Jeff Demps and a 7th round pick traded to Bucs for RB LeGarrette Blount

[patfanken]

IF he is a banger and a pusher of the pile. IF he is a good and willing pass blocker. IF he turns his attitude around. IF Jeff Demps doesn't suddenly decide that he now wants to concentrate on football and doesn't show up in game 3 this season as a return specialist, this will turn out to be a decent trade.

But that is a lot of IF's, and EVERYTHING I have heard from Buc fans and Pats fans who live in the Tampa area is that he is NOT a banger, and NOT a pusher of the pile. He is NOT a good and willing pass blocker, and NOT the guy who want out there in SY or on the GL.

What compounds this is that there seemed to be plenty of decent talent in the 7th round. Just off the top of my head, I would have MUCH rather taken a shot a DRodgers, or that kid Okoye than have another RB who doesn't seem to fill a need. I bet Grid or Dryheat could add another dozen names to that list of players with more upside. We made 2 excellent picks in that 7th round, we could have made another.

Worse yet,we risk having to face Demps this season. Of all the moves the Pats made this draft, this was IMHO, the worst. I hope Schiano knows that he owes BB one for this.

 

[scout]

Tampa was going to cut Blount. Even Kelly, his Oregon coach, now at the Eagles didn't want him for a 7th rounder. BB should have made it a straight exchange: Demps for Blount without a 7th round pick thrown in. Or simply waited for Tampa to cut Blount....

BB knows he is going to lose Demps/or not intending on using him. Let's assume (since everyone is guessing) the chances are slim that a 7th rounder makes the team, given that BB is picking for depth. So, he makes the trade as motivation for Bolden to become something really special (the last RB spot is between them). Bolden performs and Blount gets traded/cut during training camp. Who knows?

 

[mgteich]

I think that situation is much simpler than we make it. The patriots were ready to cut Demps. Tampa Bay was ready to cut Blount. Either or both players might have found interest from another team. So, we traded.

Belichick thought this situation was worth giving up a 7th to get competition for Bolden and to get insurance at RB. And yes, Blount probably has as good a chance of making the roster as one of our personal binkies that Belichick didn't pick.

The bottom line is that the patriots often carry 5 RB's. Unless you think highly of Develin, we
had 4. Also, many posters here loved the performance of Bolden last year. Well, just maybe Belichick thought that, at least, some competition was in order. We posters seem to complain whenever we give up a draft choice to try to get camp competition.

FINALLY, if Blount can't block as some TB fans say, then he will likely be cut.

IF he is a banger and a pusher of the pile. IF he is a good and willing pass blocker. IF he turns his attitude around. IF Jeff Demps doesn't suddenly decide that he now wants to concentrate on football and doesn't show up in game 3 this season as a return specialist, this will turn out to be a decent trade.

But that is a lot of IF's, and EVERYTHING I have heard from Buc fans and Pats fans who live in the Tampa area is that he is NOT a banger, and NOT a pusher of the pile. He is NOT a good and willing pass blocker, and NOT the guy who want out there in SY or on the GL.

What compounds this is that there seemed to be plenty of decent talent in the 7th round. Just off the top of my head, I would have MUCH rather taken a shot a DRodgers, or that kid Okoye than have another RB who doesn't seem to fill a need. I bet Grid or Dryheat could add another dozen names to that list of players with more upside. We made 2 excellent picks in that 7th round, we could have made another.

Worse yet,we risk having to face Demps this season. Of all the moves the Pats made this draft, this was IMHO, the worst. I hope Schiano knows that he owes BB one for this.

 

[Claremonster]

Other than his salary & his personality, not too much.

If that is so, then explain why BB traded for him? Blount is a beast when he is on his game. He has more talent than Dillon did in his prime. I'm serious. He is more talented than Ridley is. He just needs to get his priorities right. If he was a model citizen here he could ROLL!

 

[Claremonster]

Blount is most def. worth trying out.

 

[Kontradiction]

You mean we traded a 7th rounder for Blount and threw in Demps.

Pretty much. Doesn't look like a good trade at face value does it? Maybe it was a thank you for gifting Talib to us last season...

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Blount is most def. worth trying out.

Worth trying out? This guy is worth having in the rotation period. Its a reason why Bill traded for him and Stevan Ridley is excited. Have you seen this guy run when giving the chance, he was a straight beast! Hurdling over people, running linebackers over, and everything else you want in a physical 260 pound freight train down hill runner with nice speed. I don't understand why NE fans are jumping out of their seats now. Like Ridley said, all FOUR guys can contribute. Can you imagine having to defend Stevan Ridley one down, Shane Vereen the next.. a third and short with Brandon Bolden the a first and ten with LeGarrett Blount, that could be absolutely unfair to a defense.. especially taking into account with all the TEs and toys on the outside.. No way, fans should be very optimistic this year .. and you know Blount is hungry and bitter after Doug Martin took over his spot.

 

[patsinthesnow]

To reiterate this guy's career:

Rookie Year: 1,007 yards, 5.0 YPC, 2nd UDFA rookie ever to rush for 1,000 yards.

2nd year: On a 4-12 team that ranked 32nd in rushing attempts and 30th in yardage. Still managed 781 yards and 4.2 ypc as a power back.

3rd year: New coach, new RB, one RB offense. Martin 319 attempts and Blount was second with just 41. In comparison, Woody, Vereen, and Bolden all had 50+ attempts.

I'm excited. Blount could be anywhere from cut to our starting RB depending on his motivation. Talented battering ram with good game speed.

