New England Patriots News: LeGarrette Blount, Michael Hoomanawanui

The New England Patriots shipped Jeff Demps to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a seventh-round pick, and they received former Buccaneers starting running back LeGarrette Blount in the deal. Blount fell out of favor with new Tampa Bay head coach Greg Schiano, and part of that had to do with the emergence of Boise State Broncos rookie Doug Martin. Blount is a former 1,000-yard rusher, and several Bucs fans have dropped in on Musket Fire and have commented that Schiano did not treat Blount right and that Blount is a very good running back.

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Blount spoke with reports yesterday and talked about Bill Belichick, via ESPN Boston, “I’ve liked Coach Belichick since I met him the first time. He’s an amazing guy and he knows everything he’s talking about. He’s going to tell you exactly how it is, he’s not going to sugarcoat anything. He’s going to tell you exactly what he wants. He has high expectations for this team.”

Let’s hope that Blount can meet those expectations, because that would mean a bounce-back in form and a level of play that is closer to what he showed as a rookie in Tampa Bay when he notched over 1,000 rushing yards. All Blount has to do is work hard and buy into one of history’s greatest coaches, because Blount has the talent. New England Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears praised Blount’s character, so take that as you will.

Michael Hoomanawanui provided the Patriots will plenty of versatility as a blocking tight end and H-back, and he also has an awesome name. Hooman is set to be the Patriots No. 4 tight end in 2013 and said during yesterday’s interviews, “You just worry about yourself and bettering yourself because some guys are either an injury away from playing, as was my case last year, with those guys. Going from playing a couple plays here and there to starting at the end of the season. That’s your profession at the end of the day, is to be ready when your number is called.”

A professional response from Hooman with a lovely “next man up” reference to cap it off (quote courtesy of ESPN Boston’s Mike Rodak).

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.