Welcome Back Playoff Lenny!
March 26th, 2021
Says he’s back!
UPDATED: 12:03 p.m. – Joe checked the blue checkmark. It is not a fraudulent account. Playoff Lenny is coming back, reports a trusted NFL insider.
Per the fingers of Josina Anderson, former BSPN insider and well-connected NFL scribe, Playoff Lenny told her that he is returning to the Bucs!
RB Leonard Fournette just told me “I am re-signing with the #Bucs,” over facetime.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 26, 2021
Joe is effing stoked about this! The Super Bowl backfield remains intact.
Now nothing is official, of course. Playoff Lenny has not yet put pen to paper. But if Playoff Lenny follows through on what he told Anderson, Joe just wants to start guzzling Big Storm beers right now and it is not yet noon on the west coast of the east coast.
What a Friday!!!
The Bucs were a perfect 8-0 last season when Fournette had 10 or more carries!
Remember when Bucco Bruce Arians said strongly implied he wanted “five or six” of his Big 8 free agents to return? Well, now the Bucs are set to see seven come back to Go For Two!
https://t.co/a8U21Ge34d pic.twitter.com/Jbi0Mtruyh
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 26, 2021
March 26th, 2021 at 11:33 am
Great news!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:35 am
I freaking LOVE that guy.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:37 am
Well it isn’t bad news!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:42 am
Im happy if he took a team friendly deal! Because I was of the mind that one of the top RBs was on the board at 32 we’d take em but this helps us go another direction, plus maybe continue to develop Vahaun.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:42 am
A much needed piece……we need multiple RBs….
Looking forward to seeing the next restructure/extension that permitted this to happen……I’m hoping long-term deal with Godwin….
March 26th, 2021 at 11:43 am
Sounds good.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:43 am
You’re back I will support you Lenny but the pouting most not persist. Rojo is the man also be part of the team not a loner.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:44 am
Wow !!!!!!!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:44 am
I think he will be even better this year. Terrific news. Power back (230 pounds) at 4th and inches. Plus lots of other skills. Depth at RB for any injuries too.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:45 am
“Greg Auman
@gregauman
·
8m
Bucs get another key free agent back, with Leonard Fournette agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million deal.”
March 26th, 2021 at 11:45 am
Over 50% of the mock draft I saw had the Bucs picking up a RB in the first round. Even the Bucs did not sign Lenny, I seriously doubt Licht would have drafted a RB in the first round. This should put an end to those silly mock drafts.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:45 am
Holy crap! I thought there was NO chance of this! Light is really pulling this off. We can truly go best player available through the entire draft and have young depth to develop. GO BUCS!!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:46 am
I’m stunned!!!! Didn’t care if it happened b/c i didn’t think he’d be back…..but NOW that he is, I’m happy about it haha
March 26th, 2021 at 11:47 am
Now let’s get AB!! Let’s Go!!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:47 am
Wow. Thats a great deal . 1 yr 3.25 if correct above.
Chump change for playoff lenny
The guy blew up when it mattered
March 26th, 2021 at 11:49 am
Brown may be right behind him as they are boyz
And brady is the guy that gave AB another football life and more millions
March 26th, 2021 at 11:51 am
HOLY SH!T!!! CB and C just officially became the Bucs first two picks. Neither of which will be at 32. Sorry folks I like draft night but I’m definitely banking on maybe multiple high round picks traded.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:51 am
$3.25 mil very fair for this caliber of player…..
If we don’t sign AB……how about in rounds 1 or 2…..a WR/KR/PR……we should have our pick of the best.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:54 am
One year up to $4 million says Rappaport.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:54 am
Incredible.
Jason Licht is soon kind of financial wizard!
And no one can doubt the Glazers desire to win!!
Welcome Back Mr. Fournette!!
We now have two incredible bell Cow Rbs, and a young’un in the works
Never been a better time to be a Bucs fan!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:55 am
Thank you for not signing White.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:57 am
Pass rusher round 1 with this signing?
