Why is everyone shocked by LeGarrette Blount?

[RayClay]

I don't disagree with anything you've said. I think other posters and I have a different definition of "prime". My take on prime is that an athlete is still operating and performing at a level that they expect to. I agree that Dillon 04 was not Dillon 1997 but he was still dominant and performing at a very high level.

We have no disagreement. It's just that few people watched the Bengals, and the few tapes of him I saw, blew my mind. He was much better than the league gave him credit for because of awful team, small market.

 

[coolguy]

I don't disagree with anything you've said. I think other posters and I have a different definition of "prime". My take on prime is that an athlete is still operating and performing at a level that they expect to. I agree that Dillon 04 was not Dillon 1997 but he was still dominant and performing at a very high level.

So you think randy moss was still in his prime in 07 because it was his best year ever? Moss lost a step just like dillion did when they came to new england, but belichick has a knack for getting every of ounce of greatness from a old player.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We have no disagreement. It's just that few people watched the Bengals, and the few tapes of him I saw, blew my mind. He was much better than the league gave him credit for because of awful team, small market.

I had to go back and remind myself how good he was with Cinci.

The cut-backs. The vision. The punishment he dealt DBs....Sheesh.

Corey Dillon - YouTube

 

[upstater1]

Before my time, but I hear Jim Nance was a beast.

Sam Cunningham, John Stephens, Robert Edwards

 

[RobertWeathers]

So you think randy moss was still in his prime in 07 because it was his best year ever? Moss lost a step just like dillion did when they came to new england, but belichick has a knack for getting every of ounce of greatness from a old player.

All depends what you definition of prime is.

If your definition is physical ability only then no. He was not the same athlete at 30 as he was when he was 22. However at 22, he also wasn't the same athlete mentally either. He also didn't have the experience reading defenses, etc.

You could argue that BB and Brady got the best out of him in 07, and because he still had that best in him, he was still in his "prime".

 

[Silver Blue&Red]

I've got to admit, I didn't even know who he was before he came here. (shocking, I know). But, he's been a positive since he got here, contrary to the reports of being disruptive. He obviously loves being a Pat, loves BB, the team. I'm happy for him and us. Lets hope he's just hitting his stride and has a major, healthy impact all the way to the big game. He can taste it. :hungry:

 

[jmt57]

Don't people know he was a starter in Tampa and was smashing records for an undrafted RB? This guy was a lead back so nothing he does should come as a shock, he only lost his job because they took Doug Martin in 2012 and in 2011 the ineptitude of the Bucs offensively was the reason for his down in production compared to his rookie year yet he still managed 781 yards that season before they took Martin.

He could have had 1000 for us this season EASILY if he was the lead back but Ridley was playing like a stud before the fumble issues came to the fore and lost his job.

So pretty much you can put this guy as your starter and guarantee at least 5 YPC when he is plus his style and the momentum it gives the team is something you can't put a value on. The real dumb asses are the Bucs for giving him to Bill for Jeff Demps.

I've said it many a time on here this season that this type of athletic, bruising back will serve nothing but good in the playoffs when the game comes down to the trenches and key yards in the run game. LeGarrette will get those key yards.

Living in the Tampa area, I can tell you that this portrayal of Blount paints a highly inaccurate picture. Blount ran too high, had a problem with fumbles, did not use his size to his advantage, had trouble catching passes, and whiffed badly as a blocker for his quarterback on more than one occasion. Martin took over because he was better in every facet of the game; Blount struggled with that, and his attitude was an issue.

The implication that everyone should have seen Blount's 2013 resurgence coming is nothing more than 20-20 hindsight. As Patriot fans we are all happy with how it has turned out this season - but it is disingenuous to imply that it should have been expected. While we as fans were all optimistic and hoping for the best, that's different from his season (5.0 yards per carry, 7 TD, 29 yards per kickoff return) being what one would have realistically expected it to be.

 

[RayClay]

I had to go back and remind myself how good he was with Cinci.

The cut-backs. The vision. The punishment he dealt DBs....Sheesh.

Corey Dillon - YouTube

Ha ha, that's what I'm talking about. Some of that 278 yard game there, but I'm ticked the long vid was taken off youtube a few years ago, it was incredible.

 

[RayClay]

Living in the Tampa area, I can tell you that this portrayal of Blount paints a highly inaccurate picture. Blount ran too high, had a problem with fumbles, did not use his size to his advantage, had trouble catching passes, and whiffed badly as a blocker for his quarterback on more than one occasion. Martin took over because he was better in every facet of the game; Blount struggled with that, and his attitude was an issue.

