 at 8:48 am
Peterbilt Blount has got a delivery for the Aints and its gonna hurt!
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:02 am
It will be interesting to see how LGB does on 3rd down. If he can protect Free, our team will be much improved.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:11 am
Do you see the number on Blount’s back? 27, that symbolizes how many touches he should get each Sunday…. Do it Olsen, we need some first half points.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:11 am
He needs to be thrown to as well in PA. Blount only has 4 catches, but avgs 15 yards per catch. Finding ways to get Blount in the second level is what this offense needs to revolve around.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:23 am
A few things about this game:
1) It will not be our offense that will win this game
2) But our offense could lose it
3) Our defense must play at their current best if we are going to win this game
4) It will be a very loud crowd…so I hope Raheem is preparing our guys.
5) The good news…the Bucs play well in their stadium
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:25 am
6) The Saints by now know that if they can stop our running game they can beat us.
7) They also know that if they get ahead, Olson will abandon the running game.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:37 am
I completely believe in the future of Josh Freeman. That said, he’s had plenty of time recently to get good passes off.
Right now, as he will readily admit…HE is the problem on offense. His timing has been off, his accuracy has been off, and his decision-making has been off.
The good news is I think he understands that and is making an effort to correct those issues. The question is, can he do it so quickly. It’s possible…I would put nothing past him, but it also MIGHT take a couple games to fix some of it.
Decision-making he can fix right away…for example, I saw him run out of bounds for a loss a week or two ago when he should have thrown the ball away. That was a rookie mistake and I’m sure he knows that.
The other problem with his decision-making is his willingness to take unnecessary risks. That’s one of hte reasons his Interceptions are up…last year he played smart and went mostly for the high percentage throws.
Blount is Blount…he can get us yards. He can wear down a defensive line. But Freeman can certainly lose the game for us.
Right now, his safest pass catchers are Williams, Winslow, Parker and (believe it or not) Blount in play action.
One other thing…
PUT SPURLOCK BACK ON RETURNS!!!!!
Spurlock is explosive. His return skills not only get us field position (which I’ll admit Parker does as well), but he is so explosive that he riles up both our offense and defense. And Parker cannot seem to return a kick for score. WE NEED SPURLOCK BACK.
Using him as Backup QB is ruining his career. Put him back where he does well.
And finally…Benn. This kid is doing well this year. If Freeman focuses on Winslow, Williams and Parker, Benn is going to be wide open from time to time. THAT’s when Freeman should throw to him.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:39 am
Joe, I couldn’t agree more. Blount can crush the Saints will, and will keep Breez on the sideline. I think another important factor will be Benn. Instead of forcing Passes to Williams and Winslow, throw to Benn and Briscoe. Both those guys have a ton of talent. If you hurt them with those two, they will be forced to quit Doubling up Williams. Then you can go to him.
I hope Lorig is good to go. He is an unsung hero this year. He has played really well, and can help Blount reach the second level.
Pound the Ball!
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:39 am
All agreed Peter Dutcher. The question is how will the Bucs counter when the Saints commit to stopping the run.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:51 am
@Architek Blount will counter by running right past the awful run defenders that are Vilma and co. Vilma is the Ruud of the Saints leading an underwhelming OLB corp. I’d run right at them in the way Bears ran at us. Use plays that bypass the DL and attack the second level often. Runs around the edge, straight at Ellis, and PA passes into the flat. We should gain chunks especially if we get a matchup in which Jenkins is committed to the opposite side of the play.
Of course, the only thing stopping this from happening is Olsen. I do not have a counter for him.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:51 am
…. and stop Darren Sproles.
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 am
This has been sound advice all season. Let’s hope Olsen listens.
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:01 am
Pete, I thought Spurlock was hurt and that’s why we haven’t been playing him?
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:04 am
Spurlock = Saint killer
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:11 am
I am interested in the running game and hope LGB stays healthy and no set backs. That being said, interested to see how Lumpy looks after a bye week being a focus in the game plan. Also interested to see if Madu gets any time.
Also, LS Andrew Economos will be back and wondering if that will create any rusty spots in the game.
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:05 am
Every one – including the Saints – know the ball will go to LGB a lot…what excites me is the fact that I still don’t believe the Saints can stop him!
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:09 am
Meh – Spurlock is not injured Preston Parker just got the starting spot over him
November 3rd, 2011 at 11:37 am
I must be remembering wrong about Spurlock’s health.
November 3rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I really hope they do feed him all game. The more he runs, the better it will be for us. Please, Raheem, just pound the rock. We need this win.
November 3rd, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Well Stroughter is coming back somewhat healthly so he should be returning kicks as well.
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I just Olson is smart enough to use Blount. This jack ass didn’t use him enough when he was healthy.