The rich certainly do get richer.
The New England Patriots have brought back LeGarrette Blount, signing the recently-cut ex-Pittsburgh Steeler to a 2-year deal. The deal is worth the veteran minimum plus incentives, according to the team.
Last season with the Patriots, Blount rushed for 772 yards and seven touchdowns, notably a 189-yard performance in the regular season finale against the Bills and a 166-yard attack against the Colts in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Blount added four scores in that game.
Blount returns to the team just days after being waived by the Steelers after a dispute during Monday night’s win over the Titans. Blount walked off the field before the game was over because he was upset he did not receive any carries.
That was not the first trouble Blount ran into with the Steelers. In August, he and teammate Le’Veon Bell were cited for marijuana possession. We all remember the punch at Oregon, too.
It's important to note Blount’s issues both on and off the field because of the fact that his stint with the Patriots was seemingly the only time in his career he was able to stay out of trouble.
What does this mean for the Patriots?
The Pats are getting a bulldozer of a running back—again. And yes, now they have two. The tandem of Blount and newcomer Jonas Gray will certainly pack a lot of punch in the run game. While some may feel that this move is a bad sign for Gray, it is important to understand the reliability of Blount. We do not yet know the consistency of Gray. What we do know is that Blount is a reliable runner, especially in poor weather conditions.
After practice Thursday, a couple players sounded off on the re-signing of Blount.
“I’m excited, man. I think it’s going to be something good for us," Gray said, via ESPN Boston. "For a team, what we want to do long-term, when these cold-weather games start coming up, I think it’s going to help. He’s a great guy to learn from, too, and I think we’re going to both motivate each other.”
Tight end Rob Gronkowski said that it's like Blount never left, which also helps the Patriots. The fact that he was with the team not so long ago will allow him to pick up the offense quickly. In fact, the Denver Broncos said yesterday the reason why they stayed away from Blount or fellow running back Ben Tate, who got released by the Browns earlier in the week, is because of the fact that there is not enough time for a back to come in and learn the team’s offense.
Blount should have no problem picking up where he left off last season. There's a two-headed monster coming in New England.
That was not the first trouble Blount ran into with the Steelers. In August, he and teammate Le’Veon Bell were cited for marijuana possession. We all remember the punch at Oregon, too.
It's important to note Blount’s issues both on and off the field because of the fact that his stint with the Patriots was seemingly the only time in his career he was able to stay out of trouble.
What does this mean for the Patriots?
The Pats are getting a bulldozer of a running back—again. And yes, now they have two. The tandem of Blount and newcomer Jonas Gray will certainly pack a lot of punch in the run game. While some may feel that this move is a bad sign for Gray, it is important to understand the reliability of Blount. We do not yet know the consistency of Gray. What we do know is that Blount is a reliable runner, especially in poor weather conditions.
After practice Thursday, a couple players sounded off on the re-signing of Blount.
“I’m excited, man. I think it’s going to be something good for us," Gray said, via ESPN Boston. "For a team, what we want to do long-term, when these cold-weather games start coming up, I think it’s going to help. He’s a great guy to learn from, too, and I think we’re going to both motivate each other.”
Tight end Rob Gronkowski said that it's like Blount never left, which also helps the Patriots. The fact that he was with the team not so long ago will allow him to pick up the offense quickly. In fact, the Denver Broncos said yesterday the reason why they stayed away from Blount or fellow running back Ben Tate, who got released by the Browns earlier in the week, is because of the fact that there is not enough time for a back to come in and learn the team’s offense.
Blount should have no problem picking up where he left off last season. There's a two-headed monster coming in New England.
