I Think We Should Try Passing More to Blount.

Hear me out. I'm not saying don't use a scatback, though we need to develop that. I've watched Blount and think he just doesn't have a nervous system, has pretty soft hands and there are lots of advantages to having a big back the defense is keying on, go out for a pass instead, rather than always telegraphing it by using a 3rd down back.

Some here might remember Keith Byars, listed at 258. He was a fullback who was a running back more than a blocker. He also, like Blount, wasn't an explosive runner, he kind of tippy toed like Franco Harris [another big back], looking for holes, then dipping the shoulder when necessary. Byars caught 81 balls one season.

My proposition: Blount definitely runs better in the open field and struggles often with the initial burst. Even short passes get him past the first level. He seems to be a consistent, powerful, elusive runner for a big back, not twitchy, and when receiving [limited sample size] seems relaxed. He can make guys miss in a limited area, and obviously, can just drag guys along and break tackles.

Given a great deal more looks, flaws could certainly arise, but even if limited to easy tosses, getting your big back out there, when he struggles getting started at the line, could have advantages, especially given his ability to destroy tacklers in the open field.

Thoughts?

Worth a shot I suppose, would give him more opportunities to run over people. He's way better than Ron Dayne was so we got that going for us. Worst case, try a little screen or something with Blount then hit them with the speed a little later from White or somebody.

I was thinking the same. I agree completely.

I've seen the Packers have some success throwing screens and short passes to Eddie Lacy and he's a pretty big guy. Blount has a better 40 time too.

TBR said:

I was thinking the same. I agree completely.

I've seen the Packers have some success throwing screens and short passes to Eddie Lacy and he's a pretty big guy. Blount has a better 40 time too.

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Really. that's surprising. Lacy's a real good back. Of course this is all contingent on what i thik I see. If he can catch in a relaxed manner and make that first move, it's a great idea IMO. If not, no.

In recent memory, I don't think a power back or full back for the Patriots has more then 10 catches in a season. Blount, I don't think caught more then 6. I think there is just better offensive plays on 1st and 2nd down and they are usually not part of the 3rd down grouping.

Canuck said:

In recent memory, I don't think a power back or full back for the Patriots has more then 10 catches in a season. Blount, I don't think caught more then 6. I think there is just better offensive plays on 1st and 2nd down and they are usually not part of the 3rd down grouping.

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Corey Dillon had over 10 catches every year he played with the Patriots.

glm said:

Corey Dillon had over 10 catches every year he played with the Patriots.

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Your right, shows what happens when you go just by memory. Brandon Bolden had 21 in 2013, completly forgot about him, looking back I also see Green-Ellis, Maroney, Morris also had years when they had over ten catches.

patriot1136 said:

He's way better than Ron Dayne was so we got that going for us.

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I have never been more wrong about a player coming out of school than Dayne. He was an absolute monster for Wisconsin. One of the most dominant backs I have watched. I don't get how he couldn't stay consistent in the NFL. He flashed here and there, but it wasn't enough.

With Vereen gone, they'll have to find another target out of the backfield. Can't see why they wouldn't start by trying Blount.

Agreed. If Blount does well with it, it could be a pretty efficient play call. Almost seems like a guaranteed 5 yards or more on first or second down.

If he can produce decently catching the ball, then Blount, Gray/Gaffney, Cadet/White and Bolden are really all you need.

The Colts would view that as cheating.

Short pass into open space, Blount smokes the D!

Byers example was a good one

blount hasn't had more than 200 touches in a season since his rookie year.....even bolden has caught more balls in a season

I would not put too much thought into target him more than 1 or 2 times a game

James White will replace Vereen and it will all be swell.....and then there's tyler gaffney

Passing the blunt my way......wait is this about something else?

IllegalContact said:

blount hasn't had more than 200 touches in a season since his rookie year.....even bolden has caught more balls in a season

I would not put too much thought into target him more than 1 or 2 times a game

James White will replace Vereen and it will all be swell.....and then there's tyler gaffney

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I would lean towards agreeing with you. It seems as though the Pats like to have a shiftier type of back in the likes of Faulk, Woodhead, and Vereen--as opposed to attempting to fit a square peg into a round hole. They can do more with a back like White or Gaffney in terms of splitting them out wide, etc.

To take it one step further, there's probably a reason why Blount has never had more than 15 catches in any of his 7 seasons in the league. Perhaps his hands aren't too good, which is the case with many RBs attempting to catch the ball from the backfield (this thought was elaborated upon with both 1st round RBs this past draft)?

Any edge that the Pats can employ to vary their offense is worth a shot, right now we have a lot of offensive weapons so using Blount in the passing game might be very situational, but effective...

The equalizer is how good are his "hands"??

RayClay said:

I Think We Should Try Passing More Blount.

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I agree 1000%.

Blount has a total of 33 receptions in his NFL career with an average of about 3 per year the past 4 years. I wouldn't mind seeing him catching about 1 per game on 3rd down. Teams will see him as either a threat to run or catch on 3rd down...and that's a good thing.

However I am only interested in Blount in on 3rd down if the Pats 3rd down back can't run the rock. Their needs to be a threat there to do both. Cadet has attempted 11 rushes in his NFL career with an average of 3.4 yards per carry. Nobody should expect a run when he has the ball...and that's a bad thing.

DarrylS said:

Any edge that the Pats can employ to vary their offense is worth a shot, right now we have a lot of offensive weapons so using Blount in the passing game might be very situational, but effective...

The equalizer is how good are his "hands"??

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The impetus for this thread was watching him the few times he did catch passes. Seemed like soft hands, no twitching or bobbling. Another aspect is being able to catch in traffic without getting jumpy. He seems like he has no nervous system.

He's obviously not Faulk or Vereen, but if his hands are good, this gets him off the line into the open field where he destroys.

I'd give him lots of reps in practice before trying this, of course.

Zuma said:

Blount has a total of 33 receptions in his NFL career with an average of about 3 per year the past 4 years. I wouldn't mind seeing him catching about 1 per game on 3rd down. Teams will see him as either a threat to run or catch on 3rd down...and that's a good thing.

However I am only interested in Blount in on 3rd down if the Pats 3rd down back can't run the rock. Their needs to be a threat there to do both. Cadet has attempted 11 rushes in his NFL career with an average of 3.4 yards per carry. Nobody should expect a run when he has the ball...and that's a bad thing.

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Dion Lewis was a top college RB, but his pro receiving ability is unsure.