LeGarrette Blount

[long distance]

I think BB and Josh want to run something a little different this year (like every year). In the later part of the season teams found a way to stop Pats with LGB on the field.

While having an amazingly effective season on the whole . in 5 games that arguably mattered most (BAL, @DEN and playoffs) his production was not good.

Signings clearly show they want to be more dynamic and versatile on every snap. So it might not be so much about LGB and his production but simply not fitting the new O.

ps
they did offer him a deal reportedly - but my guess would be not for leading back but more of situational player (short yardage, goal line); and little if any guarantees - depending on how preseason works out..

 

[Ivan]

I can't blame Blount for wondering what the hell is going on salary wise. It must be confusing as hell to score 18 touchdowns and be considered a JAG. I get why the Patriots put the value they do on him but it still must suck for him as the relationship between production and pay is pretty out of whack, I'd like to see him back but we will see?

 

[aluminum seats]

Sentiment aside, doubt he'll be back. Visibly slowed by the end of the season and next year wouldn't be as good as this year. Year too early vs. year too late.

Not dismissing sentiment, btw. Blount putting his hand on Brady's head after the Super Bowl followed by Blount, Belichick and Brady embracing (topped off by Blount's f-bombs) was pretty damn perfect.

 

[maineman209]

Sentiment aside, doubt he'll be back. Visibly slowed by the end of the season and next year wouldn't be as good as this year. Year too early vs. year too late.

Not dismissing sentiment, btw. Blount putting his hand on Brady's head after the Super Bowl followed by Blount, Belichick and Brady embracing (topped off by Blount's f-bombs) was pretty damn perfect.

Not really surprising that Blount wore down toward the end of the season. But it probably wasn't due only to his age (30). He had 334 carries in 2016, including the post season. His next highest season total was 201 - when he was a rookie back in 2010.

Only 21-year-old Zeke Elliot had more carries in 2016 than Blount, and then only 10 more. Elliott had 344, including one playoff game. No other RB even topped 295 carries this season.

 

[sb1]

Loved seeing Blount sprint out there and "tackle" James White in celebration after he scored the Super Bowl winner. That's the chemistry found on championship teams and LGB gave us plenty....Loved having him on this team. I felt the Pats were right to let him walk a couple years ago but now I think they should have kept him.

With that said, I think the team's likely thoughts about him at this stage are probably correct unfortunately. This offense isn't built around a feature back but you do need better production out of the running game late in the season and in the playoffs

 

[maineman209]

The Pats' average rushing yards per game in 2016 was 117 during the regular season (7th in the NFL).

In wk-14 v. the #5 run defense (BAL), the Pats' ground game put up 95 yards in a game that was close till the middle of Q4. Blount gained 72 on 18 carries (4.0 YPA) and scored a TD.

In wks 15-17, the ground game performed above it's season average to seal three wins that were well in hand by halftime. Against DEN, the Pats ran on 55% of their plays. Against the Jets, the Pats ran it 58% of the time. Against the Fins, the Pats ran at about their season average, 46%. In all three games, Blount got the tough yards and TDs while Lewis got the big YPA.

In the playoffs, where every team's rushing production falls off by at least a little (well, except for Zeke Elliot), the Pats' rushing yards/game DID decline.
- Blount, however, hit close to 4 YPA against HOU; Lewis was the problem there.
- PIT did "appear" to shut down the ground game entirely, but then the game plan was to attack their crappy zone pass defense anyway. The game was pretty much over by halftime and Blount sealed the deal with a TD with 2:44 left in Q3.
- In the SB, in spite of playing from behind, the ground game still produced 104 yds at a 4.1 YPA and two TDs. Blount was certainly "off", but Lewis and White more than made up for him (White averaged 4.9 yards on six carries).

 

[willard]

That's what I am talking about. And in the beginning of the year when we needed a solid running game he delivered.

Quick recap
7 years in the league, less than 7 million dollars in earnings.

All time rank among Patriot Running Backs
10th rushing yards
4th rushing touchdowns
1st rushing average
2nd (tie) superbowl wins

Patriots Playoff Rank
#2 rushing yards
#1 rushing touchdowns

Tied for 11th all time in NFL playoff rushing touchdowns and Marshawn Lynch has 1 more than him and is the only one ahead of Blount that is not in the NFL hall of fame which is understandable since he is not yet eligible.

Blount does take a bit to get a head of steam and he has not always had the best rush blocking lines which has not helped his cause. Early on the knock was he couldn't get the tough yards, but I think that was the combination of his running style and the line that was more focused on pass blocking personal.

I think an argument could be made he was the greatest contributor to Patriots winning of any running back we have had. Mind you this is not the best. Sam Bam Cunningham in my book any day.

 

[maineman209]

Hmm, I'd take Knile Davis. Strong kid. 31 bench reps at the Combine. 225 lbs of violence. Do it!

Davis has fumbled once every 40 touches through his career. Even Ridley only fumbled once very 80.

 

[Ivan]

The Pats' average rushing yards per game in 2016 was 117 during the regular season (7th in the NFL).

In wk-14 v. the #5 run defense (BAL), the Pats' ground game put up 95 yards in a game that was close till the middle of Q4. Blount gained 72 on 18 carries (4.0 YPA) and scored a TD.

