A Blount Discussion

[borg]

I'm waiting to see the guy perform against a D competent in stopping the run. The Iggles weren't ready to tackle a corpse last night.

 

[zipster9]

I'm pretty thrilled with Talib's enthusiasm and effort, but I'm keeping an eye on him if things get rough. Just reality I think. One of my favorite patriots was Corey Dillon and he had some baggage, Randy Moss too. As far as I'm concerned, If you give your all on the field and try to be a good team mate off the field I'm with you. I don't care if you're a choir boy.

Blount was very good in 1st pre-season game. But, lets see the next 3 games.

I think he and Bolden (or Washington) will be fighting for the last RB spot, no?

 

[BradyBranch39]

if 2010 Blount has returned, he could challenge Ridley IMO.

no way. this is reeealllly getting carried away.

 

[Dragda]

Not my point. If you're going to discuss things and make blanket statements, I think you should at least do the absolute minimum to back up what you say.

There's something called google. Put in the words Blount and work ethic and see what comes up.

This is not directed at you, of course, but I don't think posters that research a bit before they make statements should be required to do simple research for others that just want to make statements based on nothing.

I am guilty of this. I base my opinions on what I see. I don't look up stats or published reports. I may make reference to a report that I read, but I never really believe it until I can make itself out myself.

 

[Bruins29]

no way. this is reeealllly getting carried away.

Blount 13 7 201 1007 6 53 5.0 77.5 15.5 5 14

Ridely 16 11 290 1263 12 41 4.4 78.9 18.1 6 51
G GS ATT YDS TD LNG Y/A Y/G AT/G R YDS

Not at all really. Blount played 3 less games with 89 less attempts. Blount also had a better avg per carry.

Add in the 3 games for Blount he did not play and that is another 230ish yards according to his avg per game. That would put him right at Ridleys yards per the year with perhaps still a better Avg per game.

Plus Blount did not have as good a O Line blocking for him nor did he have anywhere near the same QB keeping defenses honest.

 

[RayClay]

Blount was very good in 1st pre-season game. But, lets see the next 3 games.

I think he and Bolden (or Washington) will be fighting for the last RB spot, no?

Why wouldn't we carry 4?

 

[zipster9]

Why wouldn't we carry 4?

Ridley, Vereen, {any 2 : Bolden, Blount, Washington}

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I think he will be our #2 this year behind ridley

 

[Froob]

Gonna be tough to keep Bolden, he'll probably have to really outplay some guys on special teams to make it. Showed some nice promise as a rookie but dunno if he's anything special. Does anyone know if Sudfeld can play FB? Perhaps they wouldn't want to keep 5 RBs if both Hooman and Sudfeld can play FB.

 

[RayClay]

Ridley, Vereen, {any 2 : Bolden, Blount, Washington}

I don't think Leon washington is playing running back? I think he's a kr and maybe occasional 3rd down guy, and Vereen is likely playing mostly 3rd down back, so you have three running backs in case of injury. I don't see anything wrong with that, if they're good enough to merit keeping. they are all young too.

Washington had 23 attempts for 83 yds last year. If a RB goes down, we aren't using him 20 times a game.

Leon Washington: Career Stats at NFL.com

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: A Blount Discussion

Alright, after having a night to sleep on the game I watched last night, I really wanted to make a thread to talk about what we saw out of Blount specifically.

Prior to the game my thoughts were:
-I'd heard he's not a great team player
-I'd heard his energy level/commitment was questionable
-I first heard he'd be a good 3rd down back, then later heard he might only be good on 1st/2nd down (which means, I suppose, nobody knows what he's good for)

What I saw on the field:
-Powerful as advertised
-WAY faster than I thought he'd be
-WAY more energy than I expected given some of the knocks on him
-Seemed to be loving it/enjoying the game a lot

So my question is- we're all talking about him possibly beating out Bolden. But everything I personally saw last night made me wonder if his ceiling isn't a bit higher than that? I know we have 2 excellent draft picks higher up on the roster, but this dude isn't old and should still have plenty in the tank.

