“Running Backs Should Get Hit Before The First Game”

August 21st, 2022

Todd Bowles talks Leonard Fournette.

Joe asked head coach Todd Bowles today about the beast of the Bucs backfield, Leonard “Lombardi Lenny” Fournette.

Fournette started last night’s preseason game against the Titans and had five rushes for 20 yards and a catch over the middle. And he even got tackled once a little awkwardly with his leg getting twisted up.

Overall, Fournette looked Dallas-ready for the season opener on Sept. 11.

So has Bowles seen enough from Fournette in preseason? Does he need to play again?

“We’ll look at the tape. I wanted him to play last night because I think running backs should get hit before the first game. They should get bounced a round a little bit because they don’t get hit below the waist in practice,” Bowles replied. “So it was important for him to get some bangs and get some knocked around. And this game coming up, we’ll see in practice how we want to approach this thing. … But I thought he got enough in the games.”

The Bucs have a major decision to make when it comes to approaching the preseason finale in Indianapolis on Saturday. And it’s not just about Fournette and other key players.

Do they want to put Tom Brady in front of a banged up offensive line in a dress rehearsal game with blitzes sure to come?

10 Responses to ““Running Backs Should Get Hit Before The First Game””

  1. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Play Brady on our patented 1st down runs

  2. Lakeland Steve Says:

    Don’t play any starters. Let’s keep as many healthy as we can for the regular season. Exhibition games are for finding backups and guys we want to put on the practice squad.

  3. CrackWise Says:

    Cant play scared to get injured

  4. Anonymous Says:

    Play the starters for at least the 1st quarter. You can’t expect them to be game ready in Dallas if they haven’t played.

  5. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Ya great idea, let your #1 back get hit below the waist in a BS game. The defending SB starters do NOT play in preseason games, how they doing?

  6. HC Grover Says:

    Amazing. Maybe they should blow out a knee too just of fun. Is this guy for real?

  7. HC Grover Says:

    This explains all the up the gut plays. He wants them to get clobbered before the season starts so he can watch on the film.

  8. Goatfarmer Says:

    Brady shall not play one snap before Dallas. If Bowles risks Brady in a nothing game, he should be fired for that alone,

    Meanwhile, why play Brady when Trask has looked so good?

    ( s a r c a s m )

  9. Goatfarmer Says:

    Likewise, Lenny should have seen his last getting hit below the waist action, at least on the field.

  10. Wild Bill Says:

    Give the “bubble” players one last hard look. Forget about the players who are obvious cuts at the end of preseason.