The implication that everyone should have seen Blount's 2013 resurgence coming is nothing more than 20-20 hindsight. As Patriot fans we are all happy with how it has turned out this season - but it is disingenuous to imply that it should have been expected. While we as fans were all optimistic and hoping for the best, that's different from his season (5.0 yards per carry, 7 TD, 29 yards per kickoff return) being what one would have realistically expected it to be.

Great post. There's no doubt the guy had an attitude problem. He's definitely improved his short yardage runs just recently, but (judging from videos) he always had freak athletic potential.

 

[Bhelmet]

Even though Dillon had obviously lost many steps, he was still ripping nice long runs his last season. Had he any wheels left they would have been TD's or close to. Still as it was, I remember him tearing a nice run against the Jets that season to illustrate my thought. That was also the beginning of Air Brady and I thought too many times that season they abandoned the run too soon. I am not the first to write that since Dillon's release.

 

[goheels22002]

Why are we shocked? Because Belichick has brought in a slew of veteran running backs who have not panned out, got injured, had fumble-itis, or just didn't have the ability to live up to their billing. Blount is an exception to the rule.

Guys like Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, Amos Zeroue, Joseph Adai, Laurence Maroney, etc have come and gone. Corey Dillon and Antowain Smith lived up to all the promise, and then some, but overall it's been guys who came out of nowhere like BJGE and the current group that have distinguished themselves.

Blount looked like another one of those guys who came with promise and in need of restoring his reputation after a quality college career that usually wash out. He's the find of the year, no question.

 

[Bhelmet]

I did not have any specific expectations of Blount. I wasn't sure what he would bring here. I had no preconceived notions about his past. I really did not know much about him other than he was productive at some point and he and his coach had issues at another point. I remember the talking heads saying it was because of Martin, but like I am going to trust them. I have been pleased and impressed with ALL of his contributions this season. One my personal favorites, and one I feel was way under-appreciated, was his kick returning. Was he going to break one? Not unless some team has a special teams unit consisting of nothing but Mark Sanchez's. What he did do though was pretty much always reach the 20 - anything beyond that was always bonus and we had those moments too - and never fumble, despite his previous troubles (which I was not aware of until this season). He ran well, he ran hard, and he ran tough ALL season. At times, he danced too much at the line - not only unnecessary, but very frustrating. On the flip side, I remember him juking at least one guy in the open field and DAMN was it sweet seeing a guy his size move like that. I do not think he has quite overcome his rep in down and short yardage, but thankfully, he has not had to all that often. Whether garbage time, as some would call it, or not - he was damaging and effective. I could not ask for more. Actually, I could, I hope he is back next year. Blount has been one of the pleasant surprises for me this season. I cannot wait to see what he brings in the playoffs, but now I can say I have high hopes.

 

[primetime]

Blount was awful after his rookie year in Tampa. He's a 250 lb finesse back who runs high. The Patriots already had Ridley, who's a top-10 back, and Vereen, who's one of the game's finest receiving backs.

It's shocking that Blount made the team, let alone contributed and played as well as he has. Let's not act like anyone knew this was going to happen all along, or even 8 games into the season.

edit: Was actually said much better on the previous page by jmt57, so I'll just re-quote and say I agree 100%

Living in the Tampa area, I can tell you that this portrayal of Blount paints a highly inaccurate picture. Blount ran too high, had a problem with fumbles, did not use his size to his advantage, had trouble catching passes, and whiffed badly as a blocker for his quarterback on more than one occasion. Martin took over because he was better in every facet of the game; Blount struggled with that, and his attitude was an issue.

The implication that everyone should have seen Blount's 2013 resurgence coming is nothing more than 20-20 hindsight. As Patriot fans we are all happy with how it has turned out this season - but it is disingenuous to imply that it should have been expected. While we as fans were all optimistic and hoping for the best, that's different from his season (5.0 yards per carry, 7 TD, 29 yards per kickoff return) being what one would have realistically expected it to be.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

As long as him or Ridley doesn't fumble, it makes no difference.

 

[hwc]

The implication that everyone should have seen Blount's 2013 resurgence coming is nothing more than 20-20 hindsight.

I don't know. It wasn't hindsight when Pat Kirwin predicted that Belichick would find a very productive role for Blount... back in training camp.

 

[JMarr]

Because they're not as smart as you! You're so smart!

I didn't know much about Blount, but was in favor of the trade anyway. Pats have needed a punishing RB and a more balanced running attack for years now, and that is NOT a knock of any kind on Brady.

Early in the year I was very "WTF" about Blount being used as a kick returner, but now that just reminds me of my version of "IBBIT" (or whatever it is) that I always tell people: "Always remember, Belichick is smarter than you."