The Facts: New HC Greg Schiano has a message for Blount: Protect the ball, or you won't play. "I think LeGarrette has tons of ability," Schiano said. "No one who touches the football will get touches if they don't protect the football. That is one of our core covenants -- the ball. It's so important they named the game after it. We make a big deal about it."

Diehards Line:Blount rushed for 781 yards and five touchdowns last season but fumbled five times and lost three of them in the team's disastrous 4-12 season that led to the firing of coach Raheem Morris and hiring of Schiano. Schiano on Wednesday talked about how Ray Rice turned around his program at Rutgers. He also talked about how he likes to have a "bell cow" back. ... Schiano was asked about Alabama RB Trent Richardson, a possibility for the Bucs with the No. 5 overall selection. Richardson fumbled just once in 614 career touches with the Crimson Tide. When asked if Richardson is a "bell cow" back, Schiano said: "He could be. He's done it in what is arguably the toughest league in college football. ..." Stay tuned. If nothing else Blount knows what to focus on.