Blount

[Joey007]

And to think we wanted Foster instead of this guy before the year started.

 

[Deus Irae]

And to think we wanted Foster instead of this guy before the year started.

What do you mean we, paleface?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Ive always wanted to see what blount could do in a full season here. '13 he didnt become the primary runner till late, '14 he was in pitt most of the season, and '15 was ir'd. Would love to see him top ridley 's 2012.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

I thought Bell was having a tremendous game running the ball but then I saw his final rushing stats: 21 rushes, 81 yes, 3.9 ypc, and I realized the Pats did a pretty good job containing him on the ground after all.

i think id still take bell

 

[aluminum seats]

Your comment made me think, what posting would draw the greatest number of dislikes and disagrees? Maybe anything positive about Goodell.

Hmmm, sounds like a challenge. It would be interesting to see what could be constructed, that wasn't obvious trolling, that would generate massive dislikes. I'll get to work on that.

 

[bbobbo]

Hmmm, sounds like a challenge. It would be interesting to see what could be constructed, that wasn't obvious trolling, that would generate massive dislikes. I'll get to work on that.

"robert kraft is a great owner."

 

[Dagg]

Blount is really knocking it out this year and not like he used to at Oregon.

 

[Mack Herron]

Is there somewhere you can actually see this stat? I've heard this stated a lot but I wonder how he actually holds up against league averages for negative or no gain plays.

It is tough to find these stats, although you can find O-line splits. I mostly see them cited in stories like you:

As fantastic as Blount is as a first down rusher, he’s equally worse as a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th down back. As a point of comparison, Stevan Ridley was the complete opposite back. Ridley was below average on first down, just above average on second down, and exceptional on third down.

This stems from Ridley’s ability to convert in short yardage situations on third down. Blount, on the other hand, has converted less than half of his third and fourth down attempts while with the Patriots.

This is partially due to offensive line ineptitude, but it’s also because Blount needs a few steps to get into stride and he doesn’t get that build up in short yardage situations.

LeGarrette Blount struggles in September, but dominates in December

My point is that few backs do everything well, and short yardage is not Blount's strength because he really is not a power back at the LOS. He delivers powerful blows to DBs at the second level, but prefers to dance through the clutter at the line. Of course if we had a O-line of road graders Blount would be more effective in short yardage, but we do not and a back who could plow into the big guys with authority would be a nice complement to Blount. But even a back with similar skills who could absorb the workload if he went down would be great. We do not have reliable depth at his position--an RB to grind out yards and clock after we get the lead. Maybe Sankey or Gafney could do it, but we really haven't seen enough to have any confidence.

 

[meatface]

I was wondering this myself. He is averaging 80 yards a game and on pace right now for 1294 yards. So I mean, who knows, but I'd love to see him get his first 1000 yard season.

he had 1007 his rookie year

 

[meatface]

Blount is enjoying a career year, but (like many backs) he has holes in his game (look at his number of no gain/negative runs).

thats the kind of running back that he is, I dont have an issue with it but some people seem to much prefer the plodding back who gets 3 yards most times and when they break one its for six yards.

 

[Mack Herron]

thats the kind of running back that he is, I dont have an issue with it but some people seem to much prefer the plodding back who gets 3 yards most times and when they break one its for six yards.

As far as I can see, nobody has said anything like that.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Blount

Played well.

He's played well all season. He looks like a completely different RB. I love it.

 

[meatface]

As far as I can see, nobody has said anything like that.

i was referring to the frequent notes about how he gets stopped at the line a lot

 

[Mack Herron]

i was referring to the frequent notes about how he gets stopped at the line a lot

Speaking for myself, I don't want to replace Blount. I want to augment him.

 

[RayClay]

What I also really like is he has 6 catches the past 4 games (after none the first 3). Makes for a much less predictable O.

He's never had more than 6 in a season other than when he had 15 in 2011. What an outlier.

Look it up, I made a thread about it [relaxed pass catcher].

Always been a fan,he's a beast in the open field and came in in great shape [10-15 pounds lighter, I estimate]. But, even though short yardage is not his forte, with one yard to go, you have to get low, cannot be stood up like the other game.

 

[RayClay]

thats the kind of running back that he is, I dont have an issue with it but some people seem to much prefer the plodding back who gets 3 yards most times and when they break one its for six yards.

Situational football. When you need one yard for a 1st down, you don't go in standing straight up, you get low. it's correctable.

 

[supafly]

i was referring to the frequent notes about how he gets stopped at the line a lot

Since you brought that up and Ray Clay used the term "forte," I was mildly surprised at the stat that showed Matt Forte being stopped at the LOS or behind the LOS on approx. 20 percent of his rush attempts this year.

I figured I'd bring him up since he's on pace for 1,000 yard season and many wanted to bring him in.

 

[meatface]

Situational football. When you need one yard for a 1st down, you don't go in standing straight up, you get low. it's correctable.

teams have been trying to get him to be that guy since college, it hasnt happened and its not going to happen now.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

thats the kind of running back that he is, I dont have an issue with it but some people seem to much prefer the plodding back who gets 3 yards most times and when they break one its for six yards.

What's BenJarvus Green-Ellis doing these days?

 

[InRodWeRust]

I was mildly surprised at the stat that showed Matt Forte being stopped at the LOS or behind the LOS on approx. 20 percent of his rush attempts this year.

Running passed the LOS doesn't appear to be his forte.