March 26th, 2021 at 11:58 am
Thank you Joe you made my day. Welcome back playoff Lenny now we want to see regular season Lenny balling.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:59 am
I like the chemistry. It sounds like the team is becoming close and Lenny is part of it. Great move. Go Bucs!!!
March 26th, 2021 at 11:59 am
I wonder how much he’s getting…not that it matters.
March 26th, 2021 at 11:59 am
Since KC and Mahomes are the team we will likely have to beat, I’d suggest the best pass rusher in the first round. We have to keep pressuring that guy as much as possible.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
So happy he is back!
I still think he did not get as many higher pay offers as he wanted, but whatever ?
He is back with us, and IMHO that is a very good thing for our team!
March 26th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Here I was thinking we might get some compensatory picks next year lol
March 26th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
Lol. 36 months ago I had to laugh to stop from crying about this franchise. Today I have to laugh for completely different reasons. This is so unfathomable. What a year!!!
March 26th, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Best way to protect Tom Brady?
Great O-line- check
Great Smashmouth running game, with depth for fresh legs- check
Blitz Brady at your own peril.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
You know how f#cking pumped this team was when we went from Jameis to Tom! This team is SO pumped again! Do not think these guys are going to be sitting around eating ho-ho’s all offseason. Players do need time for their bodies to rest, but they’ll be puttin in work.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
Mr. Fournette, thank you and good call. You will further revitalize your reputation and have a chance to have a huge year.
Then, cash in and get your money!
How about two 1,000 yard backs next year?
And another 1,000+ for Mike Evans?
More ball control = less time on the field for the Defense.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:09 pm
I would love to see all these players salaries mapped out on paper over the next couple of years. Amazing all the restructuring and resigning and voidable years for bonuses , etc…. cap limits, lol, what a circus .
March 26th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Can we now stop calling him “Playoff Lenny” until he’s in the playoffs again.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
Great move! Could be the last piece of the puzzle unless Brown comes back.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:17 pm
He earned Playoff Lenny.
Hell yeah. I love the swagger this man brings. He was bullying the Saints and Chiefs.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:29 pm
7 of 8. Holy shoot Jason. Gotta wrap this up with AB.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:30 pm
Impressive. More flexibility with draft now
March 26th, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Freakin awesome!!!!!! All of the other NFL teams just breathed a huge sigh of remorse
March 26th, 2021 at 12:40 pm
No need to draft a R.B. now.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
Are bucs waiting to see how brown behaves this offseason?
March 26th, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Come on AB…come back and let’s go for it again…
In the draft we can get quality backups.
First round if a good QB falls or an edge rusher. 2nd round RB that can catch and Block. Then BPA
March 26th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Rojo is still quite a bit better with the ball in his hands.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Still think the team ends up drafting a RB. Rojo & Lenny have one year on their contracts. Rojo can’t catch and Lenny was inconsistent.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Joe…Just hit me. I wish Steve D. could have seen this the last year. His commentary would have been great. Don’t know how he and Arians would have clicked; but it would have been fun.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:50 pm
great news, would have rather had AB 1st. I will be upset if we lose Ab…but happy for him either way.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:57 pm
I can understand why they chose Lenny over James White; I still want Carter, Felton or Gainwell on Day 2 after going edge Round 1.
March 26th, 2021 at 12:57 pm
Great news for sure. As long as they stay healthy the bucs do not have any holes on their roster, and can focus on BPA in the draft. Hopefully Edge/OLB/Safety/OL/RB
March 26th, 2021 at 12:59 pm
Edge/DL/QB/BPA in the draft. teams won’t know WTF we will do. We should trade back.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Brandon
RoJo is better. Don’t tell me Lenny didn’t look like Peyton Barber in the regular season cus you’re playing yourself ppl. I pray for improvement. But we don’t even use RoJo or a running game for that matter!!! That’s why all the idiots been saying RB at 32 playing themselves also.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:14 pm
wow! JUST WOW!. Did not expect this at this price! Kudos to dare I say GM OF THE YEAR???
