Quote:Every segment of fanbases/experts have their concerns about multiple aspects of Fournette's game. The people saying this message board is the only place you find critiques about LF like this have made for themselves a very secure echo chamber. 

 

I have to admit that I first became aware of some aspects of Fournette's game I found lacking by just analyzing some cut-ups. It really stood out to me.

I posted about it here and 3 or 4 others said they were thinking the same things already.  I then read similar concerns expressed by 2 analysts at prominent websites and heard another NFL guy say the same thing on the radio. 

 

The notion of Fournette "needing a runway" is not isolated to a half dozen posters on this message board. It's readily apparent and widely discussed. 

 

It's also not a huge knock on the guy since he's such a legit threat when you do give him a few steps.  And the knock on him also doesn't mean he'll never beat contact at the L.O.S.  -- it's just that he struggled with early contact near the line in a high percentage of his attempts versus better defenses in college. 

He also hit some home runs in those games. 

 

Bottom line:  

The criticism is legitimate, but it doesn't mean he doesn't have the potential to be an elite back in the NFL.  It simply should be a real consideration in the short term for teams with less than stellar run blocking lines. 

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