Rookie running back Leonard Fournette had some interesting comments following the Jacksonville Jaguars win over the New England Patriots in the preseason opener about the pace of play in the NFL.
“It’s a lot slower than I thought,” Fournette said. “A lot of people said it was going to be fast, but playing in the SEC, I think that really helped me out. I think, to me, it was really easy.”
As David Price would say: “This game is so easy for him.”
As you could imagine, Twitter went crazy over Fournette’s remarks.
Hey Leonard Fournette, you were playing the Patriots backups. Try running against a starting 11, then say that the league is easy #Meatball
— Timothy Farmer (@WordOnTheFarm) August 11, 2017
The Patriots rested many of their defensive starters in the preseason opener, just a reminder.
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Speaking of which, he did get lit up earlier in preseason.
Leonard Fournette: The NFL is a lot slower than I thought. Playing in the SEC really helped out.
— SingleShot ⚾⚽🏀🏐🎾⛳🎽📚 (@Singleshot25) August 11, 2017
Also Leonard Fournette: pic.twitter.com/rrHbUOeLJ3
The comments did not go over very well with former NFL players. Former UCLA All-American and four-year NFL veteran Charles Arbuckle challenged Fournette to check back in after the season.
Check w/me end of yr. Camp 2cRegular season another notch
— Charles “Buck” Arbuckle (@charlesarbuckle) August 11, 2017
Jay rookie Leonard Fournette calls NFL slow, ‘really easy’ https://t.co/thEMdDySJ4
At least he’s confident, especially when comparing himself to other proven NFL players.
I asked #Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette point blank: Can you do what Zeke did last year in your rookie season?
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 11, 2017
Fournette: "Yeah. I think so."
Dan can be reached at dan.shulman@globe.com; follow him on Twitter @GlobeDanShulman