 

[jmt57]

While we may be confident in presuming that Tampa Bay may indeed have ended up cutting Blount had they not traded him, the more important question is when would they have done that?

If he is released as part of training camp cuts, then if the Pats sign him at that point then they have only a few days to make a determination, and he has only a few days to become acclimated before a decision needs to be made.

The Bucs will run Doug Martin early and often once the season begins, but Blount would have given their squad much needed camp fodder familiar with the team for the month of August. Besides Martin they return only one RB, Michael Smith, who has yet to have a carry in the NFL. The only other RB with NFL experience is 29 year old Brian Leonard, who they probably don't want to over work (although that may be debatable with Schiano).

By adding Blount to the roster now the Pats get up to four months before having to make that roster decision, and if he does stick he will be far more prepared at that point to have a positive impact with the team than he would if he was added a few days before Week One.

That, plus having him for injury insurance makes it worth trading for him rather than waiting for him to be cut.

 

[moosekill]

All that plus he runs well and doesn't fumble the ball as much as some already on the team. Not sure how many more big fumbles Bill is gonna put up with from Mr. Ridley. Perhaps it isn't Bolden that need worry about being cut.?

 

[JMC00]

Not sure how many more big fumbles Bill is gonna put up with from Mr. Ridley.

What are these big fumbles people talk about?

He had 3 last year that were lost.

Denver, SF and Baltimore.

I give him a break on SF and Baltimore. There was abut 8-9 fumbles in the NE/SF game and the Baltimore game I really can't fault him for fumbling after the hit he took.

The only fumble he lost in '11 was the Denver playoff game when he was split out as a WR in the 4th quarter when they were up 42-7.


Last Year

Adrian Peterson- 2 lost fumbles
Alfred Morris- 3 lost fumbles
Marshawn Lynch- 2 lost fumbles
Jamal Charles- 2 lost fumbles
Arian Foster- 2 lost fumbles
LeSean McCoy- 3 lost fumbles


Corey Dillon lost 3 fumbles in '04

 

[Archeryaddict12]

What are these big fumbles people talk about?

He had 3 last year that were lost.

Denver, SF and Baltimore.

I give him a break on SF and Baltimore. There was abut 8-9 fumbles in the NE/SF game and the Baltimore game I really can't fault him for fumbling after the hit he took.

The only fumble he lost in '11 was the Denver playoff game when he was split out as a WR in the 4th quarter when they were up 42-7.


Last Year

Adrian Peterson- 2 lost fumbles
Alfred Morris- 3 lost fumbles
Marshawn Lynch- 2 lost fumbles
Jamal Charles- 2 lost fumbles
Arian Foster- 2 lost fumbles
LeSean McCoy- 3 lost fumbles


Corey Dillon lost 3 fumbles in '04

Agree, kinda wish a new rule was kinda implemented because you shouldn't have a player like that rolling around and a ball loose. Should be a dead play then no matter what. But it's MO.

 

[RayClay]

He has more talent than Dillon did in his prime. I'm serious.

Wha?.......

 

[Claremonster]

Worth trying out? This guy is worth having in the rotation period. Its a reason why Bill traded for him and Stevan Ridley is excited. Have you seen this guy run when giving the chance, he was a straight beast! Hurdling over people, running linebackers over, and everything else you want in a physical 260 pound freight train down hill runner with nice speed. I don't understand why NE fans are jumping out of their seats now. Like Ridley said, all FOUR guys can contribute. Can you imagine having to defend Stevan Ridley one down, Shane Vereen the next.. a third and short with Brandon Bolden the a first and ten with LeGarrett Blount, that could be absolutely unfair to a defense.. especially taking into account with all the TEs and toys on the outside.. No way, fans should be very optimistic this year .. and you know Blount is hungry and bitter after Doug Martin took over his spot.

Like I said, he is more talented than Dillon was and Ridley is now.

 

[Claremonster]

Wha?.......

Yes, I said that. If he didn't smack the Boise State guy, he would be going fairly high in the draft.

He has to get his head right though. If he doesn't, then his talent goes worthless.

 

[patsfan13]

Everybody has forgotten about the kid from Akron, he could be this years Bolden he could have the skill set to back up Vareen.

 

[ausbacker]

Everybody has forgotten about the kid from Akron, he could be this years Bolden he could have the skill set to back up Vareen.

Except Bolden isn't a back up for Vereen. Vereen is a shifty back where Bolden is more your traditional workhorse.

 

[patsfan13]

Except Bolden isn't a back up for Vereen. Vereen is a shifty back where Bolden is more your traditional workhorse.

I understand, Ridley/Bolden/Blount big backs. Vareen/Hines small shigty.

See Bolden/Blount backing up Ridley and perhaps Hines backing up Vareen, ie depth for BOTH types of RB's

This in the context of Woody leaving with Vareen taking his place.

 

[ausbacker]

I understand, Ridley/Bolden/Blount big backs. Vareen/Hines small shigty.

See Bolden/Blount backing up Ridley and perhaps Hines backing up Vareen, ie depth for BOTH types of RB's

This in the context of Woody leaving with Vareen taking his place.

I see your point patsfan13, it's more I would have thought Bolden was a direct back up for Ridley. With Woodhead leaving, I'm not sure we have a back up for Vereen, perhaps Washington but that would be a stretch... maybe Hernandez .

 

[patsfan13]

I am seeing Washington as almost entirely a ST player. If that were the case I would like to see Hines earn a spot and take 1 of Bolden Blount as the other backup.

Right now if Vareen gets hurt there is no one else with that skill set.

IMO we need more pass O out of the backfield that is an area that has been neglected since K Faulk was injured.