Is 3rd the best he can do? My gut is telling me not necessarily. Is this overreaction to one game?

He played well, no doubt about it, he will be a good addition to the roster if he plays like he did last night.

That said he isn't a better back than Ridley in my opinion, and he is a different type of back all together than Vereen so I don't see him taking reps from them.

I do think he will see 8-10 carries a game, and expect him to be productive with them.

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: A Blount Discussion

The Bucs have a 1 RB show in Tampa, they had no use for Blount. Martin had 1,926 rushing and receiving yards on 368 touches.

To the OP, if 2010 Blount has returned, he could challenge Ridley IMO.

Ridley ran for 92 yards on 8 carries and scored a touchdown playing against the first string defenders of Phi. Blount played well but Ridley was better, and the big run Blount had would of been a loss of yardage against a regular season defense if you ask me. I'm excited for the addition of Blount but I'm not willing to diminish Ridley as a top 10-15 NFL RB.

 

[SONS_OF_BELICHICK]

RB tends to be one of the more punishing positions...so i can see us carrying 5 ... I was wondering why we didnt pick up peyton hillis when he was a free agent as he can also catch.....

 

[Brady6]

RB tends to be one of the more punishing positions...so i can see us carrying 5 ... I was wondering why we didnt pick up peyton hillis when he was a free agent as he can also catch.....

Hillis appears to be done; he had an opportunity in KC last season as the thunder to Charles's lightening but he didn't do much with it.

 

[IcyPatriot]

What has Bolden done since being suspended for PED use?

Seems without the PED's he's not the same guy he was previously.

I'd rather see Belichick go with 4 RB's and add depth elsewhere with someone who also is a decent ST player.

 

[BTTA]

Ridley ran for 92 yards on 8 carries and scored a touchdown playing against the first string defenders of Phi. Blount played well but Ridley was better, and the big run Blount had would of been a loss of yardage against a regular season defense if you ask me. I'm excited for the addition of Blount but I'm not willing to diminish Ridley as a top 10-15 NFL RB.

Just watched Blount's big run again. The OL didn't hold any of its original blocks (the Philly defenders defeated every one of them). Once he cut back, there were some good blocks made, but that play had little resemblance to anything that is likely to happen in the regular season.

And I doubt BB is going to want Blount to be doing the Barry Sanders imitation once the regular season starts and he's playing with and against starters.

But if the guy can keep his head straight, he has a chance to rehab his career here. I am perpetually amazed at the number of players that don't take up this kind of opportunity, however.

 

[patsinthesnow]

What has Bolden done since being suspended for PED use?

Seems without the PED's he's not the same guy he was previously.

I'd rather see Belichick go with 4 RB's and add depth elsewhere with someone who also is a decent ST player.

FWIW, Bolden was out there with Brady on the 2nd TD drive.

Kenbrell Thompkins WR Patriots Preseason Debut - YouTube

 

[Ring 6]

What has Bolden done since being suspended for PED use?

Seems without the PED's he's not the same guy he was previously.

I'd rather see Belichick go with 4 RB's and add depth elsewhere with someone who also is a decent ST player.

Boldens career has essentially been 2 games:
vs the woeful Bills 16-137 we ran 40-247 that game as a team
then the following weak a mediocre game vs Denver 14-54

Outside of those games he had 26-83 which is 3.0 a pop

Take away just the Bills game and he is 40-137 3.4

Aside from that one day, Bolden has done little to show he can be a quality RB at this level.
Mike Cloud 2.0?

 

[patsinthesnow]

Boldens career has essentially been 2 games:
vs the woeful Bills 16-137 we ran 40-247 that game as a team
then the following weak a mediocre game vs Denver 14-54

Outside of those games he had 26-83 which is 3.0 a pop

Take away just the Bills game and he is 40-137 3.4

Aside from that one day, Bolden has done little to show he can be a quality RB at this level.
Mike Cloud 2.0?

No point in arguing though, we've been here before in a similar scenario, let's see how it plays out.

 

[Ring 6]

No point in arguing though, we've been here before in a similar scenario, let's see how it plays out.

not sure what you mean