Now, I may be in minority, but I would love to see Fitz as part of this team as he would definitely add to the already strong desire to repeat, but also brings in layers of professionalism, respect and swag….
March 26th, 2021 at 1:19 pm
Skill positions are superlative with decent depth across the board.
BPA in trenches for added support. Wonder of this increases our chances for taking a QB in first few rounds 🤔
March 26th, 2021 at 1:19 pm
Good signing with good value for us. Glad we did it.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:22 pm
Im glad to see the talented Lenny return. The backfield duo of RoJo and Lenny is the best in the game. It aint a thing those 2 cant do. AB returning for his hometown sake is the last one the list. I hope going forward they find a way to keep RoJo and Lenny long term. The draft will be dedicated to the defense and the offensive line maybe a Safety to replace Adams and Smith to pair with Edwards off the bench.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Now let’s get Brown done – and then we can start mock drafting.
Amazing, we’ve got nearly everyone back AND still kept the o-line in tact, kept OJ and Brate, hung onto Gholston on the d-line where you don’t want rookies starting. Impressive job by the Bucs in being willing to go all in unlike that coward Gruden when we destroyed that SB team.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Sorry but I think this stunts Rojo’s growth and a potential virus in the locker room. The only reason he signed was because no other team was willing to pay more. The other teams got it right. Not a fan. Great PO and SB run but SUCKED all season. Not sure why Joe has a man crush on this guy. Brady needed a receiving back not another up the gut guy.
March 26th, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so damn glad!
best news all day!
replace Shady McCoy with pass catching back from Bengals Gio Bernard
March 26th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Great move, we needed playoff Lenny back. He gives us toughness on short yardage and has great vision. Now let’s get AB signed!
March 26th, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Meh not super excited with this but not super bummed out either
March 26th, 2021 at 2:02 pm
I am so happy! I really wanted him back. Thank you Bucs and Lenny
March 26th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
All this does is stunt Rojo’s growth. The only reason he signed is because that was the best he could get. Brady needed a receiving back not a up the gut RB. This is a bad signing and if Lenny feels he was under paid Bucs may have let a virus in the locker room. Don’t understand Joe’s man crush on this guy.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Amazing pick! I think we need O-line or CB depth now. One or 2 key injuries and we will be in trouble.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:07 pm
Did you see some of those great moves Lenny
had in the playoffs and super bowl ?
He was getting better and better.
With his team together returning and the motivation
from a super bowl team and TB12, Lenny should
be even better this year.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:12 pm
LFG!!!!
March 26th, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Totally agree, Mark2001. Would have been great to have Steve around for this run.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:21 pm
LISTNFRMAFAR,
Completely agree! He is really nothing more than an average to under average running back. Waste of money and next year he will prove it.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
LISTNFRMAFAR Says:
March 26th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
All this does is stunt Rojo’s growth. The only reason he signed is because that was the best he could get. Brady needed a receiving back not a up the gut RB. This is a bad signing and if Lenny feels he was under paid Bucs may have let a virus in the locker room. Don’t understand Joe’s man crush on this guy.
^^^^^^^
You do realize that Rojo is one of the worst receiving RB’s in the NFL, right? Fournette isn’t great either, but he’s a better pass catcher than Ronald Jones. The Bucs offense was more predictable with Jones, as he’s also not good at pass blocking. Jones was the “up-the-gut” guy last year, as I remember it.
March 26th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
I was looking forward to seeing RJ be the primary back because that young man is VERY talented and just needs more carries, but also can’t argue with success.
Welcome back Lenny and go Bucs!
March 26th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
Arians does not use a bell cow back and I don’t blame him. When you are talking about a 20 game season you can’t have just one featured back. You would be taking a huge chance that he would not get hurt. Plus this way they are competing within the game for touches and it will extend their careers.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
We just signed one of the top 3 or 4 running backs in the NFL. This is a major piece for a team with an aging quarterback. Last year the man was just getting warmed up. I can’t wait to see what he does this year with full commitment. This is huge.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:09 pm
Joe in Michigan, my point exactly.
