NFL Agent: LeGarrette Blount was best offensive signing of the year

[Soul_Survivor88]

After getting outpriced on all the top options during the initial wave of free agency, the Patriots added Blount in the middle of April to a cheap 1-year, $1 million contract with up to $1 million in incentives. Now, with the season at an end, Blount has been the best offensive signing, and the second-best steal in free agency, according to NFL agent Joel Corry.

“Blount languished on the open market for about month before returning to the Patriots on a one-year, $1-million deal worth up to $2 million through incentives,” Corry writes. “He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September because he helped keep the Patriots afloat with a 3-1 record while Tom Brady served his four game Deflategate suspension. Blount has a career high 1,110 rushing yards, which is eighth-most in the NFL. He also has a league-leading 17 rushing touchdowns. Blount has nearly doubled his 2016 compensation by earning $750,000 of his incentives for reaching the 1,100 rushing yard mark.”

Corry also thinks Patriots TE Martellus Bennett was the second-best trade acquisition this year.

Also found this amusing:

 

[borg]

In 2005, NE rewarded Clock Killin Corey Dillon with 2 year extension, $10 mill guaranteed ... after his 1635 yd, 12 TD Super Bowl season......when the cap was $85.5 million. With the 2017 cap double the 2005 maximum, Blount and his agent have to believe this is his time to cash in.

 

[Tuck]

This guy Corry is a know nothing, no gooder. I know this because I saw a football expert named Michael Felger on the television tonight and he said Blunt isn't very good because his APC isn't as high as the other top backs in the NFL. I don't understand what this Corry guy is talking about.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

A career season of 18 TDs on 299 carries cost the Patriots 1 million dollars. This guy seems to think that's historic value to get out of a veteran player.

 

[Tony2046]

Probably another Scarnecchia beneficiary. Although reports had it that Blount worked hard during the offseason to slim down etc... but running behind an improved line had to help.

Anyways it's good to see Blount have a great season. Always liked the guy.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

“Blount languished on the open market for about month before returning to the Patriots on a one-year, $1-million deal worth up to $2 million through incentives,” Corry writes.

Is that what really happened though? It's well known that Blount really only wanted to play for the Patriots. I don't think the Patriots were "out-priced" on all the top options and wound up falling back on Blount. I think that the Patriots were "out-priced" on all the top options, but would have signed Blount along with them too, and then they would have let them battle it out in training camp (maybe even keeping both). I believe the hold-up on resigning Blount was waiting for the green light on his medicals after the hip injury; they didn't want to spend money on damaged goods.

This is all speculation on my part, but educated speculation based on past comments and history. I don't think Corry is stating anything that's inside info here, it's his own external view of the situation.

 

[jimnance]

Probably another Scarnecchia beneficiary. Although reports had it that Blount worked hard during the offseason to slim down etc... but running behind an improved line had to help.

Anyways it's good to see Blount have a great season. Always liked the guy.

Develin had a LOT to do with it as well. Getting Develin back was one of the most underrated things this season. Blount has always seemed to run better running behind him.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

if blount was on the packers, aaron would "steal" half of his td's

 

[oldrover]

Disclaimer: on any thread regarding LeGarrette Blount, I am contractually obligated to post the following 45 seconds:

 

[ctpatsfan77]

A career season of 18 TDs on 299 carries cost the Patriots 1 million dollars. This guy seems to think that's historic value to get out of a veteran player.

It's actually about $1.75M (including incentives), but point still stands.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

if blount was on the packers, aaron would "steal" half of his td's

Some people take this as a criticism of Blount....if anything, I think it shows how reliable he is in goal-line situations.

No shame is being balanced and prioritizing ball security

 

[OhExaulted1]

Develin had a LOT to do with it as well. Getting Develin back was one of the most underrated things this season. Blount has always seemed to run better running behind him.

Need to resign that dude.

 

[meatface]

In 2005, NE rewarded Clock Killin Corey Dillon with 2 year extension, $10 mill guaranteed ... after his 1635 yd, 12 TD Super Bowl season......when the cap was $85.5 million. With the 2017 cap double the 2005 maximum, Blount and his agent have to believe this is his time to cash in.

unfortunetly for him, I think teams are going to look at what happened with Pittsburgh and say thanks but no thanks

 

[BobDigital]

Close but no. The best offensive signing in the NFL was on the Patriots though. His name is Marcus Cannon and he would have been a free agent if not resigned. People forget they gave him a 2 year deal some 10 months ago or so ago.

Blount has had a good year but lets be real. He is not one of the top 5 or even top 10 RBs this year. A lot his of success is due to Brady and the OL and though he can pound out that hard yard or get you into the endzone at the 1 as good as anyone besides that he lacks in skill set. When Brady is your QB and you are behind Scar's line and get 3.9YPC you are not that good.

I am glad to have him but is about an average starting RB. A hair better probably due to the workload he can take and his goal line ability.

Cannon on the other hand has arguably had the best year of any RT. At least 2nd best. He was an elite FA pick up at the high value OT position.

With all due respect to those who disagree I don't see how it is a debate at least on the Patriots.

Correction: Cannon was not a free agent this year. I was a year off. I still stand by the rest of the comments not connected to that fact though.

 

[Tony2046]

Some people take this as a criticism of Blount....if anything, I think it shows how reliable he is in goal-line situations.

No shame is being balanced and prioritizing ball security

Being able to run it in at or near the goal line is such an asset. The defense has to respect both the run and the pass which obviously makes either easier to accomplish.

 

[Tony2046]

Develin had a LOT to do with it as well. Getting Develin back was one of the most underrated things this season. Blount has always seemed to run better running behind him.

Good point. Definitely.

 

[Tony2046]

Close but no. The best offensive signing in the NFL was on the Patriots though. His name is Marcus Cannon and he could have been a free agent if not resigned.

Blount has had a good year but lets be real. He is not one of the top 5 or even top 10 RBs this year. A lot his of success is due to Brady and the OL and though he can pound out that hard yard or get you into the endzone at the 1 as good as anyone besides that he lacks in skill set. When Brady is your QB and you are behind Scar's line and get 3.9YPC you are not that good.

I am glad to have him but is about an average starting RB. A hair better probably due to the workload he can take and his goal line ability.

Cannon on the other hand has arguably had the best year of any RT. At least 2nd best. He was an elite FA pick up at the high value OT position.

With all due respect to those who disagree I don't see how it is a debate at least on the Patriots.

That's a hard take. 3.9 yards is only one stat. When your asking him to pick up first downs or TD's from a yard or two out and the defense is throwing 7 or 8 in the box you can't expect 4.5.

He's been better than average or better than top 15 in the league.

 

[BobDigital]

That's a hard take. 3.9 yards is only one stat. When your asking him to pick up first downs or TD's from a yard or two out and the defense is throwing 7 or 8 in the box you can't expect 4.5.

He's been better than average or better than top 15 in the league.

Well I bring it up cause it matters a lot. It is probably the most important RB stat provided you aren't a fumble machine.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Close but no. The best offensive signing in the NFL was on the Patriots though. His name is Marcus Cannon and he would have been a free agent if not resigned. People forget they gave him a 2 year deal some 10 months ago or so ago.

Not quite; it was more like 26 months. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2011, so he was under contract through 2014. In December 2014, they extended him two years, through this season.

 

[Tony2046]

Well I bring it up cause it matters a lot. It is probably the most important RB stat provided you aren't a fumble machine.

So if you swap Elliot and Blount do you think Blount would have a higher YPG?