Fournette dropping weight to add quickness to game
Expect to see a leaner, quicker version of Leonard Fournette this year. The Jacksonville Jaguars star is looking to enter camp at 224 pounds, 11 pounds lighter than last year.
"I feel like I play my best at that weight - 223, 224 - that's what I played in college," the 23-year-old told John Reid of the Florida Times-Union. "I don't want to be average. I want to be above average, be the greatest one to play this game. I feel lighter, quicker and I have a lot of my burst."
Fournette was the leading rusher on the league's top-ranked rushing offense in his rookie season, piling up 1,040 yards with nine touchdowns. Despite that success, the former LSU standout is looking to improve on his 3.9 yards per carry average.
One of the reasons for Fournette's low yardage per carry is the fact he routinely faced defensive game plans designed to limit the Jaguars' rushing attack. With Blake Bortles under center, Jacksonville ranked 17th in the league in passing, not posing much of a threat to the opposition.
The Jaguars added All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell in the offseason, a move that should open up more holes for Fournette in the interior running game.
One only has to do a quick search of Fournette's highlights at LSU to see how explosive he can be at 224 pounds, and the Jaguars are certainly hoping his collegiate success at that weight translates to the pro ranks.
Jacksonville opens the season on Sept. 9 against the New York Giants.