Fournette isn’t great either, but he’s a better pass catcher than Ronald Jones.
So why not get a better receiving back to fill that void?
March 26th, 2021 at 3:27 pm
LISTNFRMAFAR: If Lenny catches the ball the way he did in the playoffs, the Bucs will be okay. If Jones can improve as a pass catcher, all the better. If not, he brought less playing time upon himself, IMHO. I believe the Bucs will add some sort of pass catching RB in the draft, to cover themselves.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Will we now have the luxury for one of our picks this year to be our future QB or more talented RB?
March 26th, 2021 at 3:35 pm
One great post season does not guarantee a great full season. Seems no other team was convinced enough to make a really big offer to Playoff Lenny. If he can maintain the same level of production through the next season then the Bucs got a Bargain! Or will playoff Lenny sulk again if he has to share snaps again. At the very least he does offer excellent back up. Not many rbs go a full season without missing at least a few games. I hope the preseason gets last years rookie running back a lot reps. Especially swing passes.
March 26th, 2021 at 3:45 pm
My goodness! What does a player have to do for some of you to support them?!
The Bucs have a nice one-two punch at RB. Why all the kvetching?!
March 26th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Rojo is likely gone after this season, if he isn’t, then it means he didn’t do much. If Rojo could catch better than a 6-year old girl, then he’d be an elite RB, but he can’t – and at least in this offense it limits your upside. Then again AD (and it is AD – ‘All Day’, not AP) couldn’t catch and he’s a HOFer, so if you’re good enough teams will overlook things.
The one thing about Rojo is his age, he’s still just 23 – he’s remarkably young. Licht loves drafting really young guys, but then that normally means you’re spending extra time developing them. But that also means that after this year he’ll still only be 24 years with a lot of tread on his tires, which is why I think he’s going to be too expensive to keep.
In any case, we’ll see what happens – and how things play out. But I assume the Bucs will just play whoever the hot hand is.
March 26th, 2021 at 4:01 pm
No need to debate this anymore. Let’s hope Vaughn improves his receiving ability. Joe in Michigan, Lenny did play the receiving back in the SB and played great but dropped passes in PO games and leading up to PO’s. The question is who will shut down first if they are not the featured back, Rojo or Lenny?
March 26th, 2021 at 4:16 pm
If anybody on the Bucs “shuts down”, they’ll probably be cut. This isn’t like it was when Dirk Koetter was running the show, and D Jax and Swaggy did what they wanted.
March 26th, 2021 at 4:23 pm
All this talk about the “luxury” of being able to pick for depth….
We need cap space to sign those picks!
Is it possible we may see our first two or three picks traded away for better pics in next years draft?
With no “pro days” or other measures to help weed out the chaff, that might not be a bad idea.
Just thinking out loud
March 26th, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Man…this feels like Christmas. Continuity coming off a Superbowl win with all the same pieces in place? Priceless! Go Bucs! (and thank you Jason!)
March 26th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
gp: Has Mike Greenberg been able to find cap space? Does Jason Licht love draft picks? If history tells us anything, the answer to both is yes.
March 26th, 2021 at 5:47 pm
Also, there have been pro days, just no Combine.
March 26th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
Speaking of Mike Greenberg, since there’s no salary cap on front office guys, give this man a bump in pay to where he won’t want to leave Tampa for a GM job. I was saying before free agency about the Bucs “working some salary cap magic”, and that’s exactly what Mr. Greenberg did. Well done!
March 26th, 2021 at 7:18 pm
Awesome!
March 26th, 2021 at 8:02 pm
Lenny and Rojo will make a great pair. Remember that naysayers.
March 26th, 2021 at 8:59 pm
@Joe in Michigan
Just putting it out there
Wish I had a crystal ball
I wouldn’t be surprised though