In wks 15-17, the ground game performed above it's season average to seal three wins that were well in hand by halftime. Against DEN, the Pats ran on 55% of their plays. Against the Jets, the Pats ran it 58% of the time. Against the Fins, the Pats ran at about their season average, 46%. In all three games, Blount got the tough yards and TDs while Lewis got the big YPA.

In the playoffs, where every team's rushing production falls off by at least a little (well, except for Zeke Elliot), the Pats' rushing yards/game DID decline.
- Blount, however, hit close to 4 YPA against HOU; Lewis was the problem there.
- PIT did "appear" to shut down the ground game entirely, but then the game plan was to attack their crappy zone pass defense anyway. The game was pretty much over by halftime and Blount sealed the deal with a TD with 2:44 left in Q3.
- In the SB, in spite of playing from behind, the ground game still produced 104 yds at a 4.1 YPA and two TDs. Blount was certainly "off", but Lewis and White more than made up for him (White averaged 4.9 yards on six carries).

Really good post.

 

[maineman209]

Just as a side stat ...

Back in 2004, Dillon gave the Pats 345 carries and 12 TDs in the regular season and another 65 carries and 2 TDs in the playoffs.

He was 30 years old at the time and was the Pats' lead RB for two more years.

Only two other lead backs in the BB Era have gone over 300 combined carries in regular season and post-season - Ridley in 2012 (13 TDs) and Blount in 2016 (19 TDs).

 

[Joey007]

Hmm, I'd take Knile Davis. Strong kid. 31 bench reps at the Combine. 225 lbs of violence. Do it!

You haven't watched the guy have you? Guy couldn't even make it for the Packers last year when they were using a WR at RB.

 

[maineman209]

One more ...

Longest runs of the 2016 season:

Brady - 15
Lewis - 15
White - 16
Brissett - 27
Blount - 26, 41, 25, 44, 23, 43, 19 (the last in wk-17)

BTW - Blount didn't actually turn 30 until after wk-12.

 

[Wheelman]

First I heard of the injury. May be common knowledge and I am just hearing it

Not sure I have been as clear as I would like. Blount had a fantastic year last year and I think I have shown he has been one of the top RB in Patriot team history. I think because the RB position is so devalued that maybe we as fans have devalued his contribution. Seems the team is moving away from him, can't see him signing for less than Burkhead and I don't see the Patriots offering more. In 7 seasons of football he has earned less than 7 million dollars. LeGarrette Blount I don't hear the board saying he has been grossly underpaid like Butler and I don't hear folks calling for his signing. MAN DESERVES RESPECT

I was reffering to Martellus Bennet. Sorry I should have said so

 

[Double TE]

I definitely think he should be back. Lewis is super injury prone, White is unproven in terms of whether or not he can be the lead back and handle running it 15-20x for 19 games. Same for Rex. Blount is a beast and a 4th quarter closer. Not to mention a very good goal line back. Plus I like the whole "Blount Force Trauma" nickname

 

[The Brandon Five]

You haven't watched the guy have you? Guy couldn't even make it for the Packers last year when they were using a WR at RB.

No, since Defamegate I pretty much only watch Patriots games.

 

[sambam94]

IMO, the Pats didn't sign Rex for $3m to have Blount come back at any price. Rex is replacing Blount.

 

[patriot1136]

I definitely think he should be back. Lewis is super injury prone, White is unproven in terms of whether or not he can be the lead back and handle running it 15-20x for 19 games. Same for Rex. Blount is a beast and a 4th quarter closer. Not to mention a very good goal line back. Plus I like the whole "Blount Force Trauma" nickname

Blount Force Trauma is a badass nickname. I wish I had a cool name like that.

 

[Thelonious]

Blount Force Trauma is a badass nickname. I wish I had a cool name like that.

Well, to be honest, "patriot1136" doesn't exactly give us a lot to work with. Maybe we could capitalize the "P" or ratchet it up to 1136.2, something like that.

 

[maineman209]

IMO, the Pats didn't sign Rex for $3m to have Blount come back at any price. Rex is replacing Blount.

Not saying it's going to happen, but Blount coming back for +/- $1.3M for a year would be a pretty good deal, if he and Burkhead split maybe 350 carries. Keeps both fresh.

 

[willard]

I am honestly surprised by the lack of love on the board for Blount. He has played 7 years in the league and his total career earnings are less than 7 million dollars. That must be in the bottom 1% for players who were starters for the last 7 years.

The only running back with more playoff rushing touchdowns (1) not in the HOF is Marshawn Lynch.

As a fan I love the way he plays and how much you sense his love for the team. Loosing him in 2015 was a severe blow to our offence in the playoffs. According to stats I found he is the Patriots career leader in rushing average, trails only Gronk by 1 TD in playoffs (no one else is close).

Yet there is a 65 post thread on Gaffney who I have no memory of ever suiting up for the Patriots. 135 post Need a bruising running back but who? And a 310 post thread on 1 game Burkhead.

For me as a fan, the running back is one of the exciting positions in football because of the natural focus we have on moving the ball and scoring. Blount is one of the most electric backs we have had in that regard.