The Unsung Hero
February 7th, 2022
Underrated?
Of all the Bucs that went to the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, Joe was a bit surprised Playoff Lenny wasn’t named.
Playoff Lenny blossomed into one of the Bucs’ most reliable weapons and a respected team leader. Whatever nonsense went down in Jacksonville is long in Playoff Lenny’s rear-view mirror.
The way Playoff Lenny caught the ball and ran the ball, Joe thought he was one of the better running backs in the league. Well, not everyone sees the same game of football that Joe does. Not only did the Pro Bowl folks not reward Playoff Lenny, but a guy who types for the league’s house organ refers to Playoff Lenny as “unsung.”
Nick Shook of NFL.com decided to cobble together a list of players across the NFL as his “unsung heroes” and he included Playoff Lenny.
Fournette’s selection isn’t surprising and might not even pass the smell test for an “unsung” hero, but he’s here because of how integral he was to the Buccaneers’ offense. After struggling to get on board with Tampa’s title pursuit in 2020, Fournette flourished in 2021, leading the team in rushing yards (812, with eight touchdowns) and finishing fifth in receiving yards (454, with two touchdowns). Fournette finished fourth in the NFL in receiving yards gained after the catch when aligned in the backfield at 295, proving he’s more than just a ball-carrying bulldozer. His 10 total scores ranked second on the team behind only Mike Evans, and his value was on full display late in the season, when he wasn’t on the field due to injury. Fournette returned in time for Tampa Bay’s Divisional Round game and scored two touchdowns in the loss. That result shouldn’t define his importance to a Buccaneers offense that, at full strength, was loaded with talent.
Joe cannot go here. But maybe this is just Joe’s perspective.
Joe thinks Playoff Lenny is a star. How can a star be “unsung?” To Joe, “unsung” means underrated and overlooked. Playoff Lenny is neither.
If Joe had to come up with an unsung hero from last year’s Bucs squad, it would be Mike Edwards or maybe a guy like Alex Cappa.
Edwards only started five games but damn if it didn’t seem as if Edwards made an impact play in each and every one, whether it was a pick or a pass defensed or a game-saving tackle on a kickoff return.
Cappa? Everyone raves about Tristan Wirfs and Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet and hell, even Donovan Smith got a lot of props from coaches. Cappa? All he did was start every game and ball out for maybe the NFL’s best offensive line.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:12 am
One of my favorite unsung heroes is Nacho.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:23 am
Will he be the same without Brady? He seemed to thrive because he was playing with the best of all time. Now what? Who motivates him?
February 7th, 2022 at 8:25 am
Perhaps “unsung” outside of Tampa, Joe…evidenced by Fournette lacking the Pro Bowl votes. Missing games after the second Saints “spearfest” likely hurt his cause as well. But I agree…he played at an “all star” level most of the season.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:31 am
Fournette was a top 5 RB in the NFL in 2021. One one RB caught for more yards and ran for more yards.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:31 am
I agree that Lenny played at a high level all year.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:33 am
Lenny has to go. Appreciate all he did but, money needed in other areas. In particular, both lines…Cappa, Suh!, Gholston. Good backs can be found and Lenny’s a bit ploddy, and don’t forget the drops.
February 7th, 2022 at 9:04 am
Bucs don’t have the money to re-sign Lenny and I doubt he takes a team friendly deal without Brady there. But, there is no escaping what Fournette meant to this offense. When he was playing it seems like the Bucs were a different offense. Teams respected what he could do running and catching the ball and there wasn’t a lot of defensive backs who wanted to take him on when he had a full head of steam.
February 7th, 2022 at 9:50 am
It depends on how much Lennie wants to cash in. Being an RB in his prime with perhaps his last chance to cash in I get his need…even more than CG14 who if healthy can have another decade of success.
The GOAT is gone. We NEED a great running game to help what could become a great D with the right draft and resigning of certain players…most notably Carlton Davis.
Perhaps Lennie craves RESPECT which he finally received here in Tampa after a frustrating start behind ROJO. There is no longer any doubt who the best RB on the team is and perhaps Lennie would enjoy a larger role in the offense.
February 7th, 2022 at 10:10 am
Lenny’s contributions were only “understated” because of who the QB was. IMO, Lenny became an all-around back this season as his receiving was vastly improved.
There’s something else he brings to the table that’s less tangible. It’s a leadership quality, some type of mentality that’s infectious. It emerged in the playoffs last year and continued this year.
February 7th, 2022 at 10:37 am
Often overlooked is blue collar lunch-pail guy Will Gholston. Playing quality football year in and year out. Not a specular guy with the spread -sheet crowd but plays disciplined football and always seems to be assignment sound. Not to mention long time quality contributor to the team.
February 7th, 2022 at 10:43 am
He was definitely the most valuable RB on the Bucs
February 7th, 2022 at 10:48 am
Lenny did well. I would be happy to have him back, but not at any cost. It’s just not a position that should consume too much of the salary cap. Vaughn can run and there are other guys out there that can block. I think we will be okay.
February 7th, 2022 at 11:06 am
I’ll be very surprised If the Bucs don’t re-sign Fournette. BA has already said that he wants him back and he knows our salary CAP situation better than any of us. Lenny will be back
February 7th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Gotta re-sign Lenny. Him, Godwin, Cappa and Stinnie are MUST keeps.
February 7th, 2022 at 12:09 pm
Somebody else will give Playoff Lenny an offer he cannot refuse.
February 7th, 2022 at 12:57 pm
I agree with this. He had a fantastic year in 2021 and I’d like to see him retire a Buc.
February 7th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Lenny needs to be a Buccaneer. Love that guy.
February 7th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Edwards had his moments during regular season, but he was terrible vs Rams
February 7th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
We need Godwin, Playoff Lenny and Cappa back. All those guys are still under 30 and can produce. They need to be resigned and then on defense we need Davis and Whitehead back. We can use the draft to replace JPP, SUH and Jensen those guys are over 30 and on the back end of their careers.
February 7th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
My favorite grinders are Nacho and McClendon. Love those guys
February 7th, 2022 at 4:59 pm
One of the best rb in the nfl, maybe the best.
February 7th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Darn it. In another post I listed who I thought should be the priorities in signing as free agent and I forgot to put Playoff Lenny on the list. I hope Licht can work some magic
February 7th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
We’ll just have to bring back Warrick Dunn Doug Martin & Cadillac Williams. That should work.
February 7th, 2022 at 8:30 pm
Tony
U clearly dont know football dont mention Warrick Dunn in same sentence w those clowns
He had He had 2,669 carries for 10,967 yards, 510 catches for 4,339 yards and scored 64 touchdowns.
February 7th, 2022 at 9:12 pm
lenny gave it all. he’s a locker room guy
pay this man and let rojo walk